Karunanidhi asks PM to help Tamils in Malaysia

Karunanidhi asks PM to help Tamils in Malaysia:

New Delhi / Chennai: The Malaysian government has cracked down on protesting ethnic Tamils, who took to the streets alleging lack of job opportunities, education and political power.

• The country's government is threatening to invoke the controversial Internal Security Act against street rallies which allows for detention without trial. 

• The protests are also a problem to ethnic Indian politicians. The longest serving minister in the country, Minister of Works, S Samy Vellu, who also heads the Malaysian Indian Congress, has dismissed the agitation as unnecessary.

• "They are just leveling unfounded excuses in order to popularise themselves. I considered them. They are not fighting for the Indians. They are fighting to create a problem," says Vellu.

• The protests have kicked up a political storm in India as well. Tamil Nadu MPs across party lines demanded the Centre's intervention to secure the release of the detained Tamilians and its got the state's ruling and opposition parties together. 

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi has already written to the Prime Minister asking him to take "immediate and appropriate action on the sufferings and bad treatment of Tamils in Malaysia". 

• Opposition leader and MDMK Chief, Vaiko too has voiced his concern.

• MDMK MP, Krishnan says, "The Central Government needs to speak to the Malaysian government to bring relief to many Indians in Malaysia who have been treated rather unfairly."Jayalalithaa too has joined in calling for immediate action and called the attack on the protestors barbaric. 
  
  
  
  
  

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Police have right to protect themselves: Karunanidhi

Police have right to protect themselves: Karunanidhi

Chennai, March 18: Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday said the two police officers, ordered to be suspended by the Madras High Court in connection with the February 19 police-advocate clash, have the right to protect themselves if they felt aggrieved but said it would comply with the order.

• Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said in a statement here tonight that the government would implement the court order to suspend A K Viswanathan then Additional Commissioner of Police and M Ramasubramani Joint Commisioner at an 'appropriate time'. 

• "Unlike lawyers who had rejected the Sri Krishna Commission report, we will respect the judiciary," he said. 

• The Commission, appointed by the Supreme Court, had indicted both the police and the lawyers for the clash. 

• Karunanidhi said right from the beginning, he was for an amicable settlement of the issue.

• On February 19 when the violent incidents took place in the High Court premises between lawyers and the police, he had deputed Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Public Secretary to talk to then acting Chief Justice S Mukhopadhyay and even offered to meet him at his house, despite him being in the hospital, Karunanidhi said. 

• Tamil Nadu government also agreed to the wishes of the acting Chief Justice to hand over the case to the CBI. 

• As per the instructions of the Supreme Court, the government had appointed senior IAS officer Sundaradevan to inquire into the incidents and the probe was on. But it was the lawyers who had not respected the Supreme Court order asking them to return to work, he said. 
  
  Bureau Report
  
  

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Treat Tamils, Prabhakaran with dignity, says Karunanidhi

Treat Tamils, Prabhakaran with dignity, says Karunanidhi:

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said that the Sri Lankan government should treat Tamils and LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran with respect and dignity even if the militant outfit loses in the ongoing battle against the army in the island nation.

• Tamils in the island republic should be treated with self-respect, honour and dignity and also given a share in power as envisaged in 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan accord, he told a rally here to press for cessation of hostilities in the island nation.

• "Even if Prabhakaran loses, treat him like Porus," the DMK patriarch said, pointing to the historical episode involving Alexander the Great and Indian ruler Porus who was treated with dignity and honour by the Greek emperor despite losing against him in a battle.

• "When asked by Alexander, Porus said he wanted to be treated like a king, which Alexander duly obliged. "It shows the magnanimity of Alexander who gave equal respect (to a man defeated by him)," he said.

• The rally was organised by DMK and attended by all its allies, including Congress, as Sri Lankan government troops advanced to capture the last areas held by LTTE.

• The DMK patriarch cautioned Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse against any intention of "annihilating" the Tamil race in the offensive, saying if he did so, "history would never forgive him."
  
  

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Start new IIT, IIM in TN, Karunanidhi writes to PM

Start new IIT, IIM in TN, Karunanidhi writes to PM:

• Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Madurai, an Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) at Trichy and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Coimbatore. 

• Welcoming the Prime Minister’s announcement in his Independence Day address that more IITs, IIMs and IISERs would be opened across the country, the CM said in his letter that the measure proposed by the PM was timely and highly appropriate.

• Stating that Tamil Nadu had always been giving great emphasis to education, particularly to technical and professional education, Karunanidhi said the availability of such skilled manpower had enabled the state to attract huge investments in industry and business. To sustain and give further fillip to these efforts, the state needed a new IIT, IIM and IISER, he added.
  

• The CM also welcomed the PM’s announcements on setting up colleges in districts with low enrolment, Government support for new high quality schools in every block and setting up of appropriate number of industrial training institutes, polytechnics, vocational schools and skill development centres to ensure vocational training for a larger number of youth in the state.

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TN to expand industrial estates, set up more SEZs

TN to expand industrial estates, set up more SEZs:

Chennai , Aug. 23 

• The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) will promote a joint venture company for oil and natural gas exploration, production and distribution, announced the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, in the Assembly on Wednesday.

• Replying to the debate on the demand for grants to the industries department, he said that the objective would be to enhance the energy security of the State. 

• Natural gas resources have been identified in the Cauvery Basin and the Krishna-Godavari Basin, which could be exploited. The new company would set up a Statewide natural gas distribution network. TIDCO would soon identify a private sector partner. 

To acquire new land :

• The Chief Minister also announced plans to acquire over 2,000 acres land near Sriperumbudur and Oragadam (on the Chennai-Bangalore highway) to expand the existing industrial estates. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) will set up a 250-acre special economic zone (SEZ) at Oragadam for automobile component manufacturers. 

• Chennai accounts for over 35 per cent of the automobile components manufactured in India. Many of the component manufacturers also cater to the export market. The SEZ would meet the needs of new investors and those planning expansion, he said. 

• With the industrial development rapid in these areas, a Rs 300-crore plan to upgrade the 24-km stretch of road between Singaperumal Koil and Sriperumbudur and the 20-km road between Vandalur and Wallajahbad would be taken up. These would be developed as 4-lane and in important stretches as 6-lane roads, he said. 

Multi-product SEZ :

• TIDCO would also set up a 3,000-acre multi product SEZ in Perambalur district to attract investments of Rs 5,000 crore. Over 3,000 acres of land has been identified near Perambalur about 250 km south of Chennai. Initially, garment units and light engineering units would be established with 250 acres set aside for each of these sectors. 

• With land cost high in and around Chennai, manufacturing industries need new locations where land is available at viable costs. The SEZ would be equidistant from Tuticorin and Chennai ports and the land is located on the national highway. 

• Mr Karunanidhi said that a leather SEZ would also come up near Chennai. This facility would be established by SIPCOT. 

• He has also sought the Central assistance of Rs 115 crore to set up reverse osmosis facilities at the common effluent treatment plants to recycle leather tannery effluents, he said. 

• SIPCOT would also establish an industrial estate near Madurai, which would contribute to the economic development of the southern districts. 

• The Government has emphasised on land acquisition for industrial estates to allot to the manufacturing sector, as there is stiff demand for land. With land costs soaring in Chennai's vicinity and the available land with the industrial promotion agencies fully taken up by manufacturers there is immediate need for developed land. Tamil Nadu needs such land banks to attract new investors.
  
  

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praises MK's services

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praises MK's services:

• Chennai, May 11: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight said the UPA government, with the support of all its constituents, could be able to bring about a pragmatic and just solution to various difficult problems like river water sharing, OBC reservation and reservation for women in Parliament and state legislature. 

• Replying to the demands raised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at a rally to celebrate his completing 50 years as state legislator, he said "You have raised many demands. I am confident that with the co-operation of members of UPA, we will be able to bring about a pragmatic and just solution to these problems." He said Karunanidhi's services to the state and to the entire nation were "remarkable" and difficult to rival. 

• "He has been one of the pillars of our polity and a great patriot and nation-builder," the Prime Minister said, 

• The Prime Minister said the country was celebrating two different anniversaries today, in an obvious reference to the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence. Though Karunanidhi had 50 years of experience, it was almost 70 years since he entered public life,he said. 

• "Karunanidhi's name will forever be written in gold in the history of Tamil Nadu and the history of our nation," the Prime Minister said, paying rich tributes to the octogenarian leader. 

• Tamil Nadu stood as one of the most developed and progressive states in independent India and foundation for the development was laid by great leaders like C Rajagopalachari, K Kamaraj, Annadurai and Karunanidhi, Dr Singh said adding history would record that Karunanidhi was a shining star in the great galaxy of statesmen. 

• Karunanidhi gave leadership to the industrial development of Tamil Nadu, which was called the Detriot of India. "You have a vibrant automobile industry, vibrant textile and leather Industry and a vibrant IT industry. Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of India's knowledge economy," he said. 

• The Prime Minister said Karunanidhi had played an extremely important role, a pioneering role along with DMK founder C N Annadurai and Kamaraj in the social and educational development of the Tamils and contributed to the empowerment of women and to the welfare of farmers. Karunanidhi had been living simultaneously in the world of art, literature and politics, and was a great poet and great writer,Dr Singh said adding his modern rendering of the ancient Sangam literature had brought this great literature into each household. 

• "Karunanidhi, I greet you for your patriotism, for your commitment to the welfare of the poor, your commitment to the empowerment of women, your commitment to the revival and development of Tamil, for your compassion and your humanism and for your commitment to the unity, integrity and progress of our nation," he said. 
  
  
• Tamils had contributed immensely to the cultural, intellectual, social, political and economic development of India and had excelled themselves in many fields and some of the country's scientists, doctors, mathematicians and bankers and businessmen had come from the state. "This is the home of so many accomplished people who have contributed to making us a great nation," he said. 

• "Tamil Nadu needs you, India needs you, We all need you to guide us as we march forward," Dr Singh told Karunanidhi.
  
  

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Industrial Parks in Tamil Nadu - Karunanidhi's Nrw Industrial Policy.

Industrial Parks in Tamil Nadu - Karunanidhi's Nrw Industrial Policy.:

• The Tamil Nadu government will develop a land bank of 10,000 acres with quality infrastructure over the next five years to provide space for industrial parks, according to the new industrial policy released by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday.

• “The land bank will be mostly developed on dry and barren lands. Prime agricultural lands will be avoided,” the policy said. The government will also take steps to amend laws to enable automatic conversion of drylands from agricultural to industrial use. 

• Private industrial parks must directly purchase land, which should be barren, non-irrigated and dry, as far as possible. Proposals with more than 10 per cent wet land or double crop land will be rejected, according to the new criteria for an approved industrial park. Parks should be located at least 50 km away from the Chennai city limits and should not include more than 5 per cent of government land.

• At least 10 per cent of the area in industrial parks developed by SIPCOT and TIDCO will be set apart for social infrastructure, such as skill development centres, financial services, housing, schools and hospitals. Another 20 per cent of allottable area will be reserved for small and medium entrepreneurs...
  
  The Hindu November 06, 2007. 
  

• If any Indian believes in this crap then he is a deluded insane Indian. The rules are framed by an illiterate babu, with scant knowledge of the language either Tamil or English, and is so full of ambiguities, it is a veritable Gold Mine, for the chairman or vice-chairman and their goons of the respective Muncipalities and the respective Political parties. There is an unwritten rule among the Parties whether in Power or in Opposition, to bleed the Tax-paying public to death. 

• The Builders would interpret the rules to their advantage, and build structures that are patently illegal, and the Muncipal authorities would interpret in another way that are "beneficial" to them personally, and the worst sufferer would be the tax paying public. 

• The other day, I witnessed a strong arm tactic of the Muncipal Commissioner of an Industrial Muncipality adjacent to the city limits of Chennai, stopping the construction work of a builder, and taking away the materials used for construction. 

• His parting shot, who came to the site to stop the work in his government vehicle is this: " We are not here to repair bad roads, clean the sewage systems, and other work meant for making the life of the suffering public more tolerable. You build Industrial Parks and earn huge sums by way of rentals, and are we Ilichchavayans to be just passive onlookers? Where is the Promoter and owner of this Industrial complex? Ask him to come to me, meet me in my private chambers and then we shall decide. Till then the progress of work on this site will be suspended."

• His minions, who had come in a government truck, took some construction materials and dumped it in the vehicle, and went away in a caravan. 
  
  I do not know what happened next, but I heard that the work is still in suspended animation. 

• Later I came to know, that this "gentleman" belongs to a party which was close to the ruling DMK, but now has difference of opinion, but when it comes to making money, there is no difference between them whether in power or out of power.
  
  

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