Present among those who participated in a function to release a booklet on the achievements of former Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss was Tamil Nadu industries secretary, K. Dhanavel, and retired IAS officer, R. Poornalingam, who held many important posts in the State government, including that of the health secretary.
While Mr. Dhanavel was the private secretary of Mr. Anbumani when he was Union minister, Mr. Poornalingam’s appearance at the function surprised many. “He is a friend of Mr. Anbumani’s,” said a PMK functionary.
The booklet was received by another former IAS officer, M.G. Devasahayam. PMK leader S. Ramadoss said he would always seek the counsel of Mr. Devasahayam, who has helped shape many policies of the PMK.
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Following confiscation of cash from finance agents in recent times, non-banking finance companies-microfinance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) have sought the help of the chief electoral officer (CEO) to conduct their business as usual, particularly the disbursement of cash to customers, in the run-up to the general elections.
There are 20 NBFC-MFIs catering to about 26 lakh families. On an average, they disburse cash loans running into crores. Besides, they also collect repayments from customers on a weekly or monthly basis. Typically, the agents’ job is to withdraw cash from the bank branches and disburse it to customers living elsewhere, which might be several kilometres away in rural areas.
With the model code of conduct in force, their routine becomes difficult as they carry large amounts of cash and may be considered suspicious by government officials.
CEO Praveen Kumar has now assured the agents of such firms that they will not be disturbed if they carry their identity cards and the list of beneficiaries to whom the cash will go, at all times.
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The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) which were competing with each other in displaying publicity material on the walls of Tiruchi city over the past two months, have restarted their rivalry.
While the AIADMK had painted Tiruchi’s walls with messages commending party supremo Jayalalithaa on her 66th birthday, DMK cadre had brought artists from all over the State to paint portraits of party leaders Karunanidhi and Stalin, in connection with the 10th State conference of the party. Now that both mega events are over, the partymen are lying low.
With AIADMK announcing its candidates, the ruling party cadre have started reserving walls for their campaign. Not to be left behind, DMK men are trying to retain the walls they had reserved for the party conference earlier. However, it may be of no avail as election rules, when they are enforced, will not allow them to deface public walls.
Meanwhile, local shops have already started marketing flags and festoons of various political parties in a big way.
By B. Kolappan,
N. Anand and
Syed Muthahar Saqaf
