TAMILNADU

Donations from abroad for NGOs inTamil Naduhave dropped by 90%, pushing the state to fourth in the country in attracting funding under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). This has adversely impacted activities of many groups largely dependent on such contributions.

Data furnished by theUnion Home ministryin theRajya Sabha, a fortnight ago shows NGOs and associations in TN received more than Rs 2,000 crore for 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, second only to Delhi. This fell to Rs 219 crore in 2019-20. Data for 2019-20 was based on Annual Returns (ARs) filed on 16-03-2021, but an extension has been given till June this year.

As per media reports, between 2014 and 2019, FCRA registration of more than 14,800 NGOs across the country including several in Nadu was cancelled. In 2019 alone more than 1,800 NGOs and academic institutes found violating laws were banned from receiving foreign funds, a media report added. Several NGOs executing religious and social work came under the scanner after theCentretightened the screws.

There has been a marginal increase in the Population of the Nilgiri Tahr in Nadu, an endangered species and the state animal, says a study taken up by World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF-I).

As per the study, which has been submitted to the state forest department, the number of individual animals in the state is estimated at 3,122, but a WWF-I source said the figure cannot be looked at in isolation as the Tahr would move frequently across the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The population of the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is broadly distributed across the Nilgiri hills which include Mukurthi National Park, forest divisions of the Nilgiris and Gudalur, Siruvani hills, the upper ranges ofPalanihills, which includedAanamalaitiger reserve (ATR) in Pollachi, Munnar in Kerala and Chinnar in the ATR besides Kodaikanal forest division.

Grazing of cattle in the Tahr habitat, man-made forest fires, unauthorised trekking and other human activities such as firewood collection, camping and tourism have been identified as major threats to the survival of the species

The prospects of creating a freshwater body at the confluence point of Kosasthalaiyar river and Red Hills surplus course near Sadayankuppam is under scrutiny.

This was one of the improvements discussed during the ongoing field visits of members of the advisory committee on mitigation and management of flood risk in Chennai metro.

Forming of a freshwater body in the about 1,000 acre of space available at the confluence point near Sadayankuppam would help conserve flood water draining into sea and also prevent seawater intrusion. The width of the surplus course and the river is more than 100 metre at the confluence point.

The team that visited the site discussed steps to mitigate floods and protect Resources“>Water Resources with the officials of government agencies, including the Water Resources Department.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his maiden visit to the city after taking oath as minister, will review developmental work related to his ministry and inspect Nehru Stadium. He will also take part in a government event and distribute welfare assistance to more than 20,000 beneficiaries.The minister recalled that the chief minister had disbursed welfare assistance to more than 1.32 lakh beneficiaries in two government events held in the city.

On criticism about the states policy on freebies, Senthil Balaji said some people from certain outfit have even gone to The Supreme Court against the state policies. But when an election comes in other states, leaders from the same outfit promise to implement schemes already available in Nadu. Many Women have benefitted from the state governments decision to allow women to travel free of cost in government buses, he said.

The Nadu government has produced a draft policy for old folks.

Highlights:

The government intends to collaborate with academic institutions, field specialists, and civil Society organizations under the policy.

The policy was developed following Article 41 of the Constitution. The policy would focus on social security systems, Health and Nutrition, income security, safety, livelihood, housing and Environment, Education, Disaster Management, and research and documentation.

Its goal is to establish a Senior Citizens Welfare Directorate. The policy also mentions livelihood training, establishing aged self-help groups, and senior citizen capacity building.

It will also address the security concerns of the elderly. It is to establish Banking aid programs and a victim rescue center system.

Even as the Centre approved on Thursday additional assistance of over 3,000 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to six states that were affected by floods, landslides and last year,Tamil Naduhas been left out despite chief minister M K Stalin sending several memoranda seeking assistance of 6,230 crore towards relief and restoration in the aftermath of the devastating floods in several parts of the state.

An all-party delegation, predominantly comprising MPs from theDMKand its allies, besides the main opposition AIADMK and led by DMK parliamentary party leaderT R Baalucould not meet PresidentRam Nath Kovindor Union Home ministerAmit Shahlast week. The objective of the delegation was to seek directions to governor R N Ravi to forward The Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021 (popularly known as NEET Bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu) to President to grant assent to the Bill. Instead, the delegation submitted the representation to the President’s secretariat, which forwarded it to Amit Shahs office for action. The NEET Bill was passed unanimously in the assembly in September.

Naduchief minister M K Stalin launched STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) laboratories on wheels for government school students. This initiative is meat to encourage government school students to develop an interest in science and mathematics.

The chief minister flagged off 100 mobileSTEM labsfrom Adi Dravidar Government Girls Higher Secondary School at Kattur, Trichy.

A sum of Rs 25 crore has been sanctioned for the initiative named Vaanavil Mandram which would benefit 25 lakh students in 13,210 schools in the state.

A total of 710 volunteers were identified by the school Education department through science forums to explain science and mathematics concepts with real-time exhibits.

A model STEM lab session was conducted in the Kattur Adi Dravidar school. The chief minister interacted with students and teachers.

The Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR & CE) department has collected Rs 21 crore asrentfortemple propertiesin the last one month through a recently launched online rent payment facility.

The facility was launched on October 10. The department has established online facility at 5,720templesin the state to enable the occupants of the HR & CE properties to pay rent.
Using the facilities, rent and lease amount to the tune of Rs 21 crore have been collected from the occupants of 1,492 temple properties since November 1, according to a statement.
The department had initiated measures to collect the pending rent and lease amounts for the temple properties, added the release.

A newly developed technology can now produce new-generation multi-point/single-layer superabrasive tools for advanced grinding applications to meet high productivity and energy-efficient material removal requirements. The tools produced also have enhanced tool life.

Grinding industries have aired their voices for developing advanced superabrasive cBN/diamond tools that meet high productivity and energy-efficient material removal requirements and customization based on local needs.

In a nutshell, these superabrasive tools can be produced using active brazing technology with remarkably striking attributes of high crystal exposure above bond level. The joint strength and wear-resistant characteristics of bond of these tools are superior to those of their commercial counterparts. These tools can withstand more grinding force, offer significantly higher tool life, and execute load-free grinding of advanced materials with an extremely high material removal rate.