TN This Week: More Rain Expected in Chennai’s Surrounding Districts, Medical Negligence Kills Young Girl

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast more rain in several districts for two more days starting Monday. Four people were killed this week with Mayiladuthurai district being the worst affected.

A case of medical negligence resulted in the death of an 18-year-old football player Priya in Chennai. Two doctors were suspended for negligence. 

The Tamil Nadu government has proposed a massive hike in fees for new and renewal of vehicle permits which has been opposed by Omni bus operators and autorickshaw driver unions citing the recent pandemic. 

Savukku Sankar, a YouTuber jailed for derogatory comments against the judiciary got bail from the Supreme Court (SC).

After the launch of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam programme by the union education ministry, the state’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department will go on a spiritual trip to Varanasi. 

Protesting JBM and JK Tyres workers are demanding the reinstatement of dismissed union office-bearers and bonuses, respectively.

Newsclick brings a round-up of the happenings this week.

HEAVY RAIN FORECAST FOR CHENNAI

The new low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Chennai and surrounding districts for two days starting Monday. The RMC has also predicted a downpour in the coastal districts. Fishermen have been advised to not venture into the sea till Tuesday.

Four people were killed this week after heavy rains lashed the state. Chief minister MK Stalin visited the Mayiladuthurai district, which has been badly affected. Around 45,000 hectares of paddy fields have been affected and farmers associations have demanded Rs 30,000 compensation per hectare. The government has announced a cash relief of Rs 1,000 for houses inundated during the rains. 

WOMAN DIES DUE TO MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

Priya, who belonged to Vyasarpadi (Chennai), died after one of her legs was amputated due to medical negligence at Government Peripheral Hospital, leading to multiple organ failure. Subsequently, five employees of the hospital were booked and two doctors suspended. 

Stalin visited the family and handed them a cheque of Rs 10 lakh as compensation and promised a job for her brother. The government will also allocate a house to the family.

OPPOSITION TO VEHICLE PERMIT FEE HIKE PROPOSAL 

To increase tax revenue, the DMK government has proposed a steep increase in the fees for new and renewal of permits for vehicles. The charges for stage and goods carriages and contract carriers, including autorickshaws, cabs and Omni buses, could be hiked manifold. 

SAVUKKU SANKAR RELEASED

Sankar walked out of jail after obtaining bail from the SC. Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had sentenced him to six months on a suo moto complaint for passing derogatory comments against the judiciary. He was arrested after cases were filed against him in 2020 and 2021. Sankar has said that he will expose a family plundering the state in the name of the Dravidian model.

KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM ALLEGATIONS

The CPI(M) and Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association (TNPWAA) have alleged that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is furthering the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) agenda. Meanwhile, the HR&CE has announced a spiritual trip that will take 200 devotees from Rameshwaram to Varanasi. Read More 

JBM and JK TRYES WORKERS PROTEST

The workers of JK Tyres in Chennai are protesting since November 16 demanding bonus and gratuity. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), leading the protest, has accused the management of not paying bonus and gratuity though the company continues to be profitable.

The workers of JBM Auto Limited, in Oragadam, are demanding the reinstatement of terminated workers. The CITU accused the company of refusing to implement the court order direct the reinstatement of the workers.