QChennai: Panic About Karunanidhi’s Health; Dates for RTE Extended

Here’s a look at what’s making headlines in Chennai.

1. DGP's Circular Triggers Panic About Karunanidhi's Health

A circular directing all Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) battalions to report to their respective headquarters issued by the Director-General of Police on 26 September triggered panic among the people. Shortly after the circular became public on mobile messaging platforms, it led to rumours about DMK leader M Karunanidhi’s health condition and the continuance of the ruling party in power.

In his order to all Commissioners of Police, Superintendents of Police, Zonal Inspectors-General of Police and others, DGP TK Rajendran said all TSP companies should return to their respective bases in a couple of days.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: As Karunanidhi Turns 94, Opposition Gathers For a Show of Unity

2. Report Puts Dawn Kanchipuram in the Dock

Eight months after an oil spill ruined vast stretches of the city’s coastline, a report prepared by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, says that the ship MT Dawn Kanchipuram was primarily responsible for “payment of pollution”. However, the responsibility for the collision itself will be determined only after an arbitration process between the owners of Kanchipuram and the other vessel involved,MV BW Maple.

Insurers of Kanchipuram have already paid ₹10 crore to various agencies, including the Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Indian Coast Guard for expenses they incurred during the clean-up operations, sources said.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Legal Concerns: Why The Chennai Oil Spill May Not Be Fixed

3. Two Ministers Claim They Saw Jaya in Hospital

Notwithstanding the Commission of Inquiry constituted by the state government to probe the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Ministers in the state Cabinet are making contradictory statements on whether or not they were given access to her in the Apollo Hospitals, where she underwent treatment for 75 days.

Replying to queries from reporters here as to whether he had seen Jayalalithaa at the Apollo Hospitals, Cooperation Minister Sellur K. Raju said, “All Ministers saw her.” Labour Minister Nilofer Kafeel told a private TV channel in New Delhi that she saw Jayalalithaa once, while the latter was being transferred from one room to another in the hospital and added since they had a view of her from afar, she was not sure, adding that Jayalalithaa was “not conscious, I think.”

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Probe into Jaya’s Death Will Get Sasikala a Life Term, Says Stalin

4. NHRC Aghast at Top Police Official's Reply

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the police to register a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice Act against those who forced about 20 children to pierce their cheeks with steel rods as part of a ritual held last October for the speedy recovery of the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The Commission directed the authorities concerned to take disciplinary action against the police personnel who were present at the spot on 3 October 2016, during the incident but failed to stop it.

The Commission did not accept the contention of the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police that the children had the “approval” of the parents to participate in the ritual. An official release said, the NHRC failed to understand how the consent of the parents, or that of the children for the ritual, can justify the criminal act of piercing children’s cheeks with two-metre-long steel rods.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. Activists Allege Cruelty to Stray Dogs

Animal welfare activists on 26 September demanded better monitoring of animal birth control operations and alleged that the Corporation workers were subjecting the stray dogs to cruelty. They also lodged a police complaint in this regard.

Activist Jayanth Prakash said his peers have been visiting the corporation pound in Pulianthope to feed the stray dogs. “During our visits, we found that place is not maintained well. We heard the dogs cry in pain. We were barred from entering the Animal Birth Control section by the workers and we were not allowed to use our mobile phones to record the cruelty to animals. We noticed that the female dogs were not properly spayed. The stitches were open and the intestine was out. We have asked the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to intervene. The Corporation should hand over the pound to a reputed NGO,” he said.

(Source: The Hindu)

Also Read: Chennai: Dog Thrown From Terrace Recuperating; Offenders Get Bail

6. Dates for Admission Under RTE Extended

The School Education Department has extended the third phase of admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act till October 10 through their online portal. The third phase of admissions commenced on 11 September 11 and went on till 25 September. Parents were given an opportunity to apply for admission online for 41,832 seats which were vacant. For the first time, this academic year, the department commenced admissions for RTE online even as schools handed out applications on their campuses.

In the first two phases, nearly 82,909 seats were filled.

(Source: The Hindu)

7. Metro Rail Outsources Train Operator Jobs to Agency

In a recent move, Chennai Metro Rail has outsourced several train operators jobs to a private agency. So far, only maintenance of stations was outsourced.

According to sources in Chennai Metro Rail project, this has displeased a section of its employees who think it is unreasonable to outsource the train operator’s job. “While many think, it’s a mundane job, for a handful who were exclusively recruited for this, it is sacred and special. We are displeased with this move. They certainly cannot display the same loyalty and contribute like us. If everything is going to be outsourced, then we lose the morale to work,” a source said. The staff who earlier drove trains now handle station controlling and other related jobs.

(Source: The Hindu)