Latest news with #KalaignarUniversityBill
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin slams governor for delaying assent to Kalaignar University Bill
THANJAVUR: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday took a dig at Governor R N Ravi for delaying assent to the Kalaignar University Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly. Speaking at a function held in Thanjavur, Stalin said the government had announced a new university to be situated in Thanjavur. 'More than 40 days have passed since the Bill was sent to the governor on May 2, but he is yet to give his assent,' Stalin said. 'We thought the governor would have changed after the verdict of the Supreme Court. But he has not changed. We had sent several reminders about the Bill. Even the higher education minister had sought appointment with the governor which has not been granted till now. The people of the state are wondering what other important work the governor has (other than considering the bills passed by the assembly)', he added. 'Had the governor given assent to the Bill immediately after we sent it, we would have laid the foundation stone for the university at this function,' the CM said, adding that 'we will be patient. If we lose patience, we would create a situation (legally) which would compel him to act.' Further, the chief minister said, 'Even though I had hesitation in naming the University (after M Karunanidhi), members of the assembly, cutting across party lines insisted to name it as Kalaignar University. Following this, we had passed the bill to form the university, unanimously, and sent it to the governor.' But till date the governor has not given assent to the Bill. Farmers detained for black flag protest Thanjavur: A total of 12 farmers were detained on Monday for trying to show black flag to Chief Minister MK Stalin over non-payment of arrears by a private sugar mill in Tirumandangudi. According to sources, two farmers ran onto the main road, where the CM's convoy was expected to pass on the way to a marriage hall. Police on duty detained them immediately. Subsequently, 10 more farmers standing nearby were also detained. All of them were released in the evening.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Despite SC verdict, Governor Ravi has not changed yet, alleges TN CM Stalin
Thanjavur , Despite a recent verdict of the Supreme Court fixing deadline for governors over state Bills, Governor R N Ravi has not changed, Chief Minister M K Stalin alleged here on Monday and said that the Tamil Nadu governor has put a Bill, that seeks to set up Kalaignar University, on hold for over 40 days. Addressing a government function here, the chief minister said he is fulfilling people's aspirations by way of state schemes and the warm welcome accorded by people showed their happiness. The leader of opposition, AIADMK chief, Edappadi K Palaniswami is, however, unable to tolerate it and he laments. Hitting out at Palaniswami for asking the status on grievance petitions received by him under Ungal Thoguthiyil Stalin initiative , Stalin said 32,000 persons were provided housing patta and 30,000 were granted pension and 10,000 persons were allotted tenements. On the basis of petitions received, ₹544.20 crore development schemes were formulated and a department, "Muthalvarin Mugavari" was formed to look into the grievance petitions of the people and address them within 30 days. Citing a report in a Tamil daily to underline the speed with which the government worked, he said he would like to make an announcement to further increase that speed. "In order to redress your grievances, Ungaludan Stalin camps will be held beginning July 15 across Tamil Nadu in your areas." In total, 10,000 camps will provide services to the people in rural and urban areas and volunteers would provide people all the required information at their doorsteps. When the government worked day and night for the people, it is natural for the leader of opposition to be jealous. "If he is on the one side, the governor, who works as a puppet of the Union government is on the other side. You know all that he did so far and I will give you a recent example." The Kalaignar University Bill was sent to Governor Ravi. However, the governor has not given his assent to the Bill till now. The CM said: "It was sent on May 2. It is over 40 days. He has not yet given his approval. We thought that he would have changed after the Supreme Court judgment. However, he has not changed. We reminded him several times over the Kalaignar Univesity he given his assent as soon as we had sent it, I would have laid the foundation stone for the university in this function itself." Further, the CM said that he had asked the Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian to meet the governor in this regard. However, the governor has not yet given an appointment to the minister. Stalin alleged that Ravi is declining to meet the minister as he was afraid that questions may be raised if time was allotted to meet him. Referring to his 50-year long political career, the chief minister said there was no obstacle that he had not seen and that he had faced the infamous MISA law itself. The CM said he had tackled all such situations, the rivals and their conspiracies and only after overcoming all such opposition, he had risen to his present position. "Let us wait," he said. When the situation becomes, "enough is enough," the CM said the government will make the governor to finally agree and Ravi will be constrained to approve the Bill. In an important announcement, Stalin said ₹82.77 crore will be allocated for the "Kuruvai Special Package Scheme," for the Cauvery delta districts to assist farmers. He inaugurated a special package scheme for Kaar-Kuruvai-Sornavari seasons to benefit farmers involved in paddy cultivation in non-delta districts. Expressing happiness in inaugurating the special scheme for non-delta districts, the CM said it was a first in Tamil Nadu's history and ₹132.17 crore has been allotted. The chief minister made several other announcements and it includes measures to protect rare manuscripts at Saraswathi Mahal Library and building a new bridge at a cost of ₹42 crore at a spot where rivers Vennaru and Vettaru separate. Giving data on beneficiaries covered under various flagship schemes of the government in Thanjavur district alone, Stalin said 4.17 lakh beneficiaries receive ₹1,000 assistance every month under the Kalaignar Women Rights Scheme. Seven thousand farmers have been given free power connections and 71,000 petitions have been addressed under the 'Muthalvarin Mugavari' scheme and 40,470 housing 'pattas' have been provided to beneficiaries. "Across Tamil Nadu, in total 14.45 lakh pattas have been given."
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Guv gives assent to 16 of 18 bills; two more pending
Chennai: Governor R N Ravi has given assent to 16 out of 18 bills passed by the legislature in the session that ended in April. The exceptions were the Kalaignar University Bill, to establish a university named after former chief minister M Karunanidhi in Kumbakonam, and the Physical Education and Sports University Bill, which empowers the state to appoint and remove the vice-chancellor. "In all, Raj Bhavan has only two bills pending from the last session, and another two bills, the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill and the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, pending since 2024. All cleared bills have been notified in the gazette," said an official. One of the approved bills allows use of the Goondas Act against those dumping bio-medical waste, particularly in districts bordering Kerala where such cases have been increasing. Another bill protects farmers, women, and women's self-help groups from aggressive loan recovery tactics used by microfinance institutions and other lenders. Violators face imprisonment ranging from three to five years, a fine of up to 5 lakh, or both. The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Bill, 2025, replaces the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985. Another law aims to decriminalise certain minor offences under the Urban Local Bodies Act. It introduces adjudication and compounding mechanisms to handle these offences. Another law regulates erection of hoardings, digital banners, and placards in rural local bodies. Some laws were changed to make the member-secretary of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority an ex-officio member of the CMDA; and to create the post of commissioner of urban development. Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act aim to improve ease of doing business. They also decriminalise offences by replacing imprisonment and fines with penalties. The legislation also establishes adjudication and appellate mechanisms. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Stalin: Fear of litigation prompts Ravi to give assent to bills; still 14 bills pending
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said governor R N Ravi could have given assent to the two bills that reserved seats in local bodies for people with disabilities (PwD) for fear of litigation. The governor's office is still sitting on 14 bills, including the Kalaignar University Bill, which proposes establishing a university named after former chief minister M Karunanidhi, sources told TOI. Asked for his response to the governor giving assent to bills passed by the assembly in its last sitting, Stalin told reporters here, "That was expected. Not a big issue. It was passed by the legislature and sent. Maybe he gave assent because he was afraid that we would go to court. Nothing else." The Supreme Court had on April 8, set a timeline for governors and the President to decide on bills. Sources told TOI that governor Ravi had since then given assent to eight bills, including four appropriation bills. Among the bills awaiting assent are the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill and the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill. These were passed by the legislature in Feb and Dec 2024, respectively. Other pending bills include one to protect economically weaker sections, especially farmers and women self-help groups, from coercive recovery of loans by microfinance institutions. A bill to amend the Goondas Act to punish dumping of biomedical waste in Tamil Nadu from neighbouring states is also pending. When asked about the pending bills in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on timelines, DMK MP P Wilson stated: "Anyone who has faith in the judicial system and believes in the Constitution and the rule of law must respect the Supreme Court's verdict, as it is final. If the governor chooses to defy the court's order, the law should take its own course. However, I want to know whether the Prime Minister is encouraging such defiance of the court's order. Can the President of India remain silent to such a contemptuous act? The governor should have been sacked when the Supreme Court indicted him for malafide actions."
