Tamil Nadu Chennai Live Updates: Public Health Department issues SOPs for reopening of schools

Tamil Nadu Chennai Latest News Live Updates: While AIADMK floor leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said he is being targeted, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the case was being probed with the court's approval.

Tamil Nadu Chennai News Live Updates: The Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly staged a walkout today, opposing the DMK government’s decision to conduct an additional probe in the Kodanad case. AIADMK floor leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy floor leader and AIADMK co-coordinator O Pannerselvam and other AIADMK leaders sat outside the State Assembly in Chennai to protest against the state government.

While Palaniswami said he is being targeted, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the case was being probed with the court’s approval. “Kodanad Robbery murder case is court-monitored probe. Recently there have been reports that prime suspect Sayan’s secret statement has been taken, it has my name and that of some other colleagues. We strongly refute this. By this, DMK is attempting to threaten us”, ANI quoted EPS.

Claiming that the government is foisting false cases against their party functionaries, Pannerselvam said the AIADMK will boycott the ongoing assembly sessions for two days (today and tomorrow).

Catch the latest news and updates in Chennai as we bring you live updates on COVID-19, lockdown in Tamil Nadu, political updates and more through the day. Also read Karnataka Bengaluru news

The Director of Public Health Wednesday issued the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the reopening of schools for students of class IX, X, XI and XII.  The G.O. comes at the backdrop of the Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s announcement to reopen schools to children after a gap of more than a year tentatively on September 1, 2021. All the Deputy Directors of the Health Services are instructed to co-ordinate with the school authorities to ensure the reopened following SOPs released by the government. According to the guidelines issued by the government, the schools have been ensured that only 50 per cent of students are allowed at a time. It has been mentioned that vaccination of teachers and other staff who are working in the school to be ensured to 100 per cent. Also, all students with the eligible age groups for vaccination should be vaccinated.  Health Inspectors, Block Health Supervisors/Non-medical Supervisors to be assigned to each and every school including private institutions to monitor the follow-up of SOPs.

Tamil Nadu government’s decision to further probe into the 2017 Kodanad estate robbery and murder case has irked the opposition which accused the DMK of planting false cases and walked out of the legislative assembly in Chennai on Wednesday.

Speaking at the assembly on Wednesday, Stalin said the government is fulfilling the promise the party had made during the campaign. He said the murder and the subsequent deaths had raised suspicion among the public and they would find the real criminals and bring them before the law. “There is no political motive in this. The investigation is being carried out only after seeking approval from the court. There is no political interference or vendetta here. Action would be taken against real criminals, there is no need for anyone to fear or panic,” he said.

In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate bungalow, former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s retreat home in the hilly district of Nilgiris, was found dead. Two months later, another employee at the estate was found dead in a suspected case of suicide. As the probe was going on, Jayalalithaa’s former driver C Kanagaraj and prime suspect KV Sayan’s wife and daughter were killed in separate road accidents. Sayan, who secured bail last month, was summoned by the police on Tuesday for further investigation.

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In a video that was circulated on social media a couple of days ago, a government bus driver of the route between Kadayam and Alangulam in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu was seen abusing a woman and later threatening to hit her with his footwear.

Based on a complaint, the driver was suspended by the transport department. According to reports, the woman, identified as Sermakkani, had boarded a government bus (27A) at Kuthapanjan village on Sunday and requested the driver, Muthu, to wait for a couple of minutes as two more people, including a child, would board the bus as services in the area are limited.The driver then allegedly passed objectionable remarks and refused to wait. Following this, the woman asked the driver why he was not listening to her request and told a co-passenger that this had happened on several instances. This reportedly agitated the driver and he started hurling abuses at the woman and threatened to beat her with his footwear.
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The Tamil Nadu police on Tuesday arrested the deputy general manager of Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) Ltd, a central government-owned telecommunication equipment manufacturing enterprise, for allegedly cheating a Chennai-based fertiliser company to the tune of Rs 3.20 crore.

According to the police, the arrested KVN Rajan, DGM for ITI (Puducherry & Tamil Nadu), approached Kannan, who runs a fertiliser company ICMC private limited in Chennai, claiming that he had bagged the order to procure face masks and Nitrile gloves to be supplied to government hospitals during the Covid-19 crisis.

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Actor Prakash Raj has resumed work, days after his shoulder surgery. On Wednesday, he joined the sets of Ponniyin Selvan with Karthi, and director Mani Ratnam. After landing in Gwalior, Prakash shared that they are on their way to shoot in Orchha for the new schedule of the film.

Prakash took to his Twitter handle to share a photo of him with Karthi and Mani Ratnam from Gwalior. “BACK to work.. landed in Gwalior with #Maniratnam sir @Karthi_Offl on our way to Orchha for #PonniyinSelvan..,” he captioned it.

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Senior BJP leader C P Radhakrishnan set off a political buzz in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday when he said a day would come when M K Alagiri, the son of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, would join the BJP. Alagiri was expelled from the DMK by Karunanidhi in 2014 for violating party discipline.

Speaking at an event in Tiruchengode in Namakkal as part of the BJP’s ‘Jan Ashirvad Yatra’, Radhakrishnan referred to DMK functionaries who have recently sought refuge in the saffron party, and said a day would come when even the expelled DMK leader would join them.

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South Western Railway has announced special trains between Vasco Da Gama and Chennai (Train No. 07371/07372 Vasco Da Gama – Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Vasco Da Gama Weekly Special) on Thursdays, starting from August 26.

Train No. 07371 Vasco Da Gama – Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central Weekly Special will leave Vasco Da Gama on Thursdays at 14.30 hours on August 26, September 2 and September 9 and reach Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 11.40 hours, the next day (3 Trips).

In return direction, train No. 07372 Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Vasco Da Gama Weekly Special will leave Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central on Fridays at 15.00 hours on August 27, September 3 and September 10 and reach Vasco Da Gama at 11.40 hours, the next day (3 Trips).

The trains will have one AC 2 tier coaches, two AC 3 tier coaches, 11 sleeper class coaches, five general second class coaches and two luggage cum brake vans.

Enroute, the trains will have stoppages at Majorda, Madgaon, Sanverdam Church, Kulem, Castle Rock, Londa, Dharwar, Hubli, Karajgi, Haveri, Ranibennur, Hariher, Davanagere, Birur, Arsikere, Tiptur, Sampige Road, Tumkur, Yeshwanthpur, Banaswadi, Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet, Jolarpettai, Katpadi and Arakkonam. Train No. 07371 Vasco Da Gama – Dr. MGR Chennai Central Weekly Special will have additional stoppage at Perambur.

AIADMK cadres protest outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly and urge the DMK government not to file ‘false cases’ against the party co-coordinator and former Chief Minister Edapaddi K. Palaniswami. 

The Madras High Court Tuesday dismissed a writ petition filed by Tamil actor R S Suriya seeking waiver of interest for delayed income tax payments for the assessment years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

Justice S M Subramaniam rejected the plea after finding that Suriya had not cooperated with tax authorities when the demand for payments (under Section 156) was made, reported Bar and Bench.

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The Greater Chennai Corporation announced Tuesday that members of the public can now utilise free Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes at places where smart poles have been installed across the city.

In December last year, the corporation set up 49 smart poles that have multiple functions including CCTVs to track waste management, rain gauge, pollution monitor and a facility to send alerts in the event of disasters or other emergencies, besides a panic button and smart lights.

The civic body said the smart poles are integrated with the city’s command-and-control centre at the Rippon Building in Chennai.

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Telangana Governor and Lt Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan’s mother Krishnakumari passed away at a private hospital on Wednesday. Krishnakumari, the wife of senior Congress leader Kumari Anandan, was admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad with age-related illness. She breathed her last early this morning.

Tamilisai Soundararajan said that her mother’s mortal remains will be brought to Chennai and kept at the Saligramam residence of the governor for the people to pay their homage. The final rites will be performed on Thursday.

Expressing profound grief over her demise, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Mr Anandan and Dr Tamilisai and their bereaved family members.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami said he was distressed to hear the news of the passing away of Krishnakumari. AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and TNCC President K S Alagiri also condoled Krishnakumari’s death. (PTI)

Telangana Governor and Lt Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan’s mother Krishnakumari passed away at a private hospital on Wednesday. She was 76. Krishnakumari, the wife of senior Congress leader Kumari Anandan, was admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad with age-related illness. She breathed her last early this morning.

Her mortal remains will be brought to Chennai and kept at the Saligramam residence of the governor for the people to pay their homage, Dr Tamilisai informed.

“With a very heavy heart I wish to inform that I lost my lovable mother early morning today. We are bringing her to Saligramam, Chennai residence by evening flight for final respects,” Dr Tamilisai, took to Twitter to inform about the sad demise of her mother. “I am deeply saddened that my mother who nurtured me is no more. It was her upbringing that instilled in us the virtues of serving the poor and needy, to be always true to your conscience and have faith in God at all times,” the Governor said in another emotional tweet.

Expressing grief over her mother’s demise, she said, “My mother’s mortal remains will be brought to  Saligramam residence as per her last wishes. The final rites will be performed in Chennai tomorrow.” (PTI)

K Vigneswaran, a former Sri Lankan Parliamentarian, underwent a highly specialised surgery for a rare  thyroid tumour, a super-specialty hospital said in Chennai on Tuesday.

The 79-year old Vigneswaran, who experienced pain due to swelling following enlargement of thyroid gland, also developed difficulty in swallowing and breathing, MGM Healthcare said.

Prof Dr Sanjeev Mohanty, Senior Consultant and Head, Institute of ENT of the hospital, said in a statement that after a study of the Lankan leader’s scans and reports a surgical intervention was carefully planned and it was carried out.

‘The surgical approach proved to be successful and the post-operative period was uneventful for the patient. The painful symptoms experienced by the patient have been alleviated post-surgery and we are happy to report that Vigneswaran is back on his feet again,’ Mohanty said.

The former Parliamentarian from Sri Lanka has gone back to his country, the hospital added. (PTI)

The Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly staged a walkout today, opposing the DMK government’s decision to conduct an additional probe in the Kodanad case. AIADMK floor leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy floor leader and AIADMK co-coordinator O Pannerselvam and other AIADMK leaders sat outside the State Assembly in Chennai to protest against the state government.

While Palaniswami said he is being targeted, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the case was being probed with the court’s approval.

“Kodanad Robbery murder case is court-monitored probe. Recently there have been reports that prime suspect Sayan’s secret statement has been taken, it has my name and that of some other colleagues. We strongly refute this. By this, DMK is attempting to threaten us”, ANI quoted EPS.

Claiming that the government is foisting false cases against their party functionaries, Pannerselvam said the AIADMK will boycott the ongoing assembly sessions for two days (today and tomorrow).

A total of 1,12,856 posters have been removed across Chennai by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) till Tuesday as a part of the civic body’s poster removal campaign. 

Here are the details:

North Chennai – 30,094

Central Chennai – 35,130

South Chennai – 47,632

The Madras High Court has come to the rescue of an ‘abandoned’ woman, who has lost her son in a road accident, by passing an order to give leniency in the matter of grant of family pension to her.

Justice S Vaidyanathan granted the relief recently while passing orders on a writ petition from S Revathy, praying for a direction to the Regional Commissioner for Employees Provident Fund to release the EPF pension to her as per the nomination made by her deceased employee (son) under the Employees Provident Fund Scheme from the date of his death in February, 2015 without insisting on the particulars of her husband, who had deserted her 15 years ago.

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The trailer of the upcoming reality comedy show LOL: Enga Siri Paappom was released on Tuesday. The trailer promises a non-stop flow of humour in a Bigg Boss-like setup.

The show is hosted by late comedy legend Vivek and actor Shiva. The hosts also double up as judges, who keep a hawk’s eye on all the contestants of the show. 10 contestants will have to spend six hours in a single room, which is fitted with as many as 24 cameras. The participants have to make others in the room laugh while refraining from enjoying a joke. The last person standing will take home a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.

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The by-election to fill up a vacant seat in Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu will be held on September 13, the Election Commission said on Tuesday.

The seat fell vacant following the demise of AIADMK member A Mohammedjan (72) on March 23 this year following a heart attack.

Given its numerical strength in the assembly, the DMK-led ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu is set to bag the seat. The ruling coalition is likely to leave the seat for the Congress to put up its candidate following an assurance given by DMK supremo and chief minister M K Stalin, sources said.

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A study by the ICMR on covid-infected individuals in the city has indicated that the prevalence of B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) “was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.”

B.1.617.2, or the Delta variant of covid causing Sars Cov2 was the dominant circulating strain and one of the primary drivers for the country’s covid second wave, the study, approved by the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, said.

Those involved in the study include researchers from the National Institute of Epidemiology, in Chennai.

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Expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, who turns 67 today has urged party cadres not to meet her in person and extend their greetings to her owing to the pandemic. In a video released Tuesday night, Sasikala urged the cadre to help the poor instead.

The Greater Chennai Corporation announced Tuesday that members of the public can now utilise free Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes at places where smart poles have been installed across the city. The civic body said the smart poles are integrated with the city’s command-and-control centre at the Rippon Building in Chennai.

READ | Now, get free Wi-Fi from smart poles across Chennai

Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) PK Sekar Babu on Tuesday said that no serving priests would be asked to go following the appointment of 58 trained priests from all castes, and that a few people are spreading malicious campaigns around the government’s move. Addressing reporters in Chennai, Sekar Babu said priests who are past their retirement period are still permitted by HR&CE to carry out their services on a humanitarian basis.

READ | Serving priests won’t be relieved from service, assures Tamil Nadu minister Sekar Babu

For assistance on COVID-19-related queries and mental health support in Chennai, citizens can contact the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) COVID-19 helpline 044 46122300 or 044 25384520 | Citizens can also contact the general helpline 104, the 24-hour helplines 044 29510400 or 29510500 and the 24 x 7 mobile helplines 8754448477 or 9444340496 | Citizens can find the nearest GCC-facilitated COVID-19 fever clinic here | Find the nearest GCC vaccine centre here and book your slot here | For lodging rain-related complaints and assistance during the monsoon, citizens can contact the GCC’s monsoon helplines 044 25384530 or 044 25384540 or the control room 1913 (available 24×7)

Tamil Nadu Chennai News August 16, 17 Highlights

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