Latest news with #MSSangeetha
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
After drone survey, Rs 15-crore fine slapped on two quarry owners in Madurai
MADURAI: The district administration has imposed penalty totalling Rs 15 crore on two quarries in Katchaikatti village in Vadipatti taluk for functioning even after the expiry of licence and extracting resources more than the permitted limit. The action has been taken based on the report of a drone survey conducted by the revenue department after closing the quarries on March 18. According to sources, the lease period of the quarries expired on June 6, 2023. A resident of the village M Gnanasekar had lodged a complaint with district collector MS Sangeetha about the issue during the grievance day meeting held in December, 2024. TNIE also publised several reports about quarries functioning in Vadipatti area, allegedly against the norms. Taking note of these, the department of mining and department of revenue conducted drone surveys in January this year and two quarries were closed in March. On request of anonymity, an official from the district administration said one quarry owner had been given permission to extract gravel up to 3,000 cubic metres and stone up to 1,80,000 cubic metres.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Madurai marks World Environment Day with green initiatives
Madurai: From plastic bag crackdowns and cloth bag distribution to student rallies, sapling runs, and awareness campaigns, World Environment Day was observed in Madurai on Thursday with a range of activities led by the district administration, civic authorities, and civil society groups. Health officials from Madurai Corporation conducted plastic confiscation drives at five key traffic hubs—Periyar bus stand, Goripalayam, Teppakulam, Arapalayam, and Palanganatham—where they exchanged plastic carry-bags for reusable manjapais and seized banned plastic items from vendors. By evening, over 200 cloth bags had been distributed and 100 kg of banned plastic impounded for recycling. The civic body said similar surprise inspections would continue every weekend through June. Special cleaning drives were also conducted at all corporation offices to promote hygiene and discourage littering. At the Gandhi Memorial Museum, district collector M S Sangeetha flagged off a sapling distribution initiative organised in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), DHAN Foundation, Madurai Green, and the school education department. Around 5,000 saplings are being distributed to students via women's self-help groups. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Follow-up visits will be conducted to track sapling survival rates, officials said. In a separate public engagement event, Ilam Makkal Iyakkam and Paarvai Foundation organised a 10-km 'sapling run' to promote afforestation awareness. Flagged off by Assistant Sub-Inspector Padmavathi Amma at Race Course Ground, the run passed through key city areas including Reserve Line, Iyer Bungalow, Moondru Mavadi, and Pudur. Volunteers handed out saplings to residents along the route. In Ramanathapuram district, the forest department announced that under the Pasumai Tamilagam initiative, over 1 lakh palm seeds have been planted this year in three coastal reserve forest zones—Valinokkam, Mariyur, and Selvanur. These palm groves are expected to act as natural barriers against sea erosion while also offering seasonal income from palm fruit and nectar. Schools in and around Madurai also participated actively. At LKB Nagar Government Middle School, students took part in a rally chanting slogans such as "Grow Trees," "Avoid Plastics," and "Protect Nature." Those who successfully nurtured saplings given out last year were felicitated. Clean-up drives, waste segregation, and campus greening were also carried out. At Mahatma Educational Institutions, students staged street plays, took environmental pledges, and distributed seed balls to the public. Environmentalist and Green Walk organiser Muthukrishnan led a rally and addressed students on the importance of sustainable living. MSID:: 121652322 413 |
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Petitions seeking financial aid dominate students' grievance camp
Madurai: A special grievance camp was organised at the Madurai district collectorate on Thursday to hear grievance petitions exclusively from students who cleared or did not clear their Class XII board exams and are looking to pursue higher education. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said that many petitions received were from students and parents seeking financial support to attend college. The camp was presided over by Madurai district collector M S Sangeetha, in the presence of Madurai district chief education officer A Renuka, and other officials. "This camp was conducted under the 'Naan Mudhalvan - Kalluri Kanavu' scheme to guide students regarding pursuing higher education. Students are also being provided guidance on availing education loans and applying for scholarships. Demands to fulfil other basic needs students have are being looked into as well," said Sangeetha. According to education department officials, a total of 57 grievance petitions were received on Thursday. "Most of the petitions were regarding availing financial aid for pursuing higher education. Some also sought help regarding applying for admissions in colleges. Students who did not clear Class XII board exams were also given counselling for taking up supplementary exams," said an official. The collector also launched the special control room at the collectorate for guidance on higher education. The help desk will function from Thursday onwards until Oct 25. Students from Madurai can contact 0452-2522995 or 7200647475 between 10am and 5pm daily to get guidance. Students can also reach the office of the Madurai chief education officer in Tallakulam.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Federations seeks ban on Murugan devotees' meet in Madurai
Madurai: The Madurai Madha Nallinakka Makkal Koottamaippu (Madurai Religious Harmony People's Federation), a federation of 40 civil society organisations, submitted a petition to district collector M S Sangeetha on Monday seeking a ban on the Murugan devotees' conference scheduled for June 22 at Amma Thidal. The federation alleged that the event, organised by outfits like Hindu Munnani, promotes communal tension under the guise of spirituality. In their representation, the collective expressed concern that the conference could disturb Madurai's tradition of religious harmony and inflame communal sentiments. The petition pointed to past incidents of unrest, including those in Thiruparankundram, as examples of how such events led to tensions in the region. The federation urged authorities not to permit programmes that might incite discord in the name of faith. The federation also announced plans to organise a 'People's Unity Conference' on June 29 at Obulapathithurai. The event will focus on fostering inclusive worship, communal harmony, and interfaith understanding. The organisers also requested the district administration to ensure equal application of the law and permit their event as a peaceful counterpoint.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Farmers urge WRD to release water from Vaigai dam, officials to take call on Tuesday
MADURAI: Farmers have urged authorities to release Vaigai water for the first crop cultivation (Kuruvai) season during a grievance meeting held in Madurai on Friday. In reply, the WRD will host a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the water release. P Manikandan, a farmer from Usilampatti, said, 'Usually water will be released for Kuruvai paddy cultivation in the first weeks of June. But, over the last couple of years, water release gets delayed which also delays the cultivation season. Since both Periyar and Vaigai dam storage are at prominent levels, water could be released earlier this year.' Responding to the request, a senior official from WRD department stated that the Periyar dam storage has crossed 127 feet and the Vaigai dam storage has crossed 53 feet. Following the meeting at WRD office, action will be taken on these issues. The farmers also urged the district administration to desilt and clear encroachments in canals to ensure water reaches tail-end areas. District Collector M S Sangeetha asked the officials to take action towards maintaining the canals. Furthermore, farmer leader N Palanichamy of Kottampatti requested the district administration to conduct awareness programmes and also improve availability of preventive measures of equipment, considering the spread of Rugose Whitefly in coconut crops in Madurai. Similarly, during the agriculture grievances meeting held in Ramanathapuram, farmers from Kadaladi block urged the district administration to take action towards providing crop insurance cover for the paddy crops damaged by pests.
