Latest news with #RajaGopalSunkara
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Turmeric auction at Chithode regulated market to be held on Saturdays
The turmeric auction at the Chithode regulated market in Erode, which was previously held on Fridays, will now be conducted on Saturdays, starting June 20, 2025. Farmers across the district are encouraged to make use of this opportunity. A release from Erode District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara stated that turmeric auctions are regularly conducted from Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at four locations — the regulated markets in Perundurai and Erode, and the Agricultural Producers Cooperative Marketing Societies in Erode and Gobichettipalayam. Additionally, a dedicated regulated market facility with all necessary infrastructure has been established at Chithode exclusively for turmeric. Since April 14, 2025, auctions have been conducted there through the electronic National Agricultural Market platform. Based on requests from farmers, the auction that was previously held every Friday at Chithode will now be conducted every Saturday. Farmers are requested to sort their turmeric sacks by quality and variety, remove stones, soil, dust, and other impurities, and bring them to the market along with required documents such as a copy of their Aadhaar card and the front page of their bank passbook. Farmers in the district are encouraged to sell their turmeric at the Chithode regulated market, which operates from its own premises at Kannimarkadu in Nallagoundenpalayam, and get the benefits of this facility, the release added.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Forest roads improve access to remote tribal hamlets in Erode district
Aimed at improving connectivity to remote tribal hamlets, the district administration has constructed 49.99 km of forest roads at a cost of ₹61.88 crore in the hill areas of the district. Many settlements located within the forest regions of Anthiyur, Sathyamangalam, Talavadi, and Thuckanaickenpalayam (T.N. Palayam) have long suffered from inadequate road infrastructure. In response to sustained demands for tar-topped and concrete roads, new roads have been developed under multiple schemes, including the Chief Minister's Rural Roads Development Scheme and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. These roads are part of a broader initiative to connect nine tribal settlements spread across the hilly and forested terrains of the Anthiyur and Talavadi blocks. According to a release from Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, six roadworks have been completed, one is in progress, and two are scheduled to begin in the upcoming financial year. Ongoing works were Anthiyur block – Anaipodu forest road (₹1.09 crore), Thammuratti forest road (₹13.96 lakh), Onnakarai forest road (₹19.10 lakh), Thamaraikarai to Thalakkarai (₹74 lakh), Talavadi block – Dhimbam - Mavanatham road (₹81.96 lakh), Dhimbam - Kalithimbam road (₹1.08 crore) and Dhimbam–Ramaranai road (₹51.45 lakh). The release noted that other infrastructure improvements had also been made in the hill areas. The Collector stated that these road developments had significantly improved access to healthcare and education for tribal communities in remote areas, enabling timely emergency medical services and facilitating students' daily commute to schools and colleges. So far, 33.184 km of forest roads had been completed, with 16.806 km currently under construction. Proposals had been submitted for an additional 6.050 km of roads in the Anthiyur and Talavadi blocks, the release added.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Makkaludan Mudhalvar camps in Bhavani and Anthiyur from June 20 to 26
District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara said that the third phase of the 'Makkaludan Mudhalvar' scheme camps will be held in Bhavani and Anthiyur areas from June 20 to 26. According to a press release, special camps are proposed to be conducted at the ward level in urban local bodies and at the village panchayat level in rural areas, bringing all relevant departments under one roof to address public grievances. In the first phase, held during December and January, camps were organised in the Corporation, municipalities, town panchayats, and village panchayats adjacent to urban areas. The second phase covered rural parts of the district. Now, in the third phase, camps are planned to be conducted across rural areas in all districts. A total of 44 services related to 15 government departments have been identified for inclusion in these camps, and necessary instructions have been issued. A total of 70 camps are planned across 14 panchayat unions in areas with a significant population of Adi Dravidar and tribal communities. The release urged the public to participate in the camps with documents and get the benefits.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tribal student's appeal to Erode Collector paves way for new road
A Class XII tribal student's plea to re-lay the damaged road to her remote habitation inside the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) has finally borne fruit, as the Erode district administration has commenced work on a 4-km stretch at a total cost of ₹3.88 crore. The hamlets of Bejalatti, Ittarai, and Thadasalatti — part of Thalamalai Panchayat in the Thalavadi Panchayat Union — are nestled within the forest area under the Thalamalai Forest Range of the Sathyamangalam Division. While Bejalatti lies along the Dhimbam–Thalamalai forest road, Ittarai and Thadasalatti are situated 4 km farther. The existing tar road, constructed three decades ago by the Forest Department, has severely deteriorated due to incessant rains. Eroded surfaces, exposed gravel, and loose stones have made the stretch hazardous, especially during the monsoon. The demand for road restoration has been long-standing, with residents repeatedly urging the authorities to take up the work. The issue gained momentum following an interaction on August 21, 2024, when Archana, a student from Ittarai, raised the issue during District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara's visit under the 'Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril' outreach programme at the Government Girls Model Higher Secondary School in Sathyamangalam. Highlighting the plight of over 60 families across the three tribal settlements, Archana urged the Collector to prioritise the re-laying of the road. Acting on her appeal, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) prepared a detailed proposal under the Chief Minister's Rural Road Development Scheme, which was subsequently approved. The foundation stone for the road was laid on June 5, in the presence of Archana, who is now pursuing a nursing course. Speaking at the event, she said, 'Travel for education and medical needs has always been a struggle. I brought this to the attention of the Collector, and I'm grateful that the work has begun.' She added that the project will significantly improve access to essential services for the local population.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI urges Erode Collector to uphold tribal rights, seeks approval for development works
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has sought the intervention of District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, who also serves as the Chairperson of the District-level Committee for the Forest Rights Act (FRA), to ensure that development works intended for tribal communities are not obstructed by the Forest Department. In an email to the Collector, former Bhavanisagar MLA P.L. Sundaram pointed out that a gram sabha resolution had been passed for land conversion to construct a concrete road in the Mavanatham settlement, which falls under the Thalamalai forest range of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division. Another resolution was passed seeking basic facilities for Pudukadu village, under the Hasanur forest range of the Hasanur Forest Division. However, the District Forest Officers (DFOs) of Sathyamangalam and Hasanur refused permission and directed that online applications be submitted through the PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to obtain forest and wildlife clearance. The email argued that such permission from the Central Government is not required, and that the rules under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1980, are not applicable to these proposals. It further highlighted that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), applies to tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the country and recognises various rights of tribal communities. Under Section 3(2) of the Act and related communications from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2008, 13 categories of development activities for tribal communities are permitted, provided they do not exceed one hectare in area and involve the removal of no more than 75 trees. 'These proposals involve less than one hectare and meet the criteria, so the DFOs of Hasanur and Sathyamangalam should grant permission,' the email stated. It also noted that the denial of such permission constitutes a violation of the FRA and amounts to a criminal offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The email concluded by urging the Collector to intervene and ensure that the proposed development works are carried out and the rights of tribal communities are upheld.
