Articles by News Desk

Students in city protest against NEP At a convention in Freedom Park on Wednesday, AIDSO (All India Democratic Students Organisation) said that about 40,000 students have collected and will send almost 35 lakh signatures to the Prime Minister and the state Chief Minister, demanding the scrapping of the NEP (National Education Policy), 2020 . AIDSO opposed many NEP features, including four-year degree courses and students simultaneously studying two degree courses, saying it would commercialise education. Experts slammed the government for rolling out the NEP without consulting stakeholders. They added that instead of focusing on developing infrastructure and addressing dropout rates in…

3,000 sq m of potholes filled this year, says the BMC In response to the numerous complaints about the state of Mumbai's roads, the BMC claimed it has filled 3,000 sq metres of potholes with rapid hardening concrete this monsoon. Prior to the monsoon, each ward is given Rs 1.5 crore to fix bad patches of roads. The BMC then gives them Rs 50 lakh for filling holes that appear during the rains with cold mix. The wards had asked for 3,004 metric tonnes of the mix earlier in March, but falling short of need, an additional Rs 5 lakh…

Korattur canal in Chennai choked by encroachment Restaurants, tea stalls and car wash garages are encroaching the Korattur Canal that runs from Korattur to Puzhal along the Water Canal Road in Chennai. Activists complain that the encroachments and garbage have polluted the canal such that it cannot be seen anymore.  They have urged the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to join hands with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and restore the canal instead of constructing stormwater drains in the location.  However, Corporation officials state that the canal in Korattur is a temporary storage structure, and there is a necessity…

Government tables Language Bill The government, on September 22nd tabled the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill, 2022 to provide for reservation to Kannadigas in industries and other establishments as per the state industrial policy. A non-complying company will not be eligible for any government concessions. The proposed legislation will also make Kannada mandatory for employees of banks and other financial institutions. Failure in using Kannada for official and administrative transactions would be considered as dereliction of duty. Source: The Indian Express 57% dissatisfied with government: Survey The Bengaluru Citizens’ Perception Survey, released by the B.PAC (Bangalore Political Action Committee) on…

Greater Chennai Corporation urges residents to pay property tax Only 6.88 lakh (52%) of the total 13 lakh assessees in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limit have paid property tax for the first half of the financial year 2022-23. The deadline for remitting the tax without penalty is September 30th, beyond which the civic body would levy fines. A sum of around Rs 570 crore has been collected so far, with the civic body expecting a collection of Rs 650 crore by the end of the month. Notably, around 63% of those who have paid the taxes so far are…

Vadhawan Port in Palghar will impact 20,809 fisherfolk According to a previously undisclosed survey by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the proposed Vadhawan Port in Palghar district’s eco-sensitive Dahanu taluka, adjacent to Mumbai will impact the livelihoods of at least 20,809 fisherfolk living in 16 fishing villages within the 10 km radius of the port. The port will render approximately 72 sq kms of current fishing area inaccessible to fisherfolk during the construction phase and once the operations are underway, states the CMFRI report. The report also points out that only the area outside the harbour of the…

An informed citizenry is the hallmark of a mature democracy. Hence, institutions or mechanisms that empower citizens, by providing feedback on the working of government, are essential pillars of democracy. Citizen Matters has published a series of explainers by experts from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), India’s statutory watchdog agency. It is responsible for the performance audit of government functions/departments. CAG reports have covered a wide range of subjects: health, education, road safety, toll, guidance value of property, mining, construction workers’ welfare, etc. The articles focus on the performance of overall state finances with respect to State…

Chennai has seen the most number of road accidents in 2021. 5034 road accidents occurred in the city, as per the NCRB’s 2021 report, which was 9.1% of the total number of road accidents in 53 metropolitan cities.  Moreover, Chennai stands second in road accident fatalities, with 998 deaths, among the metro cities, following Delhi.  What else does the NCRB data say? Major reasons for road accident deaths include overspeeding and careless driving/overtaking. More men between the age of 30 and 45 have died in accidents in Chennai, compared to women and trans people. Drivers of two-wheelers suffered more road accidents,…

Anti-conversion Bill passed The Karnataka Legislative Council passed the 'anti-conversion Bill' in spite of loud opposition from parties such as Congress and JD (S). The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill was passed in the Assembly last December. But it had been pending as the ruling BJP was short of a majority then. The government promulgated an ordinance in May this year to give effect to it. Earlier, while tabling it in the Council, CM Basavaraj Bommai defended the Bill saying that it was not intended to target any community but to prevent illegal religious conversions.  Home…

Flood mitigation works pick up steam In the run-up to the rainy season in Chennai, Water Resources Department (WRD) has lined up flood mitigation works, especially in sensitive areas like the rivers of Cooum, Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar, apart from Buckingham Canal. The work includes expanding Adyar and Kosathalaiyar rivers, removing silt, and setting up drains and new pipe culverts. Those found occupying areas in and around the rivers are set to face eviction, confirmed WRD. Source: DT Next Read more: Chennai wetlands key to flood mitigation: Are we doing enough? Namakku Naame Thittam projects yet to get funds from Chennai…