சிந்திக்க வேண்டிய விடயம்...!
1. ஒரு ஏக்கர் கரும்பு பயிரிட்டால்- 6,000 ரூபாய்.
2.ஒரு ஏக்கர் வாழை பயிரிட்டால் - 9,000 ரூபாய்.
3.ஒரு ஏக்கர் நெல் பயிரிட்டால் - 15,000 ரூபாய்.
4.ஒரு ஏக்கர் பிளாட்டா (PLOTS) போட்டா - 1.6 கோடி ரூபாய் (real estate)
நானும் நீயும் படித்து விட்டதால் இதில் உள்ள நான்காம் திட்டத்தை தேர்ந்து எடுத்து, கணக்கு போட்டு பட்டா (patta) போடுவோம்...
அவன் படிக்காததாலோ என்னவோ அதில் தன் வியர்வையை போட்டு நமக்கு சோறு போடுகிறான்.
அங்கீகரிக்கப் பட்ட தகவலின் படி வருடத்திற்கு 17500 விவசாயிகள் தற்கொலை செய்து கொள்கிறார்கள் என்கிறது ஆய்வு.
சோறு போடும் விவசாயியை அங்கீகரிக்காத சமூகம், அழிவை நோக்கி செல்வது உறுதி.
டாலருக்காக அடகு வைக்கப் படும் படிப்பும் அறிவும், என்றுமே இவன் வியர்வைக்கு முன் மண்டி இடும்...!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
No closure of Sterlite plant - Supreme Court
The Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore on
Sterlite Industries, part of Vedanta Resources, for polluting environment
through its copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadu. However, the apex court
refused to direct closure of the plant in Tuticorin. The company has to pay the
compensation amount in five years, the SC ruled. The court added that the
compensation must act as a deterrent and any fine less than Rs 100 crore would
not have had the desired impact.
The Madras High Court had ordered to close down the
company's Tuticorin copper-smelting plant for violating environmental norms. Sterlite
had moved the apex court against the order of the high court which had on
September 28, 2010, ordered shutting down of the smelting plant for allegedly
failing to comply with environmental norms. The company, in its special leave
petition against the order, had claimed that the high court did not give it a
proper hearing and had ignored its submissions.
The apex court had on October 1, 2010, in an
interim direction, stayed the operation of the Madras High Court order
directing closure of the industry. TNPCB's March 30 order came a week after an
unspecified gas had allegedly leaked from the plant on March 23. The gas leak had
caused mild suffocation, sore throat and eye irritation to several people in
the area. Thereafter, on instructions of the District Collector of Tuticorin, TNPCB
had issued a direction to the Vedanta group company to close down the plant. Sterlite
had already moved the National Green Tribunal challenging the TNPCB directive.
Related links:-
UPSC Interview
Once the bell rang, I entered the room
Me: Good afternoon sir.
Chairman: Good afternoon. Points his hands to chair where
I need to sit
Chairman: Are you comfortable? Can we start the
interview?
Me: Yes sir.
Chairman: Senthil, from the southern end of Indian State
u reached long way to Delhi
Me: It’s my ambition and dream
sir. From my school days, I though of becoming an officer who travel sin red
beacon signals. Also in my family none became government high officials. And
hence I came this long way to Delhi
Chairman: What’s happening in Tamil Nadu? Always
agitation, strikes etc…
Me: Now nothing sir. Colleges
reopen.
M1: Do you think TN has legal right to interfere in Sri
Lankan affairs?
Me: Yes Mam.
M1: How do u say? India’s foreign policy can’t be
dictated by States
Me: Mam, as we know, India Pakistan , we think of J&K than any other
states in the same way, when we speak about Nepal ,
we think of Nepal , when we
speak of China it’s Arnachal
Pradesh, when we speak about Bangladesh ,
it’s West Bengal . Hence it is normal when we
speak about Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
M1: Very good analysis. But we also should consider
Chinese influence in Sri
Lanka
Me: Mam, A foreign policy of a
country can’t be dictated by other countries policies or afraid. A foreign
policy should be evolved and maintained regularly. So blaming of XYZ country in
our neighbours is just a mere excuse.
M1: Ok Senthil.
M2: Why Tamil Nadu is always opposing the entrance
examination?
Me: (I don’t know what to answer
for this; I wholeheartedly blamed all the politicians in TN) Sir, as the
entrance examinations are framed on the central government syllabus, TN is
opposing it.
M2: Do you think UPSC comes under that. Why TN is not
opposing too that
Me: UPSC is highly competitive
and more coveted exam. UPSC exam cant be prescribed to one syllabus at all..
M2: What’s your opinion about the new changes in UPSC
that was announced and recalled?
Me: I really felt happy on seeing
the changes in UPSC exam but sadly it was reverted back too some extent.
M2: But TN is the first state to oppose the changes and
then started by all States. It seems your state is really a panic to all….
Me: In general, aspirants who are
preparing for UPSC welcomed this move but unfortunately opposition came from
the coaching class institutions as they rely only on literature and optional
subjects. So it all triggered and also language constraint added to it. To my
point, it would be much nicer if no optional at all.
M2: (Amazing to hear such answer that too from TN
candidate.) Can u suggest how UPSC exam should be?
Me: The Question papers should be
only in English ands the answers can be given in any prescribed 22 scheduled
languages and English. The Mains paper must be without optional. Hence the
Literature controversy will come to an end.
M2: Ok
M3: Can u say me some of the e-governance projects in
your state?
Me: e-pathai, VLE
Chairman: What is AMMA scheme in your state and what’s
the purpose?
Me: Assured Maximum Service to
Marginal people in all villages. Aims to bring the government officers to
villagers itself.
M1: Senthil, say something about AMMA mess?
Me: (shocked for me, why asking
this and all) to give tiffin and food at affordable rates.
M1: Had u eaten in this?
Me: No mam, not yet. Planning to
go.
M1: Do you think it’s a good step?
Me: More people in Chennai
welcomed it. AS the prices are increasing in progression rate, weaker section
of the people will surely benefit from this
M1: In the recent TN budget 2013-14, the govt has
allocated a big sum of amount to school education department? Do you think it
will be a fruitful one? Say it in detail. As all the members want to hear
what’s happening in TN School education departments?
Me: School Education is the
backbone of the economy. In the recent TN Budget, aaprox Rs. 16000 crore has
been allocated to this department, which is the highest allocation ever for any
department. This includes free shoes, chappals, geometry boxes, atlas, school
bags, 4 sets of school uniforms, and also free sanitary napkins to girl
students, woolen sweaters to hilly area students, free school books, etc…
M1: Do you think its all necessary?
Me: Anything doing for school
education is not wasteful thing mam.
M1: can u say the new meals for the school children in
your state?
Me: After several decades, the
govt of TN had changed the menu for school children in nutritious meal program.
The new menu includes egg masala, veg Briyani, tomato rice, sambar rice, veg
pulav and so on
M1: Interesting menu. (All members laughed)
Chairman: In the recent Union Budget 2013-14, Finance
Minister quoted two persons in his speech. Who are they?
Me: It is Economist Thomas Glitz
and Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar
M3: See here too, you mention foreigner at first and
Indian (that too from your state) at last. But you people are shouting for
linguistic… very paradox….
Chairman: What Thirukural he quoted in the budget?
Me: (stunned for a while). And
said I need to recall, chairman said, take t and say me.. also say about
Thirukural..All Tamil politicians and technicians are quoting it…
Me: Said it: don not know. {then
said about Thirukural and Thirvalluvar what all mugged up in my school days}
Chairman: Can we change the name of TN to TASMAC Nadu? Do
you agree with TASMAC?
Me: At any cost, none will agree
that a government itself sells liquor shops. So it’s a bad step
M2: But in early history if you go back to Gupta dynasty,
it all happened. Are u weak in history? Why can’t u think it as a history
repeats?
Me: It maybe sir. But in
democratic form of government it is really a worrisome situation. The only one
thing is no hooch tragic deaths
Chairman: The economic growth of TN is just 45 from 9%.
Why is it so?
Me: Due to poor monsoon, failure
of rainfall, and also excess of power cuts hit all the three sectors badly.
Hence the decline.
M2: Senthil, Kudnakulam, Kalpakam, Neyvveli, Mettur and
Tuticorin is with Tamil Nadu. Then how this 16-18hours power cuts?
Me: Mam, all these are in TN only
but the electricity produced by them are not fully utilised by TN alone. It is
shared among several states. Also Kudankulam not yet started.
M2: You people are not allowing to start anything, for
everything u r protesting and agitating means, how can u make up your state
into developed one.
Me: In Kudankulam, all the
protests are gone. State government had given it nod for that. Now some
technical snag is there, recently PM too said by next month, the plant will start
to execute.
M2: Say the power projects in the State – is solar and
wind are really a good option for TN
Me: From Mettur to North Chennai power projects I said it. Then on wind and
solar energy, it all depends on the monsoon. Once the wind energy gave 500 MW a
day and now it is nil. So it is not possible to depend that energy alone. On
Solar energy recently TN quoted for international bid and it is Rs.6.48 per
unit, which is the cheapest in India
M3: Once TN sold electricity to other, now the situation
is like this. Why is it so?
Me: Not planned for the future is
the real problem. Also TN is not connected to Central grid is another one major
problem. Apart from that, the electricity is moved to central list is the
biggest problem.
Chairman: Assume you are Secretary to the Department of
Electricity in TN. What suggestion will you give to TN Govt?
Me: No public or political
meetings after 6 PM at any cost. All the MNCs and multiplexes in Tier-I cities
should be moved to solar power immediately. Increase the electricity price
tarrif for MNCs and multiplexes. 100% no
usage of bulbs.
Chairman: Cauvery issue
Me: I said this history
M2: Is it over or a temporary stop?
Me: It all depends on how the
Centre govt is forming CMA?
{They asked about districts that are being benefited by Cauvery, the recent
centre notification etc…}
Chairman: The State government ban on IPL players in
Chennai – do you welcome it?
Me: yes. It represents the
feelings of Tamil people.
M3: Don’t you think sports must not be mixed up with
Politics?
Me: Ye sir, I agree. But the ban
of Pakistani players also remains the same. But coming to Lanka, it s not
politics, it is clearly a humanitarian issue that too ethnic Tamil who also
once Indians..
M2: Pakistan
Me: Then why boosting trade
relation and business talks with enemy nation. Mam, banning of players dated
back to 1946 itself, when the interim govt headed by Nehru strongly voiced
against apartheid issue in South Africa
and called for economic sanction against South Africa India India
M2: It seems all the people of Tamil Nadu are in same
line… its really interesting…Do you think Indian media are 100% correct.
Me: No mam, they are making small
issues much bigger. Even in addressing the Tamil issue of Lanka they are not at
all correct.
(They discussed something with them)
Chairman: Say something about BRICS Bank
Me: I said it..
Chairman: Asked about the new regulations of RBI in
starting a pvt bank
Me: I struggled here
Chairman: Do you think Indian voters cast their votes
still on the basis of caste, religion and region?
Me: No sir. Too some extent it
changed.. Now people are really looking for developments.
M3: Something about India
Me: Chnadrayaan and Mangalyan.
M3: Asked what it about
Me: I briefed it
M2: Senthil, Vishwaroopam ban – is it correct or not?
Me: Absolutely against the
freedom of speech and expression.
M2: Are u fan of Kamal?
Me: No. Once the censor board
clears the film, it should be allowed to screen in theatres.
M3: What National Award won by that film?
Me: Best Art Direction and Best
Choreography
M3: What is the speciality about UN water award 2013 in
respect with the State of TN
Me: In Category 1 which is awarded
to best water management practices, TN bagged Second place and Category 2 which
is awarded to best participatory, communication TN bagged second place {I thought any other questions form this, but great
escape… no further questions on this…as I just gone through at the last minute}
(I remembered only these much)
To me, it was a bitter experience,
as too much controversial questions
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Third front in Indian politics...
Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has, worryingly
for the Centre, drawn attention to the importance of regional chieftains in
installing a government at the Centre just days after the DMK pulled out of the
UPA.
After the decline of the Left in national politics,
Mulayam has arrogated to himself the role of prime mover for the so-called
third front formation. This was evident on Monday as the SP leader said at a
function in Sangli, Maharashtra , that
coalition politics had come to stay and called upon "likeminded parties"
to join hands.
He said, coalition government is the need of the
country as no single party can come to power at Centre on its own strength. It
is high time that parties, having the common goal to achieve social change, come
together as in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh. It is obvious that he is weighing his own chances as leader of a
political formation that will be an alternative to the Congress and the BJP. He
seemed to have the backing of some other regional parties.
NCP leader D.P. Tripathy said, "Many secular
parties will come together. Our effort is that all secular parties come on one
platform." Mulayam , who has spoken repeatedly about early elections, is
wasting no time. Sources said that he has deputed Ram Gopal Yadav to meet
leaders of likely third front partners like the Biju Janata Dal, the DMK and
the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
But both the Congress and the BJP were quick to
dismiss the SP leader's comments. Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh
said the Congress was not bothered by the remarks. BJP leader Balbir Punj said,
"Third or fourth front will continue to be in news for the wrong reasons
but it will be a non-starter. I don't think any such coalition will come up. "This
development came amid reports that Mulayam was preparing to soon withdraw
support from the UPA.
Mulayam's bravado in floating the third front idea
barely camouflages the fact that satraps, despite their bargaining power, must
have the backing of one principal national party - the Congress or the BJP. As
for the regional chieftains, regardless of their keenness to get to the
national stage, their primary focus will remain their own states.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Sterlite Copper Plant closed
Mired in controversy in recent days, Sterlite
Industries Limited’s copper smelter in Tuticorin was shut down (March 30, 2013).
Operations in the plant came to a standstill in the wake of an order from the
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Tuticorin Collector Mr. Ashish Kumar
instructed officials to inspect the Vedanata group company to make sure that
the production lines remained shut. The closure order has come after a gas leak
was reported.
Following emission of sulphur
dioxide from Sterlite, people in the neighbourhood experienced unease and
complained of suffocation, sneezing and burning sensation in the eye.
TNPCB revealed that Sterlite
Industries violated the norms of The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981. On March 23, 2013, the release of SO2 at stack level (chimney level)
from the plant was 2900 PPM (parts per million), whereas the permissible level
is only 1250 PPM.
Activists protesting against the functioning
of the copper smelter celebrated the shutdown, but the company insisted that it
had been in operation for 17 years with all requisite clearances and approvals.
It said it would explain the factual position to the TNPCB and cooperate fully
with the authorities so that it could restart operations soon.
Calling it a victory for the
local population, Mr. Vaiko, general secretary, MDMK, in a statement thanked
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her decision to close down the smelter. He
termed Sterlite as a ‘noxious industry’ causing harm to the lives of people.
Pollution in all forms from Sterlite and its baneful effects impacted the
livelihoods of farmers, fishermen and traders as farm lands turned unproductive
and groundwater and seawater became unusable.
Online comments for the action:-
After a long struggle by
People of Southern Districts of TN and particularly by MDMK and its Chief Vaiko,
the Tamil Nadu Government has done the right thing. Besides, mass agitations, Vaiko
resorted to legal recourse also. The final verdict is about to come in the
month of April'13 in Supreme Court. Industrialization is must for development;
but at the same time, the interest of agrarian economy has also to be taken
into consideration. In this particular STERLITE Industries Case, the effluent
level is beyond tolerable limit. Kudos to TN Government and to Vaiko, for his
unrelenting fight.
Even though it is too late,
it is good to close the industry which pollutes the environment. It is to be
noted that this industry was not given permission to start its operation in North India .
PROJECT FACTFILE
|
|
Foundation stone laid
1994
|
Production started
1996
|
Initial copper production
56000 tonnes
|
At present
400000 tonnes
|
Work force (regular)
1000
|
Contract workers
3000
|
Indirect workforce
20000
|
Existing plant site
600 acres
|
Exports (Domestic)
60%
|
Exports (Intl)
40%
|
Chennai Metro Rail - status
Chennai Metro rail completed its first tunnel
between two stations – Washermenpet and Mannadi. It took five and a half months
to bore the 1.3 km tunnel, which is part of the Washermenpet-Airport corridor
along Anna Salai. The tunnel stretches under 750 buildings as it is one of
those few stretches where tunnel is not under a main road. Tunnelling began on
October 1, 2012 from Washermenpet. The machine, which worked at an average
speed of 12 m per day, touched a speed of 54.6 m in one of the days, fixing 39
concrete rings. So far 958 rings,which act as the roof and the walls, have been
fixed along the stretch. Metro rail will now lay tracks and install other
facilities.
Tunnelling is underway to build a parallel tunnel
along the same stretch to lay a second line. The second tunnel has reached 205
metres.
Two parallel tunnels – one 360 m and another 368 m – have been bored from Nehru Park
Work is in progress to make a tunnel from Shenoy
Nagar to Thirumangalam where metro track will emerge from underground and
become an elevated corridor from there to St Thomas Mount. Pace of tunneling
varies from one location to another. Though boring began in July last year at Nehru Park
Tracks are being laid between Koyembedu and St
Thomas Mount on the elevated stretch where viaducts have been completed. Around
7.5 km tracks have been laid so far.
Madhya Pradesh topples Bihar in growth rate
BJP-led Madhya Pradesh has dislodged champion Bihar from its numero uno position in terms of highest
growth of gross state domestic product. The provisional data released by the
Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) for 2012-13 for states shows Bihar ’s growth has slowed, slipping from an impressive 13.26%
last year to a single digit 9.48% this year as against 10% clocked by MP.
Other backward states have maintained their upward
trajectory, with Jharkhand and Odisha growing at 9.12% and 9.14%, respectively,
this year.
However, a comprehensive comparison have to wait
until growth data from Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi, all
of which have maintained robust growth in the past years, come in. Provisional
GDP figures for these states for 2012-13 are still awaited.
In Bihar ’s case, the
phenomenal economic expansion it had clocked in recent years shows signs of
deceleration. It added Rs.13,679 crore to its GDP, taking its economy from Rs.144,278
crore in 2011-12 to Rs.157,957 crore in the current fiscal. In comparison, MP
has fared better, adding more than Rs.20,000 crore to its economy during the
last one year, and expanding its GDP from Rs.2,01,290 crore last year to Rs.2,21,463
crore this year.
Growth in per capita income has been more disappointing
for Bihar . It has added merely Rs.1,090 in 2012-13
to its per capita income, lowest among other states. In comparison, Jharkhand
and MP have seen its per capita income rise by more than Rs.2,000. Odisha has
also managed to add Rs.1,450 in its per capita income in the last one year — up
from Rs.24,134 last year to Rs.25,584 this year.
In contrast, Bihar ’s
per capita stands at Rs.14,268 in the current year, just marginally up from
last year’s Rs. 13,178. In the past five years, Bihar
has been on a high growth path, consistently recording double-digit rate: 12%
in 2008-09; 11% (2010-11) and 13% (2011-12). The only exception was 2009-10
when the state’s GDP grew by a modest 7.09%.
MP has been another consistent performer. It grew
by 12.47% in 2008-09 .The following year it defied downturn to post a
respectable 9.88%. Though it came down to 7.13% the next year, it bounced back
to double digit by managing a rate of 11.81% in 2011-12.
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