TN this Week: State Govt Sells Tomato at Lower Price, Workers Extend Solidarity to Farmers

As part of the nationwide demonstration on November 26, marking one year of the farmers' protest at Delhi borders, all trade unions came together at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu despite adverse weather. They also raised voice against the privatisation of the public sector, uncontrolled price rise and demanded withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill.

All-union protest in Salem. Image courtesy: CITU Tamil Nadu

This week, Tamil Nadu has signed memoranda of understanding with major industry players across sectors for 82 industrial projects worth Rs 52,549 crore. The government has also leveraged investments for the setting up of three large petrochemical projects in Thoothukudi, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore.

In a meeting held on November 25 in New Delhi by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (which falls under the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution), Tamil Nadu urged the central government to extend 100% assistance to run 650 Amma canteen community kitchens under National Food Security Act. Additionally, 500 such kitchens, to be called Kalaignar Unavagams after Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M Karunanidhi, were proposed.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office to the new Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari at Raj Bhavan on November 22. NewsClick brings you a round-up of the key developments from this week.

RAIN WREAKS HAVOC

Torrential rain lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu; low lying areas across the state faced inundation from intense water-logging. The rural Delta region suffered more crop loss. Five people died in rain-related incidents within a short span of 24 hours till November 26 morning.

Schools were shut in more than 15 districts on many days this week.

A seven-member inter-ministerial Central team visited rain-affected districts of Tamil Nadu to assess the damage caused by the rain.

The incessant rain has affected production in many industries as well. The small-scale appalam making industry and handloom workers in Kanchipuram have demanded that the government pay Rs 5,000 as a compensation to them.

Appalam makers' protest on November 24. Image courtesy: Muthu Kumar

Moreover, what has affected every household is the soaring vegetable prices. The Tamil Nadu government intervened and sold tomatoes that were touching the rate Rs 150 per kg, at a price range between Rs 85 and Rs 100 per kg through state-run farm fresh outlets.

COVID-19: DOOR TO DOOR VACCINATION

Over 3 lakh people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in a single day through the door-to-door vaccination campaign in Tamil Nadu villages on November 23.

At present, approximately 76% of people have got their first dose, while the percentage for the second dose stands at 40%. The total number of doses administered adds up to 6.71 crore in the state.

For the second time in a week, the state reported a marginal increase in new COVID-19 cases from 739 on November 25 to 746 the next day, along with 17 and 11 eleven deaths respectively. 

PREP FOR URBAN LOCAL BODY POLLS

The ruling party DMK and opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have invited applications from party workers to contest the urban local body polls that are expected to be held soon.

The AIADMK's meeting of senior functionaries, held on November 24, to assess the party’s preparedness for the elections and to take a call on organisational elections ended in a mess. Along with re-induction of V K Sasikala, subjects such as performance in the last Assembly election and the efficacy of the party steering committee marred the meeting. 

AIADMK’s minorities wing secretary A Anwhar Raajhaa has demanded that the party contest alone, without mentioning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST YARN PRICE HIKE

Condemning the hike in yarn price and to grab the attention of the Union government for seeking restriction on cotton exports, Tirupur knitwear manufacturers and exporters organised a one-day strike on November 26.

In solidarity, trade unions, political parties, and associations of traders dealing in other goods participated in the strike and shut business for one day in Tirupur. Read more

TRANSPORT WORKER ON HUNGER STRIKE

As part of their ongoing struggle demanding immediate wage revision talks, proper health insurance and other demands, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation workers held a hunger strike in bus depots across the state on November 22 and 23.

Transport workers in Virudhunagar on hunger strike. Image courtesy: CITU Tamil Nadu

 

The pamphlet of Tamil Nadu Government Transport Workers Sammelan read: “With the change in regime, workers were eagerly awaiting a solution; yet, six months after the new government has been formed, there is no dawn in sight."

JOINT PROTEST BY WORKERS IN KANCHI

Demanding the reinstatement of terminated workers of multinational electronic manufacturers in Kanchipuram, a protest was held on November 22. Workers of JBM, Foxconn and Tangsin were terminated in large numbers in the past, and the protest gathering under the leadership of the CITU demanded that these workers be reinstated.