TN this Week: Alarming School Dropout Rate During COVID-19, Flood Alert in Western Districts

There was a sudden outcry from members of fishing communities across coastal districts of Tamil Nadu in opposition to the Union Government’s Fisheries Draft Bill this week. Members of the coastal communities came out in opposition to the Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The number of fresh COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu dropped to 1,830 on July 24 with 24 deaths reported the same day. A survey released this week revealed the startling number of school dropouts, increase in child labour and other impacts of the lockdowns on children. Newsclick brings you a round-up of all the latest happenings in the state this week.

THOUSANDS OPPOSE FISHERIES DRAFT BILL

Fisherfolk say that many aspects of the Centre’s Fisheries Draft Bill pose a threat to fishing as an occupation. The fishing community has been demanding that the Centre set aside the Bill, as they allege its provisions are loaded against traditional fishermen while more decision-making powers are vested with the Centre.

Stating that many provisions in the proposed Bill go against the interests of the local fisherfolk communities, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to the Prime Minister demanding that the Bill should not be introduced in Parliament. Read more

LOCKDOWN IMPACT ON CHILDREN

A recent survey on school-going children in Tamil Nadu shed light on a dangerous trend – 11% of the students have dropped out of schools since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey conducted by the Tamil Nadu Science Forum shows that even while remaining on school rolls, 13% of students have resorted to child labour. Of this about 60% work for more than 12 hours a day and half of them earn less than Rs 200 per day. Read more

DMK GUNNING FOR AIADMK?

Vigilance officers launched simultaneous raids at 21 locations linked to former AIADMK minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar’s properties in connection with a disproportionate assets case this week.

AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam condemned the raids on Thursday, calling them an act borne out of political animosity on the part of the ruling DMK government, and said the AIADMK was ready to face this threat through legal means.

Former CM and senior AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the DMK’s efforts of bringing the proposed Dr J.Jayalalithaa University under the Annamalai University would undo the "good done by the AIADMK regime."

Meanwhile, hundreds of cadres from the AIADMK and few other parties joined the ruling DMK in the presence of CM Stalin on July 21.

STATE TO PROCURE VACCINES ALLOTED TO PRIVATE PLAYERS

As on July 20, of the eligible 6.06 crore adults in the state, 1.49 crore people have taken the first dose of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine while 34.22 lakh people have also taken the second dose. This means nearly 25% of the population has taken the first dose and six per cent of people have taken the second dose.

Besides being allotted 72 crore doses of vaccines in July, the state health minister said that Tamil Nadu is working on plans to purchase 12 lakh doses of vaccines allotted to the private sector in Tamil Nadu so people could be vaccinated free of cost.

FLOOD ALERT IN WESTERN TN

The Western part of Tamil Nadu received heavy rainfall over the past few days. Many dams in the area are full to the brim and residents in the Nilgiris district are worried that more rains will cause landslides.

A flood alert was announced on July 23 for the people living on the banks of the Bhavani River in Coimbatore district following the release of inflow of surplus water from Pilloor Dam due to incessant rains in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts. Similarly, a flood alert was also issued to people living on the banks of River Bhavani in Erode district with water levels nearing about hundred feet at the Bhavanisagar Dam.