The State government has revised the admission guidelines for arts and science colleges from this academic year (2008-09) in view of the introduction of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
A G.O., dated May 10, was issued citing the procedures for admission of students to undergraduate/postgraduate courses in Government, aided and unaided arts and science colleges, an official in the Department of Collegiate Education here told The Hindu on Tuesday. Under the new system, colleges will have to prepare a rank list for admission to undergraduate courses out of 800 marks in subject components in the Plus Two examination.
“Colleges have been told to follow the revised guidelines in letter and spirit, and the particulars of how admissions should be made for various courses like B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. have been sent to them by the Directorate,” said V. Swaminathan, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education.
Admission to Government colleges will be through counselling like last year. The general rule of calculating marks for the subject component for candidates who apply for undergraduate courses is mentioned in the latest guidelines.
The GO also cites the subjects that a student should have studied in Plus Two for becoming eligible for admission to a particular undergraduate course.
According to the GO, the last date for receipt of filled-in applications by colleges should be fixed as the 10th working day from the date of issue of Plus Two mark statement.
Procedures for sale and issue of application forms for undergraduate courses, selection committees, reservation rules and rank list preparation are extensively dealt with in the revised guidelines.
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Sand quarries to be leased out
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Sand quarries to be leased out
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced that sand quarries in the State would be leased out through tenders and open auction, thus ending its monopoly.
The District Collectors have been empowered to float tenders and conduct auction. The new system would come into force in July, a State government release said.
In October 2, 2003, when the AIADMK was in power, it scrapped all existing sand quarrying leases in Tamil Nadu. The Public Works Department was given the responsibility of quarrying and selling sand to consumers though storage depots.
The DMK government, however, has decided to revert to the system that existed before October, 2003. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi decided to lease out quarries “with a view to expanding quarrying and selling sand.” It is also necessary to ensure intense monitoring of quarrying and protect drinking water sources, the government said. It was also decided to conduct a meeting of senior police officials in the State on May 25 at the Secretariat. Besides, a two-day conference of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police will be held on June 19 and 20 to discuss the law and order situation, the progress of development schemes and various government projects.
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Front Page Printer Friendly Page Send this Article to a Friend
Sand quarries to be leased out
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced that sand quarries in the State would be leased out through tenders and open auction, thus ending its monopoly.
The District Collectors have been empowered to float tenders and conduct auction. The new system would come into force in July, a State government release said.
In October 2, 2003, when the AIADMK was in power, it scrapped all existing sand quarrying leases in Tamil Nadu. The Public Works Department was given the responsibility of quarrying and selling sand to consumers though storage depots.
The DMK government, however, has decided to revert to the system that existed before October, 2003. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi decided to lease out quarries “with a view to expanding quarrying and selling sand.” It is also necessary to ensure intense monitoring of quarrying and protect drinking water sources, the government said. It was also decided to conduct a meeting of senior police officials in the State on May 25 at the Secretariat. Besides, a two-day conference of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police will be held on June 19 and 20 to discuss the law and order situation, the progress of development schemes and various government projects.
Gold Quest case: police widen probe
Special police teams from the city have gone to Madurai and Hyderabad to inspect some properties and interrogate a few persons in connection with the Gold Quest Net case.
The decision follows an investigation that found that the promoters of the company had invested the money collected from those who joined its multi-level marketing scheme in immovable assets in Hyderabad, Madurai and a few other cities. The total value of the properties may be over Rs.150 crore, said Deputy Commissioner of Police G.Sampath Kumar.
Promoters and some senior company executives were arrested in the first week of this month and the police sealed its office in Chetpet here. Cash and valuables worth around Rs.20 crore were seized.
After a search of the residence of the key accused last week, the police seized incriminating documents.
Joint Commissioner of Police M.Ravi said the number of complaints from those who joined the company’s scheme is over 12,000.
Apart from those in the city, people from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have lodged complaints.
Company statement
Meanwhile, a press release issued on behalf of the Quest Net India on Saturday said the company would look into all complaints received by the authorities and all genuine/legitimate complaints will be settled.
The decision follows an investigation that found that the promoters of the company had invested the money collected from those who joined its multi-level marketing scheme in immovable assets in Hyderabad, Madurai and a few other cities. The total value of the properties may be over Rs.150 crore, said Deputy Commissioner of Police G.Sampath Kumar.
Promoters and some senior company executives were arrested in the first week of this month and the police sealed its office in Chetpet here. Cash and valuables worth around Rs.20 crore were seized.
After a search of the residence of the key accused last week, the police seized incriminating documents.
Joint Commissioner of Police M.Ravi said the number of complaints from those who joined the company’s scheme is over 12,000.
Apart from those in the city, people from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have lodged complaints.
Company statement
Meanwhile, a press release issued on behalf of the Quest Net India on Saturday said the company would look into all complaints received by the authorities and all genuine/legitimate complaints will be settled.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Civil Services topper from Khammam
Adapa Karthik of Khammam has topped the Civil Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission this year.
Mr. Karthik, son of an employee of a rural bank, is an MBBS graduate from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha. He opted for Civil Services in the hope that it would give him ample scope to “contribute for development at the grassroots level”.
Mr. Karthik got selected twice for the Indian Police Service (166 rank in 2004 and 148 in 2006) and is already undergoing training at the SVP National Police Academy in Hyderabad. Topping the Civil Services examination is a “dream come true for me”.
Chennai to get parking meters shortly
The city will soon have parking meters to regulate on-street parking. A pilot scheme has been proposed on a one-km stretch in Pondy Bazaar.
The meters will be placed every 100 meters along parking lots. Vehicle owners have to pay the charges by inserting coins or currency into the slot and printing the tickets, which have to be prominently displayed. Vehicles without proper tickets will be towed away and fined.
The Chennai Corporation has drawn inspiration from Bangalore city, which introduced parking meters on Brigade Road in 2005.
Tenders have been called for supplying parking meters, each of which is expected to cost Rs.40,000. The pedestal meters will be placed on the pavement without obstructing pedestrian flow.
Parking meters have become necessary because the 104 Corporation parking lots in Chennai yield poor revenue. In 2005, they earned Rs.1,56,18,326, which came down to Rs.1,18,56,154 in 2007. This is much less than the revenue accruing from the far fewer number of car parking lots in private theatres and malls, which earn anything between Rs.40 lakh to 60 lakh a year. The Corporation’s parking lots are managed by TEXCO, an organisation of ex-servicemen, since 1996. The charges have been kept low. According to a source in the Corporation, the parking lots have not been auctioned because of the fear that contractors might harass users. Also, it was felt that there would be difficulty in controlling the collection and managing the agreement.
The meters will be placed every 100 meters along parking lots. Vehicle owners have to pay the charges by inserting coins or currency into the slot and printing the tickets, which have to be prominently displayed. Vehicles without proper tickets will be towed away and fined.
The Chennai Corporation has drawn inspiration from Bangalore city, which introduced parking meters on Brigade Road in 2005.
Tenders have been called for supplying parking meters, each of which is expected to cost Rs.40,000. The pedestal meters will be placed on the pavement without obstructing pedestrian flow.
Parking meters have become necessary because the 104 Corporation parking lots in Chennai yield poor revenue. In 2005, they earned Rs.1,56,18,326, which came down to Rs.1,18,56,154 in 2007. This is much less than the revenue accruing from the far fewer number of car parking lots in private theatres and malls, which earn anything between Rs.40 lakh to 60 lakh a year. The Corporation’s parking lots are managed by TEXCO, an organisation of ex-servicemen, since 1996. The charges have been kept low. According to a source in the Corporation, the parking lots have not been auctioned because of the fear that contractors might harass users. Also, it was felt that there would be difficulty in controlling the collection and managing the agreement.
Greenfield airport site feasible, says study
While the Airports Authority of India prepares to begin work on the modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport in the coming weeks, it has also taken the first steps towards starting work on its greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Karunanidhi calls for cooperation from all
In a poignant speech on the floor of the Assembly that moved several members to tears, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi made an emotional appeal to all political parties to join him in the “unfinished task of making Tamil society grow and prosper in a united manner.”
Repeatedly referring to his frailty and also to a time when he would no longer be around, Mr. Karunanidhi, now 84, said that he felt the sudden urge to live long after he crossed 60.
“Since the days remaining [in my life] are fewer, the days I can serve people are restricted… It is because of this sad fact that I have wanted to want to live longer,” he said, adding that he was constantly looking after his physical well being.
One huge desire he had now is that he wanted to fade away from the scene with the satisfaction of having worked hard and untiringly; and with everyone in true camaraderie. Mr. Karunanidhi made it clear that when he referred to the allies in the process of taking the Tamil society forward, he did not merely mean the allies of the DMK: it included the parties that were in the Opposition now too. Requesting them to uphold values of humanism, he said that the greatest tribute that he could have was for everyone to work towards this end, taking to heart the “pleadings” of “this small man.”
No birthday celebrations
He chose the day his government completed two years in office to declare that he will not celebrate his 85th birthday on June 3. On Tuesday morning, after reaching the Secretariat and before entering the Assembly, he told his secretary that he would not be in Chennai in the first week of June.
He attributed his desire to stay away to his “mental and physical health.” He appealed to cadres not to come to meet him on that day.
Only after the appeal reached Murasoli, the office of the party organ, did senior Ministers come to know of it. But no one dared to ask him.
In the Assembly, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, replying to the debate on the demands for grants for the Tamil development and Public departments, said that even when Mr. Karunanidhi was away, he would be working. The last time he left town to take rest produced ‘Tholkappiya Poonga,’ an explanatory work on the difficult grammar text Tholkappiyam.
Sitting next to him, Electricity Minister, Arcot N.Veeraswami, gestured and said that no one could prevent people like him from celebrating the Chief Minister’s birthday.
JAIPUR 60 killed, 150 injured as terror strikes Pink City
Terror struck the Pink City for the first time on Tuesday evening as serial blasts killed at least 60 people and injured more than 150. Starting around 7.30 p.m. there were nine or 10 blasts within 15 minutes at six crowded places, including in the vicinity of two Hanuman temples, in the Walled City area.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed 60 dead and 150 injured though unofficial sources said the casualties could be higher.
Eyewitnesses said they could count 60 bodies in the overflowing mortuary of the City’s leading hospital, Sawai Man Singh. Some bodies were reportedly kept in the satellite hospital, Kanwatia, and a private hospital, Santokbha Durlabhji Memorial.
The blasts caused panic in the entire city while the authorities sealed off the Walled City. No traffic was allowed through its historic gates. The communication system also was jammed with mobiles not giving out signals.
The former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, who spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Centre had assured the State authorities all possible help to handle the situation. Union Minister of State for Home Jaiswal is reaching here on Wednesday.
Director-General Police A.S. Gill told this correspondent that forensic experts were still verifying the nature of the explosives. He did not confirm the use of RDX but said high intensity explosives were used in the bombs.
The blasts outside the temples targeted the devotees who gather in large numbers on Tuesdays. One temple is at Sanganeri Gate, while the other is at Chandpole.
The Chandpole blast was said to be of less intensity while the explosion on Maniharon ka Rasta near the victory tower, Sargasuli at Tripolia, was the most powerful.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed 60 dead and 150 injured though unofficial sources said the casualties could be higher.
Eyewitnesses said they could count 60 bodies in the overflowing mortuary of the City’s leading hospital, Sawai Man Singh. Some bodies were reportedly kept in the satellite hospital, Kanwatia, and a private hospital, Santokbha Durlabhji Memorial.
The blasts caused panic in the entire city while the authorities sealed off the Walled City. No traffic was allowed through its historic gates. The communication system also was jammed with mobiles not giving out signals.
The former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, who spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Centre had assured the State authorities all possible help to handle the situation. Union Minister of State for Home Jaiswal is reaching here on Wednesday.
Director-General Police A.S. Gill told this correspondent that forensic experts were still verifying the nature of the explosives. He did not confirm the use of RDX but said high intensity explosives were used in the bombs.
The blasts outside the temples targeted the devotees who gather in large numbers on Tuesdays. One temple is at Sanganeri Gate, while the other is at Chandpole.
The Chandpole blast was said to be of less intensity while the explosion on Maniharon ka Rasta near the victory tower, Sargasuli at Tripolia, was the most powerful.
Realty bites tech hubs in Bangalore, Chennai
The stock of unoccupied properties with real estate developers in the main technology hubs of Bangalore and Chennai is mounting and indications are that their problems will only get worse as software companies head towards greener pastures.
In Bangalore’s Whitefield suburb, once a magnet for IT firms, supply outstripped absorption by 300,000 sq ft in 2007 and about 8% of the developed area remained vacant, data from real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) show. Prices are stagnating and the situation is deteriorating. In the first three months of 2008, the demand-supply mismatch was more than a million sq ft.
If Whitefield is in a bad way, the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) technology cluster on the outskirts of Chennai is deep in the doldrums, with just nine deals in the whole of 2007. Of the four million sq ft that came into the market last year, only 1.7 million sq ft were absorbed even as rentals fell by 18% and the vacancy rate was up to 11%, again according to C&W data. Most of the more than half a million sq ft that entered the market between January and March have gone abegging.
Property developers’ greed must take a major portion of the blame for the current plight, even insiders say. “The key factor contributing to the oversupply is the consistent overpricing of projects in both micromarkets. Developers who priced projects at Rs 4,000 per sq ft were unknowingly killing their golden goose in a sense,” Shriram Properties managing director M Murali said.
In Bangalore’s Whitefield suburb, once a magnet for IT firms, supply outstripped absorption by 300,000 sq ft in 2007 and about 8% of the developed area remained vacant, data from real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) show. Prices are stagnating and the situation is deteriorating. In the first three months of 2008, the demand-supply mismatch was more than a million sq ft.
If Whitefield is in a bad way, the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) technology cluster on the outskirts of Chennai is deep in the doldrums, with just nine deals in the whole of 2007. Of the four million sq ft that came into the market last year, only 1.7 million sq ft were absorbed even as rentals fell by 18% and the vacancy rate was up to 11%, again according to C&W data. Most of the more than half a million sq ft that entered the market between January and March have gone abegging.
Property developers’ greed must take a major portion of the blame for the current plight, even insiders say. “The key factor contributing to the oversupply is the consistent overpricing of projects in both micromarkets. Developers who priced projects at Rs 4,000 per sq ft were unknowingly killing their golden goose in a sense,” Shriram Properties managing director M Murali said.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Gold Price falls on reduced demand
Gold prices fell by Rs 30 to Rs 12,070 per 10 grams in the bullion market here today on reduced offtake amid weak global trend.
Marketmen said sluggish demand against adequate supply and reports of weak global markets mainly led to decline in gold prices. Buying activity in gold also reduced owing to off marriage and festival season and some investors shifted their funds from gold to rising equity market, they added.
Global trend which normally set prices band here in domestic markets, fell by 4.40 dollar to 880.45 dollar an ounce and silver by 10.5 cents to 16.71 dollar in overseas markets. Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs 30 each to Rs 12,070 and Rs 11,920 per 10 grams respectively, while sovereign, remained flat at Rs 9,875 per piece of eight gram. In similar fashion, silver ready dropped by Rs 350 to Rs 22,850 per kg, but silver weekly-based delivery gained Rs 210 to Rs 23,200 per kg.
Silver coins also traded lower by Rs 100 to Rs 26,600 for buying and Rs 26,700 for selling of 100 coins on reduced offtake by coins makers.
Marketmen said sluggish demand against adequate supply and reports of weak global markets mainly led to decline in gold prices. Buying activity in gold also reduced owing to off marriage and festival season and some investors shifted their funds from gold to rising equity market, they added.
Global trend which normally set prices band here in domestic markets, fell by 4.40 dollar to 880.45 dollar an ounce and silver by 10.5 cents to 16.71 dollar in overseas markets. Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs 30 each to Rs 12,070 and Rs 11,920 per 10 grams respectively, while sovereign, remained flat at Rs 9,875 per piece of eight gram. In similar fashion, silver ready dropped by Rs 350 to Rs 22,850 per kg, but silver weekly-based delivery gained Rs 210 to Rs 23,200 per kg.
Silver coins also traded lower by Rs 100 to Rs 26,600 for buying and Rs 26,700 for selling of 100 coins on reduced offtake by coins makers.
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