Latest news with #JKumar
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
National Gree Tribunal orders closure of polluting casting yards and ready-mix cement plants inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park's eco sensitive zone at Ghodbunder Road in Thane
Navi Mumbai: The 's (NGT) western zone bench has ordered the closure of two casting yards and ready-mix cement (RMC) plants operating within the eco-sensitive zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) at Thane's Ghodbunder Road. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now NGO Vanashakti had filed the petition in NGT on the ground that this eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) was being destroyed due to the casting yards and RMC plants of J Kumar firm, which supplies reinforced concrete, girders and other heavy-duty infra works for projects, such as the tunnelling of Metros. A representative of SGNP, which is one of the respondents, was present in the tribunal when the order was given. Environmentalist D Stalin of Vanashakti said: "We welcome the NGT is sad how various state departments and agencies did nothing while the forest was being damaged by J Kumar's RMC plants and casting yards." When asked if the order will be a setback for any Metro projects, Stalin said: "There will not be any slowdown in infra projects because the firm can easily access land at Mogarpada in Thane. Also, the ESZ notification came in 2016, so all govt departments were aware that such a polluting industry cannot operate inside a green zone." "At the Ghodbunder site of the casting yard, a board has been installed that this is adivasi land taken on rent. Can a tribal land be actually leased for a polluting industry inside an ESZ?" asked Stalin. "Every department which is a part of the ESZ monitoring committee failed to take steps to stop the degradation of the forests and to stop the pollution. We were forced to file a petition after repeated requests failed."
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
15 years on, MKU contract workers waiting for regularisation of jobs in TN
MADURAI: Over 350 contract workers who have been working in Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) for over 15 years have urged the authorities to regularise their jobs. According to sources, 386 non-teaching staff are working in the university as Casual Labour (CLR) and Consolidated Pay Casual Labour (CPCLR). Of this, CPCLR workers are paid Rs 7,500 -Rs 12,500 and CLR workers are paid Rs 500 per day for average 22 days of work in a month. The employees work in various positions, including drivers, assistants, gardeners etc. Speaking to TNIE, MKU CPCLR association president M Savariguru said a total of 214 CPCLRs and 172 CLRs have been working for a long time nursing hopes of permanent jobs. "Of the 386 workers, more than 50% are degree holders. Earlier, without any prior notice, the then Vice Chancellor J Kumar removed 135 CPCLR and CLRs from service. We are afraid this may be repeated again," he said. He further stated that the DMK in its election manifesto had assured to regularise the contract workers, and requested Chief Minister MK Stalin to take steps to regularise the workers. Speaking to TNIE, Madurai Kamaraj University SC/ST Employees Welfare Association president C Muniyandi said " There are 429 SC/ST vacancies in various positions. MKU has not filled vacancies for more than ten years. More than 120 CPCLRs and CLRs are eligible under this category. In 2020, the syndicate gave approval to absorb CPCLRs and CLRs, but till now efforts have not been taken," he said. An MKU official, requesting anonymity, said the process to recruit non-teaching staff would be initiated soon and the demand of CPCLRs, CLRs would be considered at that time.
