Latest news with #Jayalalithaa
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Alliance only for elections, AIADMK never subscribes to religious politics, says Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary and leader of Opposition Edappadi has said the party will not compromise on its principles for the sake of forging alliance. Addressing a gathering on July 22 at Papanasam in Thanjavur district as part of his Statewide Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhgathai Meetpom campaign, in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister cautioned the minority community voters not to get deceived by the DMK's propaganda that AIADMK had allied with a communal party and hence, their interests would be compromised. Stating that AIADMK never subscribed to casteist or religious politics, he listed out various schemes and programmes implemented by the party for the welfare of the minority communities during its earlier regimes. 'The alliance is only for the elections', he said added that the party never compromises on its principles for the sake of electoral alliance and sought the support of the minority community. He wondered whether the BJP was not a communal party while the DMK had aligned with it in 1999 and 2001 or during the period when the former AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa forged an alliance with that party. Later, addressing a gathering near the Thanjavur Corporation headquarters on Gandhiji Road, Thanjavur, said the DMK was trying to create an impression that the forthcoming election is for Parliament, by training their guns on BJP. 'This is because, they were not able to criticise us (AIADMK) on any front. Further, the DMK had lost public support. That is why they had embarked on 'Oraniyil Thamizh Nadu' campaign to enrol members', he added.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ungaludan Stalin, AMMA schemes may appear similar, but are different
The launch of the Ungaludan Stalin Scheme (USS) by the DMK regime has prompted the AIADMK to liken it to the Assured Maximum Service to Marginal People in All Villages (AMMA) scheme, which was implemented by the previous AIADMK government when Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister. At least on two occasions in the last couple of days, the general secretary of the principal Opposition party, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who is on a State-wide tour, called the new scheme an instance of the DMK government resorting to 'pasting stickers' on what was carried out by his party while in power. On Tuesday, former Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, too, made the same point in a social media post. According to the policy note of the Revenue Department for 2020-21, around 64.15 lakh petitions were received at 64,079 camps during 2012-2020, of which 64.09 lakh petitions were disposed of. The two schemes have a common objective - providing government services at the people's doorstep. Apart from redressing the grievances of the people, both the schemes pave the way for enrolment of new beneficiaries under various schemes. For example, about 10 years ago, the registration of farmers under the Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) and individuals under Aadhaar was given priority. Currently, the coverage of new beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT), a basic income scheme for women heads of families, is being given importance. Still, the two schemes differ in scope, according to a perusal of the government orders issued in March 2013 (on the AMMA scheme), and in June 2025 (on USS). The key difference between the two schemes is that while the former took care of only those in rural areas, the latter will cover people in urban areas, too. As per the G.O. issued by the Public (Mudhalvarin Mugavari) Department on June 19, a total of 10,000 camps would be held in the next four months (till November). In urban areas, 3,768 camps would be conducted and, in rural areas, 6,232. Among districts, Salem accounts for the highest number of camps at 432, followed by Chennai (400) and Tiruvallur (389). 'Improved version' Clarifying that the current government's latest initiative is an improved version of Makkaludan Mudhalvar, which was inaugurated in urban areas in November 2023 and extended to the remaining areas gradually, P. Amudha, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management), told The Hindu that the USS had been launched with a 'door-to-door campaign'. To a query on the continuance of Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril, another outreach programme of the government launched in January 2024, wherein Collectors would stay in a given taluk on a designated day for 24 hours to take up field visits, interact with the public, and get feedback on government schemes, Ms. Amudha said it would resume 'after the USS camps'. Wouldn't the system of providing services to the people online, without direct interface with officials, be better than the conventional way of holding camps, receiving petitions, and disposing of them? To this, the official said that 'due to illiteracy and lack of clarity' among sections of petitioners, 'supporting documents' were not attached while applying online. This had led to the rejection of a number of applications.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Woman claims wrongful attachment of 2.15 acres of her land in Jayalalithaa's disproportionate assets case
A 68-year-old woman from Wallajahbad in Kancheepuram district has approached the Madras High Court, claiming that 2.15 acres of her land in Uthukadu village had been wrongly attached in connection with a disproportionate assets case involving former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) ordered notice to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and directed a government counsel to make sure a counter affidavit was filed to the writ petition by July 28, after verifying the records and ascertaining the veracity of the claim. In her affidavit, the petitioner J. Kamasala said, she had purchased 33 cents of land in survey number 632/1, 1.51 acres in survey number 632/2, and 31 cents in survey number 640/6 by virtue of a sale deed executed by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC) Limited on August 3, 2006. The petitioner also stated the lands originally belonged to a woman named R. Lakshmi, who had mortgaged them with TIIC but could not discharge the loan in full. Hence, the TIIC had taken possession of the properties in 2002 and sold them by way of a public auction to the petitioner in 2006. Subsequently, when a private company named Madow Agro Farms Private Limited began interfering with a portion of the property, the petitioner's son J. Sathish Kumar filed a civil suit in 2017 for the declaration of title, and obtained a favourable decree from a district court in 2018. However, recently, when she applied for an Encumbrance Certificate for her properties, the petitioner got to know that the entire extent of 2.15 acres of her land had been included in a long list of immovable properties that had been attached in connection with Jayalalithaa's disproportionate assets case. She learnt that a Government Order had been issued with respect to the attachment and subsequently, the Kancheepuram Collector had sent a communication to the Sub Registrar's office on February 27, 2021 instructing the latter to not entertain any documents for the alienation of those properties. The petitioner informed the court of having sent representations to the DVAC, Kancheepuram Collector, as well as TIIC on April 21, 2025, clarifying that her properties had nothing to do with the disproportionate assets case. However, there was no response and hence, the present writ petition was filed.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NDC calls on government to reconsider decision to allow felling of rosewood trees in patta lands
The Nilgiri Documentation Center (NDC) has called on the Tamil Nadu government to immediately reconsider the Forest Department's decision to not renew the Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act. The NDC said the 'decision not only goes against all norms of conservation,' but could be a major embarrassment to the government in the coming elections. The withdrawal of the act would allow for the felling of trees from private patta lands, with ecologists voicing their concerns that trees that are located within reserve forests too will be more prone to being targeted by illegal timber smugglers. 'The 1995 legislation enacted by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was a first of its kind in the country to protect the rosewood tree. It was enacted in response to a widespread call led by the Save Nilgiris Campaign to stop the rampant illegal felling of the endangered native species of the State. The prompt action of the Chief Minister was hailed as a forerunner to conserve such trees in the other states coming under the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve,' said Venugopal Dharmalingam, honorary director of the NDC in a statement. 'At a time when conservation of native trees are given the highest priority by the governments and the courts, a decision of this nature should have been taken at the level of the Chief Minister. The dubious reasons given by the Forest Department to annul the act betrays a sense of insensitivity by the officials. Native trees like the rosewood cannot be grown anywhere or so easily. Withdrawing the act will be a clear licence for the illegal felling of the last of the ancient trees which are listed under the red book of the International Union of Conservation of Nature,' he added. He said rosewood trees, Dalbergia latifolia, listed as a 'vulnerable' species in the IUCN Red list, were found in the Nilgiris region of Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats, particularly in areas like Anamalais, Mudumalai, and Gudalur. 'These trees are known for their high-quality timber and are a significant part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. A rosewood tree, estimated to be 200 years old, located in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve was declared a Heritage Tree of Tamil Nadu by the State Biodiversity Board in 2017,' he noted, adding that the species holds special significance to the Badaga community.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Amit Shah controls AIADMK, says Udayanidhi
Alleging that the AIADMK was under the control of BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, DMK youth wing secretary and Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin said after the demise of Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK had not only lost its sheen, but also pledged the rights of Tamils for multiple reasons. Addressing the functionaries of different wings of the party during his one-day visit to Sivaganga district, he said there were around 25 wings in the DMK, while there were 25 factions in the AIADMK. 'The party has gone weak and its leaders have different agendas,' he charged. As long as Jayalalithaa headed the AIADMK, the BJP could not bring in any programmes which affected the people of Tamil Nadu. After her demise, the AIADMK, which was in power then, succumbed to BJP's pressure, he said. Known for its valour, the DMK had always fought for the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu. The fight with the Union government recently benefited the whole nation and many hailed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his bold initiatives in keeping the federal structure more meaningful. The Deputy CM said the AIADMK was fractured and none of the genuine cadre appeared to have faith in their leaders. Not to remain overconfident of DMK's victory in the 2026 general elections to Legislative Assembly, Mr. Udayanidhi appealed to the rank and file to dedicate themselves to secure the party a big win. 'Bring home more votes and meet the people directly. Tell them about the promises and achievements fulfilled by the DMK government,' he said. There were a lot of fake posts and unverified information making rounds in the social media. It was for the cadre to meet the people at their doorstep and explain the truth. Without spending much on campaign, youngsters should explore innovative ways available with the DMK's IT wing. There might be shortfalls in the government and the party, he said and urged them to bring those shortfalls to the notice of seniors to get them sorted out. No force could threaten the party or the government headed by Mr. Stalin and the political opponents would be shown the doors in the ensuing election, he added.
