Tamil Nadu taking steps to close Sterlite factory: CM
Chennai, May 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said on Thursday that his government was taking all steps to close the Sterlite factory at Thoothukudi after 13 people were killed in protests against it.
Palaniswami told the media that the AIADMK government was taking the legal route to ensure that the Sterlite Copper Smelter plant was shut down.
He said people in the region had been protesting peacefully for long against the company, alleging that it was causing health hazards and depleting the water table, but this time the opposition and "anti-social elements" had turned the movement violent.
"It is because of this instigation that so many people have died. And we are really saddened by the deaths," he said.
He added that in April Sterlite approached the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to continue running the factory but the permission was denied.
But the management got a favourable order from the National Green Tribunal. The Tamil Nadu government had moved the Supreme Court against the NGT ruling.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt warns of action against LPG hoarding, blackmarketing amid supply concerns
Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the police have been instructed to take legal action against those involved in hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders.
Amid supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict, he expressed hope that the supplies would be restored at the earliest.
"If anyone tries to hoard or black market gas cylinders, legal action will be taken against them. Police have been given instructions in this regard across the state...We will not allow it," Parameshwara told reporters here.
Quoting officials, he said there are no issues with supply of domestic gas cylinders as of now. Though, there are supply issues concerning commercial gas cylinders.
"Hotels may face problems for a couple of days, efforts are underway to resolve the issue," he added.
He expressed hope that gas and oil supplies from Gulf countries would improve soon, citing reports that a couple of Indian vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran granted India some exemptions.
Responding to a question, the Minister said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a special cabinet meeting on March 27 to discuss internal reservation in recruitments. "We expect the issue to be resolved that day."
"After the cabinet decision, the government will issue an order, following which the recruitment process will start. The government said it will hold recruitment for over 56,000 posts, everything is ready for the process. In my own department (Home department) 8,000 vacancies will be filled. We will immediately adopt (the reservation related decision) and start the recruitment process," he added.
Reports have emerged about rifts between SC (Right) and SC (Left) factions within the ruling Congress regarding internal reservation during the recruitment announced for 56,432 vacant jobs.
The state government had recently decided to conduct recruitment for 56,432 vacant jobs based on the reservation order in force before December 28, 2022 (15 per cent for SCs and 3 per cent for STs), due to the stay on the enhanced quota and internal reservation, while continuing to pursue its case in court.
The previous BJP government had increased the reservation quota for SCs from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for Scheduled Tribes from 3 per cent to 7 per cent, raising the state’s total reservation to 56 per cent, exceeding the Supreme Court-mandated 50 per cent ceiling.
While the matter is still in court, the Congress government decided to provide internal reservation by slicing up the 17 per cent reservation matrix given to 101 scheduled castes, under three groups, with a formula of 6, 6, and 5 per cent respectively.
According to sources, the SC (Left)/Madiga community, which has fought for internal reservation for decades, opposes recruiting for 56,432 jobs without providing internal reservation. The SC (Right)/Holeya community, however, favoured recruitment without providing internal reservation.
