Hogenekkal project will be completed before scheduled time: Stalin

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin today expressed confidence of completing the Hogenekkal Integrated Drinking water project before the scheduled time of December 2012.

Talking to newspersons after launching the fourth phase of the project to be carried out at a cost of Rs 475 crore, he said the prject, which was scheduled to be completed in December 2012, could be completed before the schedule time.

Mr Stalin, after launching the fourth phase at Thinoor, near here, held discussions with officials and instructed them to speed up the work and complete the project well ahead of the time schedule.

The drinking water project, being implemented at a total cost of Rs 1928.80 crore, would benefit people in 6,755 habitations in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

After the completion of the fourth phase, the fifth and final phase would be taken up at a cost of Rs 360 crore, he said.

Cabinet grants concessions to set up automobile battery unit

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi chairing a Cabinet meeting at the new Secretariat on Monday.

The State Cabinet on Monday decided to provide concessions for Base Corporation to set up a Rs.350-crore plant in Krishnagiri district for manufacturing batteries for automobiles.

The proposed plant will come up in Anekollu village of Denkanikottai taluk and provide direct employment to 400 persons, according to an official release.

The 49th meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and held in the new cabinet chamber at the new Secretariat (Omandurar Government Estate), directed Collectors to carry out quick and proper assessment of human and cattle losses caused by the latest spell of cyclone. The Cabinet also gave its nod for the proposal to reduce stamp duty for purchase of land [in the Guindy Industrial Estate] belonging to the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corporation (TANSI) to house the office of the Cooperative Sugar Federation. Approval was accorded to the merger of TANSI's subsidiary, State Engineering and Servicing Company of Tamil Nadu, with the parent firm.

The meeting ratified the reduction in qualifying marks for admission to engineering colleges.

At the beginning of the meeting, Law Minister Durai Murugan commended the Chief Minister for the construction of the new Assembly complex.

Wanted naxal arrested by 'Q' Branch police

A wanted naxalite, eluding the police net for more than 30 years, was arrested by the 'Q' Branch police, dealing with cases of terrorism and extremism.

'Q' Branch sources said the naxalite, Jeeva, was arrested at Thirunindravur in adjoining Tiruvallur district.

Acting on a tip off, a special team raided his hideout and arrested him.

Several cases had been pending against him.

He was one of the key accused in the murder of one Appasamy in Krishnagiri district, who was killed in a bomb attack several years ago.

He was produced before a Magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. He was later lodged in Puzhal Central prison.

Describing it as a prize catch, the sources said Jeeva was one of the key members of the naxal movement when it was active in Krishnagiri district about three decades ago.