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Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution to revive Sethusamudram project

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Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution nudging the Union Government to revive the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project that envisages connecting the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait to create a continuous navigable channel around the India peninsula without having to circumnavigate Sri Lanka.  

The project, which was originally conceived in the 19th century by the then British regime, got wrangled in a controversy following apprehensions that it would damage Ram Setu, a bridge that connects India with Sri Lanka as per Ramayana. A case in connection with the project is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had also added fuel to the fire by asking whether Lord Ram was an “engineer” to have built a bridge between the two countries.

Moving a government resolution in the Assembly, Chief Minister M K Stalin referred to a recent statement by Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh that it was difficult to actually pinpoint the exact structure that existed (in the Rameswaram coast) to push for the multi-crore project’s revival. All parties, including AIADMK and BJP, supported the resolution, which was passed unanimously by the House.

Work on the project, permission for which was granted by the then A B Vajpayee government in 1998, commenced on July 2, 2005 after the then Manmohan Singh government allotted Rs 2,427 crore. However, the project, which was put on hold in 2007, never saw the light of the day due to opposition from various quarters, including from the BJP.

Terming the project as “essential to strengthen the economic development of Tamil Nadu and India”, Stalin accused the BJP of being a “stumbling block” in implementing the project by raising objections and also recalled that late chief minister J Jayalalithaa changed her stance on the project and moved the Supreme Court against the scheme.

“If political stumbling blocks weren’t raised, the project would have been implemented a decade ago, leading to development,” Stalin told the Assembly, and reminded the BJP of its promise that the project will be implemented with a different alignment.

But Jitendra Singh has told Parliament that it is difficult to actually pinpoint the exact structure that existed there, Stalin said, adding that the Union Government should come forward to implement the project, given its current stand.

“This House expresses concern that the continued delay in execution of this Project will be a stumbling block for the development and growth of Tamil Nadu. This august House is of the considered view that the attempts to further delay the implementation of this Project by certain forces is against the interest of our nation’s growth,” the resolution said.

The project aims at creating a shipping canal by linking the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka. This will not just help reduce the navigation time between the east and west coasts of India, but also prevent ships from circumnavigating Sri Lanka.

“This project will help fishermen travel from Gulf of Mannar to Palk Straits and prevent transhipments of Indian goods at ports in Sri Lanka and other countries. Besides, the project will also strengthen India’s security, and provide jobs to 50,000 people,” Stalin said.

BJP floor leader Nainar Nagendran supported the resolution and said the project should be implemented in a way that does not affect Ram Setu in any manner. AIADMK member Pollachi V Jayaraman objected to references that Lord Ram was an imaginary character and there was no proof to show his existence.

(deccanherald.com)

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Cabinet approval to allow salt imports

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the decision to allow the importation of salt for industrial and consumer use until June 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Trade has said that the decision was reached at the Cabinet meeting held today (May 15).

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Key issues faced by disability community, discussed

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The Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities held a discussion with representatives of groups with disabilities regarding the key issues affecting the community with disability.

This discussion took place recently (8th) in Parliament under the Chairmanship of Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva.

The representatives informed the Caucus of their issues following a request made by the Caucus. The Chair of the Caucus stated that all the proposals and ideas presented would be received with great respect and that appropriate action would be taken by the Committee in this regard.

During the discussion, the attending representatives proposed that a specific quota be reserved for the community with disabilities in all elections. They also proposed the creation of a dedicated web page containing all necessary data related to the community with disabilities, which should be accessible via mobile phones.

Furthermore, attention was drawn to the need for increased facilities for children receiving education through Braille media. They also brought to the attention of the Caucus the proposal previously submitted to the Ninth Parliament regarding the introduction of new legislation for the community with disability and requested that further action be taken on it.

In addition, the Caucus was informed about the shortage of teachers affecting the education of the hearing-impaired community, and proposals were also presented regarding the creation of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors.

State Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage and Hon. Members of Parliament – Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Susantha Kumara Nawarathna also participated in this Parliamentary Caucus.

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Over Rs. 200 mn. revenue generated in vehicle auction – PMD (Update)

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2nd phase of luxury vehicle auction by the Presidential Secretariat Concludes Successfully

The second phase of the auction to sell luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat was successfully concluded today (15 May), with over Rs. 200 million in revenue generated, the President’s Media Division says.

A total of 26 vehicles, previously allocated by former Ministers and the former President, to their advisors and staff appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during their tenure, were listed for sale. Out of these, 17 vehicles were successfully sold today with 

The auctioned vehicles included:

  1 BMW car
  2 Ford Everest SUVs
  1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
  2 Land Rover SUVs
  1 Mitsubishi Montero
  3 Nissan Patrol vehicles
  2 Nissan brand cars 
  1 Porsche Cayenne
  5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
  1 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara
  6 V8 vehicles

  1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus

With the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, a decision was taken to auction the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

The decision to auction these vehicles were taken with the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, the PMD adds.


(Previous News on 15th May 2025 at 8:57am)

2nd phase of luxury vehicles auction, today

As part of the second phase of the luxury vehicle auction conducted by the Presidential Secretariat, 26 vehicles including luxury and decommissioned models are scheduled to be auctioned today (May 15).

All vehicles set to be auctioned were manufactured within the last ten years. The deadline for submitting bids for these vehicles concluded today (May 14).

Among the vehicles to be auctioned are 01 BMW car, 02 Ford Everest Jeeps, 01 Hyundai Terracan Jeep, 02 Land Rover Jeep 02, 01 Mitsubishi Montero, 03 Nissan Patrol vehicles, 02 Nissan cars, 01  Porsche Cayenne, 05 SsangYong Rexton Jeeps, 01 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara, 06 V08 vehicles and 01 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus.

Previously, under the first phase of this auction, 14 luxury vehicles, six decommissioned vehicles, and various spare parts were sold.

This initiative is part of the government’s effort to reduce expenditure and promote financial responsibility. In the first phase, 15 vehicles, including nine Defender jeeps, were successfully auctioned.

The vehicles being auctioned tomorrow are not part of the official vehicle fleet assigned to the regular staff of the Presidential Secretariat. Instead, they were used by advisors and staff appointed by the former President under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during his term in office.

(President’s Media Division)

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