Latest news with #P.L.Sundaram
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI urges Erode Collector to uphold tribal rights, seeks approval for development works
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has sought the intervention of District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, who also serves as the Chairperson of the District-level Committee for the Forest Rights Act (FRA), to ensure that development works intended for tribal communities are not obstructed by the Forest Department. In an email to the Collector, former Bhavanisagar MLA P.L. Sundaram pointed out that a gram sabha resolution had been passed for land conversion to construct a concrete road in the Mavanatham settlement, which falls under the Thalamalai forest range of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division. Another resolution was passed seeking basic facilities for Pudukadu village, under the Hasanur forest range of the Hasanur Forest Division. However, the District Forest Officers (DFOs) of Sathyamangalam and Hasanur refused permission and directed that online applications be submitted through the PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to obtain forest and wildlife clearance. The email argued that such permission from the Central Government is not required, and that the rules under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1980, are not applicable to these proposals. It further highlighted that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), applies to tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the country and recognises various rights of tribal communities. Under Section 3(2) of the Act and related communications from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2008, 13 categories of development activities for tribal communities are permitted, provided they do not exceed one hectare in area and involve the removal of no more than 75 trees. 'These proposals involve less than one hectare and meet the criteria, so the DFOs of Hasanur and Sathyamangalam should grant permission,' the email stated. It also noted that the denial of such permission constitutes a violation of the FRA and amounts to a criminal offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The email concluded by urging the Collector to intervene and ensure that the proposed development works are carried out and the rights of tribal communities are upheld.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGNREGS workers in Erode to withdraw strike and submit petitions seeking employment
Workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have decided to withdraw their strike over pending wages and will submit petitions seeking employment, as their outstanding wages have now been settled. The Union Government had previously failed to release wages for the workers under the scheme for four months. In response, workers, under the banner of the 100 Days Scheme Workers Association, had announced a month-long strike. Now that their dues have been cleared, the workers convened at Sathyamangalam on Saturday. The meeting was presided over by former Bhavanisagar MLA P.L. Sundaram, who spoke in detail about the next course of action. At the end of the meeting, several resolutions were passed. It was decided that the workers would return to work and submit petitions to officials at the union offices in Sathyamangalam, Talavadi, and Bhavanisagar on Sunday. The resolutions stated that workers from 40 village panchayats would be submitting petitions seeking employment under the scheme and were instructed to gather at the respective union offices. CPI district secretary S. Mohan Kumar, deputy secretary Sakthivel, union secretary P. A. Velumani, S. Mahendran, S. C. Natraj, N. Surender, and others participated in the meeting.
