Latest news with #RajNivas
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
L-G directs officials to fully utilise special funds for SC/ST segment
Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan instructed officials to make sure that the full complement of funds reserved under the Special Component Fund for Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST communities) welfare is utilised before the end of the current fiscal. Chairing a review meeting recently at the Raj Nivas attended by Gudey Srinivas, Secretary of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary and secretaries, the Lt. Governor directed officials to evaluate the status of implementation of schemes and to expedite the release of expenditure or address gaps to ensure 100% fund utilisation for flagship proposals and key welfare measures. Presenting a status report on the Adi Dravidar department's works, A. Muthamma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, pointed out that in the last Budget, out of the allocation of ₹2,176 crore, ₹525 crore (or 24%) has been allocated as Special Component Fund for SC welfare. This allocation far exceeds the 16% recommended by the NITI Aayog guidelines, she said. During the previous fiscal, the department, which implements as many as 25 welfare schemes, had achieved 91% utilisation of the special fund and this year efforts were directed at the goal of clocking 100% utilisation, she said. The Lt. Governor also wanted officials to take steps to issue pattas of land acquired by the department under the scheme for the landless, to the beneficiaries without delay. All modalities to provide titles of land to the landless in Manapet and TN Palayam have been completed and the handing-over of deeds should be undertaken by the end of the month, he said. The other decisions were to take steps to build additional hostels for Adi Dravidar and tribal students in the Puducherry urban sector, improve student enrolment in hostels in rural areas and to work towards speedy resolution of cases registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Act in Puducherry. S. Ravivarman, NCSC director in Chennai, A. Ilangovane, Department Director and Secretary to Lt. Governor also participated in the review meeting.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Minister, three nominated legislators to be sworn-in on Monday
The swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Minister and three nominated legislators of the Puducherry Assembly will be held on Monday. While Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan will administer the oath to the newly-appointed BJP Minister, A. John Kumar at the Raj Nivas, the nominated legislators, V. Selvam, E. Theeppainthan and G.N.S Rajasekaran, will be sworn-in by Speaker R. Selvam in his chamber at the Legislative Assembly complex. The Ministry of Home Affairs had cleared the name of Mr. Kumar, and three nominated legislators belonging to the BJP on Friday, after the BJP leadership initiated a reshuffle of its Minister in the Cabinet and the legislature wing. Two weeks ago, on the directions of the party highcommand, A. K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar, the lone Dalit representative in the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy had resigned. Similarly, V. P. Ramalingam, K. Venkatesan and R. B. Ashok Babu were also forced to resign to effect the changes. The latest is the second reshuffle in Mr. Rangasamy's Cabinet after the AINRC-BJP combine came to power in 2021. Two years ago, S. Chandira Priyanga, representing the reserved Nedungadu Assembly segment in Karaikal region, resigned from the Cabinet after the Chief Minister felt her performance in the Ministry was not satisfactory. She was replaced with P. R. N. Thirumurgan, representing the general constituency of Karaikal North.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Puducherry In Deadlock As Chief Minister Boycotts Work Over Lt Governor's Overreach
Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry, N Rangasamy, and ministers from the ruling All India N R Congress skipped work for the third consecutive day, intensifying their protest against Lt Governor Kuniyil Kailashnathan's alleged overreach in administrative matters. The fresh flashpoints include the reshuffling of IAS officers without consulting the Chief Minister and the recent appointment of Puducherry Civil Services officers. Sources close to Mr Rangasamy told NDTV, "What's the point of coming to office when we can't even implement welfare schemes? Bureaucrats appointed by the Lt Governor aren't supporting the cabinet decisions. We are answerable to the people, not Raj Nivas." Adding to the friction, the Lt Governor reportedly declined to renew the contracts of several guest lecturers - a move seen as undermining the elected government's authority. The Chief Minister has now sought the Centre's urgent intervention, and his party has called a special session of the Legislative Assembly to press the long-standing demand for full statehood for Puducherry - a key promise of the N R Congress, which alone it believes will give full powers to an elected government. The Supreme Court had earlier reiterated that "Lt Governors can't act independently but only on the aid and advice of the council of ministers. The power it ruled must lie with the elected Government and the LG can't be an "obstructionist." Interestingly, even files related to BJP ministers in the coalition cabinet, have allegedly been turned down by the Lt Governor, highlighting the growing discord within the administration. This power tussle is not new in Puducherry. This happened even during the UPA regime in the centre and its Congress government in the former French colony. However, the tug of war reached a new high during the term of Kiran Bedi as Governor. In 2019, the Madras High Court ruled that the LG cannot run a parallel government and must act in line with democratic principles, reinforcing that secretaries are bound to take instructions from the elected council of ministers. Raj Nivas sources maintain that the Lt Governor is merely going "by the rule book" and exercising powers legally vested in the post. However, there is no response to the specific allegations by the ruling NR Congress.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
NCC volunteers return to shore after 10-day sea expedition
Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan formally welcomed a group of NCC cadets on their return to shore after a sailing expedition at the Thengaithittu harbour on Friday, June 20, 2025. The 'Sagar Sangram' expedition organised by the NCC Directorate Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands featured a group of 60 cadets from the NCC naval unit drawn from schools and colleges. The group, comprising 35 boys and 25 girl cadets, from NCC units in Puducherry and Cuddalore, had covered an estimated 300km during the 10-day trip to Karaikal via Cuddalore and back. The group, which was accompanied by three naval unit officers and two associates, undertook various social service activities, such as blood donation camps, sapling plantation and cleanliness drives to create awareness among the public at select destinations enroute. A press note from Raj Nivas said the Lt. Governor also visited the photo exhibition set up in this connection that depicted the adventures of the National Cadet Corps, training sessions and social service activities. Colonel R. R. Menon, Group Commander of the National Cadet Corps Puducherry Division and others were present.
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
LG asks officials to expedite modalities on tourism project in Manapet
Lt. Governor Governor K. Kailashnathan has instructed officials to work toward speedy implementation of all the modalities connected with the Rs. 500 crore multi-product tourism project proposed in Manapet. The Lt Governor, who visited Palmyra Beach in the Manapet- Moorthikuppam- Pudukuppam belt, reviewed the plan and urged all concerned to expedite the ground work on the project, given its potential to give an impetus to the already growing tourism sector and to further develop Puducherry as a sought-after tourist destination, a press note from the Raj Nivas said. A draft project report to develop the 100-acre site into a Special Tourism Zone (STZ) on a Public Private Partnership basis, has been submitted to the Union Government for clearance. The draft report for the STZ has pitched for a host of facilities, including an upmarket hotel, with a 200-room capacity, a conference hall, amusement park, and parking lot, the Raj Nivas said. The government plans to offer a diversified tourism experience in the seaside site such as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions) events, leisure and adventure sports. According to the press note, it was highlighted during the discussions that once the STZ project goes on stream, the government could expect to garner an annual revenue of about Rs. 40-50 crore. Besides, the area would also benefit from economic development and job opportunities for about 1,000 persons. The representatives of the consultancy firm tasked with formulating the detailed project report, briefed the Lt Governor. D. Manikandan, Secretary to the Lt. Governor and Tourism Secretary, K. Muralidharan, Tourism Director and Revenue Department officials were present for the review.
