Schools ask students to bring their own water

From residences to hotels, Chennai has been gasping for water supply. The looming water crisis has put schools, hostels and mansions in a fix. Some of the schools in Chennai have asked students to bring their own water to manage the water situation. Parents are worried that this will add to the burden of already heavy school bags.

According to official data, students in around 907 government funded schools depend on piped water supply and never carried water bottles in the past.

Meanwhile, Chennaites hope for some respite as the neighbouring state of Kerala is all set to receive the southwest monsoon. Some parts of Tamil Nadu had a short spell this week, bringing in some relief.

Source: The Times of India | The Hindu

Soon, shops can remain open 24X7

The Tamil Nadu Government will soon publish a notification in the Gazette to enable establishments to remain open 24X7 on all days, for 3 years. However, the notification says that employers in these outlets have to take care that no employee has to work beyond 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. Besides laying down several rules, the notification has also insisted on the safety of women employees.

In 2016, the Centre had finalized a model legislation called the Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, which allowed cinema halls, restaurants, shops, banks, and other such workplaces to stay open 24×7. The Centre said that the Bill was a suggestive piece of legislation and States could either adopt the said law or modify it as per local requirements.

Source: The Hindu

Chennai Police launches app to watch traffic offenders

Chennai police have launched the ‘GCTP citizen service’ app to track live incidences of traffic violation. The public can click pictures of traffic violators even if it is a police vehicle, and send it via the app for action. The app also facilitates people to raise complaints and suggestions about traffic rules. However, complainants cannot upload photos from their gallery to prevent misuse and fake complaints.

Meanwhile, the police have commissioned a new e-challan system, a completely online mechanism which is integrated with Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the country. The e-challan machines have also been replaced to accommodate technological advancements. The device has real-time access to vehicle owner database and driving license database of all RTOs in the country.

Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu

Madras HC wants stricter implementation of helmet rule

The Madras High Court has issued a directive to the authorities to impound violating vehicles. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking compulsory implementation of helmet rule, the Bench comprising of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that not even a single pillion rider could be seen wearing a helmet. It has asked the authorities as to why the rule cannot be implemented strictly in Chennai when Delhi and Bengaluru have been able to enforce a similar rule.

Source: News18.com

Show cause notice to 227 unauthorized hostels

The Chennai Corporation is initiating both civil and criminal action against hostels functioning without mandatory registrations. As many as 227 unauthorized hostels in the city have been issued show-cause notices. The IT hub of Sholinganallur tops the list with 79 unauthorized hostels.

According to the Tamil Nadu Hostel for Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014, owners or managers of a home for women and children must send applications to the District Collectorate for registration within six months of establishment. The Corporation had made it a mandatory requirement last December.

Chennai collectorate received 1,050 applications for registration of hostels after the announcement of new guidelines to ensure the safety and security of women. Till now, license has been granted to seven hostels. Admission seekers to the hostels in the city have been advised to check https://chennai.nic.in

Source: The New Indian Express

Electric buses soon in Chennai

In an effort to restructure the existing transport system, the TN Finance Minister had announced early this year that 12,000 BS-VI buses and 2,000 electric buses at an outlay of ₹5,890 crore will be procured.  The state had also signed a ‘Clean Bus Declaration’ with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group — the first State in India to do so.

Accordingly, TN will buy 2000 new electric buses, and 500 of them will ply in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai in the first phase. At a meeting held to review the performance of the state transport corporation, Transport Minister Vijayabhasker said that the Cheif Minister will soon make a formal announcement on the introduction of electric buses in Chennai.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]