TAMILNADU

Tamil Nadus performance in the environmental rankings since 2016 is low in comparison to other states, a study by the Centre for Science and Environment along with a media organisation shows. TN is 21 among 29 states.

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A total of 32 parameters including change in forest cover, municipal waste treatment, share of waterbodies not in use, state of groundwater extraction, change in number of polluted river stretches, share of sewage that gets treated, change in installed grid renewable power and water bodies not in use were studied.

Nadu scored just 4.4 of 10, while Telangana topped with a score of 7.2. States that fared well include Gujarat with 6.5, Goa 6.3,Maharashtra5.7 and Haryana 5.5.

As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR), the total forest cover in TN was 26,364.02 sqkm, but only 3,605.49 sqkm was classified very dense forest (VDF), which means large tracts of forest area have degraded. As per ISFR 2021, TNs forest cover is 26,419 sq km, 20.31% of its geographical area.

Tamil Nadu governor yet to give his assent to siddha varsity bill

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TheTamil Nadu governmenthas been awaitinggovernorR N Ravis nod for a bill on state siddha university for more than six months after it replied to the clarifications he had sought, Health ministerMa Subramaniansaid.

The minister said the governors action of delaying the assent was against the welfare of siddha and wishes of the citizens.

In April 2022, theTamil Nadugovernment passed the legislation to set up a siddha medical university. While all universities in the state have the governor as the chancellor, the bill for the proposed university said the CM would be the chancellor with powers to appoint the vice-chancellor. The state health minister would be the pro-chancellor.

In September, the state announced that Ravi had returned the bill seeking clarifications. On September 17, we sent the reply, prepared by our legal experts, to Raj Bhavan. The governor wanted to know if the university would follow NEET-based admission. In our reply, we said we would follow NEET-based admission until the state succeeds in getting an exemption from NEET, Subramanian said.

Central Tamil Nadu records highest polling, voter turnout dips across state

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Palacode constituency in Dharmapuri district witnessed the highest voter turnout of 87.33% andVillivakkamsegment in Chennai city the lowest, 55.52%.

Looking at region-wise voting pattern, constituencies in central TN recorded the highest voter turnout of 76%, followed by those in the west with 74.7%.

Polling details put out by the office ofTamil Naduchief electoral officer on Wednesday show that northern and southern regions recorded 71.5% and 71.1% voter turnout respectively.

Voter turnout has dropped marginally compared to the 2016 election in all the four regions. Central TN recorded 78.1%, west 76.9%, north 73.5% and south 72.9% in 2016 assembly election.

In all, there are 84 segments in the northern region, 36 segments in the central region, 54 in the western region and 60 segments in the south.

Across the state, 37 constituencies saw more than 80% polling and 31 segments saw turnout below 65%. Sholingur, Maduranthakam and Cheyyar are the only segments near Chennai with more than 80% polling.

Tamil Nadu govt to form panel to probe irregularities in Chennai Smart City plan

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Naduchief minister MK Stalin said a committee will be formed to look into theirregularitiesin the Smart City projects in Chennai.

Responding to opposition leaders in the state assembly, the CM said T Nagar was severely inundated during recent rain because of the poor implementation of the Smart City projects.

Officials sources said the report suggested that the Greater Chennai Corporation go forward with flood mitigation projects in 561 localities in the city.
The report said the storm water drains should be widened and deepened. All the encroachments along the waterbodies should be removed and Rain Water Harvesting should be enforced in all households.

Third edition of Startup Tamil Nadu conducted in Erode district

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More than 180 startups fromErodeand surrounding areas, and more than 150 aspiring entrepreneurs and students participated in the third edition of StartupTN BrandLabs and StartupTN LaunchPad organised byTamil Nadu Startupand Innovation Mission (Startup-TN).

Branding a blended skill of both arts and science is the winning proposition for any company, said StartupTN Mission director and CEOSivarajah Ramanathan. Most entrepreneurs in Naduhave traditionally maintained a low-key culture in branding their products or Services. BrandLabs is a knowledge and networking forum with branding experts and startups to evolve with path-breaking branding strategies, he said.

Covid-19: Tamil Nadu plans genome sequencing lab

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When scientists across the globe sounded the alarm about new variants of the SARS-Cov 2, which they suspect carry mutations with a potential to offset vaccine efficacy, officials in the state public Health laboratory were busy drafting a proposal to set up a whole genome sequencing lab for the state.

If the proposal is cleared, the state will soon have its own lab to sequence genomic code of the virus by the end of June.

Information available with the public health department shows the most common strain seen in the state, like in most parts of the country, is the double mutant B.1.617, now named Delta.

Tamil Nadu govt for sending more students to foreign universities for research: Minister

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TheTamil Nadugovernment will take steps to increase the number ofstudentsbeing sent toforeign universitiesto carry outresearchactivities, said Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture ministerM R K Panneerselvamin Coimbatore.

Theministerinaugurated a millet food exhibition titled Futuristic Food Expo 2023 at Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and addressed a gathering consisting of students, farmers and scientists at the International Millet Conference.

At present millet is cultivated in 9.8 lakh hectares in the state. The State Government has set a target of achieving 38.2 metric tonne of millet production. TNAU should play a vital role in increasing the production of millet by introducing high yield varieties suitable for the state.

Greaves Cotton posts 30% revenue growth

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Greaves reported 30%revenue Growth— at almost Rs 486 crore — in Q3FY22 as against Rs 374 crore in Q2FY22.
EBIDTAfor Q3 FY22 stood at Rs 14 crore.

Greaves’ New Business segments, such as Greaves Non-Automotive and New Mobility Business, have seen increased the growth momentum and a better recovery due to positive demand with 54% contribution in overall business. Greaves non-auto small engines, which are widely utilised in marine, farm, genset, construction and other industrial applications and Greaves Retail business, have reached pre-Covid levels. Auto business continues to face headwinds with de-growth of 76%.
Greaves Electric Mobility Business comprising of Ampere (two-wheelers), ELE e-rickshaw and e-Autos, continues to add significant value with growth of 213% over Q3 FY21, while accounting for 37% in the overall revenue which is a testimony of growing need for affordable and eco-friendly personal mobility solutions.

AWB allocates 20 crore to take care of strays

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TheTamil Nadu Animal Welfare Boardhas allocated 20 crore to various animal welfare organisations including theSociety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(SPCA) and other NGOs to help them take care of abandoned , pet animals, and strays.

They can use this fund to buy ambulances, create Infrastructure facilities and buy feed and medical kits to treat injured animals.

In order to mitigate the sufferings of abandoned and stray animals on a permanent basis and in order to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary ofSaint Vallalar, the government is implementing the “Vallalar Palluyir Kaapagangal” scheme to support the efforts for animal welfare.