According to an official communication from the office of the Director General of Police (DGP)/Head of Police Force, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, these cells have been established to prevent, monitor, and enquire into allegations of corruption, misconduct, abuse of position by police personnel/officers and other unethical practices.

"To facilitate easy reporting of such complaints, district/city-wise Internal Vigilance Cell Phone/WhatsApp numbers have been provided for public complaints. Citizens may report instances of corruption, misconduct, abuse of authority, or other unethical practices by police personnel through the designated numbers of their respective district or city Internal Vigilance Cell," an official release noted.

The Police Department encourages all citizens to make use of this facility and actively support the promotion of transparency, accountability, and corruption-free policing in Tamil Nadu.

"The Internal Vigilance Cell assures all complainants and members of the public that the identity of complainants and witnesses will be kept strictly confidential. No complainant shall be subjected to any form of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation for filing a complaint," the release stated. The DGP encourages all citizens to come forward and report complaints fearlessly, with the

assurance that their complaints will be received and dealt with in a fair impartial and timely manner.

The Internal Vigilance Cell will be monitored by senior police officers on a regular basis. Greater Chennai Police (GCP) had already created a vigilance cell and public were encouraged to whatsapp complaints to 78717 23000.

The direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel while hearing a petition filed by Katheresan of PP Kulam in Madurai and others. The petitioners sought directions to register criminal cases against those responsible for the police firing on people who were protesting and demanding the permanent closure of Sterlite Copper.

During the hearing, the judges asked whether the government had accepted the recommendations of the Aruna Jagadeesan Commission.

The Government Counsel informed the Court that the recommendations had been partially accepted and that the Commission's report had been discussed by the Cabinet. Recommendations including departmental action against the officials concerned were under consideration, the Counsel said.

When the judges inquired about the pending payment of Rs 20 lakh compensation to the victim families, the counsel for the petitioners submitted that they had been waiting for eight years in the case. The judges observed, “Patience is greater than the ocean.”

The government then sought one week to file an affidavit detailing the Commission's recommendations, compensation paid, government employment provided to the affected persons and departmental action taken against government officials.

Accepting the request, the Bench granted one week to file the affidavit and adjourned the case to August 31.

The RMC weather bulletin says light rain with thunderstorms and lightning likely at a few places over the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Karaikal area on Thursday.

Meanwhile, moderate rain is likely at isolated places over Western Ghat districts. Light rain is likely at isolated places over the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal areas on August 21 and 22.

Moderate rain is likely at isolated places over Western Ghat districts, North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal area. Light rain is likely at isolated places over the rest of TN on August 23 and 24.

The RMC highlighted that maximum temperatures would remain 2-4 degrees Celsius above normal in parts of interior TN through August 23. Chennai’s maximum temperature will be around 38 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will dip to 27 degrees Celsius.

A sudden fire broke out on Wednesday at around 4 am at the Aranthangi Traffic Police station in Pudukkottai, in which the motorcycles parked at the station premises were up in flames. Soon, the police personnel alerted the fire personnel, who rushed to the spot and doused the fire but three bikes were reduced to ashes.

On information, DSP (Aranthangi) Charles rushed to the spot and conducted an inquiry. As there was no CCTV camera in the traffic police station, the footage from the CCTV at the Law and Order police station adjacent to it was retrieved for inquiry.

The police sources said CCTV footage showed that a youth had gained entry into the police station with a can of petrol, poured it leisurely and torched the vehicles before escaping. As the face was not properly visible in the CCTV footage, the police are searching for the culprit based on the attire and way of movement. Further investigations are on.

Madurai District Collector Nishant Krishna ordered an inquiry based on an anonymous representation alleging that the teacher had harassed a girl student who had passed Class 12 during the academic year 2025–26.

Based on the complaint, a team from the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) visited the school on June 14, 2026, to conduct an enquiry. However, the team did not receive cooperation from the school management.

Subsequently, a case was registered at Oomachikulam All Women Police Station in Crime No. 31/2026 under Sections 11(4), 12, 16, 17 and 21 of the Pocso Act and Sections 238 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The teacher was identified as Rajkumar. The police are conducting an investigation.

The Division Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel also directed the Madurai District Collector Nishant Krishna to inspect and file a report on the petitioners’ allegation that untreated or improperly treated biomedical waste had been dumped in open lands, vacant sites and along the Vaigai riverbank, including areas behind the Saravana Stores premises at Vandiyur in Madurai.

In the PIL filed by Dr B Sharmesh Khan and Dr Karthik Kannan, the petitioners alleged that despite the statutory framework under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, there were serious deficiencies in the collection, transportation, treatment and final disposal of biomedical waste generated by government and private hospitals, medical colleges, nursing homes, clinics, diagnostic centres, blood banks, veterinary hospitals and other healthcare establishments.

According to the petitioners, the guidelines issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board stipulate that a Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility should ordinarily cater to healthcare establishments located within a radial distance of 75 km.

Only in exceptional circumstances, where the prescribed number of hospital beds is not available within such a radius, can the coverage be extended to 150 km, subject to the condition that the entire biomedical waste generated is collected, transported, treated and finally disposed of within 48 hours in accordance with the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.

However, the petitioners claimed that they had received contradictory information from authorities regarding where biomedical waste generated in Madurai was being processed. One response allegedly stated that the waste was transported to a facility nearly 500 km away at Gummidipoondi, while another indicated that it was processed at a treatment facility at Edappadi in Salem district, with only the incineration ash being transported to Gummidipoondi for final disposal.

The petitioners therefore urged the Court to direct the Chairman of the TNPCB to strictly implement the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules in Tamil Nadu and ensure proper segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of biomedical waste. They also sought the establishment of Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities, which they alleged were lacking in the State.

Ramarajan (25), a resident of Elandurai village near Tirunageswaram in Thanjavur, and Mahadevi (23) from Tiruvarur got married last year.

On Tuesday morning, Mahadevi did not wake up even after a long time, and Ramarajan’s mother checked on her. As she failed to respond, they took her to Kumbakonam GH, where the doctors declared her dead.

Thiruneelakudi police registered a case of ‘unnatural’ death. However, Mahadevi’s relatives found that there was an injury to her head and appealed for a post-mortem, which confirmed a severe head injury.

When questioned, Ramarajan confessed that an altercation on Monday night escalated, and he attacked her with a wooden log.

He said that, as she fell unconscious, he made her lie on the mat and staged it as a natural death. The police arrested Ramarajan on Wednesday.

In Krishnagiri, near Hosur, VM Ellappa (32), a farmer from Chinnabelakondapalli village, killed his wife Prema (38) following an altercation while returning in a car on the Kelamangalam-Koolichandram four-lane road.

The couple was returning after meeting their sons staying in the private school hostel, when an argument escalated into violence. Police said Prema picked up a knife kept in the car and attacked Ellappa, who, however, overpowered her, snatched the knife and stabbed her multiple times.

As she died, Ellappa pushed her body out of the car and drove to Mathigiri police station and surrendered with bleeding injuries on his hands. He was admitted at Hosur GH for treatment, while the woman’s body was recovered and sent to Krishnagiri GH for post-mortem. The estranged couple reunited only recently following intervention by police.

In another incident, the Coimbatore police arrested Sivakumar (50) for brutally assaulting his brother Velusamy (56), a document writer from Devendra Vellalar Street near Singanallur with a wooden log over a long-standing property dispute. The deceased was residing alone, as his wife had separated from him over some family issues.

 A division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan closed the plea after taking note of the revised circular allowing States to decide when to render their State songs, and the Tamil Nadu Government Order reaffirming that Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu shall be sung at the beginning of programmes across educational institutions, government offices and other establishments.

The Bench held that the petitioner's grievances had been addressed by the circular and the Government Order, leaving no further issue for judicial determination.

 The petition, filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, contended that placing Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu in the third position during the ceremony caused deep anguish among the people and amounted to an unwarranted dilution of the ceremonial dignity traditionally accorded to the State Song.

According to the petitioner, the Ministry of Home Affairs' January 28 circular, titled "Orders Relating to the National Song of India", does not impose any constitutional, statutory or executive prohibition against commencing official State functions with an officially recognised State Song. The plea stated that the circular merely regulates the order between the National Song and the National Anthem when both are rendered together and is silent on State Songs, including Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu.

 The plea sought to quash the January 28 circular and direct the authorities to issue appropriate protocol guidelines ensuring that Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu is rendered at the commencement of official State functions and constitutional ceremonies, and is not relegated to a position subsequent to Vande Mataram or the National Anthem in the absence of any express constitutional, statutory or binding executive mandate.

 During the hearing, the Union government informed the court that when a State Song is rendered along with the National Song and National Anthem, Vande Mataram must precede Jana Gana Mana. It added that States have full discretion to decide when to render their State Song in a programme.
 The Government informed the court that the circular did not specify the order in which a State Song was to be rendered and that the discretion was left to the respective State. The court was also informed about the recent order issued by the Tamil Nadu Government.

 The Bench held that the administrative updates had addressed the grievances and dismissed the writ petition as infructuous. All connected miscellaneous petitions were also closed.

According to provisional allotment data furnished by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME) here on Wednesday, 510 students have secured MBBS seats, while 104 students have been allotted Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) seats.

Among the 510 MBBS beneficiaries, 323 students have been allotted seats in government medical colleges, 12 in ESI institutions, 166 in self-financing medical colleges and nine in private universities. Out of 104 government school students allotted BDS seats, 16 have secured seats in government institutions and 88 have been allotted seats in self-financing dental colleges.

Community-wise, MBBS allotments comprise two OC students, 88 SC students, 15 SCA students, 6 ST students, 170 BC students, 24 BCM students and 205 students belonging to MBC and DNC communities (total 510). In BDS allotments, 15 students belong to SC, four to SCA, one to ST, 27 to BC, four to BCM and 53 to MBC and DNC communities (total 104).

The 7.5% special reservation, available to eligible students who studied in government schools from classes 6-12, has emerged as a significant pathway for students from economically and socially diverse backgrounds to access professional medical and dental education. “The State government has consistently accorded high priority to ensuring that students in government schools are provided equitable opportunities to enter professional courses, irrespective of their socio-economic background,” stated a press note from the department.

The department officials also assured that they would continue strengthening government schools through quality teaching, academic support, career guidance and competitive-examination preparation, to enable more students to pursue higher education and professional careers.

“The allotment covers students from across the reserved communities and demonstrates the reach of government school education in enabling students to pursue highly competitive professional courses,” noted the school education secretary Chandra Mohan.

Justices G Jayachandran and E Manoharan, referring to the Bhagavad Gita, observed that God did not discriminate among living beings and noted that there was no room for discrimination in places of worship.

Madhavan Ramanuja Dasan, a Kancheepuram resident and Secretary of Thirukatchi Nambi Thirumaladiar Seva Sangam, approached the Madras High Court, stating that he was a devotee of Lord Devarajaswamy and a Thenkalai Vaishnavite. He said that the Devasthanam has several shrines, including the important Manavala Munigal Sannathi for Thenkalai Vaishnavites.

During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel alleged that non-Brahmin devotees were denied entry through the main entrance of the Sannathi and asked to use the side entrance, while Brahmins were allowed through the main entrance. He added that non-Brahmins were denied permission to recite hymns, were not given Satari, and faced discrimination during the 10-day birthday celebrations of Manavala Munigal.

The Special Government Pleader submitted that it was practically impossible to accommodate all members of the public inside the Azhwar Acharyas sub-shrines, as they are small structures. He stated that even the Adhyapaga Goshti and Adhyapaka Mirasi Goshti members could not be fully accommodated inside the sub-shrines during service periods and, therefore, members of the public had to be accommodated outside. He added that there was no discrimination or caste-based segregation in the temple.

The Court took on record the Temple authorities’ undertaking to ensure non-discriminatory distribution of Theertham, Satari and Prasadam. It also recorded their assurance that devotees, including non-Brahmins, would not be prevented from reciting Prabandhams in the temple shrines, except for the traditional Adhyabaga Misari service reserved for the Thenkalai sect.

“There is something special about your child becoming a doctor compared to other professions, especially if they are the first graduate in their family,” Mrs Gayathri said. “‘En paiyan, ponnu doctor’ carries more than what it literally means. It carries with it a silent respect, dignity and job assurance. The trajectory, the confidence and the quality of life it opens up for the family and the next generation is phenomenal.”

For many of the centre's students, simply reaching a classroom was its own daily obstacle. Some travelled two hours each way to attend class, then returned home to work odd jobs in the house and the field before studying at night. The barriers were rarely about drive or passion, Mrs Gayathri said, but access: no coaching centre nearby, no way to pay coaching fees, a shortage of reading material in Tamil, and, for girls in particular, a lack of encouragement to keep trying. In response, the centre added a hostel facility for its girl students.

The teaching itself was built around each student rather than a single fixed syllabus. “We were not just teaching Physics, Chemistry and Biology, we were teaching and seeing life lessons unfold,” Mrs Gayathri said. “To understand each student, their fears, their gaps, and then tailor their reading plan to their needs, whether Tamil medium or English medium, the teachers put in their utmost effort.” Regular weekly tests, answer-paper discussions, Wednesday evening video meetings, parent-teacher meetings and a fixed daily timetable became the rhythm the centre ran on.

Some students sat the exam for the fourth or fifth time, unwilling to accept anything short of an MBBS seat; one student, who had already completed a nursing degree, returned to the centre to begin preparing all over again for her original dream of becoming a doctor. Another, a Tamil-medium student, put the language barrier she faced simply: “Question purinja thaanae, answer solla mudiyum, madam” — only once I understand the question can I answer it, madam. “It was a struggle, not an exam on equal footing, given the economic gap,” Mrs Gayathri said. “The exam was the same, the pressures were the same, sometimes more. What made the difference was the shared dream between the student, the parent and the teachers, and the burning desire from within that carried the race to its end, which was really a beginning.”

“I'm proud to be part of their journey, from the classrooms at Magudanchavadi to the corridors of medical colleges,” Mrs Gayathri said. “I'm sure these children will pay it forward, and soon what started as a ripple will be a wave, one that keeps turning dreams into doctors to be.”

Mrs Gayathri thanked Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, for its CSR support of the initiative, along with education consultants Mr Sathish and Mr Rajesh, faculty members Mr Senthil (Physics), Mr Sakthivel (Chemistry) and Mr Thilagam (Biology), coordinator Mr Arun Thangaraj and typist Ms Suganya, whom she called the backbone of the initiative. “They truly transformed not just a student's future, but the family's, and the next generation's,” she said.

About the Shanmuganathan Kanagavalli Charitable Trust

The Shanmuganathan Kanagavalli Charitable Trust runs a free NEET coaching centre in Magudanchavadi, Tamil Nadu, for students from surrounding villages, with a particular focus on Government school students facing barriers to accessing coaching. The centre was founded in 2024 by M/s Ganga Hospitals and provides tuition, study resources, mentoring and hostel accommodation for Gov School students at no cost to families. Mrs Gayathri is the grand daughter of Dr Shanmuganathan and Mrs Kanagavalli.

Media Contact

Shanmuganathan Kanagavalli Charitable Trust — 3/285, MGR Nagar, Magudamchavadi, Singagiri, Salem, 637103, Phone : 9362525262

More than 150 families have been residing at the camp near Boganallur in Kadayanallur taluk for the past 35 years. Over the last month, more than 50 residents have reportedly suffered from fever and received treatment at various hospitals.

Two deaths reported

Recently, 13-year-old Rihana Mary, daughter of Rajan-Saila Sri, died while undergoing treatment for dengue at the Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, Narmala (27), wife of Dinesh and a resident of the same camp, was also undergoing treatment for dengue at the Tirunelveli government hospital. She died on Tuesday despite treatment.

Following the reported dengue cases, health and sanitation activities were intensified at the camp.

Residents alleged that garbage from surrounding areas was being brought and dumped near the camp and that some of it was being set on fire, creating unhygienic conditions.

They urged the authorities to remove the garbage and ensure that the area around the camp is kept clean to prevent further spread of dengue.

Jasmine glut causes price slump

Jasmine is cultivated on around 1,500 acres across Kaveripattinam, Thimmapuram, Avathavattam, Sandur and Bargur, among other areas within a 40-km radius. More than 250 farmers depend on the crop for their livelihood.

However, the rising temperatures have triggered early flowering, resulting in a glut and a sharp fall in prices in the wholesale and open markets over the past few days.

Over the last two days, around 50 tonnes of jasmine were transported in 40 goods vans, of which nearly five tonnes could not be sold. Perfume (attar) manufacturing units offered only very low prices, leaving farmers unable to recover their costs.

Jasmine farmers seek govt intervention

With no adequate local facilities to sell the surplus flowers and prices remaining unviable, farmers were forced to dump around three tonnes of jasmine into the Thenpennai river near Kaveripattinam.

Farmer Balaji said the flowers had bloomed prematurely due to the change in weather. As a result, production is expected to decline during the upcoming festival season, causing heavy losses to growers.

He urged the government to establish a perfume manufacturing unit in Krishnagiri to utilise surplus jasmine and prevent farmers from suffering similar losses in the future.

More than 300 students of the Government Arts College for Women, located on the district Collectorate campus, staged a protest from Wednesday morning demanding permanent classroom facilities.

As the college administration did not heed their demands, the students continued their protest despite the scorching sun. Unable to withstand the scorching heat, some students fainted. The situation turned tense when the students found the main entrance gate locked and were unable to take those who had fainted to hospital.

Despite calling for help, the students alleged that no one came to their rescue. “We had no other option but to break open the gate and save our friends,” a group of students said as they were seen carrying the fainted students to share autos. Subsequently, the affected students were taken to the Sivaganga Government Medical College Hospital.

Around 3,000 students are pursuing various courses at the Sivaganga Government Arts College for Women, but students of the BBA department have not been provided adequate classrooms.

“Nearly 300 students are studying in the BBA department, but there are no proper classrooms for them,” the protesters said.

“For the past three years, teachers have been conducting classes under trees and in bicycle parking areas,” said a third-year BBA student.

Despite repeated representations by the students to the college administration, no efforts were made to arrange permanent classrooms, they alleged.

“Hence, we had no other option but to express our anger by boycotting classes and launching a sit-in protest on the campus. We are demanding that a newly constructed building be allotted for conducting classes,” they said.

After this incident, the college administration held talks with the students and assured them of the allocation of classrooms for students of the BBA department.

The circular was issued following a law and order review meeting held in July, where it was decided to improve coordination among the School Education Department, Higher Education Department and Police Department to prevent untoward incidents.

Based on the decision, the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education had issued instructions to principals of government colleges. The circular directed them to prevent students from participating in protests organised by the CJP and Left parties and to monitor students in this regard.

The order came under criticism, with questions being raised over the directive to monitor students' participation in political protests.

Following the criticism, the Directorate of Collegiate Education has now announced that the order issued by the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education has been withdrawn.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the remarks came during a debate on the demands for grants for the Water Resources Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, and Tourism, Art and Culture Department in the Assembly.

During the debate, DMK MLA I Periyasamy raised several issues concerning the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. Minister N Ananth responded to his remarks. Periyasamy subsequently questioned whether there was evidence to support the allegations being made against the DMK.

‘The files are on my table with evidence’

Responding to the DMK MLA, Chief Minister Vijay rose to speak and said he had initially decided not to raise the issue.

“I did not want to say this. But the Opposition keeps asking for evidence. A week ago, the Finance Minister said that the files relating to inquiries into three departments were on my table,” Vijay said.

He said the Finance Minister had not made the statement casually and that the files were indeed on his table.

“All those files contain evidence. Don’t force us to open them. Everything will be released properly at the appropriate time,” Vijay said.

He added that his government would decide when, what and how to present the information before the people.

“I will speak. It is not that I cannot speak. At least something good should happen for some people in the by-election,” he said, without elaborating further.

The Court passed the order on a petition filed by Mukesh of Sholavandan, who approached the Madurai Bench seeking permission and police protection to conduct a kabaddi tournament at Madhaikalam in Sangankottai village, Sholavandan, Madurai district. He approached the Court after the police refused to grant permission for the event.

Justice L Victoria Gowri allowed the tournament to be held from 6 am to 10 pm on August 29 and 30 at Madhaikalam village and laid down conditions.

"The organisers and participants should not raise slogans or make chants either in support of or against any political party or its leader, caste, community or religion. They should also ensure that no untoward incident affecting public peace and tranquillity takes place," the judge ordered.

Additionally, the court also barred participants from wearing clothes with objectionable or provocative statements or images of religious or political leaders. Persons with pending criminal cases are not eligible to participate in the kabaddi tournament. "Songs praising religious leaders or those that could hurt religious sentiments should not be played during the event," the judge said.

The Court also stated that no flex boards or hoardings referring to any particular community or leader should be displayed. Participants should not consume any narcotic substances or alcohol, the judge observed.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, under the existing empty bottle return scheme, a Rs 10 deposit is collected for each liquor bottle. The amount can be refunded by returning the empty bottle to the store where it was purchased or to authorised collection centres.

How will TASMAC's fast scanner system work

Under the new system, an employee stationed in a vehicle with a scanner will scan the sticker on the empty bottle when it is returned. The bottle will then be collected and Rs 10 refunded to the customer.

It is estimated that up to 8,000 bottles can be returned through this method in a day.

Why is TASMAC's new system being introduced?

Most TASMAC shops operate in limited spaces, making it difficult to install automated bottle collection machines. Hence, the Fast Scanner system is being considered for shops that sell liquor worth more than Rs 10 lakh a day but have limited space.

Where has TASMAC's fast scanner system been tested?

The Fast Scanner system has been installed on a trial basis at one liquor shop each in Thiruvallikeni and Egmore in Chennai.

Meanwhile, the empty bottles collected through the vehicles will be handed over to contractors appointed by TASMAC.

Outlining initiatives to bolster the state's healthcare system, the Chief Minister emphasised that medical care is a fundamental right, not a privilege. He stressed that the government aims to remove barriers to quality healthcare, regardless of income or location.

"The sum assured under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme will be enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Treatment facilities for transpersons will be expanded at seven government medical college hospitals — Stanley Medical College in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri and Kanniyakumari," he said.

To address a shortage of medical staff, Rs 351 crore will be invested to create 6,098 additional student seats in nursing and pharmacy programmes. This includes establishing seven new government nursing colleges — set up after a gap of 12 years — alongside expanding capacity in existing institutions.

The Chief Minister's Cancer Care Mission will be upgraded at a budget of Rs 677.44 crore. Additionally, a new integrated cancer treatment unit (G+4 floors) will come up at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for Rs 471.80 crore.

Five Regional Cancer Care Centres are planned for Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Villupuram, with Madurai getting the first facility in the initial phase.

Announcing the introduction of robotic treatment in government hospitals, the Chief Minister said robotic surgery facilities, linear accelerators and modern equipment would be provided at Rs 106.17 crore. HPV DNA testing for women will also be introduced in Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Perambalur at Rs 8.70 crore to prioritise early detection of cervical cancer risks.

Despite the state facing financial constraints, considering the well-being and livelihood of the milk producers, and in an effort to provide a fair remunerative price for their work, the state government has decided to enhance the milk procurement price, he said.

The milk procured through the primary milk cooperative societies of state-owned Aavin would be increased from Rs 38 to Rs 41, and it will include a government incentive of Rs 3 per litre. The move will benefit over 3.16 lakh milk producers, the chief minister said, making an announcement under Rule 110 in the Assembly.

The gesture will entail the state government an additional expenditure of Rs 30 crore per month, Vijay said, flaying the previous DMK regime for not making any effort to hike the procurement price.

Along with this, the Chief Minister announced that the government would provide Rs 75,000 per month towards the driver's salary, fuel and maintenance charges.

"Each MLA needs an assistant to carry out public work without hurdles. Owing to this, a monthly personal assistance allowance of Rs 25,000 will be provided to all MLAs," the Chief Minister said.

Explaining the reasons behind the announcements, Vijay said the facilities would enable MLAs to avoid depending on others for their travel needs.

"This will pave the way for hassle-free travel for MLAs to redress people's grievances. It will help reduce the monthly expenses of MLAs and enable corruption-free and transparent governance for the common people," the Chief Minister said.

Recalling the pledge made at the introductory meeting of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidates, the Chief Minister and TVK chief said in the Assembly that the TVK MLAs were working with transparency and without corruption as per the pledge.

"The TVK-led government is also functioning under the principle of 'Administration for the People – On the Path of Integrity'," the Chief Minister said.

The searches were carried out at the residences and premises linked to TNPDCL officials, other public servants, private individuals, aluminium conductor manufacturers and bidders.

Tender-related documents, digital evidence, other incriminating materials and details of alleged shell companies were seized during the searches. The case was registered at the DVAC headquarters on June 30 under Sections 120-B, 420 and 409 of the IPC and Sections 13(1)(a) and 7(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

According to DVAC, a discreet enquiry based on documents received from the Managing Director of TNEB revealed prima facie evidence of cognisable offences. The agency suspects that officials and private parties colluded with suppliers and misused their official positions, allegedly causing a substantial loss to the government exchequer.

The investigation found that multiple suppliers had quoted identical or similar rates and that tender documents had been uploaded from a common IP address, indicating possible cartelisation in the tender process.

The DVAC also found that the final rates quoted in the tenders were higher than rates available through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal and other comparable procurement transactions during the period.

Energy Minister R Nirmal Kumar had said that while releasing the TNEB White Paper on June 25 that the State government had detected irregularities in purchase worth about Rs 1,028 crore in 9 conductor procurement tenders floated during the previous government. His disclosure had put the multi-crore aluminium conductor procurement under scrutiny, though details of individual suspects or the specific financial loss in the DVAC case are yet to be disclosed.

FIR not uploaded even after 50 days 

Chennai: The Directorate of Vigilance and anti-corruption – the State’s anti-graft agency – has not uploaded the FIR online, though it was registered one-and-a-half months ago. Though usually such FIRs are uploaded in public domain within 24 hours, the FIR related to this particular case was not uploaded. Officials claimed that it was the prerogative of the investigation officer to take the decision in sensitive cases like Pocso and other heinous crimes. However, it’s highly unusual for the DVAC not to have uploaded the FIR that was registered more than 50 days ago. 

Venkat Sri (22) and his twin younger brothers Arun and Tharan (18) are the three sons of weavers Ramkumar (49) and

Mangaiyarkarasi (46). The brothers studied in Vellanguli Government Higher Secondary School and cleared NEET this year, securing seats through the Tamil Nadu government’s 7.5 per cent reservation for government school students.

Venkat Sri secured a seat at a dental college in Nagercoil, while Arun got a seat at Tirunelveli Government Medical College and Tharan at PSG Medical College in Coimbatore. For Venkat Sri, the journey was longer. After completing Class 12 in 2023, he appeared for NEET and scored 300 marks. He tried again in 2025, improving his score to 420, but did not secure the seat he wanted. Refusing to give up, he appeared for the examination again this year and scored 440 marks.

His twin brothers also appeared for NEET this year, scoring 511 and 494 marks respectively, according to the family. Their parents, who depend on weaving for their livelihood, continued to support their sons despite financial difficulties. Ramkumar said the brothers prioritised their studies, even staying away from family occasions such as weddings and temple festivals.

Tree climber’s daughter scales heights

A similar dream has come true for Rakshitha, a government school student from Kalkurichi near Manamadurai in Sivaganga district. The daughter of a former bullock-cart worker, she has secured a seat at Thanjavur Medical College after scoring 506 marks in NEET this year.

Rakshitha’s father, Machaichamy, once worked as a bullock-cart driver. As the occupation declined, he shifted to coconut tree climbing in Andamans.

Participating in the debate on the demands for grants for Public Works, Highways, Sports Development and Human Resources Management in the Assembly, she said 10 children had reportedly faced sexual assault in the past five days and called for swift investigation and severe punishment.

“Those who commit sexual offences against women and children should be given stringent punishment. After a proper investigation, punishments similar to those followed in Arab countries should be considered. Encounter is the only solution to such crimes,” she said. Premallatha said the growing drug culture was also contributing to crimes and referred to the Amuthan and Dhanush murder cases while stressing the need for a stronger crackdown on narcotics. She said youngsters should be encouraged to take up sports, which would keep them away from drugs and help them become responsible citizens. Referring to the Karur incident in which a woman allegedly attacked a man accused of sexually assaulting a girl, she described the woman as a “real Velu Nachiyar” and said women fighting back against offenders would send a strong message. She also urged the government to renovate damaged roads.

In a statement, Shanmugam said that around 30,000 vacancies in state transport undertakings needed to be filled, and that these had traditionally recruited adequate staff and provided proper training to ensure safe and efficient services. However, during the previous DMK government, contract workers were appointed to fill vacancies.

Shanmugam alleged that instead of filling vacancies through regular recruitment, the DMK government had engaged contract workers through a company called Salvat. He accused the TVK government for its decision to allow recruitment of conductors through a tender awarded to SS Enterprises.

“Outsourcing recruitment will affect reservation-based appointments and consequently social justice,” he added, and demanded cancellation of the order awarding the MTC conductor recruitment contract to SS Enterprises.

“The order to appoint 250 administrative staff on contract through Sindhuri Management Solutions should also be cancelled,” he averred.

He alleged that, according to newspaper reports, the department had been portrayed as a “corruption department” during the previous regime.

During the discussion on the demands for grants for the Public Works and Highways Department in the Assembly, DMK member EV Velu said the Schedule of Rates (SoR) was prepared in the Public Works Department based on the recommendations of a committee headed by the Finance Secretary and subsequently released by the department.

He said no single minister could decide the SoR, which forms the basis for quoting tenders for every project. Replying to him, Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the TVK-led government had called for retenders for 20 projects, resulting in savings of 20 per cent to 36 per cent compared with the previous government’s rates.

“The government has followed last year’s SoR. Owing to this, the excess amount is deposited in the government exchequer,” the Minister said. He said the department had decided to release a white paper on tender data during the DMK regime.

He also dismissed demands from a section of Tamil Nadu politicians for a CBI inquiry into the death of the three men, claimed to be Tamils, in Chamarajanagar on August 15.

Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu should manage its own law and order issues.

“This is a federal structure. No state should interfere with the administration of any other state. People should have this basic understanding. I cannot get involved in any of the law and order problems of Tamil Nadu. Every state has its own problems,” he told reporters here.

His remarks follow the issue echoing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, where members cutting across party lines demanded a high-level probe into the firing incident involving the Karnataka forest department.

Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter, and Kumar, who lived in the villages in Hanur Taluk of Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka, were shot dead by the forest department in the early hours of August 15, in the Cauvery Wildlife sanctuary area.

Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay strongly condemned the alleged brutal killing and sought a fair investigation by a high-level committee into the heinous incident.

Raising the issue, former Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed that the victims’ families had stated that the Karnataka forest department allegedly shot and killed three men while a fourth individual is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries at a government hospital in Mysuru. Palaniswami urged the Tamil Nadu government to pursue a CBI investigation into the matter to uncover the truth, noting that the location of the incident sits on the border of two states.

According to officials in Karnataka, the forest personnel conducting an anti-poaching operation came under fire from the group, following which the personnel allegedly returned fire in self-defence, resulting in three deaths.

Responding to a question about Vijay’s criticism, Shivakumar said he did not want to comment on every statement.

“They should also know that we know how to protect our state. Let them do their job; we will do ours... I don’t want to interfere in their administration. We have to protect whatever sanctity there is of our state,” he said.

Currently, government employees with fewer than two surviving children are granted 365 days of maternity leave, while those with two or more children receive only up to 12 weeks of maternity leave.

Making the announcement during the demands for grants for the Human Resources Management Department, minister D Sarath Kumar said as the Tamil Nadu government is a welfare-oriented administration prioritising social welfare and women’s empowerment, the maternity leave currently provided for the third child of government employees will be enhanced from 12 weeks to 365 days.”

The original 90 days of maternity leave was raised to six months in 2011, nine months in 2016, and extended to one year (365 days) in July 2021 by the respective state governments of the day.

Under the standard eligibility framework, the 365-day benefit applies to regular women state employees with fewer than two surviving children, a government source said.

However, in line with directives from the Supreme Court and subsequent state amendments, state government employees with two or more surviving children remain entitled to 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave with full pay. A senior official also said that soon a detailed government order will be issued to give effect to the announcement in the Assembly.

Eligibility: Open to SC, ST and Muslim students from any Indian state or union territory who have passed Class 12 with the required marks. Annual parental income up to Rs 5,00,000, seeking UG admission at the Chennai campus.

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Last Date to Apply: September 14 Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/CRSCT1

Eligibility: Open to pan-India trans students pursuing secondary, senior secondary, or UG/PG studies through any government or private open school or open university

• A minimum score of 35% in Class 10 and/or Class 12

• The applicant's total income from all sources must not exceed Rs 10,00,000 per year

• Candidates who are children of employees of the Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited or Buddy4Study are ineligible

Prizes & Rewards: A one-time scholarship of up to Rs 40,000

Last Date to Apply: August 31

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Eligibility: Students enrolled in the first year of BBA, BFIA, BCom. (H,E), BMS, IPM, BA (Economics), BBS, or any other finance-related degree courses are eligible. Applicants must have secured at least 80% marks in Classes 10 and 12 (70% for PwD students). The annual income must not exceed Rs 6 lakh. Open for Indian nationals only.

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The prosecution case was that the deceased Kannan’s wife, Parameswari, and two others set fire to the house after Kannan refused to live with her. Two children, aged 12 and 10, were among those killed in the fire.

Additional District Court-VI, Madurai, Judge Udayavelan found the three accused — Parameswari (40), Murugeswari (21) and Rajapandi (19) — guilty and sentenced each of them to eight life terms, besides 10 years of imprisonment and a total fine of Rs 45,000. The court ordered that all the sentences be served concurrently.

Kannan (25), son of Velu of Kumarapuram near Peraiyur, was in love with Parameswari (21 at the time), of the same locality. They got married in 2013. However, they separated after Kannan refused to live with Parameswari.

Following a family dispute, Parameswari allegedly conspired with her relatives, Murugeswari and Rajapandi, to murder Kannan. In the early hours of May 20, 2015, when Kannan and his family members were sleeping at home, the accused allegedly locked the house from outside and poured petrol and kerosene through a window before setting it on fire.

Kannan (25), his father Velu (60), mother Pechiyammal (55), Suganya (35), Sangeetha (17), Sanjith (12) and Vinit (10) died in the fire.

Sedapatti police registered a case, and the then Deputy Superintendent of Police Gomathi conducted the investigation. Kannan’s wife Parameswari, Murugeswari and Rajapandi were subsequently arraigned as accused.

Eligibility: Open to meritorious girl students across India who have scored 75% or more in Class 12 boards

• Secured admission to the first year of a professional graduation programme (Engineering, MBBS, Architecture, Design, Integrated LLB, and more) at an NIRF/ NAAC-accredited institute

• Annual family income must not exceed Rs 6,00,000

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During the discussion on the demands for grants for the Public Works Department and Highways Department in the Assembly, DMK MLA EV Velu asked why there was a need to change the name of the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme to the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme.

Intervening, Minister Rajmohan said that changing the names of government schemes was not new. "In 1996, after the change of regime, the then Chief Minister Karunanidhi announced that the JJ Cine Film City would be renamed MGR Film City. Name changes have happened over a period of time in every regime," Minister Rajmohan said.

He also said the previous DMK government had renamed several schemes. Highlighting the scheme names, he said Amma Pasumai Veedu was changed to Kalaignar Kanavu Illam, while Amma Marunthagam and Amma Clinic were changed to Mudhalvar Marunthagam and Mudhalvar Clinic, respectively.

Justifying the use of Kamarajar's name for the Breakfast Scheme, he said the scheme would be expanded at a cost of Rs 203.72 crore and that Kamarajar's name was appropriate for the scheme.

Presenting the demands for grants for the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Aadhav Arjuna said the government would establish an SDAT Talent Research Wing at a cost of Rs 5 crore, with the 2036 Olympics as its target.

The wing will identify talented students aged 8 to 18 and provide them with training to develop them into future Olympic champions, he said.

The minister also announced that new sports hostels would be established for students in all districts.

The existing 3 per cent sports quota for admission to engineering, medical, law and agriculture courses will also be increased, he said.

An SDAT Olympic Illam will be established in Chennai to coordinate activities related to the Olympics and other international sporting competitions.

Aadhav Arjuna further announced that SDAT would provide airfare for athletes representing the State in national-level competitions.

The special financial assistance provided to athletes who qualify for the Olympics and Paralympics will also be increased from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, he said.

The clarification, issued by the Director (Distribution) on Monday, comes after TNPDCL received repeated RTI petitions seeking to know whether connections could be provided for floriculture and horticulture on land measuring less than 50 cents.

TNPDCL said the 50-cent minimum land requirement prescribed under Clause 29 (2) (b) of the TNERC Distribution Code applies to agricultural service connections under LT Tariff IV. It does not have to be insisted upon for connections exclusively meant for floriculture and horticulture.

Accordingly, supply under LT Tariff III (A) 1 can be sanctioned for floriculture and horticulture activities even when the applicant owns less than 50 cents of land, the memo said.

The move is significant for small landholders engaged in intensive cultivation, particularly floriculture and horticulture, where productive activities can be undertaken on relatively smaller parcels of land.

However, TNPDCL has sought to ensure that applicants do not use the relaxed provision to bypass the land requirement applicable to conventional agricultural connections. It has asked its IT wing to introduce a provision in the LT billing system to obtain an undertaking from applicants while registering LT III (A) 1 connections exclusively for floriculture and horticulture.

Under the proposed undertaking, applicants will have to acknowledge that separate options are available for floriculture, horticulture, agriculture and allied activities while registering an LT III (A) 1 application.

They will also have to acknowledge that those seeking LT III (A) 1 supply for agriculture and allied activities must have already registered an agricultural application under LT Tariff IV in the normal category.

TNPDCL reiterated that the 50-cent minimum land requirement continues to apply to agricultural service connections under LT Tariff IV for applications registered from August 5, 2020, in accordance with the TNERC Distribution Code.

WHAT CHANGES

• Floriculture/horticulture: No minimum 50-cent land required for LT III (A) 1 connections

• Agriculture under LT Tariff IV: 50 cents remains the minimum land requirement

• Agriculture and allied activities under LT III (A) 1: Applicant must first have a normal-category agricultural application under Tariff IV

• Undertaking: Applicants seeking LT III (A) 1 exclusively for floriculture and horticulture will have to provide an undertaking confirming awareness of the applicable provisions

The HC, in July, held that schools covered under the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 2019, must publicly disclose the fee structure fixed by the government-appointed fee determination committee, along with other charges approved by the competent authority.

Justice M Dhandapani stressed that parents should have access to such information before choosing a school, enabling them to make an informed decision and avoid unexpected financial burdens. However, the ground situation remains a concern.

Several private schools still do not prominently display complete fee details on their notice boards or websites, leaving parents to depend on individual enquiries and admission offices for information. The gap between the court’s directive and its implementation raises questions over monitoring and enforcement.

The issue of transparency comes at a time when the School Education Department and Minister A Rajmohan assured that there would be no foul play in private school operations.

The complaints, however, underline a broader public demand for transparency and accountability. In the case of private schools, parents argued that knowing the exact fee structure was not a privilege but a basic requirement. The High Court’s order has established the legal obligation; the immediate challenge was ensuring that schools actually comply.

He also instructed officials to collaborate across all interlinked departments such as Chennai Corporation and Metro Water, Water Resources Department, Chennai Metro Rail Limited, Highways and Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), to complete safety and flood mitigation measures well before the onset of the monsoon.

Bedi directed officials to expedite the construction of ongoing stormwater drains (SWDs) and immediately resolve missing-link connections. He called for the complete desilting of SWDs and silt catch pits, along with clearing water hyacinth and desilting rivers and canals. Additionally, instructions were given to heighten and strengthen canal bunds across the city.

“Electrical pillar boxes in flood-prone and waterlogging areas must be elevated to prevent electrical hazards. Identify and trim hazardous, overgrown tree branches to prevent falling during rains,” he said. “Ensure uninterrupted rainwater flow in areas where Metro Rail construction is underway. Adequate dewatering pumps must be installed. Expedite works in the Otteri Nullah canal area to ensure smooth discharge of water. Coordinate with the Traffic Police to carry out cross-drainage connections across roads without disrupting traffic flow.”

Bedi also told them to keep high-capacity motor pumps ready at flood spots and implement measures to prevent waterlogging in subways. “Maintain robust safety barricading and protective measures at all construction work sites,” he added.

The virtual meeting was attended by officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), CMD of Chennai Metro Rail Limited, MA Siddique, Chairman of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, V Arun Roy, Joint Commissioner (Works), J Saravanan, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue & Finance) Chitra Vijayan, and chief and superintending engineers from the WRD, Highways, and Corporation.