Reviving Kamaraj rule has been the dream of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC). For nearly five decades, Congressmen have been talking about it. But in a surprise move, the BJP is singing their song now by openly praising the greatness of Kamaraj rule.
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Shipping and Highways Pon. Radhakrishnan did this recently while campaigning for his party candidate for the Srirangam by-election.
While taking a swipe at the two major Dravidian parties for “pushing back” Tamil Nadu in terms of growth, Mr. Radhakrishnan spoke highly of the Kamaraj rule. Tamil Nadu, Tiruchi, in particular, witnessed tremendous industrial growth only during the Kamaraj rule, he said, citing the establishment of BHEL and the Ordnance Factory here. Tiruchi had not seen any major industry after the Kamaraj rule. He hit out at the two Dravidian parties for their “misrule” since 1967.
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For Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner K. Vijayakarthikeyan, who has done his MBBS, civil engineering is a subject that is close to his heart. So says the Commissioner himself.
Speaking at the inaugural of a building material exhibition, he said the subject was close to his heart as the Corporation dealt with civil engineering related matters almost every day. Also, his wife is a civil engineer. So, he said, before taking up the assignment as the Corporation Commissioner, he took a crash course on civil engineering from his wife. Some solid foundation it must be.
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Few would censure the government for paying too much attention towards tackling an epidemic breakout. The entire administrative machinery is now focused on dengue, with cases on the rise across the State, and the Health Minister and Secretary are hopping from one district to another.
Handlooms Secretary Harmander Singh, who was in Coimbatore recently, went on field visits inspecting dengue prevention measures and spent more time reviewing the dengue outbreak, than his own department works.
School Education Department officials say they are now not conducting any function in government schools. This is because the government had chided them for conducting such events and not focusing on combating dengue!
Who are the persons suggested for being made Judges of the Madras High Court? This is the talk on the corridors of the High Court where 18 posts of Judges are vacant.
A couple of years ago a controversy erupted over the names suggested. At that time, advocates made it clear that the process of selection of Judges should be transparent. Why the names recommended should be kept a secret, they asked.
In fact, a suggestion was that advocates’ associations should be consulted before finalising the names. It is said that a list of nine persons has been prepared. Immediately, a demand has been made that only a single list to fill all the 18 posts at the same time should be forwarded. This is to ensure that equal representation is given to all communities, advocates say.
( Reporting by R. Rajaram, M. Soundariya Preetha, R. Sairam & K.T. Sangameswaran )