In a statement, DMK general secretary Duraimurugan said the party leadership had decided to reinstate Kumaran after considering his apology.

Kumaran had earlier been suspended following his speeches and conduct, which the party said were in violation of its discipline and organisational norms.

The disciplinary action was initiated after his remarks and behaviour drew criticism and sparked controversy on social media.

The DMK's Propaganda Wing deputy secretary remained vocal against TVK and Vijay even after the suspension.

The move is seen as the party's move to build a team of stage orators who could attack and try to expose TVK and Chief Minister Vijay.

Similarly, the party's controversial stage orator, Sivaji Krishnamurthy, was suspended for making controversial remarks and later reinducted, delivering a speech at a DMK public meeting recently.

Justice C Kumarappan observed that the sole allegation against the petitioner was that he had viewed the pirated version of the movie, with no overt act attributed to him.

The court noted that the final report had already been filed in the case and co-accused persons had been granted bail. It further noted that the alleged incident occurred on April 11, 2026, and the petitioner, who was initially not treated as an accused, had assisted in the probe.

Holding that there was no risk of him absconding or tampering with evidence, the court ruled that custodial interrogation was not required.

According to the prosecution, an unedited version was leaked online in April after a freelance editor engaged by the film’s post-production team allegedly copied and circulated it.

While the movie was released in theatres on July 23, the High Court had earlier dismissed the bail petitions of key accused involved in the leak.

Pradeep Kumar submitted that he was implicated solely for watching the film without any material evidence. He added that he was named as an accused at a later stage and highlighted that the investigation had already concluded with the filing of the charge sheet.

Granting pre-arrest bail, the court directed him to surrender before the jurisdictional magistrate within 15 days, failing which the order would stand cancelled. He was also directed to report to the police daily for 15 days and as and when required thereafter.

Karthik from Thanjavur was working as a sales representative at a well-known silk showroom in Kancheepuram. A few months ago, he quit his job and created a fake Instagram page by allegedly stealing photographs and videos from the showroom's official social media account.

Believing the page to be genuine, a woman from Salem ordered a silk saree worth Rs 7,000 through Instagram on July 14 and paid online. However, instead of sending the advertised product, Karthik purchased a low-quality saree worth around Rs 2,300 from another shop and couriered it to the customer on July 20.

When the woman found that the saree was not genuine silk, she contacted the showroom in Kancheepuram. That is when the customer and the shop owner found out about the scam using social media. Based on complaints from the customer and the showroom management, the Kancheepuram Cyber Crime Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Tracking the IP address, the police traced the fake account to Karthik of Kamatchi Amman Colony in Kancheepuram.

During interrogation, Karthik allegedly confessed that he started the fake Instagram page in December 2025 to make quick money by selling duplicate silk sarees as original Kancheepuram silk. The police said the woman's complaint was the first official complaint received against him. Karthik was arrested and remanded in custody at Vellore Central Prison.

Cyber Crime Police have advised the public to verify the authenticity of sellers before making payments for products advertised on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

The protest was led by the party's treasurer Dindigul Srinivasan. West district secretary VPP Paramasivam and Palani MLA Ravi Manoharan were present. During the protest, party workers raised slogans demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged land fraud and called upon the State government to take appropriate action.

Addressing the gathering, Dindigul Srinivasan said, "The Chief Minister says his government will provide clean governance and will not tolerate corruption. But no effective action has been taken in the Palani land fraud case. These land registrations took place during your tenure. Yet, the HR&CE Minister speaks as though he knows nothing about the issue."

"While the CB-CID investigation is under way, those who purchased the properties have not come under the ambit of the inquiry. The police say they are searching for three absconding persons. A police force that can trace people in the United States claims it cannot find those who are near Palani," he said.

"The CB-CID investigation itself is an eyewash. As our party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has demanded, the case should be investigated by the CBI. Only then can the investigation proceed without interference," he said.

He further said, "The government has not disbursed the women's entitlement assistance for the past three months. Chief Minister Vijay is functioning like MK Stalin's younger brother. On the Mekedatu dam issue, the Chief Minister has said he will meet Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. But the Karnataka government has already stated that it cannot provide water regardless of who makes the request."

A Special Bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of coordination between government officials and the court-appointed committee monitoring the eradication drive.

The bench directed Revenue Department officials to grant permissions within 24 hours to voluntary organisations seeking to remove the invasive species from government lands.

Encouraging broader public participation, the court urged volunteers to emulate MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who has been actively participating in removal drives of invasive trees.

Encouraging broader public participation, the court urged volunteers to emulate MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who has been actively participating in removal drives of invasive trees

The directions were issued on a petition filed by Vaiko seeking the statewide removal of Prosopis juliflora.

Appearing in person, Vaiko submitted that he, alongside farmers and environmental activists, had taken part in clearing drives across several locations, including Andipatti in Theni district. He informed the bench that exposure to carbon dioxide emitted during the burning and removal process had affected his lungs and throat.

He further contended that despite a change in government, no effective steps were taken to implement the High Court's earlier orders. He requested the court to direct the Chief Secretary to instruct all District Collectors to implement the directions and ensure permissions are cleared within 24 hours.

The State government submitted that nearly 90 per cent of the Prosopis juliflora trees on government lands in Pudukkottai district had already been cleared, though progress remained slow in the northern districts.

In a statement, Shanmugam said the reported circular from the Governor's office, which is scheduled to be implemented during the July 28 convocation attended by the Governor, amounted to an infringement of the State's rights and the status of its official song.

Referring to Vice Chancellor N Chandrasekar's reported remarks that the university would follow the Governor's office instructions, Shanmugam said it was unacceptable to relegate Tamil Thai Vazhthu simply because the Governor was attending the function. He said a State-run university should naturally begin its programme with the State song.

The CPM leader also contended that only the non-objectionable portions of Vande Mataram should be sung, alleging that some portions of the song were contrary to constitutional principles. He demanded that the Governor's office withdraw its reported circular.

Shanmugam further alleged that the Vice Chancellor's reported apprehension of disciplinary action for not complying with the circular reflected "unnecessary interference" and intimidation by the Governor in the State's administration.

The CPM urged the State government to ensure that the convocation begins with Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by the National Anthem, and also urged the TVK government to press the Union government to withdraw the Union Home Ministry's mandatory circular on playing Vande Mataram.

In a statement, Chief Minister Vijay wished Ramadoss good health, happiness and a long life. "I extend my heartfelt birthday greetings to Ramadoss and pray that he is blessed with good health and many more years of service," the Chief Minister said.

DMK president Stalin also conveyed his birthday wishes, recalling Ramadoss' contributions to social justice and public causes over several decades.

Stalin said Ramadoss had spearheaded several agitations and emerged as a prominent voice for social justice in the State. Referring to Ramadoss' announcement of his retirement from active politics, Stalin wished him a peaceful, healthy and fulfilling retired life.

According to the official release, 7 senior lecturers were promoted as joint directors and principals, while 12 lecturers were elevated as senior lecturers. The promotions are expected to strengthen SCERT’s academic leadership and enhance its role in curriculum development, teacher training and educational research across TN, claimed officials.

The promotion orders were distributed in the city recently. The event was attended by School Education Department additional chief secretary C Chandramohan, SCERT director N Latha, among other senior officials.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting development works in Tiruchy, Ramesh said the government continued to oppose NEET for medical admissions and favoured bringing education back to the State List. He said the Chief Minister had reiterated this stance at every forum and had also expressed support for the protesting students through a social media post.

"The government respects the students' protest. However, a few forces are trying to divert the issue against the Chief Minister. We are prepared to face such attempts and give a befitting response," the minister said.

Meanwhile, the TVK ministers were finding it hard to justify their reported stance against NEET, after the police under the Chief Minister used force against protesters across Tamil Nadu, claiming that a stir without proper approval can't be allowed. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Puducherry, School Education Minister Rajmohan clarified that police have been instructed not to use violence against students.

Rajmohan reiterated that abolishing the NEET was the permanent solution and said the State continued to press for education to be moved to the State List. He added that police had been instructed not to intimidate or use violence against students protesting against NEET.

Though the thief dumped the gadget before fleeing with the jewels, it was the first real lead in the investigation, which enabled the police to narrow their search.

Deepakshan Shetty (40), a sales representative of a jewellery in T Nagar, boarded the first-class AC coach at Madurai around 10 pm on Thursday carrying a bag containing the diamond jewellery. He kept the bag near his head before going to sleep.

When the train reached Chennai Egmore railway station on Friday (July 24) morning, Shetty realised that the bag was missing.

He informed his employer and approached the Egmore Railway Police. During questioning, he claimed to have seen the bag last when the train crossed Maraimalai Nagar.

As the theft was believed to have occurred before the train reached Tambaram, he was directed to lodge a complaint with the Tambaram Railway Police.

Following the complaint, the Railway Police constituted three special teams and began examining CCTV footage from stations including Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vruddhachalam, and Tiruchy to identify suspicious passengers who boarded or got off the train.

The investigation took a turn after police learnt that the stolen bag also contained a smartwatch with live location tracking. The jewellery shop owner had linked the smartwatch to his mobile phone, which indicated its location near Tiruchy Junction.

Based on the GPS location, one of the special teams rushed to Tiruchy and recovered the smartwatch from a bush about 500 metres from the railway station early on Saturday (July 25).

The police now suspect the theft took place between Madurai and Tiruchy. Investigators believe the accused got off at Tiruchy, opened the bag near the station, discarded the smartwatch after noticing it and fled with the diamond jewellery.

The police are also probing whether the accused had prior information that Shetty was travelling with high-value jewellery.

The latest revision, the second since May this year, has led to a steeper hike for commercial vehicles.

Trucks, multi-axle and oversized vehicles have seen the sharpest increase, with toll charges rising by around Rs 25-30 at several plazas. For cars, jeeps and other light motor vehicles, the increase is largely confined to return-trip fares at some toll plazas. The monthly pass for local private vehicle owners residing within 20 km of a toll plaza has also been raised from Rs 350-360.

Tamil Nadu has nearly 7,000 km of National Highways and 80 toll plazas. User fees at 66 plazas are revised annually on April 1, while the remaining plazas are revised on September 1. This year’s April revision was deferred because of the Assembly election Model Code of Conduct and came into effect only on May 23. NHAI has now notified revised rates at plazas including Paranur, Athur, Nallur and Mathur.

The immediate implementation of the revised rates after publication in newspapers caused concern among truck operators and public transporters.

NHAI officials said that the increase follows a Delhi HC order that overturned the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ decision to use a lower WPI linking factor for toll calculations. Last year, the ministry had adopted a linking factor of 1.561 to convert the WPI from the 2004-05 series to the 2011-12 series, resulting in a one-time reduction in user fees.

Highway operators challenged the move before the HC, which directed the restoration of the previous linking factor. Acting on the court’s order, the ministry issued a circular on June 29 this year reinstating the linking factor of 1.641 for toll computation.

Officials explained that toll rates were determined through a formula that combines a fixed annual increase of 3% with an inflation component equivalent to 40% of the change in the WPI. “As the WPI base year is revised periodically, a linking factor is used to ensure continuity between different index series,” the official added.

The restoration of the 1.641 factor has effectively reversed last year’s one-time reduction, resulting in higher toll charges across several National Highway plazas.

In a post on social media platform X, Stalin accused the State government of failing to show accountability or compassion following the death of Arunachalam, a resident of Amudha Nagar in Thoothukudi district.

Condemning the incident, Stalin alleged that custodial deaths had become a matter of serious concern under the present dispensation and questioned when the Chief Minister would break his silence on such incidents.

The DMK president recalled that before elections, Vijay had demanded explanations from the then government over custodial deaths and questioned whether merely expressing regret was sufficient.

Stalin alleged that after assuming office as Chief Minister, Vijay had failed to even offer an apology or publicly express condolences to Arunachalam's family.

"The Chief Minister, who once sought accountability from the previous government, has now remained silent despite repeated allegations of custodial deaths. The people deserve an explanation and the victim's family deserves justice," Stalin said.

He urged the State government to order a fair and transparent investigation into the incident, ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and take stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, Stalin recalled that the previous DMK government had consistently opposed bilateral talks with Karnataka on the Cauvery issue, arguing that such discussions had never yielded any tangible benefits for Tamil Nadu.

"Karnataka has always acted contrary to Tamil Nadu's interests after such meetings. Bilateral talks have only prolonged the dispute rather than protecting the State's rightful share of Cauvery water," he said.

Reiterating the DMK's stance on the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project, Stalin said there was no purpose in holding talks with Karnataka on the issue. He recalled that when then Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had invited Tamil Nadu for bilateral discussions, the then DMK government had rejected the proposal.

"With the present Karnataka government remaining adamant on the Mekedatu project, what purpose will bilateral talks serve? Are we merely going there to hear Karnataka reiterate its stance?" Stalin asked.

Warning the TVK-led government against engaging in such discussions, Stalin said bilateral talks at this stage would undermine Tamil Nadu's three-decade-long legal and political struggle over the Cauvery dispute and weaken the State's position.

He alleged that the proposed talks were part of a strategy by Karnataka and questioned why the Tamil Nadu government was willing to "fall into that trap."

Stalin also expressed apprehension over the proposed meeting, pointing out that the ruling party in Karnataka is an ally of the TVK-led government in the State, and questioned whether the exercise was merely an eyewash.

Appealing to the Chief Minister, Stalin urged him to understand Tamil Nadu's legal and constitutional rights before taking any decision on the Cauvery issue.

"If Karnataka refuses to release Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water, it amounts to contempt of the Supreme Court's judgment. Before taking any decision on the Cauvery issue, the Chief Minister should consult all political parties and representatives of farmers' associations," Stalin said.

Officials said extensive modifications are being carried out on the tenth floor of the NKM building, where the CMO is proposed to function. Renovation of the conference hall, dining room and other office spaces commenced on Saturday, with PWD contract workers engaged in the work on a war footing.

According to PWD officials, the NKM building had undergone whitewashing and other maintenance works during the previous DMK regime. However, the TVK-led government's decision to relocate the CMO has necessitated fresh structural changes in and around the building.

As part of the security arrangements, infrastructure in front of the building will be removed. A water fountain constructed at a cost of Rs 8 lakh under the Fort St George beautification project is slated for demolition. The existing two-wheeler parking area and a few other structures will also be removed to create a secure perimeter around the proposed CMO.

The proposed removal of the parking facility has raised concerns among Secretariat employees.

"If the two-wheeler parking area is removed, employees will find it difficult to reach their respective sections and mark biometric attendance on time. Considering the inconvenience to Secretariat staff, the CMO should continue to function from its existing location," a Secretariat employee said.

Officials, however, said the relocation plan is being implemented as per the government's decision and the renovation work is progressing as scheduled. Once completed, the Chief Minister's Office is expected to begin functioning from the renovated premises at the Namakkal Kavignar Maligai.

In Chennai, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy on Sunday, with light rain likely in some areas providing brief respite from the heat. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to be around 28 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather department, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph is expected over the Western Ghats districts. Similar weather conditions, including light rain and thunderstorms, are likely across the rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal through July 27.

The bulletin stated that light to moderate rainfall will continue at isolated places across the state from July 28-30. On July 31, moderate rainfall is likely over the Western Ghats districts, while the rest of Tamil Nadu is expected to receive light to moderate showers.

Meanwhile, Madurai Airport recorded the highest maximum temperature at 41 degrees Celsius, while Ooty registered the lowest minimum temperature at 11.4 degrees Celsius.

However, he cautioned that a single resignation is merely a temporary reprieve and fails to address the core crisis plaguing the medical admissions process.

Speaking to reporters, Nirmal Kumar emphasised that the resignation must not be used by the union government to quell ongoing demonstrations or deflect accountability.

"This resignation is a result of student unity, but it is not the ultimate solution," he said adding "for three years, thousands of aspirants have suffered due to systemic flaws in this examination."

The Minister reiterated his government's steadfast stance on education reform, calling for an immediate ban on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

He urged the central government to transfer all rights regarding educational policies and entrance examinations back to individual states.

Asserting that state governments are best positioned to manage regional academic needs, Nirmal Kumar maintained that restoring education to state jurisdiction remains the only long-term, viable solution for students across the nation.

"This must be viewed as a monumental victory for this massive public and student movement," said Minister for Minorities A M Shahjahan.

"Following a massive protest organized by the CJP at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, along with widespread demonstrations across various states, the Union Minister submitted his resignation today," he said urging the Centre to abolish NEET.

The police said Kayalvizhi owns the building from where the bank branch functions.

According to the police complaint lodged by Namachivayam, Chief Manager of SBI RBO-II, the incident happened on July 21 when branch manager Harsheen Singh contacted Kayalvizhi, the building owner, regarding the repair of a faulty lift. Singh reportedly reached out after the owner's representative allegedly failed to respond to his complaints.

Furious over being contacted directly over a civil issue, Kayalvizhi allegedly visited the branch to speak with the manager. When the conversation turned sour, she turned aggressive, alleged the complaint. The CCTV that went viral shows her slapping the bank official, while the complaint said she abused and threatened Singh.

In the complaint, the Chief Manager sought appropriate legal action against Kayalvizhi. When asked, police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and said investigations were under way.

The bank has not made any official statement regarding the incident, and further details are awaited.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the deceased was identified as Manikumar, who had come to Tiruvannamalai with his family to perform Girivalam.

Manikumar entered the cave-like passage but struggled to come out due to his extreme obesity. He subsequently experienced breathing difficulties and fainted inside the passage.

Fellow devotees managed to bring him out and rushed him to the Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital in a 108 ambulance. However, doctors declared that Manikumar had died on the way to the hospital.

The Tiruvannamalai Taluk police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

Temple authorities advise devotees

Following the incident, the temple authorities have advised devotees with obesity and respiratory problems to avoid entering the cave-like section of the temple.

Temple's entrance

The temple features a small cave-like structure with three entrances, where devotees enter through the rear entrance while lying down, move forward through the narrow passage, and exit through the front entrance before offering prayers to Nandi and Idukku Pillayar.

The move is aimed at ensuring uniform administrative oversight and strict compliance with Agama traditions in temple rituals and infrastructure.

As per the guidelines issued by HR&CE Commissioner TG Vinay, temple authorities must secure the Commissioner's approval at least 15 days before commencing the installation or consecration of a new flagstaff. No proposal will be entertained unless it is accompanied by resolutions passed by the respective regional and district-level committees, making institutional scrutiny mandatory before the process moves forward.

The department has also made it compulsory to obtain the opinion of the Regional Sthapathi on the technical and Agama aspects of the proposal. Every application must be supported by detailed records, including temple particulars, technical reports, photographs, site plans and other prescribed documents to facilitate scrutiny by the department.

The circular further laid down elaborate procedures to be followed before, during and after the consecration ceremony, with officials directed to ensure that every installation conforms to Agama principles, established temple customs and the prescribed administrative process. It also mandated the maintenance of proper records and documentation at every stage of the exercise.

In the circular, the Commissioner said the guidelines had been framed to streamline the process of installing new flagstaffs and to bring uniformity in decision-making across HR&CE-administered temples. All Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and temple executive officers have been instructed to implement the directions scrupulously and ensure that no installation is carried out without obtaining the mandatory approvals.

A Government Order issued by the state government has approved the acquisition of 107.13 hectares of land across Nadiyambalpuram and 14 other villages in Pattukkottai taluk. The acquisition includes 89.49 hectares of patta land, comprising 24.06 hectares of wetland, 58.13 hectares of dry land, 6.64 hectares of manavari land and 0.65 hectares of ryot manai, besides the transfer of 17.63 hectares of government poramboke land under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997.

The order also provides for the creation of 13 temporary posts, including a Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition), survey officials, revenue inspectors and supporting staff, to expedite the acquisition process. The Thanjavur District Revenue Officer has been appointed as the Land Acquisition Officer, while Southern Railway will bear the entire establishment cost.

A Government Order issued by the State has approved the acquisition of 107.13 hectares of land across Nadiyambalpuram and 14 other villages in Pattukkottai taluk

"The proposal has been approved after examining the recommendations of the District Collector and the Commissioner of Land Administration," the GO stated.

The decision comes amid persistent demands from residents of Pattukkottai and surrounding villages for better rail connectivity. The region, home to more than 100 villages, has long complained of inadequate train services despite the completion of the Tiruvarur–Pattukkottai–Karaikudi broad gauge conversion.

This railway corridor traces its origins to 1902 when the metre gauge line was laid. The Kamban Express served the route until 2012, when services were suspended for gauge conversion. Although trains resumed after the broad gauge works, residents say the number of services remains inadequate.

For decades, local organisations have pressed for new broad gauge lines connecting Thanjavur–Pattukkottai and Mannargudi–Pattukkottai, besides seeking a daily overnight express linking Rameswaram and Chennai Egmore via Tiruvarur, Pattukkottai and Karaikudi.

The Thanjavur–Pattukkottai railway proposal has witnessed several unsuccessful attempts over the years. First conceived during the British era in 1932, the project was revived in 2000 with an estimated cost of Rs 101 crore before being shelved on viability grounds.

In 2012, the Railway Ministry sanctioned a preliminary survey with an allocation of Rs 7 lakh, followed by a proposal to build a 47.2-km line at Rs 290.5 crore, later revised to Rs 400 crore in 2015. None of these proposals progressed beyond the planning stage.

Senthilbalaji and his brother, RV Ashok Kumar, secured anticipatory bail from the HC in a case of MLA poaching filed against them.

As per the High Court’s order, they were directed to surrender before the Principal Sessions Court, Chennai, within 15 days of receiving a copy of the order and execute a personal bond for Rs 25,000 each, with two sureties for a like sum. They were also directed to appear before the Triplicane Police twice a day, at 10.30 am and 5.30 pm, and sign the register until further orders.

Complying with the conditions, Senthilbalaji surrendered before Principal Sessions Judge S Karthikeyan, who accepted the bail bond and directed him to appear before the Triplicane Police at 10.30 am and 5.30 pm on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

The case arose from a complaint lodged by TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja, alleging that one Thirunavukkarasu offered him Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker in the proposed no-confidence motion in the Assembly. Elaiyaraja claimed that after he rejected the offer, Thirunavukkarasu called him again and threatened him and his family with dire consequences if he disclosed the conversation. According to the prosecution, the investigation revealed that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted the MLA at the instance of former minister V Senthilbalaji and RV Ashok Kumar. Based on the complaint, the Triplicane police registered a case under Sections 8 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Sections 61 (2) (a) and 351 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In a public advisory, the department said applications for patta transfers and various revenue certificates are accepted only through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai portal and authorised e-Sevai centres across the State.

"All patta transfer applications and requests for revenue certificates are processed only through the online mode. The public should either approach the nearest e-Sevai centre or apply directly through the official portal at www.tnsevai.tn.gov.in," the statement said.

The department also advised applicants to verify their eligibility before applying for government welfare schemes to avoid unnecessary delays or rejection of applications.

However, the Mudhalvarin Mugavari platform will continue to receive and process grievances related to government services, welfare schemes, civic issues and public complaints.

Citizens can submit grievances through multiple channels, including the 1100 toll-free helpline, the CM Helpline web portal (cmhelpline.tnega.org), email (cmcell@tn.gov.in) or by visiting the grievance call centre in person.

The clarification comes amid a large number of petitions being received by the department seeking patta transfers, prompting the government to reiterate that such applications can only be processed through the prescribed e-Sevai system.

“NEET has killed the students’ education,” Elangovan said. “Students who score high marks consistently from Class 1 to Class 12 are unable to get medical seats, while those who pay huge sums to commercial coaching centres gain admission,” he added.

Highlighting the structural inequality of the entrance exam, he cited the case of Anitha, a student from Ariyalur district who scored exceptional marks in her school finals but took her life after being denied a medical seat under NEET. Elangovan pointed out that for approximately nine lakh candidates who cleared NEET this year, the total available seats stand at roughly 91,000.

However, beer manufacturers argue that the revised formula would favour dominant players by allocating procurement equally among licensed brewing units, and not companies or brands, thus helping companies that operate multiple units.

Recently, the State-run liquor retailer has changed the way it distributes purchase orders for beer and the ordinary range (brandy and rum) of Indian Made Foreign Spirits (IMFS). The move, approved by the Tasmac Board on a pilot basis, aims to ensure a "more rational and equitable supply of stocks" while addressing long-standing complaints over preferential procurement.

Beer manufacturers say the concern lies in how the procurement is ultimately divided. They point out that United Breweries, which operates two licensed brewing units in Tamil Nadu, would receive undue advantage under the revised formula. When divided equally among the six beer units, it would receive twice as that of others like SNJ Breweries, KALS Breweries, Accord Distilleries & Breweries, and Tropical Breweries

They further argue that the issue extends beyond the number of brewing units. "Tropical Breweries does not have a brand of its own. Instead, it has entered into contracts with two companies, including UB for which it bottles Kingfisher beer from its plant in Tiruvallur. So, in effect, UB's effective procurement share would be significantly higher than its notional allocation as per the revised formula," an industry source said.

"Currently, UB holds around 38-40% of the market, while SNJ accounts for around 35-40%," the source said, adding that the numbers go vary slightly every month/quarter. DT Next could not independently verify this estimate.

Stakeholders contend that this could result in procurement becoming concentrated with multinational companies that already enjoy a strong presence in the beer market.

To understand the change, it is important to know how Tasmac procures beer. Every shop first estimates how many cases of beer it is likely to sell before the next supply. This requirement, known as an indent, is sent to Tasmac depots, which then place orders with breweries. Suppose a shop needs 180 cases of beer. Earlier, one brewery might have supplied 80 cases, another 60 and a third 40, depending on how their brands performed in previous sales. Under the revised system, the shop will still receive the same 180 cases, but the order will now be divided equally among all eligible breweries instead of being allocated according to past sales.

On the other hand, manufacturers had long argued that the earlier method created a self-reinforcing cycle: Brands that received larger procurement orders enjoyed better shelf availability, leading to higher sales and, consequently, even larger procurement orders in subsequent cycles. While the revised formula removes that sales-linked allocation, beer manufacturers say it addresses only one part of the issue.

The revised formula currently applies only to beer and the mass market range of IMFS, while procurement of medium and premium IMFS will continue under the existing mechanism. Tasmac has also directed Elite and Mall outlets – which sell premium liquor – in the pilot districts to stock at least one case of every medium and premium brand to improve product availability. Despite repeated attempts, both over phone and in person, Tasmac officials did not respond to queries.

In a post on its official social media page, the party's IT wing said Vijay had strongly opposed NEET before the Assembly elections but has failed to speak on the issue since becoming Chief Minister.

The AIADMK also alleged that while college students across the State are staging protests demanding the scrapping of NEET, the TVK government is using the police to suppress the demonstrations instead of addressing their concerns.

The opposition party claimed that Vijay had taken a firm stand against NEET before the elections but had changed his position after coming to power.

Recalling Vijay's earlier statements, the AIADMK said that before entering politics, he had visited the family of Anitha, the student whose death became a rallying point in the anti-NEET movement, to offer his condolences. It also noted that Vijay had reiterated his opposition to NEET while addressing students at a prize distribution function organised by his party.

According to a circular, action can be initiated if a consumer complains about liquor being sold above MRP or if the violation is detected during surprise inspections. Disciplinary action can be taken only after the allegation is verified and the rules apply to supervisors, salesmen, and assistant salesmen at Tasmac retail outlets.

Those found guilty of a first offence will be suspended for one month without pay and fined. Before returning to work, they must give a written undertaking that they will not repeat the offence. They will also be transferred to another shop with lower sales within the same district.

For a second offence, the employee will be suspended for three months without pay and fined. After giving a similar undertaking, the employee will be shifted to a Tasmac depot in the same district, where they must work for at least three months before any further posting.

If caught for a third time, the employee will be suspended, issued a charge memo, and if the charge is proved in a departmental enquiry, the staffer will be dismissed from service.

The circular also directs district managers to record every suspension and dismissal in the employee's service records and maintain a separate register of MRP violation cases for each shop. District managers have also been asked to inform all employees about the revised rules, obtain their acknowledgement and keep the records on file.

The new instructions, issued by Tasmac managing director K Nandakumar on July 24, have been brought into force following directions of the Madras High Court.

It is said that Deepak (31), working in a private firm in Tiruchy, was approached by Madhimitha and Madhana Guru from Mambalasalai, and the duo befriended him. They had reportedly told Deepak that their close relatives are working in the Samayapuram temple and assured him of getting employment in the temple through them. They suggested to Deepak to ready some amount to be given to the officials for the employment..

Deepak, who trusted them, had handed over a sum of Rs 30.20 lakh to the duo. However, after receiving the money, the duo had suspended their contact with Deepak. When he went to their house at Veereshwaram in Mambalasalai, they continued to promise him assistance for a job, and thereafter, they left the place.

Deepak, who later realised that he had been cheated, lodged a complaint against the duo with the Srirangam police on Friday. The police registered a case and are investigating.

Speaking to reporters in Kumbakonam, Vinoth said the TVK government would not compromise on Tamil Nadu's Cauvery water rights. "We will never allow Karnataka to build the Mekedatu dam. The Chief Minister is scheduled to meet Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on August 3 to reiterate Tamil Nadu's stand and secure the State's due share of Cauvery water despite Karnataka citing poor rainfall and water scarcity," he said.

Meanwhile, delta farmers urged the Chief Minister to firmly oppose the Mekedatu project during the talks. Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, secretary of the Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, appealed to Vijay to raise the Nethravathi-Hemavathi project proposed by late Karnataka engineer Dr Bhavani Sankar.

Vimalnathan said the proposed tunnel irrigation system could divert excess rainwater from the Western Ghats for the benefit of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, instead of allowing it to flow into the sea.

He also urged the Chief Minister to press for afforestation across the Cauvery catchment area to improve rainfall.

Following the guidelines laid down by the Madras High Court in Santosh vs district Collector, Madurai, the doctors' team allowed the parents of the deceased to photograph the body. The entire postmortem was videographed and lasted nearly two hours, a police source said, adding that the authorities had strictly adhered to the court guidelines.

After the completion of the postmortem, Arunachalam's relatives received the body, which was immediately taken for cremation amid tight police security. The parents of the deceased did not speak to media persons who were waiting outside the hospital. The cremation was completed shortly thereafter.

"We will also hand over a copy of the postmortem video and the postmortem certificate to Arunachalam's parents," the source said.

The Thoothukudi South police registered a case against Arunachalam (24), a resident of Amudha Nagar in Thoothukudi, on July 17 under Sections 4(1)(a) and 14A of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act after he was allegedly found in possession of 120 liquor bottles (180 ml each) during a prohibition enforcement drive.

He died while undergoing treatment at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday, triggering a protest by his relatives, who refused to receive the body, alleging that he had been assaulted while in police custody. The police denied the allegation, maintaining that he had collapsed after complaining of illness and was shifted to the hospital, where he later died.

Raising suspicion over his death, the Joint Action Against Custodial Torture (JAACT) on Thursday submitted a representation to the Judicial Magistrate, requesting him to ensure that the comprehensive guidelines laid down by the Madras High Court were followed during the postmortem.

Police arrested 83 DMDK cadres after they attempted to enter the theatre.

Police said that a video allegedly arranged by the local TVK MLA's supporters was screened before the movie, leading to the controversy. The video reportedly included television footage of the vote counting during the Assembly election, showing the defeat of DMDK leader Vijayakanth's son, Vijaya Prabhakaran, in the Virudhunagar constituency. It also featured visuals of MLA Selvam canvassing during the election campaign and participating in public events after his victory.

Condemning the screening of the video, DMDK cadres gathered outside the theatre and attempted to enter the premises. Police prevented them from doing so and arrested 83 cadres.

The protest caused tension in the locality. Police said the situation was later brought under control.

According to police sources, Jana Nayagan, starring Chief Minister Vijay, was screened at three theatres in Virudhunagar. TVK MLA Selvam attended a special show at a theatre near the old bus stand along with party supporters. The controversy erupted over the screening of election footage at one of the theatres.

Ashok Kumar moved the Karur court, stating that he was already required to sign the register at the Triplicane police station twice daily in connection with the alleged horse-trading conspiracy case linked to an attempt to topple the TVK government. He argued that complying with bail conditions simultaneously in Chennai and Karur was not feasible.

Accepting the plea, Judge Mahesh permitted Ashok Kumar to execute the bail conditions for both cases in Chennai. A copy of the order was subsequently issued to him.

The Karur Town police had registered a case based on a complaint by Income Tax official Gayathri against Ashok Kumar and around 100 DMK cadres, including Karur Mayor Kavitha Ganesan, alleging an attack on tax sleuths. The court had earlier granted anticipatory bail with a condition that the accused sign the register at the Karur Town police station twice a day on four Saturdays.

It is said that seven persons, identified as Vedivel (40), Manjula (44), Ruban (25), Paul (26), Dharma (33), all from Poolangudi, and Ravi (51) from Kottur, were proceeding to Madurai in the van. 

When their vehicle was nearing Thuvarankurichi on the Tiruchy-Madurai National Highway, a stray cow suddenly crossed the road, and the van hit the animal.

The driver lost control in the impact and hit a centre median. By the time, a TNSTC bus that was following the van rammed into it, in which Vadivel and Manjula died on the spot, while Ruban, Ravi, Paul, Dharma and Kottur Ravi sustained severe injuries.

On information, the Thurvarankurichi police rushed to the spot, retrieved the bodies and sent them to Manapparai GH, while the injured were rushed to a private hospital in Manapparai. 

A case was registered, and investigations are under way.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said Tamil Nadu has completed only 161 km of high-speed corridors, while another 200 km is under implementation. Andhra Pradesh has 308 km operational and 585 km under construction, Karnataka has completed 314 km and is building another 265 km, while Telangana has 56 km operational and 445 km under implementation.

A senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official said land acquisition remains the biggest hurdle for greenfield expressway projects and their execution depends heavily on support from the State government.

"Greenfield expressways involve large-scale land acquisition and can be executed only with the cooperation of the State government. The Chennai-Salem Expressway had to be shelved following strong opposition from farmers and political parties. We have proposals for a few more expressway projects in Tamil Nadu, including the Chennai-Tiruchy Expressway, which could later be extended up to Thoothukudi," the official said.

Across the country, 10,389 km of National High-Speed Corridors and Greenfield Expressways have either been completed or are under construction. Of this, 4,809 km has been opened to traffic, while work is in progress on the remaining 5,580 km.

Tamil Nadu's National Highway network spans 6,805 km. Among the major ongoing projects are the 106-km Tamil Nadu stretch of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway (NE-7), the 44-km four-laning of the Tiruvallur-Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh border section of NH-716, the 28-km Walajapet/Ranipet-Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh border section of NH-40, and the 46-km Marakkanam-Puducherry section of NH-332A. A 15-km Tiruvarur bypass on NH-83 is in the planning stage. The 116-km Chittoor-Thatchur Expressway also passes through Tamil Nadu for about 52 km.

Rajasthan tops the country with 1,340 km of completed and ongoing high-speed corridor projects, followed by Punjab (923 km), Andhra Pradesh (893 km), Uttar Pradesh (884 km), and Haryana (839 km), placing Tamil Nadu way behind several states of comparable size.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Centre periodically reviews the progress of National Highway projects, including high-speed corridors and greenfield expressways, at the project, State and central levels in coordination with State governments.

He said several measures have been taken to speed up execution, including streamlining land acquisition through the Bhoomirashi portal and GIS-based planning, expediting forest and environmental clearances through the revamped Parivesh portal, enabling online approvals for railway overbridges and underbridges, and resolving project bottlenecks in coordination with State governments and other stakeholders.

As the protest gathers momentum, members are angry with the incumbent, which decided to focus on the first-day, first-show of Chief Minister Vijay's final film, Jana Nayagan, instead of joining or voicing support for the stir, shifting the focus of the movement. 

What started on the night of July 20 as a small gathering of eight people at the CPI's Balan Illam in T Nagar has grown into a sustained protest, drawing around 600 to 700 students and youth. The protesters are demanding far more than the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as they have sharpened their attack, demanding the scrapping of the medical entrance test.

Although the protest entered its fifth day on Friday, the enthusiasm among the participants remained strong. On Jana Nayagan's release day, the anger was directed at TVK president and CM Vijay and his party men for not actively participating in the protest, despite having raised their voices against NEET in the past.

Several speakers mocked the Chief Minister and held placards carrying slogans such as, "We need Jana Nayagam, not Jana Nayagan," implying that the State needs democracy rather than a film.

Amid these developments, the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) issued a press release urging protesters not to criticise any particular political party, stating that doing so could divert the movement from its core objective of demanding the abolition of NEET.

Despite the appeal, several speakers continued to target Chief Minister Vijay and the Jana Nayagan movie during the protest, with some raising questions about whether opposition parties are attempting to use the student-led agitation for their own political agenda.

Meanwhile, the May 17 Movement also organised a protest against NEET and the alleged assault on students protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Addressing the press, May 17 Movement founder Thirumurugan Gandhi urged the State government to permit students to stage protests at Chennai's Marina Beach. He also questioned whether the TVK was seeking to mobilise students only to gain political support and votes.

Meanwhile, the State administration was obviously worried about the spread of the protest across the State and tightened security. Police have intensified security across Coimbatore, including at the CODISSIA grounds and VOC Grounds, following intelligence inputs that anti-NEET protesters were planning to gather for a large-scale demonstration. As a precautionary measure, security was also strengthened at several key locations across the city.

Sections of three key government departments are being relocated along with the CMO. This is a significant move after the then J Jayalalithaa government moved back three government departments to Fort St George in 2011, reversing the previous M Karunanidhi-led regime's decision to shift to the newly built Omandurar Government Estate, which the then AIADMK government later converted into a hospital.

The 10-storey NKM building at present houses the offices of Secretaries and sections of 34 government departments and serves as the administrative hub of the State Secretariat. CM Vijay is expected to take the 10th floor of the complex with a clear sea view.

Since assuming office, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has been functioning from the first floor of the Main Building at Fort St George, where the Chief Minister's Office has been located for over six decades. Officials said the government has now decided to relocate the CMO to the 10th floor of the NKM building, citing a space crunch affecting teeming visitors, even though speculation over many other reasons is making the rounds.

According to officials, the Public Works Department (PWD) has begun preparatory work for the shift. The proposed CMO will be established in the existing dining hall adjacent to the conference hall on the 10th floor at Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai. Furniture and other fixtures in the dining hall will be removed and shifted to Kalaivanar Arangam to facilitate the new office.

The relocation of the CMO has necessitated the shifting of sections functioning on the 10th floor. Officials said sections of the Information and Tamil Development Department, Home (Prohibition) Department and Commercial Taxes Department will be relocated along with the CMO.

Among them, the Information and Tamil Development Department will move out of the Secretariat and function from Kalaivanar Arangam, while the sections of the other two departments will be accommodated elsewhere within the Fort St George campus.

The last major relocation took place during the DMK government (2006–11) when the Secretariat was shifted to the newly constructed Omandurar Government Estate complex in 2010. Several key departments, including the Public Department and the Assembly Secretariat, had then moved out of Fort St George before the Secretariat later returned to its original premises after J Jayalalithaa took over the reins in 2011.

The NKM building was constructed by Parsn Foundation and Engineering Company and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister M Karunanithi in 1975, which went through many renovations later on.

The latest data shows a near-even gender distribution among founders, with 7,572 women-led startups marginally outnumbering 7,465 men led startups.

Chennai continues to be the State's startup hub with 5,134 recognised startups, accounting for more than a third of the total.

The capital city is followed by Coimbatore (2,011) and Kancheepuram (1,318). Other districts with significant startup presence include Tiruvallur (916), Chengalpattu (815), Madurai (497), Trichy (446), Salem (403), Erode (350), and Krishnagiri (239).

Sector-wise, IT Services remains the largest segment with 2,002 startups, followed by Healthcare and Lifesciences (1,285), and Agriculture (928).

Other major sectors include Food - Beverages (846), Education (795), Construction (652), Professional - Commercial Services (614), Artificial Intelligence (584), Technology Hardware (543), and Renewable Energy (495).

According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs’s report citing ILO, as of September 2024, children worked as bonded labourers in the rice mills of Tamil Nadu. It cites an ILO study which said over 1,000 families worked in bonded labour in rice mills in a single district of TN.

The ILO data also show that as many as 5 lakh stone quarry workers, including entire families, in Tamil Nadu were bonded labourers. Similarly, workers in spinning mills in the State were often recruited using deception about working conditions and wages.

On June 3, when the US had proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, India was bracketed among countries attracting 12.5% levies, but Washington took note of the amendment New Delhi made to its foreign trade policy prohibiting the import of goods produced using forced labour.

On July 14, the Union government amended the foreign trade policy to prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labour, amid a US investigation into forced labour practices in 60 countries, including India.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the new tariffs on 60 countries on Thursday, a day before the expiration of 10% additional levies on all countries.

The USTR statement said that Greer had made the final action, at President Donald Trump’s direction, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 by imposing tariffs on 60 economies for their failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

Countries that do not have laws barring goods produced using forced labour such as China, the United Kingdom and Japan will face tariffs of 12.5%.

The forced labour tariffs will not apply to raw materials that would lead to unavailability of domestic supply; products that would cause economy-wide disruptions and on products that cannot be produced or grown in sufficient quantities in the US.

Of the 60 countries, the 10% rate applies to 17 countries, including Canada, the UK, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The other 43 will have to bear 12.5%.

The action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and a distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere, Greer said in a statement here.

As per the US report, the goods that India produced or imported that involved forced labour included bricks, carpets, palm-oil blends, cottonseed, embellished textiles, fireworks, footwear, garments, glass bangles, incense stick, leather accessories, matches, e-waste, rice, rubber gloves, sandstone, shrimp, silk fabric, stones, tea, thread/yarn.

According to a report in The Washington Post, the Trump administration is expected to introduce another set of tariffs within weeks that will apply to goods from nations that subsidise excess manufacturing capacity

It is said, Palanivel, a resident of Samayapuram, working as Maniyam (an administrative coordinator), had amassed proportionate wealth and a complaint was lodged against him with the HR&CE officials who conducted a departmental inquiry in which he was found to be making money illegally and so the information was shared to the HR and CE Minister S Ramesh, who recommended that the officials to suspend him.

Based on the order, the officials suspended Palanivel on Friday.

Meanwhile, a video of rodent movement in the ICU surfaced a day after the incident.

After R Tamil Kodi (68) who was undergoing treatment after an ortho surgery was bitten by a rate, the Dean Dr S Kumaravel who inspected the ward and ordered for proper treaments treatment.

On Friday, a day after the incident, the workers cleaned the entire premises and plugged the holes visible around the hospital premises while the Collector Pratik Dayal ordered a probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, a video of the movement of a rat even at the ICU surfaced in the social media and this caused a flutter among the public.

In the video, the rat has been entering via a hole in the ventilation slot and moving around the ICU hall.