TAMILNADU

Mission to ensure sustainablesanitation in all villages at critical stage in Tamil Nadu

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Two official surveys have thrown up different findings on the prevalence of open defecation in Nadu.

Though the reference periods are different for the surveys,the gap is only one year. Both – pre-baseline (PBS) Tamil Nadu Household Panel Survey (TNHPS) 2018-19 and the National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS) 2019-20 – relate to the pre-COVD-19 pandemic years. The findings of the former, commissioned by the State Government, were made public only a few days ago, while those of the NARSS were given out as part of the replies in the Lok Sabha during March 2021 and February 2022.

Carried out at the initiative of the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation at the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, the national survey found almost 95% of villages in Tamil Nadu sustaining the status of open defecation free (ODF). According to the Tamil Nadu survey, 91.9% of the rural Population, which did not have toilets within the premises, practised open defecation.

As of 2019, only 24% of schools in Tamil Nadu have internet facilities and not all classrooms in one in five schools are in good condition, according to the Unescos state of education report.

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The report comes at a time when schools are preparing to reopen after a gap of 19 months for Classes I to VIII from November 1 and indicates that many may need a major facelift before they welcome students. Experts said the state must form multi-department teams to inspect schools and classrooms and make them safer for children.

Unesco released its State of the Education Report for India 2021: No Teachers, No Class after analysing data from Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) for 2018-19.

The report found that 4% or 2,631 of TNs total 59,152 schools had just one teacher. Among the southern states, (16%), Andhra Pradesh (14%) and Karnataka have more single-teacher schools and only Kerala (2%) has fewer such schools than Tamil Nadu.

The report also found that only 61% of TN schools have libraries. However, most schools had functional toilets for boys and girls before the pandemic.

Tamil Nadu has right to prevent Mekedatu dam construction: Minister Duraimurugan

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State Resources“>Water Resources minister Duraimurugan on Sunday said thatTamil Naduhas the right to prevent construction ofMekedatu damby theKarnataka governmentacrossCauveryriver.

Speaking to reporters in Vellore, Duraimurugan said that Karnatakas statements that they will construct Mekedatu dam is pure politics. It is their (Karnatakas) wish to construct Mekedatu dam and it is our right to prevent its construction. Karnataka saying that they will construct the dam is purely political, the minister said.

According to The Supreme Court judgment, there is a region called no mans land from lower Kabini to Biligundu, where the catchment areas fetch 80tmc water naturally. Nadu too gets its share of water from the no mans land. Building a dam there is not easy as they have to get the permission from Central water commission, pollution control board and forest department. he said.

All 5 tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu are managed well: NTCA report

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The five inTamil Naduhave performed well in terms of management effectiveness, the National Tiger Conservation Authority‘s (NTCA) Fifth Cycle Summary Report-2022 has said.

In a major boost to the tiger conservation efforts in TN, Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) have been found ‘excellent reserves’ in Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)-2022 rating.

The two reserves scored above 90% in the assessment done by NTCA in association with theWildlife Institute of India. These two are among the 12 reserves in India rated as ‘excellent’ among the 51 reserves assessed.

The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) are categorised as ‘very good reserves’ with a score between 75-89% in the MEE.

The newly declared Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR) scored 60.94% and is classified as a ‘good reserve’. Prime MinisterNarendra Modireleased the report at an event held in Mysuru on Sunday to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger.

Tamil Nadu sanctions Rs 33 crore to digitise forest dept activities

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Digitization offorest departmenthas got a shot in the arm with the sanctioning Rs 33.1 crore for the same.

According to Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary to the government and forest secretary, the government had issued an order on Thursday, according sanction to digitize forest boundaries and other daily activities of the forest department.
She said the government order was issued after a careful perusal of the digitization proposal by the principal chief conservator of forests to develop a strong geo-spatial Database for better management of forest and wildlife habitats, project formulation, and delineation of wildlife corridors, eco-sensitive zones and wetlands, among other things.

The government order said the digitization work would be carried out in two years and allocated Rs 6.1 crore for the current fiscal and another Rs 27 crore for 2022-23.

With no clear policy, Tamil Nadu universities unaware of key reforms

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State universities in Nadu are left in a quandary with no clear policy regarding academic bank of credits (ABC) or the introduction of four-year degrees. They are caught unawares of the fundamental changes in higher Education that are likely to take effect in the next few years.

The UGC conducted a national level meeting on operationalisation of the ABC on December 29 and a majority of state universities did not take part in the deliberations. Professors said even if the State Government is opposed to the ABC or other key initiatives of National Education Policy, the professors and academicians need to attend these meetings for better understanding and put forth the state government’s views.

Simple Energy to set up electric two-wheeler plant in Tamil Nadus Dharmapuri

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler companySimple Energyhas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with theTamil Nadugovernment for an up to Rs 2,500 crore for constructing the largestelectric two-wheeler plantinDharmapuri.

As part of Phase 1, the first plant of two lakh square feet is being constructed near Shoolagiri (Hosur) and has the capacity of up to one million production units per year and is slated to be operational by early 2022. This would put the flagship scooter Simple One into production and begin deliveries.

As per the MoU signed, the company shall make an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore to build its second plant (as part of Phase 2) in 600 acre of land and intends to open the second factory by 2023. Simple Energys flagship e-scooter Simple One launched in August 2021.

Stalin urges EFSI to join hands with labour welfare board in aiding growth

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Chief minister M KStalin urged the century-old Employers’ Federation of Southern India (EFSI) to join hands with the NaduLabour Welfare Boardto enlarge the welfare of workers as the state is attracting lot of investments as it gears up to achieve its target to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The new investments are coming not just from rest of India, but overseas investors too are showing greater interest to make industrial investments in Tamil Nadu.

Enlarging the participation of EFSI is the need of the hour for the cordial Environment required for the state’s industrial development.

Pointing out that several new industries have been set up in the past 15 months, the chief minister said, investors from different states and various countries are visiting the state to establish their industries in Tamil Nadu. The state is in the forefront in attracting new investments, he said.

Tamil Nadu govt taking credit for Centres schemes: Minister

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Union minister of state for tribal welfare and jal shaktiBishweswar Tuduon Wednesday said the was renaming the Union governments schemes and projects and implementing them as its own.

The minister said the Union Government had allotted 1,677 crore to the state exclusively for the Jal Jeevan scheme between 2019 and 2022. Similarly, 4,532 crore was allocated forSwachh Bharatmission, 44 crore for Irrigation“>Drip Irrigation scheme and 21.6 crore for national hydrology project. In total, 6,281 crore was allotted to the state in the past three years. However, the state government failed to allot its share at the right time, delaying the projects.

Govt will increase forest cover to 33%: Minister

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The is taking steps to increase the states geographical area under green cover from 23% to 33%, forest minister K Ramachandran said here on Friday.

Speaking at the 67th Wildlife Week Celebration organised at the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, the minister said native tree species will be planted in forests. Wildlife can thrive only if there is substantial forest cover. When wildlife Population increases, forests should offer the required food, for which native tree species are necessary. We are focusing on planting more native tree species by removing exotic species like eucalyptus brought by the Britishers, he said.

The minister also unveiled the logo of Coimbatore Forest Division. It has an elephant in the backdrop, symbolising the large number of elephants found in the Western Ghats.