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Two-Fold Increase In Container Handling Capacity In 5 Years, 2 Million New Jobs: Minister Of Ports, Shipping And Waterways

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The Commune
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Two-Fold Increase In Container Handling Capacity In 5 Years, 2 Million New Jobs: Minister Of Ports, Shipping And Waterways

Centre said on Wednesday that the country’s container handling capacity will double in the next five years to reach 40 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), creating two million job opportunities nationwide. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) alone will scale its handling capacity from 6.6 million TEUs to 10 million.

Addressing an event to mark significant milestones achieved by the ministry during the first 100 days, Sonowal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on holistic development and his mantra of ‘Transformation through Transportation’ are creating a paradigm shift in the maritime sector. “The government’s commitment to strengthening maritime infrastructure is paving the way for unprecedented economic growth and generating significant employment opportunities across the country. Waterways are becoming the new highways of India,” said Sonowal.

The performance of major ports in the country has improved, with traffic increasing by 4.87 per cent in 2024.

“After 25 years since the establishment of Kamarajar Port, the addition of Vadhvan Port marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime journey, alongside the recent notification of Galathea Bay as a major port,” said the minister. The ministry is developing dedicated clusters in Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat, recognising the strategic importance of shipbuilding and ship repair. “We are also allocating more than 3,900 acres in Kandla and VOC Port for the development of hydrogen manufacturing hubs, positioning India as a leader in clean energy,” the minister informed.

Vadhvan Port is poised to become one of the largest all-weather deep-water ports, with a capacity of 298 MMTPA. This mega port is expected to create 1.2 million employment opportunities and place an Indian port among the top 10 container ports globally. Another key project is the Tuticorin International Container Terminal on the East Coast, which will serve as a major trans-shipment hub, saving up to $200 per container and providing an estimated annual foreign exchange savings of $4 million. The Ministry also successfully executed a landmark Deendayal Port Encroachment Drive, reclaiming 200 acres of encroached land for port-led industrial development.

–IANS

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Old Or Young, Persons With Disabilities At Forefront Of Voting In J&K Polls

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The Commune
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People With Disabilities Voting In J&K Polls

Among crowds of enthusiastic voters as J&K voted in the second phase of the crucial Assembly polls on Wednesday, persons with disabilities, both young and old, were at the forefront, including a teenager in Reasi district who had just turned 18. Karmanya Sharma, casting his vote for the first time, did not let his disabilities hamper him from exercising his right to franchise.

Elderly Mohd Sharief, on crutches, was another voter in Poonch and expressed his enthusiasm after voting. “I was the first voter today in my area. I request everyone to come out and cast your vote,” he said in a video message shared by the information and public relations wing of the district. His appeal emphasises the collective responsibility to participate in the electoral process, which the Election Commission has been relentlessly seeking. Sharma and Sharief were among the inspiring stories of the elderly and persons with disabilities voters shared by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K shared photos and a video on ‘X’ highlighting the participation of PwD’s voters.

Even in the first phase of elections on September 18, both categories of voters were conspicuously in the lead. Amid the lines of enthusiastic voters was a centenarian, who has been participating in India’s festival of democracy without fail since the first Lok Sabha polls in 1951-52. Prem Nath, who said he was almost 100 years old (99 years and 6 months), turned out to vote in Doda in the Jammu division. Speaking to reporters after voting, Prem Nath, who said that he had retired from service in 1964, said he had always made it a habit to regularly cast his vote in all elections since India’s first-ever parliamentary elections. Noting he could not speak much, he stressed that casting votes was a responsibility in democracy and hence, he regularly came out to perform his duty, and appealed to all people to come out and exercise their franchise.

A 95-year-old man and 82-year-old woman, Bhag Dai also came out to vote in Doda, while there were many other examples of senior citizens, including those with age-related ailments or other disabilities who came out to vote, helped by their family members or volunteers at the polling booths. A total of 26 seats in six districts – Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi districts in the Jammu division and Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam districts of the Kashmir Valley – went to vote on Wednesday. The turnout was estimated at 54 per cent as of 5 p.m., as per the CEO’s office.

–IANS

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Bharat Is Unstoppable: PM Modi Pens Blog As ‘Make In India’ Turns 10

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The Commune
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Bharat Is Unstoppable: PM Modi Pens Blog As 'Make In India' Turns 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the completion of ten years of the ‘Make In India‘ initiative and said that the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians was transforming the nation into a manufacturing and innovation powerhouse. In a blog on the milestones and landmarks achieved under the flagship scheme, PM Modi wrote: “The impact of Make in India shows that Bharat is unstoppable.”

PM Modi said today was a moment to salute the country’s vast talent pool for making the initiative a roaring success. “Each of you is a pioneer, visionary and innovator whose tireless efforts have fuelled the success of Make in India and thereby made our nation the focus of global attention as well as curiosity,” he wrote. He further said that the initiative which was undertaken ten years ago is yielding big results, as is evident in the manufacturing sector and also in the country’s big strides in the export sector. “The imprint of ‘Make in India’ has become visible across sectors, including areas where we never even dreamt of making an impact,” he said.

PM Modi also cited some examples to explain the resounding success story of the Make In India initiative. “Mobile manufacturing… we know how important mobile phones have now become, but what is startling is that in 2014, we had only two mobile manufacturing units in the entire country. Today, that number has risen to over 200. Our mobile exports have skyrocketed from a mere Rs 1,556 crore to an astounding Rs 1.2 lakh crore – a mind-boggling 7,500 per cent increase! Today, 99 per cent of mobile phones used in India are Made in India. We’ve become the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally,” PM Modi wrote, recalling the telecom revolution in the country in the past ten years. PM Modi further drew attention to astronomical growth in energy and manufacturing sectors.

“Look at Steel industry – We have become a net exporter of finished steel, with production increasing by over 50 per cent since 2014. Our semiconductor manufacturing sector has attracted investments worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore, with five plants approved that will have a combined capacity of more than 7 crore chips per day. In renewable energy, we are the 4th largest producer globally, with capacity increasing by 400 per cent in just a decade. Our electric vehicle industry, practically non-existent in 2014, is now worth $3 billion,” PM Modi wrote on his blog. He further said that the defence production exports have soared from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore, spanning across over 85 nations. PM Modi also took pride in the indigenous production of state-of-the-art trains, including Vande Bharat, and missiles like BrahmMos and boasted about all of them having a ‘Make In India’ imprint.

The Prime Minister further wrote: “Make in India initiative is special because it has given the poor the wings to dream big and aspire – it has given them the confidence to be wealth creators. Equally notable is the impact on the MSME sector.” He described the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme as one of the game-changers, enabling investments of thousands of crores and generating lakhs of jobs. PM Modi said that the country has emerged as a critical player in the global supply chain and boasted about its phenomenal Yuva Shakti, which is proving its mettle in the start-up industry globally.

The Prime Minister also called upon young Indians to come forward and join the Make In India initiative to take it to new heights. “The momentum is clearly in India’s favour. Despite facing unprecedented challenges like the global pandemic, India has remained firmly on the growth track. Today, we are being seen as drivers of global growth. We all must strive for excellence. Zero defect should be our mantra,” he said in a concluding note.

–IANS

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DMK Govt Gets A Knock On The Head As Supreme Court Orders Release Of YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar Following Revoking Of Goondas Act

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The Commune
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DMK Govt Gets A Knock On The Head As Supreme Court Orders Release Of YouTuber 'Savukku' Shankar Following Revoking Of Goondas Act

The Tamil Nadu government informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it had revoked the preventive detention order issued against YouTuber Savukku Shankar in connection with a drug-related case.

A bench consisting of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra acknowledged this submission and directed that Shankar be released immediately.

“The Advisory Board has recommended revoking the detention order. Based on this, the State revoked the order today, September 25, 2024… As a result, the detenue Shankar @ Savukku Shankar should be released immediately unless required in any other case,” the Court stated according to a report by Bar & Bench.

The Court then closed the Habeas Corpus petition filed by Shankar’s mother.

The Supreme Court was hearing petitions challenging FIRs against Shankar, as well as his preventive detention under the Goondas Act by the Tamil Nadu Police.

On August 30, the Court had asked the Tamil Nadu government if the various FIRs against Shankar could be consolidated.

The latest detention order was reportedly based on accusations that Shankar was found in possession of drugs. An earlier detention order from May cited defamatory remarks allegedly made by Shankar against women during an interview with another YouTuber, Felix Jerald.

Though the High Court had ordered Shankar’s release in the earlier case, he was detained again in relation to the drug/ganja charges. FIRs were subsequently filed, prompting Shankar to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention to dismiss them.

Shankar’s mother also filed a separate Habeas Corpus petition contesting his detention.

On August 14, the Supreme Court granted interim relief to Shankar by halting any further action on the FIRs, while criticizing the DMK government in Tamil Nadu government for repeatedly detaining him.

Following the State’s submission that the preventive detention had been revoked, the Supreme Court ordered his release.

The Tamil Nadu government was represented by Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, along with other advocates, while Shankar’s legal team included advocates Balaji Srinivasan, K Gowtham Kumar, and others.

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Film Director Mohan G Files Complaint With State Human Rights Commission Over Human Rights Violation During Arrest

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The Commune
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Film Director Mohan G Files Complaint With State Human Rights Commission Over Human Rights Violation During Arrest

Tamil film director Mohan G. Kshatriyan was arrested without prior notice and produced before the Tiruchi court on 24 September 2024. The case pertained to alleged comments on a YouTube channel about panchamirtham prasadam. The police arrested Mohan G after a complaint lodged by Kaviarasu, a Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department manager at the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple in Samayapuram. The complaint stemmed from controversial remarks made by Mohan in a YouTube interview, where he claimed that the panchamirtham offered as prasadam at the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani contained contraceptive pills, posing health risks to those who consumed it. Kaviarasu alleged that Mohan’s comments were false and intended to disrupt communal harmony in Tamil Nadu.

The magistrate released him on his own bail due to the police’s failure to follow the procedure for the arrest. Later, Mohan G, accompanied by his advocate Balu of the PMK, filed a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission in Chennai.

Speaking to reporters, Advocate Balu described the sequence of events. He stated that Mohan was not allowed even a change of clothes and was forcibly picked up from just outside his residence. He also stated that the police did not inform him about the details of the case, the charges, who they were, which police station they were from, etc. He further said, “He was not allowed to eat breakfast, he was not even allowed to pass urine, change his clothes, and was taken to Tiruchi in house clothes. He was threatened and denied basic human rights and was taken to Tiruchi police station. Samayapuram Police then files the case and is produced in court.”

He continued, “The judge rightly questioned what the case was about and when it was filed and if as under section 41, he was given a notice, they stated that the notice was given. The case was filed on the previous day at 3 PM and was given notice at 3 PM in hand, the case was filed in Samayapuram and the next morning in Washermanpet, the police were at Mohan’s residence. They did not even give him time and is a violation of human rights and should not happen to anyone.”

He said, “Mohan is a well-known director and is a concerned citizen. He made those statements with full responsibility. I cannot reveal more details of the case since it is subjudice. The judge released him on his own bail on the basis that the arrest was illegal and it was wrongfully done. The police even disrespected the Supreme Court ruling while doing so. So we have come here to the State Human Rights Commission and filed a complaint. They have promised to take action. I heard another case also has been filed against him. There is no basis for filing cases. You might want to have a look at the video where he has made those comments. He doesn’t even mention the temple name, he very responsibly says it is a rumour and it could have been a political comment but the government has to ensure things are done right. In such a situation, police should not be servants of the government. There are so many important cases that police must take strict action on immediately. There is widespread ganja availability everywhere in TN, there are 20,000 shops in TN where liquor is sold. The number of murders, thefts, and rapes has increased and police have to focus on these.”

Mohan who was also present during this press meeting said, “As Advocate Balu said, yesterday I was not given any basic rights. I was sending my child off in her school van and by the time I entered my residence, 8 people in mufti surrounded me. I could not identify if they were police as they were wearing clothes like lungi, and banian. They asked me to come along with them and told them that I was wearing house clothes and could not accompany them and that I needed to inform my advocate and wife first. They refused to listen and told me they were only taking me to the Royapuram Police station nearby and forced me to get into the van. We did not go to Royapuram police station, we crossed Tambaram where they said we’d go and then we reached Tiruchi. They did not respond to my questions and denied me my rights. Neither I nor the people who were with me knew where we were going. At around 5 PM, they took me to a hospital and then to the court. Adv Balu’s team appeared for me in court and helped me get justice yesterday through court. I have full faith in the judiciary and I am very concerned about society.”

He further said, “The reason I spoke about it was because allegations of adulteration in Tirupati prasadam came out. A Chief Minister of the state spoke about it and that is why I spoke about it. When a CM of that state can talk about such a problem, I thought I could put forth the rumour I heard and if it was true, it could be rectified. The message was conveyed wrongly. I cannot speak much about the case since it is in court. I did not make those comments to create disharmony or unrest in society. I only wanted to bring awareness to the alleged adulteration.”

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Tirunelveli, TN: Student Found Bringing Weapons To School, Dismissed; Three Others Suspended

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The Commune
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Tirunelveli, TN: Student Found Bringing Weapons To School, Dismissed; Three Others Suspended

A government-aided school in the Sripuram area of Tirunelveli district has dismissed a student for carrying weapons, while three other students have been suspended following an incident involving a clash between tenth-grade students.

During a routine bag check by physical education teachers, a sickle, two knives, and an iron rod were found in the possession of a class 10 student. The student reportedly brought the weapons, concealed in a book bag, following a conflict between classmates.

On 18 September 2024, the teachers were conducting their regular inspections to ensure students were not carrying mobile phones or other prohibited items when they were shocked to discover the weapons in one student’s bag. The headmaster was immediately informed, and the police were called to confiscate the items.

School authorities also notified the higher officials of the School Education Department, who conducted an investigation. The student involved was dismissed from the school, and the parents were called in to discuss the incident. Additionally, the school principal was instructed to suspend three other students involved in the altercation until 3 October 2024.

This incident highlights a growing concern in Nellai and surrounding areas, where students have increasingly been bringing weapons to school and engaging in caste-based conflicts.

It is noteworthy that Tirunelveli district is not a stranger to caste-based violence especially among school children.

On 30 July 2024, two students at the Government Higher Secondary School in Valliyoor, Tirunelveli, were injured in a caste-related altercation. The conflict was sparked by derogatory remarks about a specific caste that were found written on a toilet wall at the school. According to reports, the clash involved students from the Backward Class and Scheduled Caste communities in the Valliyoor school. Members of one group made offensive comments about the other group by scrawling caste names on the toilet walls. This act provoked a heated argument, which escalated into physical violence between students from Classes 11th and 12th. The police, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police R Yogesh Kumar, swiftly arrived at the scene and began an investigation.

Previously, at the end of the academic year in 2023, Periyar Government Higher Secondary School students in Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District, attacked students from a nearby private polytechnic college over caste issues. This conflict at Kalakadu school saw one student being stabbed and requiring medical attention. Additionally, the death of a prominent student at Pallakal Pudukkudi Government School near Pappakkudi left a profound impact. The ongoing caste-based violence at Gangai Kondan Government Higher Secondary School highlights the deep-rooted influence of caste prejudices among students.

This incident followed a tragic attack in August 2023, where three students from a dominant caste assaulted a Scheduled Caste teenager and his sister in Nanguneri. The recent violence has resulted in injuries and hospitalisations, further shocking the community.

Further, on 1 July 2024, another instance of caste-based pride sparked a clash among 12th-grade students at Rosalind Chelliah Government Higher Secondary School in Maruthakulam village, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli.

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Himachal Congress Govt Goes The Yogi Way, Street Vendors & Eateries Ordered To Display Names

By
The Commune
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The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday passed an order directing all street vendors and food establishments to prominently display the names of owners, proprietors, and staff members.

The move, seen as following in the footsteps of the Yogi Adityanath government, aims to bring cleanliness and hygiene to food outlets.

A day ago, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that eatery shop owners, managers, and proprietors display their names outside their food centres.

Installation of CCTVs in hotels and restaurants has also been made mandatory. Himachal Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, briefing the media on Wednesday, said that the state government has made a decision similar to that of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that people have access to clean and hygienic food.

“Urban Development Ministry and the Municipal Corporation, in a meeting, collectively took this decision while considering people’s fears and apprehensions about food availability at food stalls,” Vikramaditya said.

“We have decided to strictly enforce the rules in the state, much like Uttar Pradesh,” he told scribes.

He further stated that those selling food on the streets must display their names and IDs prominently. If any complaints regarding food and menu are received, suitable action will be taken.

When questioned on restricting food vendor licences to Himachal residents alone, he voiced opinion against it; however, he added that reservations are being mooted in offering new licences. “Locals should be preferred for giving licences while those from Dalit community and handicapped category will be entitled to a certain amount of reservation,” he added.

Earlier, he also wrote on his Facebook: “Every restaurant and fast-food outlet will be required to display the owner’s ID to ensure that people face no difficulties. Instructions for this have been issued in the Urban Development and Municipal Corporation meeting held yesterday.” A day ago, the Uttar Pradesh government issued detailed guidelines for all the eateries and food outlets operating in the state.

They were directed to display the owners’ names, install CCTV cameras, and strictly watch for food adulteration. The UP Chief Minister also warned against any food adulteration, referring to incidents of human waste mixing with food materials in other states.

–IANS

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Indian Tech Startup Ecosystem Secures $7.6 Bn In Funding In 9 Months, 6 New Unicorns

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The Commune
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21 Indian Startups Raise Nearly $187 Million This Week

A report on Tuesday showed that the Indian tech startup ecosystem secured $7.6 billion in funding in the nine months this year and witnessed six new unicorns, a massive 500 percent increase compared to just one unicorn in 2023.

The initial public offering (IPO) numbers have surged, with 29 tech companies going public in 2024 (year to date), compared to 15 during the same period in 2023, according to the report by Tracxn, a SaaS-based market intelligence platform.

According to the report, the Indian economy has shown resilience in 2024, achieving an 8.2 percent GDP growth rate for FY24, surpassing earlier estimates and the 7 percent growth of the previous fiscal year.

“Despite the broader economic challenges, India’s tech ecosystem continues to demonstrate resilience,” said Neha Singh, Co-founder of Tracxn. The emergence of six new unicorns and a surge in IPOs with 29 tech companies going public in 2024 (YTD) reflects investor confidence in the sector.

“While overall funding has slowed, late-stage investments and the increasing momentum in fintech and retail show that innovation-driven growth is still thriving in India’s startup landscape,” she mentioned.

The Indian tech startup ecosystem saw 12 funding rounds exceeding $100 million in 2024 YTD, with Zepto raising $1 billion across two consecutive rounds, making it the only company to secure over $500 million this year. Most funding came from late-stage rounds, which garnered $4.7 billion, compared to $4.9 billion in 2023 and $14.3 billion in 2022. Retail, fintech, food, and agriculture tech have emerged as the top-performing sectors. The retail sector, in particular, attracted $1.95 billion in 2024 YTD, reflecting a 23 per cent increase from 2023 but a 61 per cent drop from 2022. The report mentioned that Fintech emerged as the second highest funded sector, securing $1.49 billion.

Bengaluru, Mumbai and Gurugram emerged as the top-funded cities, with Bengaluru alone accounting for over 35 per cent of the total funding in the tech sector. India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 with a GDP exceeding $5 trillion, the country’s large consumer base, young population, and rising urban incomes position it for continued growth.

–IANS

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Three Arrested For Alleged Gang-Rape of Schoolgirl In Chengam, Tiruvannamalai

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The Commune
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Three Arrested For Alleged Gang-Rape of Schoolgirl In Chengam, Tiruvannamalai

In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, three men were arrested on Wednesday under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly gang-raping an eleventh-standard schoolgirl. The incident occurred when the girl went to graze goats in a farming area.

The victim was originally from Pudupalayam district but had been staying at her uncle’s house during the school holidays. During the holidays, she would graze goats near a lake. On one such occasion, she was approached by the suspects. While taking the goats to graze near the lake, the brothers, Ramajayam (33) and Pavankumar (31), sons of Dhananjayan from the Panaolaipadi area, were also grazing goats nearby. The two brothers allegedly approached the girl, gang-raped her, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.

Further complicating the situation, a 57-year-old man named Selvaraj, who witnessed the attack, reportedly threatened the girl and engaged in additional sexual harassment.

Unable to cope with the situation, the victim confided in her grandmother and aunt. Following this, her family filed a complaint at the Chengam All Women Police Station. After investigating the claims, the police confirmed the assault and arrested Ramajayam, Pavankumar, and Selvaraj.

The three suspects were charged under the POCSO Act and jailed, sparking concern in the local community. The investigation is ongoing, and the incident has generated widespread attention in the area.

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Chennai’s First Woman Dafadar For First Woman Mayor Says She Was Transferred From Her Post For Disobeying Orders To Not Wear Lipstick, Mayor Denies Claim

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The Commune
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Chennai's First Woman Dafadar For First Woman Mayor Says She Was Transferred From Her Post For Disobeying Orders To Not Wear Lipstick, Mayor Denies Claim
Image Source: TOI

S.B. Madhavi, the first woman dafadar of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), has sparked controversy after alleging that her transfer to the Manali zone was due to her decision to wear lipstick, which she claims violated an informal directive from her superiors. Madhavi, who previously held a ceremonial role accompanying Chennai Mayor R. Priya, expressed outrage over the transfer, citing it as an infringement on her personal rights.

The 50-year-old dafadar received a memo on 6 August 2024 accusing her of “dereliction of duty, not coming to work during working hours, and disobeying orders from her superiors.” Madhavi responded by demanding proof of these accusations, particularly challenging the claim that she had not been punctual or had failed to follow instructions. She clarified that she was late by only 30 minutes on the day in question due to a leg injury and denied disobeying any order, except the one related to wearing lipstick.

According to Madhavi, the issue began when Mayor Priya’s personal assistant, Siva Sankar, instructed her not to wear lipstick, claiming that it was inappropriate given the high-profile visitors to the mayor’s office, including ministers and embassy officials. Madhavi, however, defied the directive, stating, “If this is a crime, show me the government order (GO) which prohibits me from wearing lipstick.” Shortly after her refusal, she was transferred from the mayor’s office to the Manali zone, with her previous post remaining vacant.

The controversy escalated further when it was revealed that Madhavi had participated in a fashion show during Women’s Day celebrations at the Ripon Buildings, the headquarters of the GCC. Mayor Priya acknowledged that Madhavi’s performance and appearance in the show had drawn criticism, particularly her choice to wear a matt shade of lipstick. Priya said that her office conveyed this feedback to Madhavi but denied that her transfer was related to the lipstick issue. “The transfer has nothing to do with the lipstick, but the criticism of her performance in the fashion show was shared with her,” Priya told Times of India.

Madhavi also alleged that the mayor’s assistants regularly asked her to “tone down” her lipstick and refrain from wearing bright saris, further claiming that she was prohibited from speaking with officials from other departments within the GCC headquarters. “These restrictions are a violation of human rights,” Madhavi said in her response to the memo. She questioned the lack of any formal government order banning lipstick or her interaction with other departments.

Despite Madhavi’s claims, Mayor Priya and her office have maintained that the transfer was not directly linked to the lipstick incident. However, the decision to move Madhavi to the Manali zone, which is farther from her residence, has raised concerns. Madhavi pointed out that she could have been posted to zones closer to her home, such as Anna Nagar, Ambattur, or Valasaravakkam, suggesting that her reassignment was punitive in nature.

Siva Sankar, the mayor’s personal assistant who issued the memo, declined to comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, the controversy has ignited a broader debate about workplace dress codes and the extent to which employers can dictate employees’ personal choices, such as their attire and appearance.

(With inputs from Times of India)

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