Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the mission would be implemented during 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 63.81 crore, jointly funded by the Union and State governments.

The initiative focuses on increasing the cultivation of major millets, including pearl millet (cumbu), sorghum (cholam) and finger millet (ragi), while equipping farmers with better production technologies and post-harvest infrastructure to improve returns.

As part of the programme, the government will facilitate the formation of farmer groups, extend alternate crop cultivation package subsidies, distribute seed minikits and establish agricultural machinery hiring centres and primary processing centres to strengthen the millet value chain.

The Minister said the mission is expected to benefit around 4.75 lakh farmers cultivating millets across 11.80 lakh acres during the current financial year.

Vinoth said the government was committed to promoting climate-resilient and nutritious crops that require comparatively fewer inputs while creating better market opportunities for cultivators. The renewed focus on millets is expected to improve farm incomes, diversify cropping patterns and contribute to the State's nutritional security.

The mission also complements the government's broader efforts to encourage sustainable agriculture by supporting crops that are well suited to changing climatic conditions and increasing consumer preference for healthier food choices.

The Budget underlines that investments in farmer institutions, mechanisation and primary processing infrastructure will play a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of millet cultivation and expanding its footprint across the State.

Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association founder and advocate Eesan Murugasamy said major poll promises, including a farmers' entitlement payment of Rs 15,000 per hectare, higher procurement prices for paddy and sugarcane and an increase in the milk procurement price, had not been fulfilled.

He claimed that while the previous DMK government's Interim Budget had allocated Rs 47,248 crore for agriculture, the present Budget earmarked Rs 15,000 crore for the agriculture sector and Rs 7,432 crore for free electricity for agriculture. He questioned the reduction in allocation and sought an explanation for the difference.

Murugasamy welcomed the proposals to establish a natural farming college in Kumbakonam in the name of Nammalvar, introduce carbon trading and set up an agricultural business guidance centre. However, he said the Rs 12-crore allocation for natural farming was inadequate and criticised the decision to implement the market intervention scheme for mango farmers only next year.

He also faulted the continuation of subsidy-based schemes instead of directly transferring the promised farmers' entitlement payment into bank accounts and urged the government to lift the ban on tapping, selling and consuming toddy to improve the livelihoods of coconut and palmyra farmers and traditional tree climbers.

Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam general secretary PS Masilamani alleged that the Budget contradicted the Chief Minister's election promises and ignored demands raised by farmers during the State-level interaction meeting in Chennai.

He welcomed the crop insurance announcement but said the demand to provide for through public sector firms had not been accepted. He urged the government to increase the Rs 143-crore allocation for the Cauvery-Gundar linking project and fix a deadline for its completion.

Masilamani said farmers had expected a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane, as promised during the election campaign, but the Budget failed to deliver. He welcomed the recognition of the likely impact of El Niño on 12 districts but said there was no assurance of support for farmers affected by natural calamities or compensation for those who lost the kuruvai crop this year.

Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam general secretary Sami Natarajan expressed disappointment over the absence of announcements on free power supply for eligible farmers and drought compensation for farmers and agricultural labourers.

PR Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations, alleged that most announcements were a repackaging of existing schemes and said the Budget lacked measures to improve farm profitability. He criticised the omission of the promised MSP for paddy and sugarcane and said farmers, who were the worst affected by climate change, had received no assurance of protection from natural disasters. He also stressed that continuation of free power supply was essential to sustain agricultural production.

In a separate statement, TN Chamber president N Jegatheesan said the Agriculture Budget was largely confined to routine schemes and financial allocations and lacked fresh policy initiatives to take agriculture to the next stage of development.

He said the Budget failed to outline sustainable strategies to tackle climate change, promote value-added agri-industries, encourage export-oriented agriculture, expand modern technologies and precision farming and significantly enhance farmers' incomes.

The Chamber, however, welcomed the proposals to establish integrated agricultural extension centres and a Farmers' Income Enhancement Commission.

Clarifying the government's position amid speculation, Minister for Prohibition and Excise K Vignesh said reports claiming that liquor would be sold or delivered online were completely misleading. He stressed that consumers could only make payments digitally and would still have to visit the selected Tasmac outlet in person to collect their purchase using the payment receipt.

"There is no online sale or home delivery of liquor. The new system only enables digital payment," the minister told reporters at Secretariat, urging people not to misinterpret the initiative.

Vignesh said the platform would allow customers to check the availability of liquor brands at individual Tasmac outlets before making a purchase, thereby bringing greater transparency to the State-run retail network.

He said the move would also help eliminate irregularities, including the long-standing practice of collecting an additional Rs 10 from customers over the billed amount. "The online payment facility will reduce opportunities for such malpractices besides easing the workload of Tasmac employees," he said.

On complaints regarding Tasmac outlets causing inconvenience to the public, he said the government had begun reviewing such shops on the directions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and would relocate them wherever required.

Responding to a question on the sale of toddy, Vignesh said the issue would be brought to the Chief Minister's notice, and appropriate action would follow. He added that the government was also addressing pending administrative issues, including employee salaries, electricity charges and liquor card-related grievances, in a phased manner.

The complainant, a television presenter, had approached Sundar seeking employment, following which the two became acquainted. She alleged that Sundar later invited her to his residence in Pattinapakkam, where he allegedly behaved inappropriately. She further claimed that when she informed his wife about the alleged incident, no action was taken.

The complainant also alleged that Sundar later asked her to visit his office on the pretext of apologising for an incident that allegedly occurred on June 29, 2026. She claimed that she was confined in a room for nearly three hours, during which she was sexually harassed and threatened with dire consequences.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Sundar took to social media, claiming that he is a victim of a motivated complaint and the allegations against him are baseless, and that the complaint against him was orchestrated by a police officer in the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), whom the influencer claimed is in an unauthorised occupation of his property. Sundar stated that he has submitted complaints to the DGP and Commissioner of Police, Chennai seeking appropriate action.

Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman condemned the TVK government for targeting Sundar for his comments against the party.

The deceased was identified as Suryah, who was absconding after being named as one of the accused in the murder of Satheesh, 38, a history-sheeter and real estate businessman from Manikandapuram near Pothur.

According to the police, Nataraj allegedly travelled from Andhra Pradesh to Avadi, abducted Suryah and took him to a secluded spot near Vengal. Suryah was then attacked with deadly weapons and killed. Following the incident, Nataraj surrendered before the police.

Investigators are probing the motive behind the killing and whether others were involved in the attack. Further investigation is under way.

Satheesh was hacked to death by an armed gang near Manikandapuram on Saturday night while returning home after meeting friends. Police said the assailants intercepted him on the way, inflicted multiple cut injuries and fled the scene. He died on the spot. Satheesh is survived by his wife, Meena, and their two daughters.

In the Satheesh murder case, police had earlier arrested one suspect, Bharath, and launched a search for the remaining accused, including Suryah, who was absconding until his death.

The TVK government's first Budget was presented by Finance Minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday, followed by the Agriculture Budget tabled by Agriculture Minister R Vinoth on Thursday. The Assembly is currently holding a discussion on the Budget.

Raising the Mekedatu issue, Udhayanidhi said Karnataka had intensified efforts to execute the project, with leaders across party lines working together and seeking the Centre's support.

According to a Thanthi TV report, he questioned why the Tamil Nadu government had not convened an all-party meeting to jointly oppose the dam and urged the Chief Minister to meet Delta farmers and explain the government's stand.

The Opposition leader also sought clarity on the reported proposal for the Chief Minister to visit Karnataka, asking why the trip did not materialise and whether the Karnataka government's remarks influenced the decision.

Responding in the House, Chief Minister Vijay said the government had no intention of politicising the Cauvery issue, calling it both the lifeline and an emotional issue for Tamil Nadu. He said the state would continue to pursue the matter through legal means and noted that the Assembly had already unanimously adopted a resolution on the Mekedatu issue.

Explaining the proposed Bengaluru visit, Vijay said he himself had suggested holding talks, adding that he was prepared to face any personal embarrassment if it helped safeguard the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu. He maintained that there was nothing wrong in attempting a positive dialogue with a neighbouring state.

The top court, however, made it clear that it is not inclined to vacate the stay on the state's proceedings in the case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate in 2024 seeking transfer of the investigation from the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to the CBI.

In January 2024, the bench stayed further proceedings in the FIR registered by the Tamil Nadu agency.

During the brief hearing, senior advocate Guru Krishna Kumar, appearing for Tamil Nadu, told the bench that the state filed an application seeking vacation of the interim stay.

"Further proceedings against an ED officer were stayed. We have sought a vacation of the stay," the senior lawyer said.

The state agency alleged that the officer was caught "red-handed" and that the investigation should be allowed to proceed.

The bench, however, suggested that instead of permitting the state agency to continue the probe, the investigation could be entrusted to another central investigating agency.

"Or, we hand over the investigation to some central agency," the CJI said.

The bench said it was not inclined to lift the interim protection granted earlier.

"We are not going to vacate the stay. We will decide the main case itself," the CJI said.

"The State is fighting against the ED tooth and nail. The question is who should believe the allegations. If the allegations are correct, let them be investigated by a central agency. Not the ED, but another," the CJI said.

The hearing on the plea of the ED was adjourned.

Justice C Kumarappan granted conditional bail, directing the petitioners to appear before the IO daily until further orders and cooperate with the investigation.

The judge also directed the factory owners to pay Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and said a detailed order on compensation for the injured would be passed later.

On June 21, an ammonia gas leak at St Peter and Paul Seafoods Exports Pvt Ltd in Kannigaipair village near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district killed 18 workers, most of them migrant women, and left more than 80 others hospitalised. Factory owners M Joseph Jegan and M Mohan, factory manager R Daniel, and labour agent Suresh were arrested. The trio filed bail petitions before the Madras High Court.

During the hearing, the prosecution opposed the plea, contending that the investigation was still under way.

Appearing for the petitioners, senior counsel RC Paul Kanagaraj submitted that the accused had been in judicial custody for more than 50 days and were willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court. The judge granted them conditional bail.

The meeting, to be chaired by the Chief Minister, will be held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on Saturday at 3 pm. In a statement, the State government said invitations had been sent to all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu through the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi.

The government said the Union government was planning to undertake the delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies, and the meeting had been convened to deliberate on the issue.

Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha MPs — 22 from the DMK, 9 from the Congress, 2 each from the VCK, CPI and CPM, and one each from the IUML and MDMK.

Apart from the DMK, the other parties represented in Parliament are supporting the TVK-led State government, and are expected to participate in the meeting.

In the Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu has 18 members, including eight from the DMK, four from the AIADMK, three from the Congress, and one each from the DMDK, MNM and PMK.

Addressing a joint press conference, Kadayanallur MLA TM Rajendran and Sirkazhi MLA R Senthil Selvan said they are officially DMK members as they contested and won the recent elections on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol, and would hence operate under its banner in the Assembly.

After the party snapped ties with the DMK and joined the ruling TVK-led alliance, its general secretary Vaiko had asked them to resign, but they refused to betray those who elected them, the MLAs said.

They had initially informed the leadership of their decision to remain silent for six months to avoid any friction, but were forced to clarify their stance after MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko accused them of being sold out. “We travelled with Vaiko for 40 years without any expectations, but ultimately received only derogatory responses and slurs,” they said in a joint statement.

They did not fall for “tempting offers” to join the ruling alliance for re-election tickets or ministerial berths, they added.

The budget steers clear of any target to increase the State’s paddy cultivation area or production, instead rolling out a series of new missions aimed at boosting pulses, oilseeds, cotton and millets, while pitching soil health and technology-driven farming as the next phase of agricultural growth.

It has also set an overall target of raising foodgrain production over the next five years, but without spelling out a corresponding strategy to expand paddy cultivation, the State’s staple crop.

Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture - Farmers’ Welfare Minister R Vinoth said the government’s long-term vision was to transform agriculture into a profitable and sustainable enterprise by combining scientific innovation with farmers’ traditional knowledge.

The government would continue all farmer-centric programmes while rolling out a series of new initiatives covering irrigation, crop insurance, value addition, agribusiness, organic farming, farmer producer organisations, and agricultural research, he said, adding that the schemes were designed to help cultivators secure better productivity as well as remunerative prices for their produce.

Highlighting the government’s immediate priorities, he said the Kuruvai package worth Rs 134.83 crore had enabled cultivation in over 8.26 lakh acres despite delayed release of water from the Mettur dam. To expand risk coverage, the government allocated Rs 648.55 crore for crop insurance during 2026-27, targeting 36 lakh acres and nearly 15 lakh farmers.

The minister also announced measures to tackle the anticipated impact of Super El Niño through district-specific contingency plans prepared by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The State has set a target of producing 125 lakh metric tonnes of food grains during 2026-27 as part of its five-year goal of achieving 131 lakh metric tonnes.

Reaffirming support for cultivators, the government also earmarked Rs 7,432.58 crore towards free three-phase electricity for agriculture while promising transparent implementation of all schemes to ensure benefits reach farmers directly.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the initiative seeks to familiarise farmers with emerging high-value crops that are gaining popularity for their superior nutritional profile and growing consumer demand.

Under the scheme, demonstration plots will be established in The Nilgiris, Dindigul, Krishnagiri and Salem districts, where climatic conditions are considered favourable for cultivating these crops. The government has earmarked Rs 30 lakh from the State fund for implementing the programme during 2026-27.

Vinoth said quinoa, buckwheat and brown top millet are rich in protein, dietary fibre, calcium, potassium, iron and vitamins, while also having low gluten content and a low glycaemic index, making them attractive options for health-conscious consumers.

The demonstrations are expected to assess the adaptability and commercial viability of these crops under Tamil Nadu's agro-climatic conditions before scaling up cultivation in suitable regions. The Minister said introducing alternative crops with better market potential would help farmers diversify production, reduce dependence on conventional crops and tap into the expanding market for nutritious food grains.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the initiative was framed following persistent demands from farmers, who have reported increasing crop damage due to wild boars across several districts.

Under the scheme, the environment-friendly wild boar repellent developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) will be supplied to farmers at subsidised rates, covering 14,000 acres at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore.

To minimise damage caused not only by wild boars but also by elephants, gaurs and deer, the government will provide solar-powered electric fencing systems at subsidised rates to 134 farmers, with an allocation of Rs 2 crore.

The Budget also identifies the unchecked spread of Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) as one of the factors contributing to the rise in wild boar populations by providing favourable habitat.

To address the issue, the government will undertake the removal of the invasive species from government and private lands through district administrations at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

Vinoth said the package seeks to reduce crop losses, safeguard farmers' livelihoods and create a long-term solution to the growing human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the scheme has been designed to help SC and ST farmers access government programmes more easily, create irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Recognising that many small and marginal farmers struggle to meet the beneficiary contribution required under capital-intensive schemes, the government has decided to provide an additional 20 per cent subsidy under the programme.

Accordingly, eligible farmers will receive a 70 per cent subsidy for components such as Integrated Farming System, greenhouses, shade-net houses, solar dryers, value-addition machinery and farm machinery, while an 80 per cent subsidy will be extended for the installation of solar-powered pump sets under Union-State shared schemes.

To address irrigation constraints in rain-fed areas, the government will also provide a 100 per cent subsidy for establishing borewells or tube wells with electric motor pumps or solar-powered pump sets for 300 SC and ST farmers who currently lack irrigation facilities.

Vinoth said improving access to irrigation and modern farm infrastructure would enable socially disadvantaged farmers to increase productivity, adopt advanced cultivation practices and secure better incomes.

The government has earmarked Rs 56.72 crore from the State fund for implementing the scheme during 2026-27.

According to the Budget document, under the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26, the government has directly credited Rs 917 crore into the bank accounts of farmers under the paddy procurement scheme.

"The Government of Tamil Nadu is providing an incentive of Rs 1,560 per metric tonne for Grade A paddy and Rs 1,310 per metric tonne for common varieties of paddy procured from farmers," the Agriculture Budget said.

To further strengthen pulse seed production, the government announced that 50 additional pulse seed production clusters would be established through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) during the current financial year. The pulse seeds produced by these SHGs will be procured by the Agriculture Department.

The Budget also announced the establishment of six additional Natural Farming Clusters in six districts during the current fiscal year to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

The government said it would continue to provide free three-phase electricity to 23,97,732 farmers across the State during the current financial year.

"The government is giving equal importance to rural patta transfers along with the supply of free electricity. From January 2025 to July 2026, 60.68 lakh online applications for patta transfer were received, of which 47.96 lakh have been disposed of, " the Agriculture Budget said.

The market was built at Rs 1.87 crore and inaugurated in March 2026 by former Chief Minister MK Stalin, and it has failed to attract a single contractor through the tender process.

Sources in the Tiruvallur Municipality admitted that five separate attempts were made to auction and tender the shops at the newly constructed vegetable market at Ikkadu Road, but contractors did not show any interest.

"Acknowledging the lack of interest from bidders to take up the space, the municipality is planning to use the old bus terminus for the new vegetable market. Once the bus operations are fully transitioned to the new terminus in Vengadanallur," sources told DT Next.Vegetable vendors pointed out that the new market complex is located outside the town. Shifting their business would severely impact daily footfall and business.

The relocation of the primary vegetable market came amidst growing frustration among residents regarding traffic bottlenecks in the town.

The primary market currently functions along the narrow Bazaar and Kondamapuram streets, where over 50 registered vendors and numerous street hawkers operate. High traffic and narrow lanes create severe hardships for the public to navigate.

"The new market at Ekkadu Road was designed with 96 vendor stalls, cold storage, restrooms, and other basic facilities for vendors. Due to the cramped location and lack of space in the primary market, both vendors and the public face significant inconvenience, and traffic congestion worsens by the day. But nobody is ready to move to the new market because of the distance," said S Santhosh, a resident.

The municipality constructed a full-fledged market with 96 shops and proper amenities to ease the burden on Bazaar Street. Yet, despite having all necessary facilities ready, not a single shop is operational today, lamented A Nirmal, another resident.

Tiruvallur Municipality officials said, "The road laying works are under way at the new vegetable market, and we are planning to use the facility as a godown."

On July 28, the Tiruvallur district administration informed the public that the new bus terminus constructed for Rs 36 crore at Vengadanallur will be fully brought to public use from August 10.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the scheme would be implemented at a total outlay of Rs 17.70 crore, supported by Union and State government funds.

The initiative seeks to integrate tree cultivation with farming practices to improve farm resilience against climate change while promoting sustainable agriculture. Under the programme, nurseries will be established to produce quality tree saplings, which will be supplied to farmers free of cost.

The government plans to encourage the cultivation of commercially valuable tree species, including teak, mahogany, sandalwood, Malai Vembu and red sanders, by planting around 200 saplings per acre on restored agricultural lands.

Vinoth said agroforestry offers farmers an opportunity to diversify income sources while enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity and mitigating the impact of climate change. Besides creating permanent green cover, the initiative is expected to improve the long-term productivity of agricultural lands and generate additional revenue through high-value timber species.

The Minister said restoring cultivable fallow lands remained a key priority of the government as it would expand the productive agricultural area without placing additional pressure on natural resources.

The organisation expressed concern over the government's proposal to establish Karmaveerar Kamarajar Residential Schools, arguing that the initiative would benefit only a selected group of students instead of strengthening all government and government-aided schools.

It said the move contradicts former CM K Kamaraj's lifelong vision of providing equal educational opportunities for every child. "Denying equal learning opportunities in primary and middle schools while offering better facilities only from Classes 9 to 12 for a select few goes against Kamaraj's principle of education for all," the organisation said in a statement.

The platform also questioned the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) model for student hostels, raising concerns about the affordability of accommodation and food charges. It warned that additional financial burdens on families could disproportionately affect first-generation learners, particularly girls, and discourage them from pursuing higher education.

Further criticism was directed at the government's allocation for higher education. The organisation noted that government universities are already facing severe financial constraints, yet the budget has allocated less funding than the previous year, which it said is inconsistent with the government's stated commitment to strengthening higher education.

The SPCSS-TN has urged the TVK government to announce concrete measures for the School Education and Higher Education Departments to strengthen government schools, government-aided schools, government colleges, and state universities, ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.

The suspects, who charged pregnant women Rs 23,000 to disclose the sex of the foetus, escaped during the raid and police have launched a search to trace them.

The accused were identified by police as Vadivel, Radhika, Kanaka and Sukumar. Acting on a tip-off that illegal sex determination scans were being carried out at a house in Muthunayakkanpatti, officials from the Krishnagiri Health Department approached the suspects by posing as prospective customers.

"Two pregnant women were sent to the location after a payment of Rs 46,000 was made through UPI. The group then asked them to come to a house in Salem for the scan. After confirming the location, a trap was planned to catch those involved," a health department official said.

A team led by S Nandhini, Joint Director of Health Services, Salem, along with other health officials and police personnel, conducted a surprise raid at the house.

However, when officials entered the premises, those present allegedly pushed past them and fled in vehicles. Police teams searched the surrounding areas but could not immediately trace the suspects.

Investigations revealed that Kanaka, the mastermind behind the illegal activity, had previously faced multiple cases related to illegal foetal sex determination and abortion.

Investigators also found that the house belonged to Pradeep Das (27). According to police, his wife, who is four months pregnant, was approached by Kanaka, who offered to conduct a scan free of cost to determine the sex of her foetus. Police suspect that Kanaka later convinced the couple to allow the house to be used for conducting illegal scans for other pregnant women.

Health officials seized an ultrasound scanning machine from the premises and lodged a complaint with the Tholasampatti police. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to identify the entire network involved in the illegal activity.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the initiatives are designed to augment irrigation, conserve groundwater and reduce farmers' dependence on conventional energy sources.

As part of the package, 500 new farm ponds will be created in farmers' fields with a 100 per cent subsidy to harvest rainwater and improve groundwater recharge. In addition, 500 existing farm ponds will be desilted with a 75 per cent subsidy using machinery of the Agricultural Engineering Department. The government has earmarked Rs 8.50 crore for the scheme during 2026-27.

To expand irrigated agriculture, the government will also support the creation of borewells and tube wells for 500 farmers owning land in safe firkas without assured irrigation. Small, marginal and women farmers will receive a 60 per cent back-ended subsidy, subject to a ceiling of Rs 1.20 lakh per well, while other farmers will be eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy, capped at Rs 1 lakh. The scheme, with an outlay of Rs 6 crore, will be integrated with the existing solar pump set and micro-irrigation programmes.

Further, 1,000 farmers having water sources but lacking electricity connections will receive subsidised standalone solar-powered pump sets under a scheme with an allocation of Rs 23.06 crore.

Vinoth said the integrated package would improve irrigation coverage, promote efficient water use, encourage renewable energy adoption and strengthen climate resilience in Tamil Nadu's agriculture sector.

Stalin said the Budget concluded with yet another scheme-renaming exercise instead of announcing concrete relief measures. "Does this government think its job is done by merely affixing the 'vetri' label to schemes introduced under the Dravidian Model government? The Budget has disappointed Delta farmers, who are waiting for government support for kuruvai cultivation," he said.

Outlining the DMK's strategy for the Assembly session, Stalin said the party's legislators would consistently raise farmers' issues. "Our MLAs will highlight the plight of farmers during the entire session. The government, which is in a sleeping mode, must respond and provide solutions to the problems faced by farmers," he added.

Palaniswami echoed similar criticism. "Whatever schemes existed earlier have merely been given new names and presented in TVK's Budget. The government has simply pasted stickers on the old Budget and presented it in the Assembly," he alleged.

The former Chief Minister also accused the government of failing to honour its election promise of procuring paddy at Rs 3,500 per quintal. "The TVK had promised to procure paddy at Rs 3,500 per quintal, but there is no mention of it in the Agriculture Budget. There is also no clarity on the procurement price for sugarcane," he said.

Describing the Budget as a "drama", Palaniswami alleged that it had failed to address the key concerns of the farming community.

As of Thursday morning, the water level at the Stanley Reservoir stood at 75.43 feet, against its full reservoir level of 120 feet. The dam was receiving an inflow of 19,119 cusecs, while around 1,500 cusecs was being released from the reservoir.

The inflow into the dam began to increase on Tuesday night. The water level climbed from 73.02 feet on Tuesday to 75.43 feet on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the rising river flow has prompted authorities to step up safety measures along the Cauvery banks. Police personnel and Fire and Rescue Services teams have intensified patrols in vulnerable areas to prevent accidents.

For the third consecutive day, the Dharmapuri district administration has maintained its restrictions on bathing and suspended coracle operations at Hogenakkal Falls due to the increased flow of the Cauvery.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would implement a Quality Assurance and Export Promotion scheme during 2026-27 at an outlay of Rs 8.43 crore.

The initiative will be rolled out across 23 crop clusters covering 3,000 acres, benefiting farmers cultivating mango, guava, tomato, moringa and small onion.

Under the programme, farmers will receive capacity-building training, technical guidance and the necessary infrastructure to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and produce pesticide residue-free fruits and vegetables that comply with international quality standards.

Vinoth said consignments are often rejected by importing countries due to pesticide residues, resulting in financial losses for both farmers and exporters. The new initiative seeks to address the issue by strengthening quality assurance at the farm level and promoting scientific production methods.

The government will also facilitate market linkages between growers and exporters to improve access to premium domestic and overseas markets, enabling farmers to realise better prices for export-quality produce.

The Minister said improving quality standards was essential to enhancing the competitiveness of Tamil Nadu's horticulture sector in global markets. Besides reducing export rejections, the initiative is expected to boost farmers' incomes by creating a reliable supply chain for residue-free produce and strengthening the State's presence in high-value international markets.

As Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay entered the Assembly hall, he walked towards the centre of the House from his seat and greeted leaders of the Opposition with a traditional "Vanakkam."

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R Vinoth began by praising the Chief Minister, remarks that were not part of the written Budget speech. DMK members objected, following which Speaker JCD Prabhakar directed the Minister to confine himself to the text of the Budget document, even though he added that only portions that could be considered objectionable would be expunged from Assembly records.

The House also witnessed a change in political symbolism. During the previous DMK regime, ruling party MLAs, including then Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam, wore green shawls during the presentation of the Agriculture Budget to signify their commitment to farmers. On Thursday, however, DMK members wore black shirts in protest against the State government's handling of the Mekedatu dam issue.

At the conclusion of his Budget speech, minister Vinoth again praised the Chief Minister, prompting fresh objections from the DMK. The Speaker once again instructed the Minister to adhere to the written text and assured Opposition members that any remarks made outside the approved Budget speech would be expunged from the Assembly records.

After the presentation of the Agriculture Budget, Chief Minister Vijay congratulated Finance Minister N Marie Wilson and Agriculture Minister R Vinoth for presenting the Revised Budget and the Agriculture Budget over the past two days.

But the parties said the Budget fell short on key demands such as farm loan waivers, higher MSP, relief for distressed farmers and measures to tackle the impact of El Niño.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam welcomed announcements such as establishing a natural farming college in the name of Nammalvar, promoting millet production and procurement, launching a palm conservation mission, introducing a banana support scheme, and upgrading Uzhavar Sandhais.

However, he cautioned that the budget's emphasis on farm mechanisation could adversely affect agricultural labourers, who were already struggling with a lack of employment. He also expressed concern over the lack of any announcement regarding the provision of long-pending free electricity connections to farmers awaiting service connections.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian welcomed the allocation of Rs 14,984 crore for the Agriculture Department, including Rs 7,432 crore towards free power subsidy, and appreciated new initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission, Cotton Revival Mission and the AI-based Uzhavar app, besides agricultural engineering training centres.

He, however, criticised the absence of measures to mitigate the anticipated impact of El Niño, improve rainwater harvesting and construct check dams. Veerapandian also said the budget had ignored relief for farmers and agricultural labourers affected by the failed kuruvai season, made no announcement on increasing the paddy procurement price to Rs 3,500 per quintal, and did not address the promised crop loan waiver, leaving farmers disappointed.

Former ministers SP Velumani, CVe Shanmugam and KP Anbazhagan met the minister for more than an hour. The meeting assumed significance as the trio did not meet AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami during the Assembly session on Wednesday or Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Velumani said the discussions focused on the Athikadavu-Avinashi project and development works concerning their respective constituencies. Asked why the group had not met Palaniswami, CVe Shanmugam dismissed the suggestion, saying, "Why should we meet him? There is nothing between us. There is no need to meet him."

The divide widened further after Velumani recently called for the reinduction of VK Sasikala and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran into the AIADMK, a demand widely seen as a challenge to Palaniswami's leadership.

The meeting is also significant, as six former AIADMK MLAs had earlier resigned from the party and joined the TVK, leaving six Assembly constituencies vacant. By-elections to these seats are expected to be announced soon.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said 43,500 farmers would benefit from the initiative during 2026-27.

The tarpaulins will help cultivators safely dry and store harvested crops, preventing quality deterioration and losses caused by unexpected rainfall and adverse weather conditions. The Minister said the intervention would strengthen post-harvest management and improve the marketability of agricultural produce by preserving its quality.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over crop losses occurring after harvest, particularly during the drying stage when sudden rain often damages produce and affects farmers' returns. By providing protective covers, the government aims to minimise wastage and enable farmers to realise better prices for their harvest.

In another move to encourage excellence in farming, the government announced a series of new awards recognising outstanding performers in agriculture. The 'Makkal Sevagar Anjalai Ammal Award' will honour top-performing small and marginal farmers in State-level crop yield competitions, while the 'Vetri Vivasayi Award' will recognise high-yielding farmers at the district level. The 'Nammazhvar Award' will be presented to five outstanding organic farmers for promoting sustainable farming practices.

Nainar Nagenthran said he respected all religions. "There is nothing wrong with people practicing their faith according to their beliefs. But when religious identities are projected in public life, it creates the impression that a government is aligned with a particular religion," he said.

Referring to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's earlier remarks that the government was being described as one representing minorities, Nainar said such statements had raised doubts over whether the administration was functioning with religious neutrality.

While welcoming the Budget allocation of Rs 35,000 to facilitate pilgrimages, he questioned why the government had not fulfilled its poll promises to provide financial assistance for devotees visiting the six abodes of Lord Murugan and the 108 Divya Desams. "Allocating funds for one pilgrimage while ignoring the others reflects a one-sided approach," he said.

Nainar also criticised the reduction in the School Education Department's allocation from Rs 46,000 crore last year to Rs 44,000 crore this year and said the Budget offered little for students, youth and sports. He further alleged that the allocation for the free electricity scheme for farmers had been cut by Rs 500 crore, questioning whether the government remained committed to farmers' welfare.

The Tamil Nadu government has planned to induct 750 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses in the second phase, following the operation of 625 such buses under the Chennai City Partnership Sustainable Urban Services Programme (CCP-SUSP), implemented with financial support from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

During the visit, the minister reviewed the progress of bus production and inspected various stages of the manufacturing and design process. He also sought details from company officials on the status of production and stressed the need to complete the work on schedule.

According to the government, the decision to induct more low-floor air-conditioned electric buses is in line with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's direction to strengthen public transport with modern, environmentally friendly buses.

Transport Secretary L Nirmal Raj, MTC Managing Director T Mohan, OHM Chief Operating Officer E Nagarajan, Switch Mobility Chief Operating Officer H Shanmugavel, and other senior officials were present during the inspection.

According to the prosecution, on May 22, 2013, Shaji Purushothaman, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driving licence, rammed his car onto the pavement near Egmore Children's Hospital in the city, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring four others. Based on the complaint, the Anna Square Traffic Investigation Police registered a case.

Shaji Purushothaman and his friends, Kumar, Syed Anwar, and Anil Rao, were arrested and later released on bail. During the trial, Syed Anwar was discharged, and the proceedings against Anil Rao were quashed. The case against Shaji Purushothaman and Kumar was tried by the VII Additional Sessions Court, Chennai, which, on June 29, after nearly 13 years of trial, convicted both.

As Shaji failed to appear before the trial court on the date of conviction, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. He subsequently approached the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court, citing health reasons. Pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court, he surrendered before Judge RKP Tamilarasi of the IV Additional City Civil and Sessions Court, Chennai.

On July 30, the trial court sentenced Shaji to five years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He was also sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 500 under another charge, with both sentences directed to run concurrently. Following the sentencing, he was taken into custody and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

Challenging the judgment of conviction and the sentence imposed by the trial court, Shaji Purushothaman has filed the present criminal appeal before the Madras High Court.

In his letter, the Chief Minister pointed out that Tamil Nadu depends on neighbouring states for more than 30% of its water requirements, making the State highly vulnerable to inter-State water availability. He stressed the need for a sustainable solution to augment the State's surface water resources to meet the growing demand for drinking water and irrigation.

Calling the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river link the most significant long-term opportunity to enhance Tamil Nadu's water resources, Vijay said the project would provide substantial relief to the drought-prone southern districts of Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar, which have long faced chronic water scarcity.

Referring to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Godavari-Pennar-Palar-Vellar link, the Chief Minister noted that the proposed alignment currently terminates a few kilometres upstream of the Cauvery River. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the DPR is extended up to the Kattalai Barrage across the Cauvery, enabling the river-linking project to continue up to the Gundar basin.

Vijay requested the Prime Minister to direct the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Water Development Agency to hold consultations with all stakeholder States and build an early consensus on the pending issues. He also sought priority approval for the project and its implementation on a fast-track basis as a National Project.

The Chief Minister further urged the Union government to establish a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the coordinated and time-bound execution of the project and formally declare the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river link as a project of national importance. He said the project would significantly strengthen Tamil Nadu's water security, improve irrigation potential and ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for future generations.

In a statement, TNUEF State president T Chellakannu and general secretary P Sugandhi also called for special sessions of the Assembly to review the implementation of welfare schemes for SCs and STs in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

The organisation said that although the Budget announced welfare measures for SCs and STs, it should have clearly explained fund allocations, implementation of schemes, and enforcement of Special Component Plan guidelines.

It also pointed out that the allocation for the Social Justice department stood at Rs 3,937 crore in 2026-27, compared to Rs 4,281 crore in 2022-23. As the allocation had already exceeded Rs 4,000 crore in 2021-22, it said the present allocation should have been higher.

While welcoming the increase in beneficiaries under the Dr Ambedkar Overseas Education Scheme to 362 and the allocation of Rs 300 crore for the Ayothidasar Housing Improvement Scheme, the Front said the allocations of Rs 20 crore for the Mannin Magal land distribution scheme and Rs 165 crore for the SC Entrepreneurs Scheme were inadequate.

The Budget has allocated Rs 25,225 crore under the Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan and Rs 2,079 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan. However, it does not provide details of the scheme-wise allocations or the methodology to determine the allocations, the organisation said.

Referring to the 2025-26 Adi Dravidar Welfare policy note, which stated that Rs 20,365 crore, or 21.97 per cent of the plan outlay, had been allocated, the Front said the latest allocation represented an increase in absolute terms. However, it stressed that the key issue was whether the funds were directly targeted at SCs and STs. Without ensuring this, a substantial portion of the allocation could continue to be diverted to general government schemes instead of benefiting the intended communities, it said.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Development Action Plan and Rules, enacted in 2024.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure that unspent funds earmarked for SC and ST welfare were carried forward to subsequent years instead of lapsing.

According to the police, the complaint was lodged by Thangadurai, organiser of the BJP's Madurai West district unit seeking immediate legal action against the individual appearing in the video who has deliberately circulated highly inflammatory, misleading and allegedly false statements through social media with the apparent intention of creating hatred against the Government of India, misleading members of the public and disturbing public tranquility.

Further, the individual appears to have made statements regarding the protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the Delhi Police attacked the protestors with an intention to kill them.

The complaint also shared the Piyush Manush instagram link to the police. Based on the complaint, the Madurai District Cyber Crime Police registered a case against Piyush Manush under three sections on 4^th August and conducted the investigation.

Several self-financing institutions have secured approval for extra seats in high-demand streams such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, and Electronics and Communication Engineering.

While the increased seat matrix helps colleges boost admissions during counselling, educationists point out that adding seats mandates expanding classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, and teaching staff to maintain required student-teacher ratios.

"An increase in intake must be matched by a corresponding upgrade in infrastructure and faculty. Otherwise, the quality of education suffers," said educationist R Ashwin.

Educationist D Nedunchezian alleged that Anna University, the affiliating body for private engineering colleges in the State, has failed to strictly enforce compliance. "If Anna University does not conduct proper inspections, it effectively encourages private colleges to bend rules," he said.

Insiders reveal that many institutions continue operating with existing facilities despite higher seat counts, resulting in overcrowded classrooms, ill-equipped labs, and overworked teachers. They warned that such deficiencies could compromise the quality of teaching, practical training and overall academic standards.

Experts also argued that approving higher intake is only one part of the regulatory process, while ensuring compliance with prescribed norms is equally important. Without effective monitoring, merely increasing student intake will not improve the quality of engineering education, they said.

Calling for stronger oversight, educationists urged AICTE to conduct regular physical inspections and periodic audits instead of relying primarily on self-declarations and documents submitted by institutions.

They also expressed concern that some colleges seek higher sanctioned intake mainly to improve their visibility during the admission process. Even if many of the additional seats remain vacant, a larger approved intake can make institutions appear more attractive to students during counselling.

They suggested that AICTE adopt stricter criteria before approving future intake increases by assessing existing infrastructure, faculty strength, student pass percentage and utilisation of previously sanctioned seats. They also recommended mandatory post-approval inspections and strict action, including withdrawal of excess sanctioned seats, against institutions that fail to comply with prescribed norms.

With engineering education undergoing rapid transformation driven by emerging technologies and evolving industry requirements, educationists stressed that quality should remain the primary focus. They said any increase in student intake must be supported by adequate infrastructure and qualified faculty to ensure students receive education that meets AICTE standards.

The accused, identified as Jayaprakash (29) of Vikramangalam, was driving a milk vehicle from Nagari when he allegedly drove recklessly and at high speed near Alanganallur.

Police said the lorry first hit Solairaj, who was standing beside his two-wheeler on the roadside. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly sped away.

When the public attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly continued driving and rammed into more than 10 motorists coming from the opposite direction, causing multiple accidents.

Enraged by the incident, people chased the lorry for about 4 km along the Madurai-Natham Road, intercepted it and assaulted the driver before handing him over to the police.

Solairaj, who sustained grievous injuries in the accident, succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police have taken Jayaprakash into custody and registered a case against him. The incident caused panic in the locality.

The victim, S Ashwin (22), was attacked by the teenager and his friend, S Madesh (21), a driver from Sakthi Nagar in Sikkalampalayam, in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the police, Ashwin had gone to the residence of his friend Vignesh’s grandmother in Sakthi Nagar after work on Wednesday and stayed there overnight. The two suspects allegedly entered the house in the early hours when Ashwin was asleep alone in a room and attacked him.

Police said Ashwin had earlier questioned the 16-year-old about his decision to discontinue his studies and advised him to focus on his education. After the murder, the accused allegedly recorded a video at the scene and circulated it among their friends. Police said Ashwin was rushed to the Coimbatore Government Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), where doctors declared him dead. His body was later sent for post-mortem examination.

Coimbatore District Superintendent of Police A Pavan Kumar Reddy visited the crime scene and supervised the investigation. Three special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the absconding suspects. Police officials said the exact motive behind the crime and the sequence of events leading to the murder would be established only after the accused are apprehended and questioned.

The decision was taken during a consultative meeting at the Higher Education Department chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay last month. The meeting reviewed the sector and approved a series of reforms aimed at improving the quality of higher education.

Among the key decisions were the introduction of a new State Education Policy, implementation of four-year undergraduate degree programmes, filling of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts, upgrading college infrastructure, promoting research, and enhancing transparency in higher education.

The government also decided to revise the composition of search committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, increase the reservation for government school students from 7.5% to 10%, and appoint qualified academicians as the government's nominees to university Syndicate committees.

The meeting noted that Tamil Nadu currently has 419 engineering colleges. While Anna University and a few leading self-financing institutions continue to attract students, more than 100 engineering colleges are unable to fill their sanctioned intake. In several colleges, admissions are in single digits, while some reportedly receive no admissions at all.

Officials observed that the large number of under-enrolled institutions has affected the quality of engineering education and student outcomes. Although a few engineering colleges shut down every year, Anna University has continued to approve one to three new colleges annually.

In view of the existing number of engineering colleges and declining admissions, the government has decided that there is no immediate need to permit the establishment of new engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu.

Special buses will be operated from the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, to Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur. A total of 430 buses will be operated on August 7 and 465 buses on August 8.

From the CMBT, Koyambedu, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru. 110 buses will be operated on both August 7 and 8. In addition, 200 special buses will be operated from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations.

From the Madhavaram Bus Terminus, special buses will be operated to Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Vellore, Hosur and Puducherry. 80 special buses will be operated on both August 7 and 8.

To facilitate passengers returning to Chennai and Bengaluru from their hometowns, 410 special buses will also be operated from various parts of the State on August 9.

So far, 8,570 passengers have booked tickets for Friday (August 7), 3,158 passengers for Saturday (August 8), and 8,953 passengers for Sunday (August 9), taking the total number of bookings to 20,681. The number is expected to increase further in the coming days.

Additional officials have been deployed at major bus terminals to monitor the operation of the special services. Passengers can book tickets in advance through the TNSTC mobile app or the www.tnstc.in website.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would implement the Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme at an outlay of Rs 227.20 crore, benefiting 24,000 farmers during 2026-27.

Under the scheme, 8,870 power tillers, 5,090 power weeders, 1,400 rotavators and 855 tractors will be distributed with a subsidy. The government has also enhanced the maximum subsidy for installing solar dryers from Rs 3.50 lakh to Rs 4.40 lakh, while women farmers will be given priority in the distribution of machinery.

To improve access to modern equipment, the government will establish 50 village-level Agricultural Machinery Custom Hiring Centres, each eligible for an 80 per cent subsidy, subject to a ceiling of Rs 8 lakh. Notably, 30 per cent of the scheme allocation has been earmarked for Women Self-Help Groups.

The Budget also proposes the establishment of 50 Integrated Agricultural Machinery Hiring Business Centres offering machinery for cultivation as well as value-addition activities. The centres will receive 75 per cent subsidy for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, women entrepreneurs and agricultural engineering graduates, while other entrepreneurs will be eligible for 50 per cent subsidy. The scheme carries an allocation of Rs 8.13 crore.

Vinoth said the initiatives are aimed at reducing cultivation costs, ensuring timely farm operations and enabling farmers to overcome labour shortages through greater adoption of mechanisation while creating new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would roll out a Seed Cane Subsidy Scheme to encourage farmers registered with cooperative and public sector sugar mills to adopt modern planting techniques.

Under the scheme, farmers opting for wider row planting using bud chip seedlings and single-budded setts of high-yielding, high sugar recovery varieties will receive planting materials at a 50 per cent subsidy. The government has earmarked Rs 9.36 crore, and the initiative will cover 17,315 acres during 2026-27.

The government also announced a Sugarcane Cultivation Development Programme, with an allocation of Rs 9 crore, to promote breeder seed cane, tissue culture seedlings, de-trashing, trash shredding and mulching, besides extending support for micronutrients and bio-fertilisers to improve productivity and lower cultivation costs.

In a move aimed at diversifying the sugar sector, Vinoth said the government would prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study for setting up a 100 KLPD ethanol distillery at the Kallakurichi-I Cooperative Sugar Mill in partnership with the Kallakurichi-II and Chengalrayan cooperative sugar mills. A sum of Rs 20 lakh has been allocated for the study.