1. TNPSC appointments row | Governor Ravi returns file recommending ex-DGP as chairperson, again
For the second time, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has returned to the State government, the file recommending the name of former Director-General of Police C. Sylendra Babu for appointment as chairman, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).
Contending that the recommendations were inconsistent with Constitutional provisions and propriety, Mr. Ravi advised the government to send the file afresh “with due regard to constitutional and institutional requirements.”
Soon after Mr. Babu’s retirement from service on June 30, the State government had sent a proposal recommending his name for the post of chairman of TNPSC. A couple of months later, the Raj Bhavan returned the file asking whether the guidelines of the Supreme Court had been followed in the selection process.
2. Empty rake of suburban train derails in Chennai; three differently-abled boys killed as train runs over them
An empty rake of an electrical multiple unit (EMU) train derailed at the Avadi railway station, early this morning, leading to disruption of both suburban train services and long-distance trains.
The incident occurred when the EMU was being shunted for operation to Chennai beach railway station. The train was being brought from Annanur depot to the platform at Avadi railway station when the loco driver operated the train without stopping at the platform, at around 5.40 a.m. The derailment resulted in the rake crashing into the track line meant for long-distance trains.
In a separate incident, three differently-abled boys from Karnataka, aged 11, 12 and 15, were killed after a local train ran over them near Urapakkam, Chengalpattu district when they were walking on the track. They had come here to spend the vacation at a relative’s house.
3. CM Stalin deserves Nobel Prize for making false statements: EPS
AIADMK general secretary Edappdi K. Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin deserved “to be given a Nobel Prize” for making statements contrary to the truth.
Referring to Mr. Stalin’s description of him as ‘Poi (lies) Palaniswami’, the AIADMK leader, in a statement, claimed that it was the Chief Minister who was “well trained in telling lies.” He asked if the Chief Minister could deny that all the projects and schemes, inaugurated after the DMK came to power, were initiated during the previous AIADMK regime.
4. Eight Lankan fishers held for poaching
Eight Sri Lankans were detained and four fibre boats were impounded in Ramanathapuram by the surveillance team of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) early this morning.
Physical checks on the boats did not yield any contraband. The Sri Lankans who have come from the Puttalam district had reportedly said they were fishermen and, due to heavy wind, their fibre boats had crossed into Indian waters.
