Latest news with #Thennarasu
India Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Denying Keeladi findings way to keep Tamils as second-class citizens: DMK Minister
Tamil Nadu Minister for Finance and Environment & Climate Change Thangam Thennarasu strongly criticised the Union Government over its stance on the Keeladi (also known as Keezhadi) archaeological findings. The DMK minister asked whether the Centre's reluctance to recognise the archaeological findings stemmed from a desire to treat Tamils as 'second-class citizens.'Thennarasu's remarks came in response to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's comments at a press conference, where the latter said the Union Government would wait for more data before taking a decision on the reports that you are talking about ... I am aware of them, but they are not technically well supported yet. Lots of things are to be done before recognising or giving credit to the findings which are being produced by the archeologists. Let them come with more results, more data, more proofs as only one finding can't change the discourse,' Shekhawat said. In a sharp rebuttal, Thennarasu accused the Centre of repeatedly finding excuses to avoid acknowledging the Keezhadi excavations, which he said have been internationally recognised for their historical significance. 'First they said there was nothing in Keezhadi. Next they transferred the research officer. Then they said they would not allocate any funds henceforth. Finally, they put the submitted report on hold for two years. Now they come and say that the evidence is not enough. It is common for them to reject the history of the Tamils every time. The reasons they find are only different,' he minister Shekhawat also said it wasn't fair that 'People were trying to use that to grow regional sentiments.''That is not fair and we can't do that as we have to be very cautious about such things. Let the research be completed on all parameters and then we will take a call,' said however, questioned the Union Government's motives: 'Even when the world scientific community agree that they are 5350 years old, were technologically advanced and an ancient civilisation, why is the Union Government within the same country so reluctant to admit it? Is it because of the unquenchable thirst to keep Tamils as second-class citizens forever?''Don't forget. History and the truth it tells will not wait for your cheap politics. It is for the people. It will reach the people,' said Keezhadi excavations, launched in 2015 in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and Sivaganga districts, unearthed evidence of an ancient urban civilisation on the banks of the Vaigai river. These findings significantly contribute to the understanding of Tamil history and pushes back the timeline of the Sangam Age.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre's desire is to treat Tamils as secondary citizens, says Thangam Thennarasu
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Tuesday wondered why the Union government had reservations in accepting the ancient civilisation of the Tamils, even though scientific tests had proved that it was 5,350 years old and that they possessed technical skills. 'Though we are in the same country, why does the government have reservations? Is it because of its unquenchable desire to treat Tamils as second-class citizens?' he asked on his social media page. Reacting to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's claim that the findings at Keeladi were not adequately supported by scientific evidence, Mr. Thennarasu, who also holds the Archaeology portfolio, said the Centre first dismissed the discovery as insignificant before transferring the officer in charge of the Keeladi excavations. 'They (the Centre) also refused to allocate funds for the excavations and allowed the report to gather dust for two years. Now they say there is no adequate evidence. Every time they reject Tamil history, only the method of rejection changes,' he said. Mr. Thennarasu said that history and the truth it reveals would not wait for the Centre's cheap politics. 'They belong to the people and will eventually reach them. The world cannot remain dark just because a cat has closed its eyes,' he remarked.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Thangam Thennarasu thanks Centre for instructing RBI to reconsider gold loan guidelines
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Friday (May 30, 2025) thanked the Union Finance Ministry for instructing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure its draft regulations on gold loans do not adversely impact small borrowers. In a post on X, Mr. Thennarasu said the draft gold loan guidelines were anti-poor, hurting small borrowers. Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging her intervention to advise the RBI to reconsider the proposed restriction in the Reserve Bank of India (Lending Against Gold Collateral) Directions, 2025, Mr. Thennarasu said it is a major victory for people, as a result of the relentless efforts of Mr. Stalin.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu's Annual Credit Plan for 2025-26 fixed at ₹9 lakh crore
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Monday released the Annual Credit Plan (ACP) for the State for 2025-26, which has been fixed at ₹9 lakh crore. He released the ACP at the 182nd State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) meeting conducted by Indian Overseas Bank, which is the convenor. The Annual Credit Plan of ₹9,00,181 crore has been fixed under priority sector lending, an estimated growth of 21.12% over 2024-25, according to a release. In his speech, Mr. Thennarasu lauded the banks in Tamil Nadu for their proactive approach in priority sector lending, especially in the sectors of agriculture and micro, small and medium enterprises, and in the implementation of government-sponsored schemes. He pointed out that the credit-deposit ratio of 126% in the State is one of the best in the country. He requested all the banks to work more vigorously to reach the ACP 2025-26 target. The meeting discussed financial inclusion and credit growth in the priority sector during the financial year that ended in March 2025. Mohan M., SLBC convenor and Indian Overseas Bank general manager, made a presentation. The priority sector advances increased from ₹6,63,993.27 crore as of March 2024 to ₹7,43,194.33 crore as of March 2025, a growth of 11.93%, the release added.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Coastal resilience: Cuddalore, Thoothukudi to get bioshields
CHENNAI: The government has announced a series of initiatives to improve climate literacy, prevent marine pollution and explore the possibility of setting up carbon neutral markets in the state. Minister for Environment and Climate Change Thangam Thennarasu made the announcements while replying to the demand for grants for his department in the Assembly on Saturday. Among the coastal initiatives, the state government plans to create bioshields in Cuddalore and Thoothukudi at a cost of Rs 10 crore to enhance coastal resilience, protect natural ecosystems and support local livelihoods. Similarly, in a Rs 4-crore pilot project under TN-SHORE, the state government will set up three material recovery facilities for plastic waste in Chennai, Ramanathapuram, and Thoothukudi at Rs 1 crore. Separately, trash booms will be introduced to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean through rivers at a cost of Rs 4 crore. The waste will be recovered and recycled. Since Tamil Nadu faces numerous challenges, including emission of greenhouse gases, waterbody encroachments and air pollution, the government is planning to restore Sanjeevi hills in Rajapalayam by removing invasive species and planting native trees at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Additionally, waterbodies in Rajapalayam will be restored at a cost of Rs 16 crore. Thennarasu said abandoned mines, degraded landscapes and polluted waterbodies will be reclaimed to make way for green spaces and environmental tourism at a cost of Rs 10 crore. As their first step, the government will focus on areas like the mines in Madukkarai. A sum of Rs 24 crore has been allocated to expand environmental clubs in schools, organise nature camps, and conduct state-level competitions. Infrastructure to support green practices, including solar lighting, rainwater harvesting, composting units, and plastic-free zones, will be developed under Green Schools programme.
