Latest news with #Arul
The Star
14-07-2025
- The Star
Errant Seremban property owners warned to clean up or face court action
OWNERS of abandoned properties here have seven days to clean up after receiving a notice from the Seremban City Council (MBS) or face court action, says Negri Sembilan local government committee chairman J. Arul Kumar. Arul Kumar, who also holds the housing and transport portfolios, said MBS has issued 453 notices so far, and 19 owners have already been hauled to court. "Overall, 306 owners have ignored the notices to clean up their premises. "So, like the 19 already taken to court, the remaining ones may also face legal action," he said, adding that 147 owners have complied with the notices. Arul Kumar said MBS has decided to take stern action as some of the properties have been abandoned for decades. Apart from being an eyesore, they also posed other hazards. For example, he said, some have become termite-infested and the damage has spread to neighbouring properties. Many also posed health and safety risks, having become hangouts for criminals or lairs for snakes and pests. "When you do not clean up, you are being unfair to others. "So, we have no other option but to act," he said after visiting several abandoned units at Lorong Java near here on Monday (July 140. Arul Kumar said those who fail to comply can be charged under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976 for causing a nuisance. He said some owners had refused to clean up as they know the authorities cannot seize their properties. "They have been diligently paying their quit rent because they know if they don't, we can seize their property. "But these same owners have refused to pay assessment, which has now accumulated into millions of ringgit, because they know the authorities cannot seize the properties even if they default," he said. Arul said MBS may also consider cleaning up some of the properties and billing the owners for the work. "Apart from the court action, the MBS may consider this option. "We have to do this to send a message that we are not taking this lightly anymore," he said, adding that the authorities also faced a challenge in tracing some of the owners. Arul said owners of new properties have also been issued with notices as they, too, have left their properties unattended. "We have cases where the owners have yet to move in but failed to maintain their units. "Action will also be taken against them if they fail to comply," he added.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Anbumani writes to Speaker to replace party whip
Chennai: The leadership tussle between PMK founder S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss has reached the state capital with the latter writing to the Assembly speaker requesting him to replace Salem (west) MLA R Arul with party MLA C Sivakumar from Mailam constituency as the party's whip on Friday. Arul, a supporter of Ramadoss was removed from the party by Anbumani a few days back. Arul, who contested his sacking, challenged Anbumani's letter to the assembly speaker too, saying that only Ramadoss can make this decision. Of the five PMK MLAs, S P Venkateshwaran (Dharmapuri), S Sadhasivam (Mettur) and Sivakumar support Anbumani while party's honorary president G K Mani and Arul are with Ramadoss. MLAs supporting Anbumani met speaker M Appavu and submitted the letter. Anbumani said in the letter that Arul, has been relieved of his responsibilities as PMK legislative party whip due to his anti-party activities. "C Sivakumar, elected from Mailam constituency, has been appointed as the PMK whip. I request that you officially record this change in the legislative assembly," the letter read. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Arul submitted a letter written to Appavu by Ramadoss later in the day. In the letter, Ramadoss said Arul will continue as the party's whip. "Only Ramadoss can decide on appointing or removing the party's whip. Anbumani is now a working president," Arul told reporters after calling on the speaker. Asked about the representations from PMK groups, Appavu said, "Let's see when the assembly is summoned." TN Assembly Rules recognize a party with one tenth of the total number of members (234) as a legislature party. A party with a strength of not less than eight members is recognized as a legislature group. "PMK doesn't qualify as either a legislature party or a legislature group. While parties submit lists of elected MLAs as office-bearers, the assembly's recognition is limited to only the leader of opposition, as defined by the established rules. Hence, there is no question of recognizing the whip of the PMK," said a senior govt official.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anbumani has no power to remove R. Arul from PMK's primary membership, says Ramadoss
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Thursday (July 3, 2025) said the party's 'working president' Anbumani Ramadoss does not have the power to remove Salem West MLA R. Arul from its primary membership. The founder alone is vested with the powers to remove him, he said. Speaking to reporters at his Thailapuram residence near Tindivanam, Dr. Ramadoss said Mr. Arul is the party's whip in the Assembly, and at most, honorary president and Legislature Party leader G.K. Mani could only recommend his removal to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The 'working president' has no power to remove the party whip, he said. On Wednesday (July 2), Dr. Anbumani announced the expulsion of Mr. Arul from the primary membership of the party, accusing him of acting in a manner that went against the party's disciplinary rules and bringing disrepute to the party by making statements to the media. Decision on alliance Replying to a question, Dr. Ramadoss said a decision on the PMK's alliance for the 2026 Assembly elections would be made only after consulting party workers at the executive council and general council meetings. Until then, speculations about an alliance are merely rumours, he said. Welcoming the Tamil Nadu School Education Department's new initiative 'Level Up' to improve students' proficiency in English, Dr. Ramadoss said the project should be expanded to cover students of classes I to V as well. With farmers expecting an enhanced target of 5 lakh acres in the delta districts for the ongoing Kuruvai cultivation, the State government should ensure adequate stock of fertilisers, he said. Dr. Ramadoss also urged the government to provide a compensation of ₹1 crore to the next of kin of the Sivaganga custodial death victim, B. Ajith Kumar.
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Factional feud deepens in PMK as Anbumani Ramadoss expels MLA R Arul from party
Chennai: In a dramatic escalation of the internal feud within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), party president Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday announced the expulsion of Salem West MLA R. Arul from the party's primary membership. Arul, a well-known loyalist of the PMK founder, has been removed for allegedly tarnishing the party's image through media statements. In a statement, Anbumani stated that the party's disciplinary committee had asked Arul to apologise within 24 hours for his remarks. However, as Arul failed to comply, the party invoked Rule No. 30 of its bylaws to expel him. "Salem West MLA acted in violation of party rules and brought disrepute to the organisation. His continued defiance has left us with no choice," the statement said. The expelled legislator had recently made statements to the media, expressing that his primary loyalty remained with party founder Ramadoss, while acknowledging Anbumani as his leader only after him. In a pointed message, Arul had also urged Anbumani to reconcile with his father and the founder of the PMK, publicly calling for the resolution of their differences. Arul's removal is seen as a significant move, especially given his strong influence in the Salem district, considered a bastion of PMK. The expulsion has deepened the rift between the two factions led respectively by the father-son duo, fueling concerns among party workers about a long-term split. Party insiders reveal that parallel organisational structures have already emerged in many districts due to competitive appointments made by both leaders. "There are now two presidents, two district secretaries, and two sets of office bearers in several places. Even if the top leaders reconcile, conflict will arise over who retains which post," said a district-level functionary who has remained neutral in the conflict. A senior leader admitted that the situation has created an existential crisis for the party. "The perception war between father and son is damaging. It's unclear when or if it will end. Other parties could exploit the divide, especially during elections," he said. With grassroots leaders now split and many demoralised, party insiders fear that effective election coordination will be an uphill task unless urgent reconciliation efforts are made.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MLA protests Salem Municipal Corporation's failure to build girivalam path at temple
SALEM: Salem West MLA R Arul staged a sit-in protest on the Salem Municipal Corporation (SMC) premises on Monday, expressing concerns over the civic body's failure to construct a 'girivalam' path at Kuranguchavadi Perumal Malai. The PMK legislator criticised the negligence of the SMC administration. While speaking to reporters, Arul said he had submitted a request to chief minister M K Stalin for the construction of the girivalam path. The state govt allocated Rs 94 lakh for this project. "However, the road has not been constructed," he said. He said the SMC had recently released a report claiming that the girivalam path had been completed. The MLA said when he had inquired about the project, Salem Corporation superintending engineer Selva Vinayagam had not responded. Arul indicated that he would raise these concerns directly with the chief minister during the latter's visit to Salem on Wednesday and Thursday. The MLA ended his protest after corporation officials held discussions with him.
