Karunanidhi writes to PM to withdraw the approval on Mullaiperiyar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to withdraw the permission given to Kerala to conduct a survey for a new dam across River Mullaiperiyar. Recalling his letter written to Mr Ramesh on September 22, he said he had pointed out that a case was pending before the Supreme Court on the issue. He also mentioned in the letter since it was a bilateral issue, Tamil Nadu should be consulted before giving permission for Kerala to build a new dam. But he (Mr Ramesh) has not only not responded to my letter but has gone ahead and permitted the Kerala Government to conduct the survey without consulting the Tamil Nadu Government, Mr Karunanidhi pointed out in the letter. In his Demi Official letter to Dr Singh, a copy of which was released to the press here, Mr. Karunanidhi requested him to immediately direct the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to withdraw the permission given to the Kerala Government

Maran advocates West Bengal to set up Jute parks

Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran urged the West Bengal government to hasten the process of setting up jute parks in the state. I am told that the said jute parks have not taken off because of problem in transfer of land from promoters to SPVs (special purpose vehicles). I would like to take this opportunity to urge the state government to expedite the process so that the said jute parks can be developed fast, the minister said at a seminar with the industry players here. Maran said the market yards developed under Mini-Mission-III would help reduce the transaction cost in marketing of raw jute by the farmers to the mills. 'Two such market yards at Chapadanga in West Bengal and Kharupetia in Assam have already been commissioned under United Progressive Alliance's 100 days' programme. We propose to set up two more market yards at Bethua-Dohri and Karimpur in Nadia district of the state in the current financial year. Maran said the government is actively contemplating the revival of National Jute Manufacturers' Corporation Ltd through public-private partnership mode at an estimated cost of Rs.1,202 crore.

Media portrays my visits as Dalits’ visit – Rahul Gandhi

The media had thrust a Dalit frame on his visits to poor areas of the country, Rahul Gandhi said while stressing that he did not believe in the caste system and only saw people as human beings. I see myself going to a human being's house. I don't see it as a Dalit or an upper caste or lower caste house. As far as I am concerned, I am going to the poor man's house, whether a Dalit or minority, Gandhi said at a press conference here. Asked about the objectives of his tours across India, he shot back saying that he was an inexperienced politician and was learning about the problems faced by the people in the country. I will learn till I die. Learning is action and action is learning, he retorted, to a question on when the learning would end and actions begin. Referring to the recent spurt in Maoist attacks in states like Jharkhand and Orissa, he said, there is a connection between Naxalism and the lack of ability of local governments to reach the people. The more people involved in politics and the closer they are to the political system, the more involved they would be and less likelihood of Naxalism taking place, he noted.

Vajpayee issues statement to vote for change in State Assembly elections

The octogenarian BJP leader, who is confined to home for health reasons, appealed to the people to teach a lesson to the representatives who had failed to live up to their promises despite opportunities provided in the form of popular mandates. The appeal was issued by party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi at Mr Vajpayee's residence here. The former Prime Minister said the law and order situation in all these states was a matter of great concern as there was no sense of security of life, property and corruption was rampant. The common man was the worst suferer because of high prices, and the farmers were resorting to suicides because of inability to repay debts due to wrong farm policies persuaded by the governments, he said.

AIADMK lost its cadre strength – PMK Chief

Talking to newspersons here, he said the AIADMK had been a formidable party with the strength of the cadres before 2001, but now it was ruined by confusion and factionalism at all levels. Party leader Jayalalithaa has lost the leadership quality, he said, adding she herself had admitted that partymen had pledged their integrity for money during the May Lok Sabha elections and this itself would show the present status of AIADMK. He also complained that it was very difficult for any one to reach Jayalalitha despite of one’s stature and position. When it takes only two minutes to reach the Chief Minister Karunanidhi and maximum ten minutes to reach the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, one does not know when they would be able to reach Jayalalitha, he averred.