TN This Week: Unseasonal Heavy Rains Hamper Harvest, Damage Crops

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on February 1 called the Union Budget 2023-24 a disappointing one that did not inspire confidence among the poor and marginalised people.

Ministers from Tamil Nad staged a protest on February 1 stating that funds were not allocated to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) project in Madurai in this year's Budget.

Public screenings of the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question continued in the state this week. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres obstructed a screening organised by Congress cadres in Nagapattinam on January 30.

Adding to jallikattu related death count, a 54-year-old spectator was gored to death by a bull during jallikattu near Manapparai on February 3.

Moreover, hundreds of villagers blocked the Chennai-Bengaluru national highway for nearly six hours in Krishnagiri on February 3 after the district administration refused permission for jallikattu. The mob pelted stones at vehicles.

Villagers resorted to a roadblock after a tribal woman was killed in a suspected tiger attack near Theppakadu in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

The public hearing on the proposed pen memorial for former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was marked by disruptions on January 31. Groups supporting the monument's construction created a ruckus while opposing views were presented.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Vice Chairman Arun Halder has said that cases of atrocities against Dalits are on the rise in Tamil Nadu. He accused the state government of not taking any action in these matters.

A recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has termed the Cooum river in Chennai the "most polluted" river in the country.

Vedanta Ltd has decided against selling its copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi and has doubled its efforts to restart it. The plant was shut down after the police fired at protesters opposing the expansion of the plant in May 2018, killing 13 people.

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the happenings this week in Tamil Nadu.

RAINS HINDER HARVEST

Unseasonal rainfall in Tamil Nadu owing to a depression off the coast of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka lashed the delta region this week. Farmers urged the government to declare the districts a disaster-hit region as the untimely rains damaged the paddy crops.

According to the farmers, 12.40 lakh acres of samba and thaladi were cultivated in the Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts, and the unexpected rains disrupted the ongoing harvest.

ERODE (EAST) BYPOLL UPDATE

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), led by E Palaniswami, and its ousted faction, led by O Panneerselvam, announced their candidates for Erode East Assembly by-election.

However, the Supreme Court on February 3 ordered the AIADMK to hold a general council and finalise the candidate, paving the way for a Palaniswami faction-backed candidate to be picked as the party's official candidate.

The BJP has urged both of them to work together to defeat the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-alliance.

Meanwhile, former union minister E V K S Elangovan, of the Congress party and DMK-led alliance, filed his nomination on February 3.

PROTESTS & MOVEMENTS

MADRAS HC LAWYERS

A group of advocates from Tamil Nadu wrote to President Draupadi Murmu urging her to reconsider the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation to elevate advocate Victoria Gowri as judge of the Madras high court. They said in her capacity as a BJP leader, she had made several hate speeches against minorities.

Additionally, a section of advocates on January 30 staged a protest near the Madras High Court to condemn the recent statements of Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju regarding judicial appointments. They alleged the Centre is attempting to obliterate the judiciary's freedom in appointing judges to the higher judiciary.

GOVT ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS

Tamil Nadu Government Anaesthesiologists Association demanded an increase in appointments and in their basic pay.

Over 2,000 anaesthesiologists have completed their specialisation courses in the State and awaiting employment. Only 60 have been appointed for the designated post in TN.

ASHA WORKERS

The members of the Tamil Nadu Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Workers Association staged a protest in Chennai on January 28 pressing for the regularisation of jobs, a minimum monthly salary of Rs 26,000 and others.

DIFFERENTLY-ABLED

The members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged a demonstration in front of the Madurai Collectorate on January 30 demanding the authorities to follow The Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016 and implement 4% reservation for the post of Village Assistants. Read more

CONSERVANCY, OHT WORKERS

Village panchayat conservancy workers and overhead water tank (OHT) operators staged demonstrations outside district Collectorates across Tamil Nadu on January 30 with a 6-point charter of demands, including a hike in salary, regularisation of jobs and pensions for retired employees. Read more

TEMPLE ENTRY

Around 200 members of the Scheduled Caste communities entered the Sri Muthaalamman temple in Thenmudiyanur village, Tiruvannamalai district, defying a 'ban' imposed by the dominant castes. Read more