BBA, BCA admissions begin at some colleges in Tamil Nadu sans AICTE nod

COIMBATORE: With AICTE and UGC mandating AICTE approval for undergraduate management and computer application courses (BBA, BCA) from this academic year, parents, students and college administration are in a state of confusion as several colleges are yet to get AICTE approval. Till now, AICTE approval was not required for BBA, BCA courses and source said the council sent a circular to colleges last June making it mandatory in a bid to improve the curriculum. While a few colleges have stopped admission to these courses, a few others have started temporary admission without AICTE approval. With class 12 public exam results expected on May 6, students and parents expect the state government to intervene and issue clear instructions to the colleges. An assistant professor from private arts and science college in Coimbatore said they are sending back those who approached seeking admission to BCA course since they have not received any instruction from Bharathiar University on admitting students. Apart from BU which controls over 100 private colleges in Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur and Nilgiris district, Madurai Kamaraj University and Tiruchy Bharathidasan University also face similar issues. The state government, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and higher education secretary should announce that colleges can admit students, he said. Association University Teachers vice-president P Thirunavakarasu said they strongly oppose the AICTEs decision as it would affect rights of state universities. Fees will sharply rise and engineering colleges will not maintain reservation quota, he said According to Ajeet Kumar Lal Mohan, president of the Association of Self-financing Arts, Science and Management Colleges of Tamil Nadu, A total of 67 associations across the country have challenged the AICTE in the Supreme Court. Some state governments have also joined in this and we strongly hope the AICTE will not implement the proposal since the matter is sub judice. It cannot be implemented without the concurrence of the states. It is impossible to get new approval from AICTE which is a technical institution when the existing colleges have been running the course for decades. Three hearings in the top court are complete and the next hearing is scheduled on May 10. A Ponnusamy, Principal of Hindusthan College of Arts & Science in Coimbatore, said they have applied for the approval on AICTE portal. Like us, several colleges offering MBA and MCA courses are also doing so since AICTE is already verifying the facilities and staff strength at our institutions. Despite several states opposing the move, the apex court has not stayed the AICTEs proposal, he said. However, private arts and science colleges in Chennai are not facing any problems. College officials said majority of the private institutions in the city are already offering masters degree in these streams, and getting approval for undergraduate courses will not be an issue. We have all our paperwork ready, furnished all data on our BBA and BCA courses and received the approval, said Archana Prasad, principal, MOP Vaishnav College for Women. Majority of the principals with whom TNIE spoke to said they have got approval from AICTE without any hindrance. Anna University Vice Chancellor R Velraj said he is hoping the state government will react soon. When contacted, Ponmudy confirmed that the issue is in court and promised to make an announcement after holding discussion with education officials. (With inputs from Binita Jaiswal @ Chennai) (For the full report, visit www.newindianexpress.com)

Give Rs 10,000 for each coconut tree affected by summer in Tamil Nadu: PMK

CHENNAI: The PMK on Friday criticised the state government for its alleged inaction in safeguarding coconut trees, which are suffering from water scarcity-induced withering. The party urged the government to provide Rs 10,000 per tree as compensation to farmers whose coconut trees have been affected by water scarcity. In a statement, the PMK also took a dig at the BJP-led union governments insurance scheme for farmers, saying that many farmers had not opted for it since the conditions imposed were impractical. In a press release, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss voiced concerns over the dire situation of over 2.5 crore coconut trees in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts . He condemned the governments failure to address the plight of coconut farmers grappling with rising temperatures and acute water shortage, forcing them to resort to purchasing water from tankers to protect their crops. He emphasised the urgent need for the state government to intervene by providing compensation of Rs 10,000 per coconut tree to support farmers. Additionally, Anbumani urged the state government to implement effective water management strategies to prevent such crises from recurring in the future.

Kovai villagers block road over halt in water supply for 15 days

COIMBATORE: A section of people living in Jadayampalayam staged a road roko on Monday night on the Mettupalayam-Sathy road to highlight water shortage in the area. Over 2,000 people are living in the 12 wards of the Jadayampalayam panchayat near Mettupalayam. The panchayat is supplied drinking water from the Moolaiyur drinking water scheme and Jadayampalayam drinking water scheme. Water for these projects is drawn from the Bhavani river. The locals alleged that water has not been supplied for over 15 days. Sources said due to the construction of a check dam in the Bhavani River for the Tirupur second joint drinking water project, water supply to other schemes from the dam has dropped drastically. On Monday night, over 500 people blocked the Mettupalayam Sirumugai Road carrying empty pots. The protest lasted till Monday midnight and resumed on Tuesday morning. Due to this, the traffic on road was affected and vehicles coming towards Mettupalayam from Sirumugai were diverted via Vellikuppam Palayam and Kumaran Kundru. Similarly, vehicles going to Sirumugai from Mettupalayam were diverted via Odanthurai Vachinam-palayam. Police personnel along with the Mettupalayam MLA AK Selvaraj, Karamadai Panchayat Union Committee President Manimekalai Mahendran, Jadayampalayam Panchayat President TKV Palaniswami and the TWAD board officials held talks with the protestors. The people demanded the officials to supply 1 MLD of water from the 27 MLD of surplus water in the Tiruppur second drinking water project to Jadayampalayam panchayat. After the officials assurance, the people withdrew their protest on Tuesday afternoon.

Tirupur farmers hunger strike enters eighth day

IDBI Bank seeks ROC help over nominee director dispute with NTADCL

IDBI Bank has raised governance concerns over the exclusion of nominee directors from board meetings of New Tirupur Area Development Corporation Ltd (NTADCL) post-loan repayment. Despite provisions allowing their retention until all dues are settled, the directors were excluded, leading IDBI Bank to write to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). NTADCL, which underwent Corporate Debt Restructuring in 2011, excluded IDBI Bank and SBI's nominee directors, citing vacancy due to loan repayment. IDBI Bank seeks ROC's intervention to assert its right to retain Nominee Directors until all dues are cleared, citing clauses in the MRA, AoA, and Companies Act, 2013.

New Tirupur Area Development Corporation and IL&FS spat reaches Registrar of Companies

Tamil Nadu CM Continues Attacking BJP, Modi

Chennai: Continuing his scathing attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Chief Minister M K Stalin said that Tirupur would become a Manipur if Modi returned to power again and all its businesses would collapse as a riot-stricken place would not be fit for industrial growth. Speaking at an election meeting at the hosiery town of Tiruppur to introduce INDIA coalition candidates, A Raja of DMK contesting from The Nilgiris and Subarayyan of CPI fighting the April 19 Lok Sabha polls from Tiruppur, Stalin warned the people of reservation getting cancelled if the BJP won the elections once more. The Constitution that helped the country hold its head high though skeptics had predicted the nations disintegration due to its diversity during Independence would be struck down by Modi, he said, adding that not only was the Constitution framed by B R Ambedkar that was under threat but even democracy was in jeopardy. Going by the 10 year rule of the BJP that took the nation on the downward hills and wrecked the economy of cities like Coimbatore and Tirupur that were once seen are destinations of hope for people in search of jobs and livelihoods and it could be predicted what would befall the nation if the BJP won the polls, he said. Referring to an unsavoury incident at Tiruppur on Friday, in which a woman, who raised a question relating to GST to a bunch of campaigners belonging to the BJP, was brutally attacked, he said that was the respect the BJP gave to the people and that was how they treated women. The nation that was now kept united despite the diversity, would be divided on religious and language lines by Modi because of whose agreement with Bangladesh on textiles and the reduction of time limit for repaying instalments was reduced from six months to three months under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act ruined the businesses, he charged. Since Lok Sabha polls were crucial and the peoples vote for the INDIA coalition candidates was highly essential to retrieve democracy and defeat dictatorship with a view to upholding equality, fraternity, communal amity and social justice, he urged the people to serve as his ambassadors and seek the votes of all the people. He said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had demolished the entire campaign undertaken by Modi in one stroke by making a visit to Coimbatore on Friday when he said that Tamil Nadu, its history, its politics had helped him understand India, besides showing how to care for people. Rahul Gandhi had also acknowledged that he had learnt a lot from leaders of Tamil Nadu like Periyar E V Ramasamy, K Kamaraj, C N Annadurai and K Karunanidhi and the Congress partys manifesto reflected the ideals of the DMK. By stating that the election was between the upholders of social justice and those who sowed the seeds of communal division, Rahul Gandhi proved that he shared the DMKs vision, too, he said, adding that Tamil society had progressed only in the past 100 years after the Dravidian movement came and after several struggles against the 2000 years old enslavement. Stalin also attacked AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, whom he alleged was under the control of the BJP. Even if the AIADMK had any problems with the State unit of the BJP, it had nothing against Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Rahul Gandhi's TN visit has trumped Modi's poll campaign: Stalin

Rahul Gandhi's TN visit has trumped Modi's poll campaign: Stalin Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's single day campaign in the state has ''beaten all the election trips'' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state to seek votes. Referring to the April 12 meet addressed at nearby Coimbatore by him and Gandhi, Stalin said the turnout and the rally was magnificent like the movie ''Baahubali'', and the ''total BJP was trumped,'' by a single public meeting. Further, the chief minister said Gandhi's single day campaign in Tamil Nadu has ''beaten all the election trips'' of Modi to the state to seek votes. ''Rahul Gandhi has proven that Tamil Nadu people can be won over (ruled) only through love.'' Citing Gandhi's comment in Coimbatore that the Lok Sabha polls are an ideological battle, the DMK chief said he has been all along stating that the election is between the INDIA bloc -- committed to upholding social justice -- and the BJP front which is sowing seeds of ''discrimination'' in society. ''Rahul Gandhi's speech has echoed the same opinion.'' The DMK regime is a beacon of social justice that provided reservation to marginalised people including the Backward, Most Backward and Scheduled Castes. ''If Modi is again voted to power, he will first do away with reservation. It is because BJP is allergic to social justice.'' Modi will also change the Constitution drafted by Dr B R Ambedkar. ''That is why we say that Modi returning to power is a danger to the Constitution, a threat to the whole country.'' Furthermore, the DMK president alleged ''stoking violence is in the BJP's DNA,'' and the nation will be an autocracy and the number of poor people will rise if Modi retains power. Referring to a news item (a video clip was also shared in social media) on BJP workers allegedly assaulting a woman in Tirupur for posing GST related questions, he said both the BJP and Modi are detrimental to the nation and its people. ''The BJP will turn Tirupur into a Manipur,'' he alleged. Pointing to the alleged assault, he accused the BJP of arrogance and alleged the Saffron party has become drunk with power. Industrial growth is possible only in a peaceful environment and peace and growth will be lost if ''violent parties like the BJP is allowed entry.'' Due to GST and demonetisation, industries/MSMEs have been seriously affected. A company that came forward to invest in Tamil Nadu was intimidated and it was forced to start its venture in Gujarat, he alleged. For the Production Linked Incentive scheme, tax is collected from Tamil Nadu people and the Centre is giving concession to start industries in Gujarat. ''Only these people are now seeking votes in Tirupur and Coimbatore.'' Stalin addressed the meet at Avinashi in Tirupur district which is among the areas that fall under the Nilgiris LS constituency, where BJP's L Murugan is seeking his luck. In Coimbatore, TN BJP chief K Annamalai is the candidate.

Try millet dosai, bise bele bath and kara adai at the newly-opened Zodiac restaurant in Tirupur

Hectic Activities in Different Political Camps

Chennai : Different political marquees in the State bustled with hectic election related activities on Tuesday as the DMK finalized its seat allocation with the CPI and CPM, the BJP gained strength by the merger All Indian Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) of R Sarathkumar and the DMDK general secretary V Premalatha Vijayakanth sending out a veiled message of going with the AIADMK by openly opposing the implementation of the CAA. Leaders of the CPI and CPM called on Chief Minister M K Stalin to sign agreements on the seat allocation at the Anna Arivalayam, which left the Congress alone to sit across the table and finalise the seats in the DMK-led coalition. As per the agreements signed on Tuesday, CPM would contest from Madurai and Dindigul constituencies and CPI would field candidates from Nagapattinam and Tirupur. Once the Congress comes to the table and signs the agreement for seat allocation, the DMK would be able to wrap up the process by announcing its candidates for the various constituencies and plunge into the campaign process for the Lok Sabha polls as a clear picture would have emerged by then on who would be fighting the elections from where. The BJP camp had reason to rejoice on Tuesday as the AISMK merged with it formally at the party headquarters in Chennai and Sarathkumar announcing that it was the beginning of public service and comparing the regime of Narendra Modi with that of the late K Kamaraj. BJP State president K Annamalai welcomed Sarathkumar to the party and said that the move was to uphold the spirit of nationalism from the Tamil soil. He said Sarathkumar had been vocal about his Nationalistic thoughts through Art and called him a man of high personal integrity and had devoted his life to the service of Tamil people. The AIADMK, which held a human chain agitation in urban areas across the State to protest against the rampant drug menace in the State and to point out the alleged links of ruling party functionaries to the drug smuggling cartel, had a reason to be happy as Premalatha Vijayakanth gave a vague indication that she was not planning to join the BJP-led NDA, through a statement opposing the implementation of CAA. While the talks between the TNCC and DMK leaders are expected to happen soon, the BJP too will complete the process of seat allocation in another weeks time. The AIADMK might wait for the DMDK to make its next move and then clinch a deal with it. As far as the PMK is concerned, it is not clear which way it would swing. It could go with the BJP if its demands were met and come back to the AIADMK. Whatever it is, both the AIADMK and BJP are trying to make an issue out of a DMK functionary caught in connection with a drug smuggling case and gain political capital out of it. Perhaps they might use it as a poll plank, too, against the ruling DMK. For, the slogan of the AIADMK at the human chain agitation was Say no to drugs, Say no to DMK.

India, EFTA trade deal to help boost trade, investments: Indian industry

India, EFTA trade deal to help boost trade, investments: Indian industry The free trade agreement between India and the four European nation bloc EFTA will help boost trade and investments in the country in sectors such as engineering, pharma, food processing, and apparel, says the industry. India on Sunday signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) under which New Delhi received a USD 100 billion investment commitment from these four European countries. The investment commitment by the companies of the grouping - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - would be executed over a period of 15 years and facilitate creation of one million direct jobs in India. Industrialist and Tirupur Exporters Association President A Sakthivel said that the pact would help promote two-way commerce and help Indian apparel exporters increase their shipments. ''The investment commitment will boost domestic manufacturing,'' Sakthivel said. Industry body CII President R Dinesh said that the ''unique'' pledge by EFTA members on USD 100 billion investment will help sectors such as engineering, pharmaceuticals, food processing, apparel and others to grow. ''It will also help both sides to address third markets together,'' Dinesh said in a statement. Sharing similar views, trade expert and Hi-Tech Gears Chairman Deep Kapuria said that EFTA is an important trading block as it is amongst the top ten in the world in trade in goods and services. ''EFTA also has an extensive network of FTAs. Currently, it has trade agreements outside the EU with more than 30 countries, which covers 41 countries worldwide. India's FTA with EFTA would help it in integrating with the wider world market,'' Kapuria said. He added that the EFTA countries are also a major source of outward investment, particularly in pharma, energy and medical devices. ''Hence the FTA would also help India attract FDI from EFTA members,'' Kapuria added.