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VOL. XXXIII NO. 168 H CHENNAI H TUESDAY 26.5.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS WEDNESDAY 27.5.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82

n continuance to the variuous welfare measures being initiated by her, Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa inaugurated Rs 444.15 crore worth police department and fire and rescue services buildings across the State, through video conferencing from the Secretariat in Chennai. Jayalalithaa inaugurated 226 police quarters constructed at a cost of Rs 20.65 crore in Madurai. She also inaugurated police quarters costing Rs.423.50 crore, buildings for the department, police stations, fire and rescue services officials quarters, forensic lab in Thanjavur, railway police stations at Thiruvanmiyur and Mambalam in Chennai and fire stations. Meanwhile, colourful celebrations, distribution of sweets and bursting of crackers marked the completion of one year in office of the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the BJP Headquarters ‘Kamalalayam’, which was tastefully decked up for the occasion, BJP Tamilnadu unit president Tamizhisai Soundararajan lit a lamp and distributed sweets. Taking into account the searing heat wave conditions prevailed in the city, she also distributed a glass of buttermilk to the partymen and the media. Later, BJP cadre burst crackers and hailed Modi for his good governance during the last one year.

Jaya’s Rs 444 cr boost to police dept q Quarters, jeeps, stations & more q CM pens letters to spouses of deceased cops

NT Bureau Chennai, May 25: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has inaugurated Rs 444.15 crore worth police department and fire and rescue services buildings across the State, through video conferencing from the Secretariat here. Besides announcing Rs three lakh each as solatium to the family members of seven police personnel who died recently, the Chief Minister has also penned letters to their spouses, expressing her deep condolence. According to a State government press release here today, Jayalalithaa

inaugurated 226 police quarters constructed at a cost of Rs 20.65 crore in Madurai. She also inaugurated police quarters costing Rs.423.50 crore, buildings for the department, police stations, fire and rescue services officials quarters, forensic lab in Thanjavur, railway police stations at Thiruvanmiyur and Mambalam in Chennai and fire stations. The release pointed out that the State government led by Jayalalithaa has been taking the best efforts to check crimes, control traffic and to carry out rescue operations whenever needed. The Chief

Minister also inaugurated a new building for economic offences wing at Guindy industrial estate. The release said the railway police stations at Mambalam and Thiruvanmiyur were inaugurated since railway stations in the area witness huge volume of commuters due to the presence of com-

IN SAFE HANDS: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa inaugurating various facilities for the police department through video conferencing at the Secretariat in Chennai.

mercial establishments and IT companies, respectively. It said the setting up of these new police stations would strengthen the security in these two areas. Jayalalithaa also flagged off 52 jeeps for Chennai city police and 12 all terrain vehicles for coastal security group. Chief Secretary K Gnan-

adesikan, Advisors to the Tamilnadu government Sheela Balakrishnan and K Ramanujam, Home Secretary Apoorva Varma, Director General of Police Ashok Kumar, Chennai city Police Commissioner S George, ADGP and Fire and Rescue Services Director R C Kudawla and other higher officials were present.

All is well, says Modi ‘We have made State governments equal partners in the quest for national development, building the spirit of Team India’ New Delhi, May 26 (PTI): Completing one year in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today enlisted the work done by his government, ranging from rejuvenating the economy to initiatives for the poor, and said this is just the beginning in the endeavour to transform the quality of life of people. In an open letter to the people, he said, ‘we have been able to restore trust in the government’, ensure a ‘corruption-free’ rule and made State governments equal partners in the quest for national development, building the spirit of Team India. Modi said he had devoted every element of his ‘body and spirit’ in fulfilling with fullest sincerity and honesty the responsibility and honour entrusted by people a year ago in him of serving them as ‘pradhan sevak’ (prime worker). ‘We assumed office at a time when confidence in India story was waning. Unabated corruption and indecisiveness had paralysed the government. People had been left helpless against ever-climbing inflation and economic insecurity. ‘Urgent and decisive action was needed,’ Modi said. While presenting the report-card of one year in office, he said his government systematically went about addressing these challenges. Runaway prices were immediately brought under control. The languishing economy was rejuvenated, building on stable and policy-driven proactive governance, the Prime Minister said.

Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.

City

2 TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015

Centre

CHENNAI

Terminating mosquito menace

GREEN TREAT

Large avenue trees at a stretch in Madhavaram not just provides road users respite from heat but Photo: R THIYAGARAJAN also a good view.

A roof for all  TNSCB builds houses at Vyasarpadi

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yasarpadi Moorthinger Salai was plagued with encroachments. Several houses and shops occupied an area of two hectare land for over two to three decades. In order to remove it and make the place more user- friendly, the Slum Clearance Board is building new flats here for residents. Recently the ‘Bhoomi pooja’ was done for the same and construction work began. ‘A total of 960 flats are to come up. Each apartment will have 10 floors. The entire construction will be done in two hectares of land A housing board complex is coming up at Vyasarpadi Moorthinger Salai at a cost of Rs 107 crore. We are Photo: R THIYAGARAJAN happy that the work has started and amenities and are looking forward ‘A total of 960 flats hope the houses are handed over of moving in once the work is to residents at the earliest,’ says completed,’ says an enthusiastic are to come up. Each Kumaravel, a senior citizen Muniamma. apartment block will and a resident of the ‘We are given to underarea . stand that this project have 10 floors. The MBUR would be completed Another interesting PERA entire construction feature is the buildwithin 18 months. ing would be provided will be done in two We have suffered a lot in this old with a lift and would a l s o building as it is plagued with leakhectares of land at a house a library. ing roof and water stagnation,’ says cost of Rs 107 crore’ ‘We are all excited to get such Eswari, another resident of the area.

TV TODAY JAYA T V

07:30 PM News 08:00 PM Hits 08:30 PM Raasi

WWE Raw

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09:30 PM Madippakkam Madhavan 10:00 PM News Headlines

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10:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu 11:00 PM Telebuy

To control mosquito breeding along storm water drains, their

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09:00 PM Priyamana Thozhi 09:30 PM Poomagal

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10:00 PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma

04:00 PM Aandaal Azhagar

10:30 PM English News

04:30 PM Super Singer T20

TEN SPORTS

10:45 PM Tamil News

05:30 PM Uravugal Thodar Kadhai

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WWE Raw

11:00 PM Thenkinnam

06:00 PM En Kanavan En Thozhan

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Sports Week

SUN TV

06:30 PM Puthu Kavithai

07:30PM UEFA Champions League 2014/15 : Preview Show

At present three units are in the operative level and two are in repair.

IN THEATRES D’MONTE COLONY

AFC Champions League 2015 : Beijing Guoan vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani

AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall,

Theatre

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07:00PM

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Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre,

07:30PM

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PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki

08:00PM

Ashes Classics

Multiplex, Abirami Theatres,

09:00PM

New Zealand Tour of England 2015 H/ls : Tests Match Point

09:30PM

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : The Countdown Show

08:00 PM Deivam Thandha Veedu

06:30 PM Pasamalar

08:30 PM Saravanan Meenatchi

07:00 PM News

09:00 PM Mahabharatham

07:30 PM Nadhaswaram

09:30 PM Super Singer T20

08:00 PM Deiva Magal

10:30 PM Office

08:30 PM Vamsam

05:07PM GoldenEye

09:00 PM Priyamanaval

11:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai

09:30 PM Vani Rani

11:30 PM Time Pass

10:30PM Quantum of Solace

10:00PM 10:30PM

PORAMPOKKU.. Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National,

BWF Badminton World Magazine Show

Abirami Theatres,

Pro Kabaddi Superhits

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IN SONY PIX 08:00PM The Interview

05:00 PM S K Shoppe

KALAIGNAR TV

05:30 PM Pudhiya Paadal

06:09PM

The Hunger Games

06:00 PM Raj News

09:01PM

Friday the 13th

04:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu

06:30 PM En Thangai

10:47PM

Pain & Gain

05:00 PM Endrum Super

07:00 PM Sindhu Bhairavi

HBO

MOVIES NOW

07:30 PM Mann Vasanai

06:00 PM Utchakattam

08:00 PM Karuthamma

07:05PM

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

06:30 PM Idhu Pudhusu

08:30 PM Alaipayuthey

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The Dark Knight

07:00 PM News

09:00 PM En Iniya Thozhiye

11:55PM

Collateral Damage

07:30 PM Mohini

09:30 PM Azhagiya Laila

08:00 PM Bhavani

10:00 PM Koppium-Crime Time

08:30 PM Romapuri Paandiyan

10:30 PM Movie

04:15PM 06:13PM 09:00PM

Bruce Almighty Terminator 2: Judgement Day Evolution

S U D O K U

3094

05:30 PM Kalai Koil

STAR MOVIES

Residents can register their complaint at 9445190207.

He also mentioned, ‘there were twenty workers with hand fogging

05:00PM

06:00 PM Keladi Kanmani

11:00 PM Movie

They also spray medicine to the wells and overhead tanks to control mosquito breeding. In the evening, they will fog individual houses at request,’ he added.

Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam

07:30 PM Aandaal Azhagar

RAJ T V

machines and spraying machines to fog the areas.

Pro Kabaddi Superhits

03:30 PM Movie

10:30 PM Azhagi

level and two are in repair’

04:30PM

03:00 PM Valli

10:00 PM Aathira

Ambattur zone. At present three units are in the operative

Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas,

07:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai

08:00PM Edge Sports : World Snowboard Tour 13/14

Speaking to Mugappair Talk , an official said, ‘there are five fogging units in Ambattur zone.

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‘There are five fogging units in

S TA R S P O R T S 2

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Semi Final 1: New Zealand vs. South Africa

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Final: Australia vs. New Zealand

lids have been opened for spraying insecticide and larvicide.

One unit is used for fogging all wards in Mugappair on alternaFurGAR tive days. Every A N ther, the day, nearly 30 ANNA civic health streets were covered. department We start fogging at 6 pm when is also taking initiatives the sun sets because that’s the to eliminate mosquito time mosquitoes come out from breeding in Cooum river and open their hideouts. canals that run through MugapWe fog the entire area to control pair. the mosquito menace’.

07:00PM

05:30 PM Makkalin Mudhalvar

07:00 PM Ramayanam

ith rise of mosquito menace, Chennai Corporation’s health department has taken various measures to control it. The public have been instructed to clean overhead tanks and sumps. Officials have also advised them to prevent water stagnation in vessels and coconut shells to prevent mosquito breeding.

Football League Show

05:00 PM New Songs

06:30 PM Jai Veer Hanuman

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08:30PM

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Photo: M SRINIVASAN

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04:30 PM Kollywood Gallery

06:00 PM Arusuvai Ithu Thani Suvai

Fogging machine at work on Pari Salai

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The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once: Easy nah? ANSWER TO SUDOKU 3093 (25.5.2015)

7 1

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2 9

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7 7

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Around Town

CHENNAI

TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015

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VIT Chancellor re-elected as EPSI president NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan has been unanimously re-elected as the president of Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) at the sixth annual general meeting held in New Delhi recently. According to a press release, H Chaturvedi, Director-BIMTECH, Noida, has been re-elected as alternative president, Prashant Bhalla, president, Manav Rachna Educational Intuitions, Haryana as treasurer and P Palanivel as executive secretary. EPSI is a not-for profit autono-

Special trains from Egmore to Tirunelveli NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: Southern Railway will run special trains between Chennai Egmore and Tirunelveli to clear the extra rush of traffic. A press release said train no. 06042 TirunelveliChennai Egmore special train will leave Tirunelveli at 10.55 pm on 6 June and reach Chennai Egmore at 11.55 am the next day. Train no. 06044 Chennai Egmore Tirunelveli special train will leave Chennai Egmore at 10.45 pm on 6 June and reach Tirunelveli at 12.30 am the next day. Advance reservations for the above trains are on.

Otteri crematorium closed till 14 June The City Corporation has said that Otteri electrical crematorium would be closed till 14 June to complete repair work. However, public can use firewood and manure to burn bodies until the fault in the electrical crematorium is rectified, a release said

Consumers can file complaints Consumers can register complaints on malpractices such as overcharging, shortchanging at petrol outlets and sale of underweighted products to the legal metrology department at 044 24321438, 24320887.

PF adalat 10 June Office of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Tambaram region, will hold the Bhavishya Nidhi Adalat at its premises in 3, Rajaji Salai, West Tambaram on 10 June between 10 am and 1 pm. Subscribers with grievances may send their applications with details such as PF code number, address and contact number or register their names by 31 May.

EPSI members presenting a bouquet to VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan after he was unanimously re-elected as the president of the society in New Delhi recently.

mous society with mandate from universities and institutions across India as its members. EPSI is working to establish an interface platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the issues and concerns of the sector to raise education quality and attain benchmark standards at the national and international level. Policy advocacy, accreditation, certification, faculty development programme, online testing, consultancy for creating model institutions are some of the key areas, where EPSI is working with thrust on quality, relevance and access.

Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Deemed University president ACS Arunkumar presenting a memento to UGC Vice-Chairman H Devaraj during the 23rd convocation held at Velappanchavadi, Chennai recently. A total of 2,675 degrees were awarded to students in UG, PG programmes and PhDs.

TOWARDS ELIMINATING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS q 18 landmark buildings to be lit up in orange light tomorrow NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: Tomorrow is World Multiple Sclerosis Day and Chennai is all ready to create awareness about it. Eighteen of the city’s landmark buildings will be lit up in orange light in the evening as an observation to MS. Lighting up the 18 buildings in the city will also mark the 18 years of MSSI(The Multiple Sclerosis Society of India) in Chennai. MS is a disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. This disorder damages the protective insulation (known as myelin) surrounding the nerves (known as axons), and may also damage the nerves within the CNS. As a result, nerve impulses carrying messages from the brain and spinal cord may short circuit, causing reduced or lost bodily function. Young adults especially in the age group of 20-30 are the most vulnerable to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but an early intervention and general awareness can greatly improve the lives of MS patients. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an auto immune and progressive disease of the brain and central nervous system in which the immune system attacks the nerve. As the disease has no cure, it needs to be managed with exercise and medications that helps in delaying the progression of the disease. If MS is left untreated, patients may eventually develop severe and irrevocable disabilities. According to the medical experts in the city, no survey of MS patients has been conducted in India but according to specialists the number could be above 2 lakh. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of India is non-profit voluntary organisation that has been working towards the elimination of MS in India. The organisation

CBSE 12th results: Dip in pass percentage

Young adults especially in the age group of 20-30 are the most vulnerable to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but an early intervention and general awareness can greatly improve the lives of MS patients proactively encourages MS patients to lead a more productive life through counselling, rehabilitation, and support given through its offices in various cities. They are conducting a human chain in the campus of DLF, Ramapuram, tomorrow as a part of the World MS day observations. According to the MSSI chapter in Chennai, more than 500 participants are expected to join the chain. Four radio stations will have programmes highlighting Multiple Sclerosis tomorrow.

GLOWING ORANGE Here are the few landmark buildings that will glow orange Rippon Buildings l IIT Madras l Office of Inspector General of Police, Marina l Acropolis, ARR foundations l Ispahani, Nungambakkam l Rajan Dental Care l Bergamo, Kadar Nawaz Road l Mercheri Centre, Eldams Road l Sunny side, Shafee Mohammed Road l Gatsby, Neelankarai l

SRM University ink pact with TimesPro NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: SRM University and TimesPro have joined hands to offer two year distributed MBA courses. Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, SRM University president Sathyanarayanan said the two courses - MMS in Banking and Financial Services and MMS in Business Analytic will be based in SRM University and assisted by TimesPro. He said, ‘The MBA will be a 65 per cent practical course and it is UGC certified by SRM. The speciality of this course is that it is designed in such a way that there will be three semester in first year and at the end of the first year, students will be placed in various banking firms to experience the actual working environment. Classes will conducted for 12 hours every day from 8 am to 8 pm. TimesPro will play a vital role by bridging the gap between the education system and the industry requirements’. The fees for Banking and Financial course will be Rs 6,37,080 and for Business Analytics it will be Rs 7,49,440. Students will be selected through TimesPro Admission process test. Candidates should have a minimum of 50 per cent marks in class ten, twelve and in graduation. Students should not have more than one year gap in their studies.

Workshop for college students NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: Free Software Foundation Tamilnadu is organising a six-day industrial training workshop on various free software technologies. The hands-on workshop is for college students and will be held at the Department of Computer Science, IIT-Madras June 8-13 June. Participants will get to learn several technologies that are in great demand in the software industry.To register and for more details, visit fsftnsummercamp.org or call 04443504670

PSBB Millennium records centum results

NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: PSBB Millennium School, Gerugambakkam has secured NT Bureau Mark list of the students will be 100 per cent sent to the concerned schools results in the Chennai, May 26: The Central Board for Second- within few days. Re-examinations board exams for the failed students will be conducted by ary Education (CBSE) Plus Two conducted on 16 July. Guidelines the CBSE durresults which was announced regarding the appearing for the ing March 2015, on Monday saw a dip in pass re-examination have been given for which the percentage in Chennai region results were in detail at CBSE websites. compared to last year. announced on Meanwhile, the results of CBSE Monday. B Arjjun As many as 51,834 students (29,383 boys and 22,451 girls) Tenth exams are expected to be According to released tomorrow. from 763 schools appeared for a press release, Students can check their Class 38 students the exams under Chennai region w h i c h c o m p r i s e s T a m i l n a d u , 10th results by logging on to scored 90 per A n d h r a P r a d e s h , T e l a n g a n a , e i t h e r o f t h e b o a r d ’ s o f f i c i a l cent and above Goa, Daman and Diu, Karnataka, websites - cbse.nic.in and cb- from a total of 122 who took seresults.nic.in. Maharashtra, Puducherry and Candidates desiring to access the exam. B Andaman Nicobar. The pass percentage this year was 90.65 their results will have to enter Arjjun, topped their roll number in either of the the school with Adithya Narayan compared to last year 91.63. 490/500 marks above-mentioned websites. In Chennai region, Tamilnadu achieved a pass percentage Once the results appear on the with a centum in Accountscreen, students can take a print of 97.06 per cent, with 11,902 ancy. Adithya students from 180 schools ap- out or save a copy for further use. Narayan and M pearing. A total of 13,73,853 students Adithya are the appeared for the Class 10 CBSE top scorers in Overall, girls did better than the board examination this year, a Computer Sciboys in the State, with a pass percentage of 97.7 versus 96.61 3.37 per cent hike than last year. ence stream M Adithya While 8,17,941 boys appeared with 481marks. for the boys. A total of 6,983 boys Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road),in Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, and 4,919 girls appeared for the for the exam; 5,55,912 girls sat Varsha Karthik is the topper BiolThe processional deity of Lord Velleshwarar being taken out on rounds on Adhikara Nandhi as part of the Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor:for K. the Balakumar. Phone: /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101in(Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. examination exam this yearEditorial/Admn ogy stream with 475 marks annual brahmotsavam Mylapore this morning

q TN registers 97.06% pass

Blend

4 TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015 WHAT WH AT N NEW NEWS EWS EW S TO TODA TODAY DAY DA Y PR PRIN PRINTS INTS IN TS IIS S NE NEWS WS TTHA THAT HATT CO HA COUN COUNTS UNTS UN TS

D

CHENNAI

FEAT, FEET

Good beginning

espite the incessant propaganda by a section of the Opposition, there is no evidence to suggest that the Modi Government in its first year in power has let down the business community. It is also utter nonsense to allege that it has promoted crony capitalism. The charge is mouthed parrot-like by Rahul Gandhi and others in the Congress Party only in the hope that it would burnish their pro-poor image. Whether this crude and false propaganda would yield any electoral dividend only time will tell, but if the proof of the pudding lies in its eating there is evidence to suggest that India Inc. is impressed with the Modi Governments’ performance, even though some sections are still hedging their bets on the overall scheme of things. In fact a survey conducted by a business daily revealed that some top business executives believed that the Government had not done enough to revive the economy. Seventy percent of the respondents felt that conditions had not improved in the first year of Prime Minister Modi having a stable majority in the Lok Sabha. But, what is more significant, 75 percent expected things to improve in the coming year in view of the several incremental steps taken by the Government. The CEOs gave Modi seven out of ten for his performance thus far. Admittedly, most inexplicably, the Government did not even go for the low hanging fruit which could have further helped improve the business environment. For instance, there was a self-goal on the question of minimum alternative tax slapped retrospectively on various Indian and foreign institutional investors. Only when it caused a sharp reaction on the bourses, and the FIIs threatened to quit in droves, did the Finance Minister ask the tax department to have a relook at the tenability of those notices. In fact, the diffidence of the Modi Government in this regard led many to complain that it too has persisted with the old `tax terrorism.’ The problem with the Modi Government is that it has not believed in its own rhetoric. Having come on a business-friendly platform, having committed itself to facilitating the ease of doing business, it can be said that it has been strangely reluctant in taking even those decisions which did not entail additional burden on the exchequer. For instance, it remains confused on multi-brand retail. Even in the case of reforms in the factor markets, that is, land, labour and capital markets, it has shown little enthusiasm. Without unshackling labour markets it will be hard to benefit employees and employers from the artificial socialist era brakes on growth. It has been established beyond an iota of doubt that the stringent labour laws militate against optimization of employment and hinder growth. As it is, the authorities look the other way when these impractical laws are violated with impunity even by small and medium sector employers. The Centre should have taken the lead in this regard, though the initiative of the Rajasthan Government has been followed by several other States. The fact is that the old socialist era laws have become a drag on the economy. This mindset needs to change if the economy is to grow at a decent seven-plus percent. The passage of the stringent black money legislation meant to penalize those holding such assets at home or abroad is welcome. Such a law has not been passed since the founding of the Republic, and yet the Congress megaphones have the gall to call it a government of crony capitalists. Such critics need to have a reality check. There is a belief that the BJP government is reluctant to take business-friendly decisions for fear of being dubbed as a government of corproates, or Modi believes that business can be left to fend for itself. The truth is that more needs to be done to rev up the economic engine. Admittedly, its pro-poor record in the year is rather impressive. The Jan Dhan scheme, health and life insurance schemes etc., are all mass programmes aimed at offering a protective umbrella to the needy in emergencies. All in all, the Government has been pro-poor and now it can focus on the corporates too.

Manage your pics with Google’s new photos

Participants of the Pentecost Ride ride on their horses near Bad Koetzting, Germany. In the other photograph, an Army team is extracted by a Black Hawk helicopter during a demonstration prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

US vows to help Iraq retake lost territories WASHINGTON: US Vice President Joseph Biden has pledged ‘full support’ for Iraqi efforts to retake territories lost to the Islamic State, as Baghdad bristled at the Pentagon chief`s criticism of Iraqi forces over the battle against the extremist group. In a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday, Biden reiterated ‘full US support” for Iraqi liberation efforts, including ‘the expedited provision of US training and equipment’ to help combat the Islamic State`s use of truck bombs in fighting, Xinhua reported cited White House statment. Washington is rushing 1,000 antitank rockets to Baghdad after the Islamic State took full control of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq `s largest Anbar province in the west, on May 17 by using suicide vehicle bombs and other means.

Joseph Biden

Washington is rushing 1,000 antitank rockets to Baghdad after the Islamic State took full control of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq `s largest Anbar province in the west US Defence Secretary Ash Carter on Sunday blamed Ramadi`s fall on a lack of will on the part of the Iraqi forces to fight the Islamic State, which has announced the establishment of a caliphate in areas under its control in Syria and Iraq.

Al-Abadi told BBC on Monday that he was ‘surprised’ at Carter`s comment, vowing to launch a counteroffensive soon to take Ramadi back. ‘The Vice President recognised the enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces over the past 18 months

Morocco jails three for homosexuality MOROCCO: Three Moroccan men accused of homosexuality have been sentenced to three years in jail each by a court in north-eastern Morocco, a rights group said on Monday. Homosexuality and sexual relations outside marriage are forbidden in the conservative North African nation. Hassan Ammari of the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH) told AFP the sentence was handed down on Friday by a court in the city of Taourirt, confirming media reports. Two of the men, a mechanic in his 40s and a man in his 20s, were ‘caught in the act’ in the mechanic`s workshop by police acting on a tip-off, Ammari said. They were arrested and during their detention they said they had met through a mutual friend, who was also arrested, and admitted having sexual relations. Moroccan authorities have declined to comment. Article 489 of Morocco`s penal code states that any one found guilty of carrying out ‘a deviant act with a person of the same sex’ will be jailed for to up to three years. In March, Human Rights Watch called on Morocco to decriminalise homosexuality, saying that ‘criminalising consensual, adult homosexual conduct violates international human rights law.’ It noted that article 24 of Morocco`s 2011 constitution states that ‘all persons have the right to protection of their private life.’

in Ramadi and elsewhere,’ the White House said in a statement. Washington` current strategy on fighting the Islamic State needs ground operations by the Iraqi and Kurdish forces in support of the USled air strikes on the group`s targets.

Farthest hoverboard flight in Canada Shriya Saran @shriya1109 Love Kangana in Tanu weds manu. Brilliant star cast. Superb acting. Fun to c Maddy again

Farah Khan @TheFarahKhan Aaj ka quote--”The Truth carries a weight that no lie can counterfeit!”

Lotsa, twerking, lolz in Scrabble dictionary LONDON: ‘Twerking’, ‘hashtag’ and ‘lolz’ are among the thousands of new words added to the Scrabble dictionary in the first update to the list since 2011. About 6,500 words have been added to the latest Collins Scrabble Word List, including a number of slang terms such as ‘lolz’, ‘shizzle’ and ‘obvs’ used on social media and in text messages, the publisher said. Other new words included in the dictionary include lotsa, emoji, bezzy and ridic - short for ridiculous. One the highest scoring new entries in the list is quinzhee - an Inuit snow shelter - which scores 29 Scrabble points. Other new words now acceptable

in the board game include onesie, devo - short for devolution - vape, and shootie, which means a fashionable shoe that covers the ankle, BBC News reported. Other new words involving technology include facetime, hashtag, and sexting, while exclamations such as augh, blech, eew, grr, waah and yeesh have also been added. ‘Dictionaries have always included formal and informal English, but it used to be hard to find printed evidence of the use of slang words,’ Helen Newstead, head of language content at Collins, said. The Scrabble dictionary includes words from Australia, Canada, South Africa, the UK and the US in a single list.

Serbian PM to make historic visit to Albania

TORONTO: A Canadian inventor has set the Guinness World Record for the farthest flight on a hoverboard by clocking an incredible 275.9 metres - a distance of over five times the required target. Catalin Alexandru Duru’s propellerbased hoverboard managed to travel a total distance of 275.9 metres to achieve the new Guinness World Records title for Farthest flight by a hoverboard. Catalin reached a height of 5 metres on his prototype hoverboard covering a distance of over twice that of two full sized football pitches before gently landing in the exquisite waters of Lake Ouareau in Quebec, Canada, Guinness said. He claims that the machine, which he built and designed over the course of 12 months, can be used anywhere and can reach ‘scary heights’ which he would like to potentially explore in the near future. Catalin had to achieve a distance of more than 50 metres to set a Guinness World Records title, but smashed this by travelling over five times the required target.

VOICE MAIL Shocking S h ki revelations Sir The chief of an elite unit in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has accused the US of having no will to stop the Islamic State group after the fall of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, an Iranian newspaper. It is indeed shocking. The comments by Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Guard’s elite Quds unit, come just after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Iraqi forces of lacking the will to fight in an interview aired the day before. It wasn’t clear whether Soleimani’s remarks came as a direct response to Carter’s, though tensions remain high between the two countries amid negotiations over Iran’s contested nuclear programme. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Osama al-Khatib, an activist from Palmyra who is now in Turkey, said the warplanes also struck near a building where archaeological pieces were placed before they were moved to safe areas. DAVID, By email

BELGRADE: dependence from banians and Serbs, could together do for NEW YORK: in a ‘comfortable view’ which shows Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will Serbia in 2008, the Balkans what France and Germany If you are already in awe of photos by day in a staggered grid. on Wednesday become the first Ser- with the support of did for Europe after World War II,’ he said. Google+’s image functions, there is The app also supports the abilbian government head to visit Albania, the United States, Vucic said he was looking forward to a bit of a good news for you. Google ity to pinch your way into photos, aiming to improve the fragile relations but remains unthe visit with optimism, stressing that the may soon launch a photo app with swipe out of them, and even drag between the two Balkan nations. recognised by differences could only be solved through all the features of Google+ image to select multiple photos too. His visit comes six months after that Belgrade and its dialogue. For Serbian analyst Dusan and more. In addition to the existing feature of Albania`s Prime Minster Edi Rama to ally Russia, as Janjic ‘the improvement of relations The app, called Googset, it lets users creBelgrade -- the first visit to Serbia by a well as others. Aleksandar Vucic between Tirana and Belgrade is the key le Photos, will initially be ate albums, movies, Tirana government head for 68 years. In Bilateral tensions have also been fuelled for the stability in the Balkans.’ launched on Android stories, animations and Tirana on Wednesday, by claims of the ethnic AlAlbanian political analyst Skender and will be followed collages. Vucic will have talks with banian minority in Serbia Minxhozi said that though the visit was MAKER on iOS too. It may be The editing interface his counterpart before for more autonomy or even an encouraging sign it alone ‘could not launched on the web too at photos. has also been revamped. In adspeaking the following a unification with Kosovo`s erase decades of hostilities and chill.’ google.com, VentureBeat reported. dition to the usual still filters and day at an economic foethnic Albanian majority. The relations between Serbs and AlbaADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO : Just like in Google+, the app lets adjustments, the cropping interface rum in which regional ‘We want to deepen col- nians have also remained strained beThe Editor, News Today, 85, Mount users search - such as for specific has a new rotation wheel and now country leaders will participate. laboration with Serbia and advance cause Belgrade fears a ‘Great Albania,’ Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. people and objects - back up your snaps to various aspect ratios. Relations between Serbians and together on the path of peace, co- a nationalist project seeking to unite all or e-mail to : photos automatically, and manage The new app includes photo and Albanians are strained over the ques- operation and integration in the EU,’ Albanians in one state, including [email protected] / your photos. Users can view their video link sharing with privacy tion of Kosovo, a territory with an eth- Rama told ahead of the visit. ‘I am ovo and parts of Macedonia and Serbia [email protected] photos by day or month, as as ofcontrols. Published K. Balakumar onwell behalf News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85,nic Mount Road (GST that Road), Guindy, 600that 032 and printed by him Frontline Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Albanian majority declared in- Chennai convinced Albania and Serbia, Al- at where theyPrinters make majority. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.

NEWS of the day

Enterprise

CHENNAI

L&T Finance grows by 23% NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: L&T Finance Holdings on Monday announced its results for the last financial year. According to a press release, the company reported a 23 per cent growth in consolidated profit for the full year. The growth in profits is a result of consistent and steady improvement in key operating parameters along with an improvement in the overall asset quality as well as growth in assets, the statement said. The assets have grown by 18 per cent y-o-y to Rs 47,232 crore as against Rs 40,082 crore last year. President and whole-time director, N Sivaraman, said, going ahead the company’s focus will be on consolidating and strengthening its presence in retail B2C businesses which includes tractors, two-wheelers, micro finance and housing finance. This change in strategy has been key to the growth witnessed by the company in the last fiscal. The company’s retail book comprises of 57 per cent of lending towards B2C segment, as on 31 March, 2015 compared to 46 per cent last year.

Black money maze: Govt moves its coin Berne, May 26 (PTI): Two Indian women figure among scores of foreign nationals with Swiss bank accounts, whose names have been made public by Switzerland in its official gazette for being probed in their respective countries. Making public these names, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has asked the two Indians to file an appeal within 30 days before the Federal Administrative Court if they do not want their details to be shared with the Indian authorities under their ‘mutual assistance’ treaty on tax matters. However, no further details other than their dates of birth were made public for the two ‘Indian nationals’ - Sneh Lata Sawhney and Sangita Sawhney. At least 40 such ‘final notices’ have been published in the Swiss Federal Gazette so far this month, while more such names are expected to be published going forward. schemes and if there are aggressive schemes which are unregulated and result in cheating the poor citizens of the country’, Das said. Officers need to be very alert and if there are such schemes coming up then it needs to be referred to the respective regulatory agencies whether at State level or Reserve Bank level apart from taking deterrent action or taking effec-

Officials of United India Insurance and Lakshmi Vilas Bank at the signing of the MoU at an event recently. operating officer, Vidya Sagar, chief general manager, R M Meenakshi Sundaram and others. The company had entered into agreement with the tied-up banks of

ASSOCHAM against splitting CMD post NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: Bifurcation of Chairman and Managing Director’s post may not augur well for the public sector banks as it may lead to inefficiencies and bureaucratic hassles rather than improvement, ASSOCHAM said in a report. Moreover, proposed roping in of private sector executives may turn out to be a regressive step as public sector banks have completely different culture and ownership as compared to their private sector counterparts, the report said. Public sector banks control about 75 per cent of the total banking business. ‘There are fears that one more layer even though non-executive position may lead to some kind of inefficiencies’, said ASSOCHAM secretary general D S Rawat. Bifurcation could also lead to differences between managing director and chairman at times leading to

delay in decision making and other impediments in the growth and expansion of the bank unlike the private sector, he said. ‘Concerns are there that large loan sanction which needs board approval if there is difference of opinion between chairman and CEO could get delayed. Delay in sanctioning loan would have adverse impact on the industry’, he said. Banking system, which is considered to be the life line of the economy may get choked due to want of fund and subsequently lead to slowdown of the GDP growth. This has been witnessed in the past and India Inc has been highlighting this issue from various platforms. Another practical difficulty, it said, could be that if the two top board members are not in good terms , then also the loan sanctioning process would take a back seat as the CEO would not clear any loan proposal.

With regard to the HSBC list, Das said, ‘All the assessment which require to be completed before 31 March, they have been completed. Thanks to international cooperation and thanks to the initiative taken by the government in the recent months we were able to get a lot of other additional information from other countries and foreign jurisdiction’. This has opened up new areas of investigation, he said, adding, ‘all these cases, all these areas I would emphasise that investigation need to be completed expeditiously and finally’. Das also asked tax officials to effectively share information with Central Economic Intelligence Bureau to check tax evasion and fraud. With regard to direct tax collection target, Das said, ‘The target of 7.98 lakh crore, that has been set in 201516, is very much achievable, it is a very realistic target, aligned with the kind of GDP growth which has been forecast in the economic survey and it is also based on our internal analysis and past and historical trends’.

Two much

United India Insurance signs MoU with LVB NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: United India Insurance Co. Ltd. and Lakshmi Vilas Bank recently signed an agreement for implementation of ‘Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana’ (PMSBY), an initiative launched by the Prime Minister towards social security protection for the Savings Bank Account holders. A press release here said, the bank’s managing director & CEO Rakesh Sharma and United India Insurance’s Deputy General Manager, K B Vijay Srinivas exchanged the agreement, in the presence of other bank officials including AGM, Bancassurance, Arun Janardhana, GM, Retail Bank, A Shankar, chief

Go comes to Chennai

 Urges IT dept to unearth domestic cases New Delhi, May 26 (PTI): Government on Monday asked income tax department to take steps to unearth domestic black money while keeping a close watch on ponzi schemes, bogus IPOs and other such illegal means of raising money. The government is determined to fight menace of black money both abroad and inside the country, Revenue Secretary Shaktikanta Das said at the annual conference of Principal Chief Commissioners of Income Tax, Principal Director Generals of Income Tax, Chief Commissioners of Income Tax and Director Generals of Income Tax here. Parliament recently passed the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Bill, 2015, to deal with black money stashed abroad. ‘Our goal for all officers is to give equal emphasis on domestic black money. A number of initiatives have been taken but having said that there are three or fours areas that I would like to mention. One, that we need to be very alert if there are ponzi

Andhra Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Dena Bank, Indian Bank, Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank and also with HDFC Bank and Lakshmi Vilas Bank.

Samsung to merge two major units Seoul, May 26 (AFP): Samsung Group announced Tuesday the merger of two major affiliates, as the South Korean business giant accelerates restructuring efforts ahead of a generational power transfer within the founding Lee family. The all stock deal, approved by the boards of both companies would see Samsung`s de facto holding company Cheil Industries -- which has interests from fashion to theme parks acquire general trade and construction affiliate Samsung C&T. The merger, which is expected to be completed by September pending shareholder approval, will see Cheil offer 0.35 new shares for each Samsung C&T share. The two companies are both listed on the Seoul stock market, with Cheil valued at 22 trillion won ($2 billion) and Samsung C&T 8.6 trillion won as of Tuesday morning. The combined company to be called Samsung C&T will target annual sales of about 60 trillion won in 2020, compared to their combined sales of 34 trillion won in 2014, Samsung said in a statement.

Internet.org attracts 8 lakh Indian users

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TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015

tive action from tax point of view, he added. The second area, he said, where the Department has initiated lot of action is with regard to bogus IPOs and accommodation entry cases. ‘We have been able to identify a large number of cases. All these cases need to be taken to a logical conclusion’, he said.

ICICI launches voice ‘password’ facility NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: ICICI Bank on Monday said it has launched a service where customers can make transactions using just their voice, without using other means of authentication like a password. According to a press release, the voice recognition service authenticates customers based on their speech patterns and allows them to execute banking transactions through the bank’s call centre. Customers, in general, use various means of authentication like entering card numbers, answering security questions and entering a personal identification number (PIN) to carry out a phone banking transaction. ‘Their voice will now act as the password for banking transactions through the call centre’, the statement said, adding that the service is secure. Over 33 million savings bank and credit card customers will be able to use the service.

NAME CHANGE I, MICHAELDAS FRANCIS, residing at Old No:3/3 Bashyam First Street Otteri, Chennai-600012, Tamilnadu, shall henceforth be known as MICHAELDASS FRANCIS. MICHAELDAS FRANCIS

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform that I, Nandani Laxmi, daughter of Thiru S.Venkatesan, born on 8th November 1991, residing at Old No.134/1, New No. 142, Mannarsamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Chennai - 600 013 shall henceforth be known as ‘NANDHINEE LAKSHMI.V’ and the same was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on May 13, 2015 at page No.1394 in SI.No.20313. NANDHINEE LAKSHMI.V

TMB to cut base lending rate NT Bureau Chennai, May 26: TMB has decided to reduce its base rate by 15 basis points from 10.75 per cent to 10.60 per cent with effect from 1 June. Chief general manager S Selvan Rajadurai, in a release here said, ‘The decision to reduce the base rate has been taken in line with RBI’s expectations to pass on the benefits to the customers and falling in line with the declining interest rate scenario. The reduction will not only benefit future customers but also lead to interest rate cost saving for all the existing customers who have taken loans on floating rate basis’. It is further stated that the benefit will not only be passed on to retail loans like car loan & home loan but also to MSME & corporate customers.

G K S HOLDINGS LIMITED

    

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