Additional Chief Secretary to the Finance Department, MA Siddique, issued a circular to the Treasury Department stating that if retired government employees are appointed on a contractual basis with remuneration, the amount will be deducted when the interim payout is given to them.

"Government employees should complete 10 years of service under the regular time-scale period to get TAPS. Their service under the special time scale will not be considered for pension and interim payout," said Siddique.

He said the interim payout under TAPS would be given only to government employees working in government departments.

"Officials and staff working in local bodies, boards and universities are not eligible for interim payouts," Siddique said.

The TVK-led government has decided to continue with the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), introduced during the previous DMK regime, and has issued detailed guidelines for interim pension payments to eligible government employees retiring on or after January 1, 2026.

The Finance Department has already said that the interim payout will be calculated at 30 per cent of the last drawn basic pay or Rs 10,000 per month, whichever is higher. In addition, beneficiaries will receive dearness relief at 60 per cent of the payout amount.

Electors aged above 85 years and persons with benchmark disabilities will also be eligible to vote through postal ballot in the upcoming by-elections, according to notifications issued by the Election Commission of India and published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

The notifications said COVID-19 suspected or affected persons certified by the competent authority could apply for postal ballot voting, subject to verification by the concerned Returning Officer.

Similarly, electors aged 85 and above and persons with benchmark disabilities already marked or flagged in the electoral roll database could opt for the facility.

The postal ballot facility will apply to the bye-elections to the Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Thattanchavady in Puducherry.

The notifications were published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tamil Nadu held its Assembly election in 2021. At that time, the number of polling stations was increased, and postal ballot facilities were provided to people affected by COVID-19.

The facility continued in subsequent elections, including the Parliament and Assembly elections, and will continue in the ensuing by-elections.

In an exclusive interview to Thanthi TV, Prime Minister Anwar said Vijay’s office had conveyed from the beginning itself that the date was difficult but the chief minister was trying to adjust his schedule.

Anwar said he, too, had a limited window, as he was travelling to Kerala before heading to the Maldives.

Despite efforts to accommodate each other’s schedules, the dates did not match, he said.

“Even then, he tried. We delayed, trying to accommodate, but he was already committed to major programmes, overseas investments, and some other programmes,” Anwar said.

He said he eventually told Vijay: “‘It is okay. I will continue with Kerala and the Maldives, but I cannot proceed to Tamil Nadu.’ He will probably join us in Malaysia.”

Rejecting reports in sections of the Malaysian media that the Tamil Nadu government had failed to reciprocate the gesture, Anwar said: “No, it is not true. Some of this media takes a very negative view, which is not fair.”

Anwar said he would love to visit Chennai and looked forward to its food, culture and people.

He added that Vijay’s popularity among Malaysian Tamils could help strengthen India-Malaysia ties, particularly if he visits Malaysia.

B Siva Prakash (26), and Shiyon Cherian (28), began their arduous journey from Gudalur on August 31 and reached Villupuram on Sunday.

“We decided to fight for the cause after losing two precious lives to tiger attacks over a short span in our neighbourhood,” they said.

The two cover around 35 to 40 km a day, depending on weather conditions. They begin walking as early as 6 am and continue until about 11 am, resuming their journey at 4 pm and walking until around 9 pm.

Their journey has also drawn support from people along the route. As the duo post daily updates on social media about the distance covered and their route, members of the public have come forward to provide food and other essentials. Some have also offered them accommodation for the night.

“We generally decline such offers and rest either on the premises of petrol bunks or sometimes at temples,” said Siva Prakash.

The ongoing walk is not Siva Prakash’s first campaign for an environmental cause. He had earlier undertaken a cycling expedition to Ladakh to raise awareness about the need to eradicate plastic waste in the hills and conserve water. For Cherian, however, the march marks his first effort to campaign for a social cause.

The duo plan to meet CM Vijay in Chennai to submit a petition seeking his intervention in resolving the problems faced by Gudalur residents

The duo have planned to meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in Chennai, once they reach in another three days and submit a petition seeking his intervention in resolving the problems faced by residents of Gudalur. Apart from human-animal conflict, they intend to highlight issues concerning Section 17 land and patta rights, which they say have left many residents without clear ownership of their land.

“There are also many families without electricity supply in our neighbourhood,” Cherian said, adding that the petition would seek government action on these long-pending concerns.

The youngsters hope their long walk from the hills to the state capital will prompt concrete measures to improve their safety and living conditions.

He said it was intolerable that some DMK leaders continued to make derogatory remarks against women, while party cadres cheered such comments.

Shanmugam questioned how the DMK president could remain a silent spectator when the minister's mother was allegedly insulted.

“Anyone who makes derogatory remarks against women in public, irrespective of the party they belong to, should be condemned and disciplined by the respective party leadership,” he said.

He added that some DMK functionaries continued to cross the line of decency and expressed hope that the DMK president would uphold the party's duty to maintain discipline, highlighting the party's three ideals: "duty, dignity, and discipline."

With two of the defectors now being fielded by the TVK against the AIADMK in their former constituencies, the bypolls have become an early test of whether the ruling party can convert the defections into electoral gains and whether Edappadi can retain his voter base with the support of its allies.

Adding intrigue to the AIADMK's efforts, there is speculation that the PMK could instead extend support to the TVK, with reports suggesting that Sowmiya Anbumani could be offered a ministerial berth as part of such an arrangement. AIADMK sources, however, dismissed the possibility, pointing out that the VCK is already part of the TVK alliance and has a place in the government, making any fresh accommodation for the PMK difficult.

AIADMK leaders are expected to meet PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday to seek the party's support. The PMK was part of the AIADMK-led alliance in the 2026 Assembly elections but has not announced its position on the two bypolls, despite former ministers meeting Anbumani to convince him.

AIADMK's K Maragatham Kumaravel secured 69,284 votes, while the TVK candidate, who finished second, polled 62,090 in the recently concluded Assembly polls. PMK can certainly tilt the balance if it chooses to support TVK or even abstain from supporting any party.

Like a classic river-crossing problem involving the wolf, goat, and cabbage, VCK's earlier stance of not remaining in an alliance in the presence of PMK makes it tough for TVK to accommodate the Vanniyar party with 4 MLAs. But if CM Vijay manages to convince Thiruma on this issue, AIADMK would be at the receiving end. Well aware of the political consequences, in the backdrop of disgruntled CVe Shanmugam calling AIADMK's win a loss by PMK, Palaniswami's messengers are trying their best to convince Anbumani.

The AIADMK has already secured the support of the BJP, Puthiya Needhi Katchi and other alliance partners for the 2026 Assembly election. The AMMK has also decided to support the AIADMK.

The attempt to bring the PMK on board is thus significant for the AIADMK not merely as an addition to its alliance arithmetic, but as a bid to prevent the TVK from making inroads into its vote base, particularly in Madurantakam.

The restrictions by the forest department, following the deaths of two farmers in suspected tiger attacks in quick succession on August 8 and August 21, have come at a steep cost for the residents.

“We understand the danger, but staying at home for so long means losing our only source of income. We have no savings to fall back on. For our daily food, we manage with groceries, vegetables and other essentials given to us by representatives of political parties, traders’ associations and other welfare organisations following the twin attacks,” said Janaki Jayaram (40), a resident of Lauriston.

Most of the villagers work as farmhands, pluck tea leaves or take up odd jobs to make ends meet. The prolonged confinement has disrupted the lives of children as well. Only over the past two weeks, following repeated appeals from residents, has the forest department begun ferrying school children between their homes and schools, providing some relief to families living under the shadow of the tiger.

Janaki described the situation as being similar to the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For her, however, the crisis has been a double blow, as her family was rendered homeless after a wild elephant entered their house the same day when the second suspected tiger attack happened.

“My elderly mother Dhavamani, aged 76, along with my 10-year-old daughter and my two nieces, aged 14 and 16, were fast asleep when a wild elephant broke through the back door and entered our house. The house had a temporary roof, and the elephant emerged through the front door after completely collapsing the structure. Fortunately, they managed to escape. On that day, I was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kerala following surgery,” she said.

Dhavamani, who is the sole breadwinner of the family and works as a caretaker for a baby at a house in Gudalur town, has also been unable to work for the past month because of the restrictions. Janaki herself has been unable to work after undergoing major surgery, while her husband has left the family following differences.

Gudalur Ward 18 councillor Mumtaj said residents were unable to even buy essential commodities from Public Distribution System (PDS) shops located a few kilometres away because of the fear of venturing outside.

“Some arrangements should be made to supply the essentials at their doorstep until the prowling tiger is trapped,” she said.

For Pushpavalli (54) of Manjushree Estate, the tiger attacks have brought an even more personal tragedy. She lost her husband, M Balakrishnan, a daily wage worker, in the first suspected tiger attack on August 8.

“My husband left the house around evening to bring drinking water from a natural spring for our household use, but he did not return. After searching through the night, we were shattered to find his partially consumed remains the next morning,” she said.

Her three sons live elsewhere and work odd jobs, while Pushpavalli herself worked as a tea plucker at an estate.

“Initially, I had doubts whether the animal that killed my husband was a tiger. But my son and brother spotted a tiger consuming the body of a person during the second attack, which happened just a short distance from our house. The villagers gathered and scared it away by shouting,” she said.

It had been more than two decades since villagers had last sighted a tiger in their neighbourhood. “Our entire village has now been confined to our homes. It is really difficult to live like this,” Pushpavalli added.

K Sahadevan, vice-chairman of ‘O’ Valley Panchayat, said residents had sighted the tiger twice in the locality even after the two attacks — once on a road and again in an area barely a kilometre away.

“If the capture efforts do not work out, a special task force should be formed to gun down the tiger to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people. If there is a further delay even after losing two precious lives, we will decide our next course of action and take up protests,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shaji Chelivayal, president of the Federation of Small Tea Growers Association (FESTA), urged the State government to provide financial assistance to families who have been deprived of work for nearly a month.

“These families belong to the lower strata of society. Each family should be given at least Rs 10,000 as compensation. Besides losing their livelihood, many families also have debts and need to pay interest. In the long run, these people should also be provided with permanent concrete houses, as most of them live in structures with asbestos roofing and also lack electricity supply,” he said.

The prolonged absence of workers is also affecting the sprawling estates. “The tea and coffee plantations have become overgrown with bushes because workers have been unable to report for duty, while tea leaves have gone unplucked,” Shaji added.

TIMELINE

August 8: M Balakrishnan was killed in a suspected tiger attack in O’ Valley

August 21: Ravichandran was killed in a tiger attack in O’ Valley

August 27: Traders in Gudalur observed a 48-hour shutdown, demanding the capture of the tiger

August 28: Two kumki elephants from the Mudumalai elephant camp were deployed to assist in the tiger-tracking operation

September 9: A leopard was caught in a cage set up to capture the tiger

September 11: Forest Minister RV Ranjith Kumar met the bereaved families and assured necessary action

September 13: The search operation entered its 24th day, but the tiger remained untraced

In a representation dated September 11, 2026, addressed to the Chairperson of the HPC in New Delhi, Rohit Choudhury, a conservationist in Assam, urged the panel to halt the transfer of elephants and probe into the circumstances of their transfer.

One of the captive jumbos, five-year-old Durga, is already at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai, and four of them are in the transfer process. Two male elephants, Hiralal (8) and Shiva (6), are proposed to be transferred to the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai. Rupsing, a 13-year-old bull elephant, is set to be moved to the Vaitheeswaran Koil in Nagapattinam. Female calf Bijuli (5) is to be sent to Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Gajashala in Kancheepuram.

Citing a Supreme Court order in Abir Phukan vs Union of India, Choudhury said the committee was empowered to examine the legality and permissibility of elephant transfers across the country. "The Chief Wildlife Wardens can grant travel permits to elephants only on the recommendation of this Committee," he said, adding that the committee was expected to conduct the necessary inquiries before a final decision.

He also referred to a judgment of the Manipur High Court in Nongmeikapam Victoria vs Union of India and Others, arguing that the HPC's mandate and jurisdiction continue despite the Captive Elephants (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024.

The conservationist questioned why the elephants were being moved so far from Assam when facilities could potentially be available closer to their current location and why the elephants could not be cared for in Assam if their present owners were unable to maintain them.

Speaking to the media, Tamil Nadu Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra said the 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) for Durga's transfer was already received, and applications for elephants proposed to be donated to four other temples and religious institutions are being processed.

Meanwhile, Choudhury urged the HPC to examine the ownership, legality and proposed destinations of the five elephants and ensure that the transfers do not proceed without the required scrutiny and approvals.

The guidelines, issued by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, aim to ensure that children facing proceedings under the POCSO Act receive legal, medical, psychological, educational and rehabilitation support.

A support person will function as a liaison between the child and authorities, helping the child and family navigate the criminal justice process from the registration of a complaint until the conclusion of the trial. The person will also be responsible for ensuring that the child's broader welfare needs are addressed through the concerned departments and agencies.

Under the new guidelines, District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) will invite applications every year for empanelment of support persons and organisations. Applicants will undergo scrutiny by the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO). Authorities will conduct a criminal background check and police verification of applicants and all persons working in an organisation seeking empanelment. Eligible candidates will subsequently be called for an interview and given an orientation on the duties and responsibilities.

Candidates will be assessed on their previous experience in child rights, knowledge of relevant subjects, and commitment to child protection. The final list will be placed before the District Collector for approval, following which the DCPO will empanel the candidates and share the list with the police, Child Welfare Committees (CWC), judiciary and prosecutors.

The empanelment will be valid for three years. Following a performance review, a support person may be empanelled for another three-year term.

The guidelines permit several categories of people to serve as support persons – officials of children’s homes or shelter homes having custody of a child, persons employed by DCPU, individuals or organisations working in child rights or child protection, and persons or organisations chosen by the child or the child’s parents or guardian.

Every victim under the POCSO Act must be informed of their right to have a support person during investigation and trial. The person will/can handle a maximum of 10 cases at any given time. Once assigned, the person will continue assisting the child until the trial concludes. The child attaining 18 years of age will not, by itself, end the assignment, clarify the department’s guidelines.

They will receive an honorarium of Rs 10,000 per case, including travel allowance, subject to satisfactory service. The amount will be paid in 4 installments of Rs 2,500 each after the DCPO verifies completion of prescribed activities.

Government-run child-care institution employees, DCPU employees and Childline 1098 service providers will not be eligible for the honorarium, though they may claim applicable travel allowance.

The two accused, Santhosh (24) and Thavasi (28), were arrested for abducting a 14-year-old girl around 7.30 pm on Saturday and raping her at a house in Kanjikonampalayam by threatening her with a sickle.

Acting on a complaint, the All Women’s Police Station (AWPS-South) registered a case and arrested the duo soon after the incident. During the course of inquiry, Thavasi claimed to have concealed a sickle in a nearby location.

A police team led by Inspector Suvarnavalli took him to the spot to retrieve the weapon. Suddenly, Thavasi took the sickle and attacked the Inspector, causing injury. As he attempted to run away, Sub-Inspector Silambarasan opened fire in self-defence after the accused failed to heed repeated warnings.

Police said Thavasi, who received a gunshot wound in the left leg, was immediately rushed to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), while the injured inspector has also been admitted for treatment. The victim girl was subjected to a medical examination. Further investigation is on.

The police said that a case under Section 189 (unlawful assembly) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered

Further probe is under way.

On Saturday (), the DMK conducted a statewide protest against the remarks made by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in the Assembly targeting party president MK Stalin and former chief minister M Karunanidhi.

During the protest, several DMK leaders also made personal attacks against CM Vijay and his ministers.

The state-run shipbuilder has received the allotment letter from the VO Chidambaranar Port Authority, according to its investor presentation submitted to the stock exchanges on September 10. Under the proposal, 62.18 acres will be allotted this month, followed by 41.96 acres by April 2027 and six acres by December 2027.

The facility is planned as a brownfield capacity expansion under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme. It will undertake shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore fabrication. The facility is proposed adjacent to the larger greenfield shipbuilding cluster planned at Thoothukudi.

The proposed cluster is being developed through National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park Tamil Nadu Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between VOC Port and SIPCOT.

The two entities signed an MoU in September 2025 to develop a mega shipbuilding cluster at Thoothukudi.

NSHIP-TN, South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Sagarmala Finance Corporation signed an MoU in April for a proposed 2.5million-gross-tonne annual-capacity greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi.

After the change of regime, Chairman Justice Kurian Joseph and member K Ashok Vardhan Shetty met Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. However, the delay in restoring staffing levels has left existing personnel shouldering the additional workload.

Sources said two or three of the five research scholars engaged by the committee may leave their assignments due to inadequate administrative support, putting into question the very existence and functioning of the panel. With the committee’s term ending in a few months, the shortage could affect its ability to collect data, undertake research and complete its report.

Though the TVK-led government has approved an allocation of around Rs 1.5 crore for the committee, the staff strength sanctioned during the previous DMK regime expired a few months ago. The committee has written to the government seeking approval for essential staff, but the request is yet to be cleared.

"The government is processing a file seeking approval for the staff strength requested by the committee," a Human Resources Department source said.

"There are five research scholars working in the committee to collect data and undertake research. Some of them have decided to leave the committee due to a lack of adequate support from the government," a committee employee said.

The immediate problem is administrative, but its larger implication could be political. The quality and breadth of the committee’s recommendations will depend on the research and data it can gather. A weakened research team could, consequently, narrow the scope of its second report and dilute the broader exercise on State autonomy.

The Rajamannar Committee, constituted by the DMK government in 1969 on similar lines, served as an ideological catalyst for a greater assertion of state rights. The present version, initiated by MK Stalin, is struggling to meet its second report deadline in May 2027.

The change of regime has already altered the committee, with Professor M Naganathan resigning from the three-member panel. It is now functioning with only its chairman and one member.

The finding is part of the CAG’s Report on State Revenues for the period ended March 2024, tabled in the Assembly on September 8. An analysis of VAHAN data for 2019-20 to 2023-24 found that 4.16 lakh unique mobile numbers were used for allotment of 6.75 lakh fancy numbers. Of these, 53,000 mobile numbers were used more than once to secure 3.12 lakh fancy numbers.

More significantly, in the registration of 3,355 vehicles, individual mobile numbers were used between 11 and 2,008 times each.

The CAG said the repeated use of the same mobile numbers indicated that some individuals or entities "may be acquiring fancy numbers in bulk, possibly for resale or speculation", undermining the allotment process.

Due to the lack of transparency, people have to visit regional transport offices (RTOs) to find out about available unallotted reserved numbers, increasing their dependence on agents or agencies for vehicle registration.

The government, in its reply in August 2025, said fancy number allotment on the VAHAN portal was based on Aadhaar authentication and that it has discontinued multiple allotments using a single mobile number.

The CAG also flagged significant disparities in the fees collected for fancy numbers and a potential revenue loss of Rs 133.15 crore.

An analysis of 62,606 vehicles registered with fancy numbers during 2019-20 to 2023-24 showed that 32,197 vehicles had paid fees below the minimum base amount of Rs 40,000 fixed by the government. In 7,105 cases, the fee or allotment amount was below the prescribed amount, resulting in a potential loss of Rs 133.15 crore.

The audit found that 15,526, or 25%, of the 62,606 vehicles were registered with delays ranging from 1 to 62 months after purchase. Of these, 9,102 vehicles had paid lower fees for the allotment of reserved fancy numbers.
The CAG said the VAHAN database had a loophole that enabled buyers to delay registration until the registration series reached a point where they could obtain their preferred fancy numbers by paying a lower fee, instead of the higher premium prescribed for advance or government-reserved numbers.

The audit also found wide variations in fees charged for the same fancy number at different RTOs on the same date. For instance, the number "0007" was allotted to 1,203 vehicles during the audit period, with fees ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2 lakh. On February 6, 2023, it was allotted for Rs 2,000 at Thuraiyur UO, while a buyer at Chennai South RTO paid Rs 2 lakh.

The CAG also found that 43,799 of 77,028 unallotted reserved fancy numbers had neither been updated on the VAHAN portal nor displayed on notice boards at RTOs, raising concerns over transparency.

The government said the variation in fees between RTOs was due to differences in the closure of current registration series and denied any procedural lapse or revenue leakage. The CAG, however, said it had highlighted the inconsistency in the system and the need for corrective measures.

The government has since issued a draft amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, proposing e-bidding and revision of fees for fancy numbers.

The CAG recommended that the transport department implement stringent measures to ensure timely vehicle registration and transparency in the allotment of fancy numbers.

"Is it your last weapon to speak in filthy language on stages about me and my leader?" Nirmalkumar asked regarding offensive remarks made by DMK leader A Raja.

Terming the demonstrations by DMK functionaries an "obscenity drama," the minister said people in Tamil Nadu, particularly women, were shocked by the speeches of some DMK functionaries.

He alleged that whenever issues such as corruption, betrayal and lies were raised against the DMK, its functionaries resorted to speeches mixing violence and obscenity.

"Can he show the alleged objectionable speeches of DMK functionaries to their own children and female members of their families?" he said.

Nirmalkumar said the TVK would face the alleged atrocities of the DMK with honesty and claimed that the opposition party has lacked the capacity to tackle the ruling party TVK, which, he said, has the support of women and children.

He said the DMK had no opportunity to correct itself and claimed that the people would write the party's "epitaph."

The controversy erupted during the statewide demonstrations organised by the DMK on Saturday against the TVK government. The main Opposition had accused Chief Minister Vijay and Minister Nirmal Kumar of insulting the sacrifices of DMK leaders and those imprisoned during the Emergency. During his speech, Raja made some indecent remarks about minister Nirmalkumar, dragging his birth into question.

Amid mounting criticism of such uncouth remarks, Raja announced that he was withdrawing them. In a post on X, the former Union minister said he had no hesitation in taking back his words.

However, Raja maintained a combative tone in the post, saying he regretted questioning a person's "identity" as an emotional reaction to the pain caused by the deliberate, repeated ridicule of a leader's "identity" and "truth," a leader who had emerged through sacrifice.

"I have no hesitation in taking back my words. If you do not reform yourself, you will be corrected," Raja said.

Meanwhile, DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi appeared to respond to the controversy indirectly by posting a Tirukkural on X. She quoted "yaakaavaa raayinum naakaakka kaavaakkaal sokaappar sollizhukkup pattu." The couplet advises people to guard their speech, warning that failing to control one's tongue can lead to suffering caused by one's own words. Kanimozhi did not name anyone or make any direct reference to the controversy in her post.

Candidates who had appeared under the old syllabus before 2012 and failed in science can also register, stated a press note

Candidates must approach the office of the District Educational Officer (Secondary Education) concerned in person during the registration period and pay a fee of Rs 125, stated DGE. The application form can be downloaded from the DGE website. 

The department clarified that this registration is only for attending the practical training classes and does not constitute registration for the Class 10 board exams itself. 

Candidates applying for the Class 10 science practical exam will have to attend practical training classes at schools allotted by the respective District Educational Officer. Only candidates who secure at least 80% attendance in the practical training classes will be permitted to appear for the science practical examination.

The hall ticket can be downloaded using the application number provided on the acknowledgement slip issued by the nodal centre. Only candidates who have obtained a hall ticket will be permitted to take the practical exam. 

The operation began at Madurai railway station, where investigators identified the couple on CCTV footage carrying the missing bag and boarding another train. When the train had already passed Virudhunagar, police switched their search to CCTV footage at the next station, traced the couple's onward journey by autorickshaw and finally caught up with them at the bus stand.

The accused were identified as Kaliappan, 66, and his wife Solaiyammal, 62, both from JJ Nagar in Vannarapettai, Chennai. The bag containing jewellery and cash, valued at Rs 8.30 lakh, was recovered from them.

The operation was launched after Mahadevi, wife of Sethu and a resident of Bharathidasan Street in Irumbuliyur, Tambaram, reported that her bag had gone missing while she was travelling on the Tambaram-Madurai Kudal Express to Manamadurai on September 12.

Mahadevi was travelling in the general compartment next to the engine when the bag containing the jewellery and cash went missing. She reported the matter to the station master at Kudal Nagar railway station, who alerted the RPF personnel in Madurai.

When the train arrived in Madurai, RPF head constable Sathyamoorthy searched the compartment, but the bag was not found.

RPF personnel and Tamil Nadu Railway Police Crime Branch personnel then questioned Mahadevi and examined CCTV footage at Madurai railway station.

The footage showed an elderly couple carrying the bag described by Mahadevi and boarding the general compartment of the Chennai-Kanniyakumari special train.

Police immediately alerted RPF and railway police personnel in Virudhunagar. However, by the time officers were informed, the train had already crossed Virudhunagar railway station.

The search then shifted to CCTV footage recorded at Virudhunagar station. Investigators questioned autorickshaw drivers after learning that the couple had left the railway station in an autorickshaw.

The trail led the police to the Virudhunagar bus stand, where the couple was traced and the bag recovered.

Madurai Railway Police registered a case and produced the two accused before the Sixth Magistrate Court in Madurai. The judge granted them bail, considering their age, according to the report.

Senior railway security and police officials appreciated the personnel involved in the operation, which led to the recovery of the valuables within about two hours.

Addressing the wedding of a DMK Youth Wing functionary here, he alleged that the ruling regime had failed to deliver on any of its election promises during its initial four months in office.

"In Tamil Nadu's history, we have never witnessed such an uncouth and dummy chief minister," Udhayanishi said, alleging that the government came to power by luring MLAs from other parties.

He charged that the current administration was simply rebranding and "pasting stickers" on public welfare schemes initiated during the previous DMK government rather than introducing new initiatives.

"Today, people across Tamil Nadu are grappling with daily crises, from frequent power cuts and surging prices of essential commodities like rice and pulses to worsening law and order. When questioned on these issues, the CM is unable to answer and instead resorts to spreading slanders against our party and leadership," he claimed.

Referring to upcoming Assembly by-elections in two constituencies, Udhayanidhi called upon the party cadre to use the polls to deliver a decisive defeat to the ruling dispensation.

"The victory in these by-elections must mark the beginning of the fall of this regime and teach a fitting lesson to this dummy chief minister," he said.

The Election Commission India (EC) has scheduled polling for October 6.

The two seats–Maduranthakam and Dharapuram fell vacant after AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined the TVK.

Udhayanidhi also noted that the DMK was entering its 77th year ahead of the party's Mupperum Vizha celebrations.

While acknowledging the party's setback in the previous Assembly elections, he asserted that the DMK continues to function as an effective opposition standing firmly with the public.

DMK Chennai South district secretary and former minister Ma Subramanian and other party functionaries were present at the event.

The deceased were identified as Muniyandi, 65, of Nadu Pillaiyarkulam, and his grandson, Munees, 17, who was riding the moped.

According to police, Muniyandi was working as a security guard at a private windmill in the area. At around 7 am, he was travelling as a pillion rider on the moped driven by Munees on the Tirunelveli-Sankarankovil main road.

Munees was reportedly turning the vehicle eastwards to cross the main road and reach the windmill located on the other side when a government bus travelling in the same direction collided with the moped.

Muniyandi died at the spot. Munees sustained serious injuries to the back of his head and was taken by a 108 ambulance to the Tirunelveli Government Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The government bus was driven by Subash, son of Ayyappan, from Pudur-Arumanai in Kanniyakumari district.

Based on a complaint, Manur police have registered a case and are investigating.

Muniyandi is survived by his wife, Vasantha, two married sons and a daughter. Munees was a Class 12 student at a higher secondary school in Tirunelveli.

The bus driver, Sivashakthi, sustained serious head injuries and was referred to the Tirunelveli Government Hospital for further treatment. The remaining injured were taken to the Tenkasi Government Hospital in 108 ambulances.

Kuttralam police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident.

The bus had left the Tenkasi new bus stand for Tirunelveli at around 7 am with more than 30 passengers. Sivashakthi was driving the bus, while Isakki Muthu was the conductor.

According to the police, the bus was travelling on the Tirunelveli-Tenkasi four-lane road near Vettaikaran Kulam, adjoining Azad Nagar, when passengers reportedly heard a sound from the vehicle.

The driver lost control of the bus, which broke through the roadside barrier and overturned into the Azhagukanni River.

Motorists and residents of Vettaikaran Kulam rushed to the spot and began rescuing passengers trapped inside the bus.

Kuttralam police, led by Inspector Pachaimmal and sub-inspectors Muthu Thilagar and Chinnathirai, along with personnel from the Tenkasi Fire and Rescue Services, joined the rescue operation.

Police later cleared traffic congestion in the area, while the overturned bus was recovered with the help of a JCB and a crane.

Police are investigating the accident from multiple angles. Some passengers reportedly told investigators that the driver had been speaking on a mobile phone before the accident.

Investigators are also examining whether the driver may have dozed off or whether a mechanical fault in the bus caused the accident.

In Chennai, permission has been granted for the installation of 1,562 idols, compared with 1,519 last year, according to the Chennai city police.

The idols will be installed and worshipped on Monday, while police have permitted processions and immersion on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20. The processions must follow routes approved by the police, and idols must be immersed only at authorised locations.

DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has directed district superintendents of police and commissioners of police to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the Vinayagar idol processions are conducted peacefully.

In Chennai, 16,500 police personnel and 1,500 Home Guards will be deployed for security duties, according to the Chennai Police Commissionerate. Police Commissioner Amalraj has directed senior officials to make all necessary arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the celebrations and processions.

Police have imposed several restrictions on the installation and worship of idols, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Madras High Court. Idols taller than 10 feet will not be permitted.

Organisers have been directed to ensure the celebrations do not disturb public peace and to follow police instructions. Police said they will take strict action against those installing idols without permission.

Organisers will be responsible for each idol installed for worship. Police patrol teams will conduct regular rounds at the venues, while CCTV cameras must be installed at the locations.

Police have also directed organisers to appoint two volunteers from service organisations as security personnel for each idol.

In Chennai, arrangements have been made for immersion at Palkaalai Nagar in Neelankarai, Srinivasapuram in Pattinapakkam, behind the Popular Weighbridge in Tiruvottiyur, and the Kasimedu fishing harbour.

However, the National Green Tribunal has prohibited the immersion of idols in the sea at Neelankarai and Pattinapakkam Srinivasapuram, raising questions over whether alternative locations would be arranged.

Police sources said discussions were under way on the issue.

Vinayagar Chaturthi will be celebrated across the country on Monday. In Tamil Nadu, Hindu organisations, including Hindu Munnani, and members of the public traditionally install Vinayagar idols at public places for worship after obtaining police permission.

He said the movement would conduct intensive grassroots campaigns across the constituency.

"In the upcoming by-election, we will field a candidate in the Dharapuram constituency as a candidate of Cauvery rights retrieval and toddy liberation policies," Nallasamy told reporters here.

Placing the decades-old prohibition on toddy at the forefront, Nallasamy renewed his open challenge, offering a Rs 10 crore cash reward to anyone who can prove the ban is justifiable.

"If anyone among you proves that the ban on toddy is justified, I will give a Rs 10 crore prize," he declared.

Taking aim at lawmakers demanding official upgrades, he added, "MLAs keep asking for cars. If any MLA comes, argues, and proves that the ban on toddy is justified, we will give that legislator an Innova car."

Nallasamy cited the report of the Justice B Gokuldas Commission, which was constituted by the state government to probe the illicit liquor tragedy in Kallakurichi. "The judge asked in the report why there is a ban on toddy in Tamil Nadu when it is a natural, nutritious food equivalent to mother's milk," Nallasamy said.

According to him, the ban continues solely because political parties across the ideological spectrum rely on the commercial liquor lobby for election funding.

Highlighting the economic and rural livelihood potential, he pointed out that out of eight crore palmyra trees in India, five crore are in Tamil Nadu.

He argued that allowing farmers to tap neera, padhaneer, and toddy from palmyra, coconut, and date palms, and packaging them as value-added products for domestic and international markets, would generate massive rural employment and state revenue. Delivering an ultimatum to the ruling administration, he asserted: "Either announce the lifting of the ban on toddy, or step down from the Chief Minister's chair."

Turning to state infrastructure spending, Nallasamy urged the government to abandon its proposal to construct a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam and redirect the proposed Rs 1,600 crore allocation to priority irrigation schemes. "The Secretariat is in good condition and remains strong. It has a 350-year history and was built by the East India Company," he pointed out, noting that Tamil Nadu is already saddled with Rs 13 lakh crore in public debt while facing impending climate crises such as the "Super El Nino".

"This sum should instead be utilized for the Cauvery–Vaigai–Gundar river-linking project and the Mettur–Sarabanga surplus water scheme," he added.

On inter-state water management, Nallasamy argued that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award remains unworkable under its current monthly quota schedule, leaving Tamil Nadu short of water during the crucial Kuruvai paddy season.

He called for amending the mechanism to ensure daily proportional water sharing from Karnataka's reservoirs directly into Mettur Dam, alongside demanding an immediate common effluent treatment plant (CETP) to clean up Salem's heavily polluted Thirumanimutharu river.

Manamadurai–Tambaram one-way Unreserved MEMU special will leave Manamadurai at 2.30 pm on Monday and reach Tambaram at 11.55 pm.

It will operate via Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchchirappalli, Ariyalur, Villupuram and Chengalpattu.

Nagercoil–Tambaram one way Superfast Special will leave Nagercoil Junction at 11 pm on Monday and reach Tambaram at 10.45 am on September 15.

It will operate via Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikkudi, Pudukkottai and Tiruchchirappalli.

The party has fielded K Janaki Raman in Madurantakam, M Karthika in Dharapuram and S Karthik Kumari in Thattanchavady (Puducherry).

In Madurantakam, TVK has renominated K Maragatham Kumaravel, who won the seat for the AIADMK in the 2026 Assembly election before resigning and joining the Vijay-led party. The DMK has fielded I Paranthamen, while the AIADMK has nominated former MLA Kanitha Sampath.

In Dharapuram, TVK has fielded P Sathyabama, another former AIADMK MLA who joined the ruling party. The DMK has named S Suganya, while the AIADMK has chosen K Bhanumathi.

The Left parties have also decided to enter the fray independently. The CPM will contest from Madurantakam, while the CPI will contest from Dharapuram. Their candidates are expected to be announced on September 15.

Both AIADMK nominees are women. Kanitha Sampath is a former MLA who represented Madurantakam from 2011 to 2016, while Bhanumathi has held several local-body and party positions in Tiruppur district.

The bypolls are being closely watched as an early electoral test for the TVK government. The AIADMK will seek to reclaim the two seats following the defection of its former MLAs, while the DMK will look to make gains as the principal Opposition party.

On the night of September 1, the two-and-a-half-foot emerald idol and silver articles were stolen from the Nadupalani Balamurugan Maragatha Thandayuthapani temple in Perungaranai village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sithamur police station.

The police registered a case and tasked a special team comprising six inspectors to retrieve the stolen idol and articles. The team was formed under the supervision of Chengalpattu Superintendent of Police Ayman Jamal Iqbal and Madurantakam Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Rajini.

As part of the investigation, the police examined footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras and questioned over 20 previous offenders suspected of involvement in similar crimes. Based on the evidence gathered, the suspects were identified.

On Sunday, the Sithamur police, led by Inspector Mahalingam, arrested three accused and recovered the stolen idol. The idol was kept in the office of the RDO, Cheyyur. The three suspects are expected to be produced in court on Monday.

Further investigation and legal proceedings are continuing.

Their decision would also have an impact on the DMK and AIADMK, as the anti-TVK votes would be splintered further.

According to the understanding reached between them, the CPM will contest from Madurantakam and the CPI from Dharapuram, both reserved seats from where AIADMK candidates had won, but resigned and crossed over to the TVK.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchy after the party's State committee meeting on Saturday, CPM State secretary P Shanmugam said the committee decided to field Left candidates in both constituencies along with the CPI and CPI (ML) Liberation.

“The Left parties are not part of any of the three existing alliances. As this is not a general election or an election for a change of government, we have decided to contest the bypolls independently, with the CPM contesting one seat and the CPI the other,” he said.

He said the candidates would be introduced at a meeting of the State secretaries of the CPM, CPI, and CPI (ML) Liberation in Chennai on September 15, a day before the last date for filing nominations.

Around the same time in Chennai, CPI State secretary M Veerapandian said the party's State executive decided to maintain its stand of not joining any alliance in the prevailing political situation.

Veerapandian said the CPI had supported the TVK government from outside after the Assembly election to respect the people's mandate and to prevent the Governor from prevaricating, which would have led to the BJP gaining indirect control of the government. “We have neither joined the coalition nor the cabinet,” he said.

Both leaders clarified that contesting the bypolls independently would not mean withdrawing support to the TVK government.

Shanmugam said the Left parties had differences with the TVK-led government over several issues, including aspects of its budget and the implementation of liberal and neo-liberal economic policies. These issues, along with the need for the Assembly to function democratically and serve as a forum to discuss people's issues, would figure in the campaign, he said.

On the government's focus on attracting foreign investment, Shanmugam said the government should disclose details of the investments it claimed to have attracted, including the source, employment generated, and projects proposed. He also stressed the need to protect domestic and small-scale industries through financial allocations, tax concessions, and credit support.

He also criticised the two TVK candidates, who had won the seats on AIADMK tickets in the recent Assembly election before resigning and joining TVK within 20 days of result declaration. “They have not been able to give any reasonable justification for their decision. We had criticised it then and our criticism continues,” he said.

Shanmugam said the CPM would also seek support from other parties that were not part of the three existing alliances. “We will directly meet the leaders of other parties and seek their support for the Left candidates,” he said.

Veerapandian said the Left parties wanted to strengthen their presence in the Assembly to amplify the voice of workers and ordinary people. He appealed to democratic forces and voters in the two constituencies to support the Left candidates.

However, the state's transport operations were heavily overshadowed by a steep fare hike by private transport operators, drawing severe backlash from commuters and political leaders.

According to operational data for September 11 and 12, transport corporations operated a total of 4,629 scheduled and special buses. This marks an increase of 1,266 buses compared to the 3,313 vehicles deployed during the corresponding festive period in 2025.

The heaviest outbound volume originated from the Villupuram (VPM) division, which logged 2,223 bus operations over the two days -- a 39 per cent increase from 2025. Deep-south routes witnessed the sharpest proportional spikes. Deployments bound for Tirunelveli (TNV) jumped by 113 per cent, while the Madurai (MDU) sector expanded by 62 per cent year-on-year.

The Kumbakonam (KUM) division similarly scaled up by 71 per cent to meet commuter demand.

To clear the mounting crowds, STUs accelerated their real-time dispatch rates. By 2 pm on September 12, transport authorities had dispatched 2,258 buses across the state, exceeding their planned full-day target of 2,169 operations, according to official data.

Despite the amplified state operations, the festival weekend was marred by intense grumblings over exorbitant ticket pricing by private players. Ahead of the long weekend, private omni bus fares from Chennai to various parts of Tamil Nadu surged up to fourfold. Passengers reported that last-minute tickets to destinations like Madurai had spiked to as much as Rs 4,000, severely straining travelers who could not secure bookings on state buses or trains.

The surge pricing triggered swift condemnation from across the political spectrum. Opposition parties, including the PMK and BJP, slammed the steep hikes and demanded immediate government intervention to curb fare exploitation. PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss publicly questioned the state's inaction, accusing the administration of allowing private operators to fleece passengers during the festive season.

In response to the growing public outcry, transport authorities initiated weekend inspections, eventually fining over 400 omni buses caught overcharging customers during the rush.

Under the grey skies of Northamtonshire in UK, two men who have spent three decades at the centre of Tamil cinema's most passionate fan rivarly walked towards each other on the tarmac.

One wore a crisp brown jacket and the other a fireproof racing suit. This was a blockbuster moment involving two men hailed as 'Thalapathy' and 'Thala' by their fans.

Within seconds, the 'Thalapathy,' Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay broke into a lighthearted jog, spreading his arms wide to pull actor-racer Ajith Kumar into a warm, lingering hug. And the video of their warm embrace went viral, gladdening the hearts of their fans, often known for sparring online.

For about three decades, their names - Thalapathy (Commander) and Thala (boss)- were uttered in Tamil Nadu with the same fierce division once reserved for the legendary MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, or Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

Box-office clashes sparked legendary rivalries, and online fan wars raged with relentless intensity. Yet, at the famous motor racing circuit - Silverstone - located in Northamptonshire in the UK, cameras flashed and fans chanted their monikers across the grandstands, 30 years of perceived feud dissolved into a single frame of genuine warmth.

The occasion was as unique as the reunion itself. CM Vijay is currently in the UK on an official state visit to attract foreign investment and inspect world-class sports facilities for Tamil Nadu’s proposed Motor Sports City near Chennai.

Invited as the official special guest for the Michelin Le Mans Cup, the chief minister stood on the podium to wave the ceremonial green flag for the 44-car grid. Directly on that grid was Ajith Kumar, who was competing in the LMP3 Pro/Am category under his team, Ajith RedAnt by Virage.

"I am extremely thankful to the Honourable Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, for taking time off his busy schedule to visit us at Silverstone," Ajith told reporters ahead of the race.

"We have been colleagues in the film industry for 34 years, and I am so happy for him in his new journey. We extended the invitation so he could see firsthand what infrastructure and logistics it takes to bring events like this to Chennai. My wish is to see us all race back home in India soon" he said.

The meeting marked a rare public moment for two icons whose lives have taken dramatically different, yet equally monumental, trajectories.

After dominating the box office for over thirty years with record-breaking blockbusters like Ghilli, Mersal, and Leo, Vijay stepped into full-time politics, leading his party - the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam - to a historic victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Ajith Kumar known for cult anti-hero classics such as Billa, Mankatha, and Tunivu, pursues his lifelong passion for professional motorsport on global endurance circuits.

Prominent Kollywood personalities including Trisha Krishnan and Radhika Sarathkumar were also spotted at the circuit, taking in the rare high-octane spectacle.

For millions of Tamil cinema fans across the globe, the viral footage of Vijay running up to hug Ajith was far more than a photo opportunity- perhaps an end to a toxic fan-culture narrative that had outlived its purpose.

Behind closed doors, both stars had long maintained a mutual respect; at Silverstone, they put that quiet friendship on full display for the world to see.

As the engines roared and the green flag waved over Silverstone, the two legends proved that while their paths may have diverged - one governing a state, the other chasing speed - the respect between Thala and Thalapathy remains unshakeable.

Coming amidst fierce criticism from political parties that the fiscal trajectory will cause severe strain on the economy, the government has also reiterated its commitment for fiscal prudence. It has formed a panel under veteran economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia to shore up an additional Rs 15,000 crore this year, amid concerns of an increasing debt burden.

Much of the 17 mega-announcements across departments made under Rule 110 in the Assembly during the 28-day budget session, which concluded on September 8, includes a transformative vision to modernise state infrastructure, secure energy independence, and deliver comprehensive agrarian relief.

The announcements are-- power sector/power transmission infrastructure scheme of Rs 33,066 crore, Thoothukudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant at Rs 20,800 crore, Infrastructure & roads / urban infrastructure push of Rs 11,000 crore, Urban road repairs and junction modernisation of Rs 1,850 crore, new Assembly-cum-Secretariat Complex for Rs 1,200 crore, welfare and agriculture / annual schemes including free electricity to people at Rs 10,000 crore, cooperative crop loan relief expansion of Rs 953.06 crore, among others. The cumulative amount is Rs 79,219.06 crore.

It features a landmark integrated Assembly-Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam in Mylapore here and an ambitious Rs 55,628-crore power sector overhaul including a project in Chennai, over Rs 8,500 crore in continuous yearly welfare expenditures - including milk procurement price subsidies, LPG relief, and expanded MLA allowances - with the opposition party leaders warning that the unprecedented outlay risks deepening the state’s revenue deficit and pushing its existing Rs 10.98 lakh crore debt burden past critical threshold limits.

The cumulative amount may amount to a far higher sum which the state government has not officially outlined so far.

The mega sports infrastructure - the launch of a world-class Olympic City and a dedicated MotorSports City capable of hosting international racing events like Formula 1, are also embedded within the Rule 110 announcement package.

According to a senior official in the government, the announcements are split into structural capital investments and continuous operational spending-- capital and infrastructure investments (one-time outlay of Rs 57,703 crore), power and energy expansion: Rs 55,628 crore overhaul including Rs 20,800 crore for Thoothukudi Supercritical Thermal Power Station (on PPP model), Rs 33,066 crore statewide transmission modernisation, and Rs 1,762 crore urban power grid upgrades for Chennai.

The implementation of the Annapoorani Super Six free LPG scheme will entail the exchequer Rs 4,000 crore annually, alongside the 200-unit free electricity subsidy (Rs 1,730 crore annually). The government has presently announced providing three LPG cylinders.

A Rs 2,044 crore cooperative crop loan debt relief wave, paired with a Rs 720 crore annual subsidy (Rs 60 crore monthly) to absorb the Rs 3 per litre procurement price hike for Aavin milk producers without raising retail costs for consumers and the revised monthly allowance package (Rs 75,000 vehicle plus Rs 25,000 assistant allowance) per legislator across all 234 constituencies, adds Rs 28.08 crore annually to the exchequer, it was pointed out.

The government's White Paper highlighted total outstanding debt nearing Rs 10.98 lakh crore, alongside a projected fiscal deficit of Rs 1.21 lakh crore.

With roughly one-third of state revenues already dedicated to interest servicing, adding Rs 8,500 plus crore in recurring operational expenses runs the risk of expanding the revenue deficit (currently at Rs 55,775 crore).

However, the official noted that the Rs 57,703 crore infrastructure outlay will be phased over 3-5 years, preventing an immediate cash drain with short-term (0–12 months): Rs 1,500 – Rs 2,000 crore allocated for DPRs, land clearances, initial work on the Assembly complex, and early tech park developments.

The medium-term (1–3 years): Rs 15,000 - Rs 20,000 crore disbursed as project milestones are aimed for Chennai power upgrades and regional transmission lines while the long-term (3 - 5 plus years) of Rs 35,000 plus crore drawn gradually for mega-energy assets, heavily insulated by Public-Private Partnership equity structures.

Beyond infrastructure funding, the government signaled major policy shifts for the rural economy. In addition to absorbing milk procurement costs and easing cooperative debt, Vijay announced the official withdrawal of legal cases against protesting farmers and teachers.

The government also confirmed it is dropping plans for the controversial Parandur greenfield airport, refocusing agrarian strategy toward direct financial support and cooperative credit restructuring.

While the opposition criticised the recurring welfare costs and MLA packages as unnecessary strain on a debt-laden state, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam maintains that balanced capital spending and rural relief will stimulate wider economic activity and long-term tax revenues across Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK launched a sharp attack on Vijay for prioritising personal convenience in selecting the location for new Secretariat-Assembly Complex solely because of its proximity to his residence, rather than evaluating the broader administrative needs of the state.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami argued that the state treasury is already under massive financial strain and spending Rs 1,200 crore for the administrative hub at Pattinapakkam prioritised vanity and "publicity over public welfare".

Palaniswami criticised the loan waivers initially capped at Rs 50,000 for marginal farmers and later expanded up to Rs 75,000 as "scientific deception" and betrayal of trust.

Highlighting the TVK government's own White Paper on State Finances, which notes that Tamil Nadu's overall liabilities have reached an astronomical Rs 13.18 lakh crore, the former Chief Minister sharply criticised the administration for allegedly borrowing over Rs 28,000 crore within its first 100 days of taking office without attempting any fiscal consolidation.

Former Finance Minister and DMK legislator Thangam Thennarasu pointed out major flaws in the TVK's budget data noting that while annual borrowing hovered around Rs 1 lakh crore during the DMK tenure, the TVK government skyrocketed annual state borrowing to Rs 1.22 lakh crore.

The budget actually reduced capital infrastructure expenditure by Rs 3,000 crore while allowing the state's revenue deficit to widen by Rs 7,000 crore, he claimed, seeking to disprove TVK's pre-election claims regarding fiscal prudence.

He has said that despite massive pre-election hype, the budget remained completely silent on delivering core TVK campaign promises, specifically large welfare payouts targeted at women, youth, and unconditional farm loan waivers.

A source said that the state's debt-to-GSDP ratio stands at 27.01 percent significantly exceeding the economically stable benchmark of 23 percent. To keep the government operational, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced that the state will borrow a massive Rs 1,73,445 crore during this financial year alone.

The revenue deficit stands at Rs 55,775 crore, while the overall fiscal deficit has breached Rs 1,21,819 crore. Furthermore, Rs 78,683 crore is consumed strictly by interest payments on previous borrowings, leaving very tight margins for fresh developmental work.

The TVK government intentionally omitted massive pre-election freebies such as the Rs 2,500 monthly women's allowance and six free cylinders to prevent immediate financial collapse, an official pointed out.

However, active announcements still carry major costs - free electricity scheme of providing 200 units to domestic consumers costs the exchequer Rs 1,730 crore annually, new Assembly-Secretariat Complex binds the state to a Rs 1,200 crore capital expenditure payout, he added.

The targeted welfare schemes - allocations for the 'Annan Seer' wedding scheme of providing 8-gram gold coin and silk saree to brides along with government-funded gold rings for newborns add substantial pressure to the social welfare budget.

To counter the deflating cash reserves, the TVK government has set up an economic advisory council headed by economist Ahluwalia to aggressively raise an additional Rs 15,000 crore this year. This framework centers on plugging massive administrative leakages within Commercial Taxes, State Excise, and Stamps/Registration departments to reclaim lost revenue.

Tamil Nadu Finance Secretary M A Siddique highlighted that while the state's finances remain in a "difficult position" they have begun showing signs of recovery due to recent corrective measures. Tamil Nadu's existing overall debt cannot be reduced immediately and will continue to rise each year, he said and noted that borrowing remains unavoidable.

However, Siddique emphasised that the critical metric is making sure the rate of income growth outpaces the rate at which debt rises.

"The state's finances were in poor shape a few months ago, but thanks to aggressive policy changes, stability is returning," he said and cautioned that the underlying structural problems cannot be fixed overnight and will take at least two years to fully improve the state's financial health.

It has been proposed to generate an additional Rs 15,000 crore of fiscal space for FY27 through improved revenue mobilisation and approximately Rs 2,000 crore of this target has already been successfully secured, he added.

The retail price of Aavin milk for consumers remains unchanged. Instead, the state government will fully absorb the cost, compensating Aavin for an additional expenditure of Rs 60 crore monthly.

The Rs 79,219.06 crore announcement will place a substantial burden on Tamil Nadu's already strained state finances, particularly given the findings of the recent government White Paper. The state's revised budget estimates project a fiscal deficit of Rs 1.21 lakh crore (about 3 percent of the GSDP).

Despite all these, the TVK government which was formed in May this year, has laid out an ambitious target of achieving a 1.5 trillion dollar economy by 2036.

Mohanapriya (36), of Cholavaram in Chengalpattu, was returning from Chennai to her home on a motorcycle with her two children.

When they were nearing Sothupakkam junction near Chengalpattu, a lorry from behind collided with the bike.

Mohanapriya lost control and fell, suffering serious injuries and died on the spot. The two children survived with minor injuries.

He cited MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s repeated references to the episode, saying Vaiko had travelled from Tirunelveli and visited Stalin in prison. Nehru also recalled the torture Stalin underwent in custody, saying former MP C Chittibabu had shielded Stalin during the assault and later died, while Stalin’s jaw was broken.

He said TVK chief and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was only a year old when Stalin was arrested under MISA and accused him of now claiming that the detention was not politically motivated. “There is adequate evidence available in the government records on the arrest of Stalin, and the minister R Nirmalkumar can refer to them and get clarification,” he said.

Nehru dared the TVK to declare Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate and “wait for the consequences” from the BJP.

Addressing DMK cadres at a protest in Tiruchy against Vijay’s alleged remarks ridiculing Stalin’s MISA arrest, Nehru said the episode was well documented.

Nehru further warned Vijay that he could reveal details of the Chief Minister’s treatment at Apollo Hospitals but had refrained from doing so in the interest of public dignity. He accused Vijay of diverting questions raised by the Opposition in the Assembly and focusing instead on delivering “cinematic dialogues.”

Former minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that “demeaning the sacrifices of the leaders during MISA is just an agenda of RSS”, which, he claimed, was being pursued by Nirmalkumar because of his “RSS roots”.

The DMK leader said the history of the Dravidian movement was not something written in an air-conditioned room or created for social media reels, but a history shaped by the sacrifices and bloodshed of its leaders.

In his petition, Suthan said six MLAs elected in the 2026 Assembly elections had resigned from their posts and joined the TVK, resulting in vacancies necessitating the by-elections. The MLAs are S Jayakumar (Perundurai), Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), P Sathyabama (Dharapuram), Esakki Subbaya (Ambasamudram), C Vijaya Bhaskar (Viralimalai) and MR Vijayabhaskar (Karur).

The petitioner contended that when an elected representative resigns shortly after an election for personal or political reasons, a statutory restriction should be considered to prevent the person from contesting elections to Parliament or a State Legislative Assembly for five years from the date of acceptance of the resignation.

He submitted that public money is spent on elections and by-elections and that its economical and responsible use is a matter of public interest. He also argued that the electorate’s mandate cannot be abandoned without considering the consequences for voters and the public exchequer.

He contended that TVK candidates Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama should not be allowed to contest, as they resigned for political reasons, causing additional public expenditure.

The petitioner has sought a directive restraining the ECI from accepting the nomination papers of the two candidates until disposal of the writ petition.

The CPM state committee will meet in Tiruchy at 10.30 am on Sunday, while the CPI will announce its decision at a press conference in the afternoon after its state committee meeting.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the party’s state executive committee held a detailed discussion on the political approach to be adopted in the two constituencies on Saturday. Since an important political decision had to be taken, the matter would be placed before the state committee for approval, he said.

The CPM's final decision would be announced by 2 pm on Sunday.

Shanmugam said the party had already criticised the MLAs' resignations that led to the vacancies, describing them as 'unhealthy politics and political opportunism.' “There is no change in our view,” he said.

On whether the CPM would support any party or extend outside support to the ruling party, Shanmugam said all options would be discussed at Sunday’s state committee meeting.

The CPI too deferred its announcement after its state-level deliberations on Saturday. State secretary M Veerapandian said a TVK functionary had contacted the party seeking its support, but the CPI had asked them to wait until its meeting concluded.

Asked whether supporting TVK candidates would amount to joining the alliance, Veerapandian said the party had yet to decide. “We consider DMK, AIADMK and TVK as democratic forces. We will decide what stand to take in the bypoll based on the political situation,” he said.

Regupathy alleged that Vijay was now “spitting venom” at Stalin, despite the latter having shown him consideration after the Karur tragedy.

Regupathy, who led a DMK protest in Pudukkottai against the TVK government, said he had urged Stalin, who was then Chief Minister, to register a case against Vijay soon after the tragedy.

However, Stalin refused, citing humanitarian considerations, he said.

“As the Minister of Law, I appealed to our leader Stalin to register a case against Vijay, but he did not accept it. Despite repeated requests, Stalin said a party leader never likes his cadres to die and that, on humanitarian grounds, we should leave him,” Regupathy said.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchy, Durai Vaiko noted that it was late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran's dream to make Tiruchy the second capital of Tamil Nadu.

“It was the right choice. Tiruchy would be appropriate as the second capital due to the surge in traffic and skyrocketing prices in real estate in Chennai. The middle-class people are unable to lead a life in Chennai, but Tiruchy would be comfortable for them," Durai Vaiko said.

He also pointed out that the geographical proximity to Tiruchy from all places across the State would ensure easing of commuting for people within stipulated travel time.

“While people from Southern districts would take more than a day to reach Chennai, it would take only a three-to-four-hour journey to Tiruchy," he said.

He further noted that districts like Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Karur, Perambalur and Ariyalur would witness growth if Tiruchy is made the second capital.

On the proposed secretariat plan in Pattinapakkam, he said Chief Minister Joseph Vijay cancelled the airport project in Paranthur for the welfare of the farmers, and he will also take a possibly good decision by cancelling Pattinapakkam for the welfare of the fishers.

Minister Vanni Arasu met tribal members in the Chinna Mayilaru area near Karaiyar in Papanasam in the Western Ghats. The Minister inspected products grown there, ongoing iron bridge works and the Government Tribal Residential High School in the area.

Acknowledging the demands of Kani tribal students, he said action would be taken after discussions with the District Collector and Forest Department officials concerned to upgrade the school, which currently offers classes up to Class 10, to Class 12.

Pointing out that a total of Rs 32 crore is required exclusively for the education and scholarships of students in residential schools for tribal people in Tamil Nadu, while Rs 466 crore is required for the overall welfare of tribal communities in the State, he said steps are being taken to secure the entire allocation.

Discussions have also been held on streamlining forest products manufactured in Kani settlements and marketing them through modern methods, he said.

Tirunelveli District Collector Anand Mohan, Tribal Welfare Director Annadurai, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Anbu, Cheranmahadevi Sub-Collector Ayush Gupta, District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer Poongodi, Ambasamudram Tahsildar Kumar, Vikramasingapuram Municipal Commissioner Mahadevan, government officials and other prominent persons were also present.

The Port Authority has floated a Rs 6.78 crore tender for the work, which is expected to establish the ground and seabed conditions at the proposed site before the next stages of planning and development.

The proposed Rs 38,000 crore shipyard is planned with an annual capacity of 2.5 million gross tonnes and is expected to function as the anchor facility for the wider 2,500-acre Thoothukudi shipbuilding cluster.

The port authority will undertake a detailed study of its land and seabed, including drilling of 127 boreholes and offshore surveys across around 10 sq km.

The study will cover 57 boreholes onshore and 70 offshore. It will involve collecting soil and rock samples and carrying out tests to assess the nature and strength of the ground, including 1,407 standard penetration tests and soil sampling operations to understand the sub-surface conditions.

The offshore exercise will examine the seabed and the conditions below it. The surveys include multibeam echo sounder, side-scan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profiling and ultra-high-resolution seismic surveys. These studies are intended to provide information on seabed levels, underwater features, sub-surface layers and other conditions relevant to the proposed development, and the work is expected to be completed in 210 days.

The feasibility study is intended to provide information on seabed levels, underwater features, subsurface layers and other conditions relevant to the proposed development. The work is expected to be completed in 210 days.

The port authority has issued a work order for Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparations that will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of the project, including capacity and configuration of the shipyard, shipbuilding and ship-repair potential, production facilities and the types of vessels that could be targeted.

The DPR will be based on Indian and global demand, competing shipyards and potential customers, with the study also focusing on annual vessel output, Compensated Gross Tonnage (CGT) capacity and steel throughput.

The proposed cluster is being developed through National Shipbuilding - Heavy Industries Park Tamil Nadu Ltd (NSHIP-TN), a 50:50 joint venture between VOC Port and SIPCOT. The two entities signed an MoU in September 2025 to develop a mega shipbuilding cluster at Thoothukudi as part of India's broader strategy to emerge as one of the world's top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.

Beneficiaries under the central schemes have been anxious over the past few days following the non-crediting of pension to their bank accounts.

"I receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,200 on the 5th of every month without fail. But I have not received the amount for August yet. Living alone without any support, this sudden delay has left me deeply worried," said a beneficiary from Karur.

Explaining the delay, Director of Social Security Schemes Gayathri Krishnan said the Union government had issued directives to implement pension schemes through a unique portal, SNA-SPARSH, adding that the State government had already released its share.

"Owing to a technical glitch and three bank holidays, the amount could not be credited to the beneficiaries' accounts on time. The pension will be credited to their accounts starting Monday," she assured.

The State government also issued a clarification urging pensioners not to panic, assuring them that payouts would resume from Monday.

"In Tamil Nadu, 35,37,372 beneficiaries receive pensions under 12 different schemes. Of them, 15.56 lakh receive pensions funded entirely by the State government," the release noted.

SCHEME & BREAKDOWN

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension:

Age group | Central share | State share | Total

60 to 79 | Rs 200  | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,200

80 & above | Rs 500 | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,500

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension:
Total pension: Rs 1,500 | Central share: Rs 300

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension:
Total pension: Rs 1,200 |  Central share: Rs 300