The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Sivagangai, Thanjavur, Madurai, Cuddalore, Tirupattur, Vellore and Tiruchirapalli are forecasted to experience heavy showers.

Chennai is also likely to receive rain on Monday, with light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms. The city is expected to record a maximum temperature of 35-36°C. There will be a gradual reduction in rainfall over much of the State from Tuesday, though moderate rain is likely over the Western Ghats. Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Ranipet could receive light to moderate rain at isolated places on Wednesday and Thursday.

The rain comes amid a low-pressure area, which formed over the North Andaman Sea and adjoining areas, moving west-northwestward into the Eastcentral Bay of Bengal. It is likely to intensify into a depression on Monday and a deep depression on Tuesday before moving towards the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast around Wednesday. It has already contributed to widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu.

On Sunday, Bettamkollam in Krishnagiri recorded the highest rainfall of 15 cm, while Thirukkanur in Puducherry and Marandahalli in Dharmapuri received 12 cm each. Pulipatti in Madurai recorded 10 cm.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in some parts of neighbouring Keralam over the next four days, with a possibility of thunderstorms at isolated places. Keralam has witnessed a weak monsoon this year, with a rainfall deficit of 28% from June 1 to September 17, according to IMD data.

According to the FIR registered on September 8, the accused are Dr M Raju, formerly Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (ESI), G Jeeva, formerly Superintendent of the Store Section, and M Rakesh and N Nagalingam, both formerly assistant officials in the Store Section.

The case follows a preliminary inquiry based on a letter from the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, in which it was found that medicines were procured by violating prescribed procurement procedures, resulting in financial loss to the government.

The FIR states that an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) identified irregularities in the procurement process. It specifically cited the purchase of Rub N Run Oil and Liver Tonic at prices much higher than those of equivalent medicines available under the Running Rate Contract or through Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plant Farms & Herbal Medicine Corporation Limited (TAMPCOL).

The alleged excess expenditure on these purchases amounted to Rs 1.59 crore, said the FIR, adding that several procurement-related files were found missing during a subsequent inspection.

The preliminary inquiry allegedly found that the officials placed purchase orders without following prescribed procedures and without obtaining necessary approvals or no-objection certificates.

The case has been registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Indian Penal Code. The investigation has been taken up by the Chennai City Special Unit-III.

The farmers surrounded Sathyabama’s campaign vehicle and questioned her over the water crisis, alleging that she had failed to safeguard the interests of farmers dependent on the PAP system.

A section of the protesters accused Sathyabama of exerting pressure on Water Resources Department officials to release water from the PAP system to the Uppar Dam, for political gain. The farmers opposed such a release, arguing that diverting water to Uppar Dam could affect irrigation supplies in parts of Coimbatore and Tirupur districts.

They maintained that only surplus water from the PAP system should be released to Uppar Dam and urged that the interests of farmers dependent on the project’s irrigation network be protected.

The protesters raised slogans against Sathyabama and questioned her return to the constituency to seek votes without resolving their long-standing concerns. As the protest intensified, Sathyabama attempted to defuse the situation from her campaign vehicle. She told the farmers that she would not take any step detrimental to the interests of PAP farmers.

“I only insisted on stringent action against water theft,” she said, while responding to the allegations.

The protesters, however, continued their opposition and demanded that she stop campaigning in the area. With tension mounting, police personnel intervened and attempted to pacify the protesters.

The situation remained tense for some time before Sathyabama eventually left the area, bringing her campaign programme to an end.

Sathyabama had earlier been elected MLA from Dharapuram on an AIADMK ticket. She subsequently resigned and joined the TVK.

The alertness of the loco pilot, who immediately stopped the train helped avert a major mishap. The SMVT Bengaluru Express (Train No. 17236), bound for Bengaluru from Nagercoil, was passing through the rain-hit stretch between Muthampatti and Sivadi railway stations when the incident occurred.

As the train crossed Muthampatti at around 4.50 a.m., a boulder suddenly rolled down the hillside and struck the train’s wheel assembly with a loud bang. The impact startled passengers who were asleep, several of whom woke up in panic.

Hearing the unusual noise, the loco pilot immediately brought the train to a halt. During an inspection, railway staff found that equipment near the wheel had been damaged. The damaged component was secured with a rope to a nearby support structure, allowing the train to proceed cautiously towards Dharmapuri railway station.

The district had received heavy rain through the night, triggering a landslip in the hilly stretch between the two stations. The train, which normally reaches Dharmapuri at around 5 a.m., arrived delayed at about 5.20 a.m. Railway technical staff rectified the damage, after which the train resumed its journey to Bengaluru at around 5.50 a.m.

Meanwhile, railway personnel deployed a poclain machine to remove the boulder from near the track. The railway police in Dharmapuri have begun an inquiry into the incident.

Noting that Mettur water release for 45 days would be insufficient to realise samba cultivation across the Delta region, the farmers said they are left at the mercy of groundwater to go ahead with the cultivation.

Groundwater usage requires an uninterrupted power supply and new power connections, they said and urged the release of long-pending connections.

“The state government had announced only 50,000 new connections during the annual budget 202627. There are more than 2.86 lakh farmers awaiting in addition to 44,296 farmers who applied through the Tatkal scheme. The government should clarify who would be given priority in the allotment of 50,000 new connections,” said Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association.

Alleging that the government provided new connections only to farmers with political influence or money power in past years, he urged the state government to increase the allotment from 50,000 connections to at least one lakh.

He appealed to the government to provide 10,000 connections reserved for farmers through the social justice scheme, including SC/ST farmers, widows, ex-servicemen, differently abled and legal heirs of freedom fighters and ensure power supply within 15 days of application.

Vimalnathan pointed out that states like Telangana, Andhra, Karnataka and Odisha distribute power connections to farmers within 30 days of application,” he added.

Inaugurating the initiative at Killukudi village near Kizhvelur in Nagapattinam, District Collector KJ Praveen Kumar said a target of 1.26 lakh acres of samba cultivation for the district has been fixed on par with the previous year.

“As per the availability of water, the farmers were advised to take up direct sowing of medium-term paddy this year and complete the direct sowing by September end. To satisfy the seed requirement, a stock of 2,248 MT certified paddy seeds is stocked in the district, and the farmers can avail 50% subsidy on seeds,” he noted.

A stock of 2,248 MT certified paddy seeds is stocked in the district centres, and the farmers can avail 50% subsidy on seeds, said Collector Praveen Kumar urea (2,161 MT), DAP (912 MT), potash (210 MT), mixed fertilisers (604 MT), liquid biofertilizers (17,852 litres) and micronutrient mixtures (24 MT) have been stocked in the district centres, which the farmers can order through Uzhavan App or through the web portals.

Pointing out that the water bodies have been desilted to utilise the entire discharge from the Grand Anicut for cultivation, he said Nagapattinam district, located at the tail end of the Cauvery and the Vennar, gets irrigation through as many as 15 branch rivers and several irrigation canals. All the water bodies are kept ready to ensure free flow of water, he noted.

Sivaganga Revenue Divisional Officer JP Gracia handed over appointment orders for the posts of Dengue Eradication Workers to Poomani, sister of Poopandi, and Radhakrishnan, brother of Deivendran, at the Sivaganga Government Medical College Hospital.

A gang allegedly chased and hacked to death Deivendran of Kayavodai village near Kalayarkoil and Poopandi of Siruvelangudi village near Sivaganga while the duo were consuming alcohol at Kodaikkadu irrigation tank in Pazhamalai Nagar near Sivaganga on September 16. The gang had allegedly mistaken them for members of another group with whom they had clashed near the same tank on the same day.

The police have so far arrested 13 persons in connection with the case.

However, the relatives of the deceased had been protesting for the past three days, demanding a government job for one member of each family and compensation of Rs 50 lakh each. On Saturday, they blocked the Thanjavur-Manamadurai National Highway, disrupting traffic for nearly an hour. The police detained some villagers while clearing the road and released them later.

After receiving the temporary government job orders, the relatives agreed to receive the bodies after the post-mortem examinations were completed. The bodies were subsequently handed over to the families, who took them to their respective native villages for the final rites. The bodies were transported in ambulances under heavy police security.

The family members also condemned the TVK government, alleging that the local Minister had neither visited them nor spoken to them over the phone following the incident.

The case was registered by the Coimbatore DVAC earlier this month, under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13 (2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The accused are former Municipal Commissioner R Murugesan (60), former municipal engineer G Murugesan (60) and former assistant engineer D Nagarajan (61). The FIR was filed after a detailed enquiry ordered by the DVAC director in September 2024.

According to the FIR, road restoration works covering 13.66 km were taken up under the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Programme (TURIP) 2016-17, at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore. The works were executed between September and December 2016, and three contractors were paid Rs 3.93 crore.

The enquiry alleged that the officials were aware that the same roads would soon be excavated for underground sewer pipelines under the Under Ground Sewerage Scheme. The sewerage work commenced on October 13, 2016, while excavation of the newly laid roads began on December 28, 2016.

The DVAC said the materials collected prima facie indicated criminal conspiracy and abuse of official position, resulting in wrongful loss to the government. The FIR has been submitted to the Principal District and Sessions Court, Coimbatore, for further proceedings.

The guide proposes structured SDG clubs with defined governance mechanisms, student leadership roles, regular activities and an annual monitoring system to assess their performance.

Titled ‘SDG Clubs: Shaping Change Agents for Sustainability – A Practical Guide for Setting up SDG Clubs in Educational Institutions’, it’s intended for schools, colleges and universities, and seeks to translate the UN’s 17 SDGs into locally relevant activities while encouraging students to participate in addressing social, economic and environmental issues.

According to the document, SDG clubs are envisaged as platforms that can move students beyond classroom learning and one-time awareness campaigns towards continuous engagement, leadership and measurable community impact. The clubs are expected to bring together students, teachers, parents, local governments, NGOs and experts to work on sustainability-related priorities.

The guide notes that the SDGs, adopted by 193 UN member states in 2015 under the Agenda 2030 framework, comprise 17 goals and 169 targets. These include poverty eradication, food security, health, quality education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, employment, sustainable infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, climate action, protection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, inclusive institutions and global partnerships.

The proposed SDG club structure includes an institutional head, an advisory board, a staff coordinator, a student coordinator and student goal champions. Students should be assigned responsibility for individual SDGs, enabling them to promote awareness among peers and develop activities related to their chosen goals.

The clubs are also expected to encourage interdisciplinary participation, partnerships with other SDG clubs, networking with professionals and alumni, volunteering, research, documentation and participation in regional or national SDG-related events.

For colleges, the guide describes SDG clubs as advanced platforms for leadership, innovation and action-oriented learning. Students will undertake research, internships, project-based learning, policy engagement, campus planning, innovation challenges, start-up initiatives and volunteering with government bodies and communities.

SPC also identifies SDG localisation as an important role for college clubs. Students could work with local governments, NGOs and other institutions on issues such as clean water, waste management and renewable energy. They will also undertake data collection and research, develop pilot projects and contribute to policy discussions.

For schools, activities are to be tailored according to age. Primary school students could participate in storytelling, games, art activities, gardening, SDG badges and simple sustainability habits. Middle school students could take part in workshops, debates, eco-club activities, community service and project-based learning. Secondary school students could be introduced to student-led governance, sustainable school projects, Model United Nations, entrepreneurship, climate campaigns, field visits and collaborative projects.

The guide specifically proposes a ‘Young SDG Heroes Club’ for primary students aged 6-10, with short bi-weekly sessions led by teachers and parental involvement. Activities include storytelling, visual learning, art and craft projects, waste-sorting games, school gardening, litter-free days, water-saving activities and educational visits.

Gender inclusivity is given a specific place in the proposed framework. Clubs are expected to promote equal representation in leadership, prevent discrimination and harassment, use gender-sensitive communication and provide leadership-development opportunities. The guide also calls for gender-disaggregated participation data and partnerships with organisations working on gender equity.

Community engagement is another major component laid out by SPC. Suggested activities include waste segregation drives, water conservation projects, health-awareness campaigns, tutoring, support for vulnerable communities, lake and pond restoration, tree planting and neighbourhood clean-up programmes. SDG clubs will also work with Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies on surveys, awareness campaigns, behaviour-change initiatives and community mobilisation.

The guide proposes a 100-point SDG club scorecard to enable institutions or the State department to assess clubs annually. The framework covers club functioning, awareness and education activities, community engagement, partnerships and governance linkages, student capacity building, innovation and research, campus sustainability and the quality of reporting. The monitoring toolkit is also intended to track annual plans, activities and student skill development.

The document further emphasises accessibility and inclusive participation, including support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities. It envisages SDG clubs as a long-term mechanism through which educational institutions can embed sustainability into academic and extracurricular life while connecting students with local development challenges.

Overall, the proposed framework positions SDG clubs not merely as environmental or awareness clubs, but as structured student-led platforms combining education, community engagement, innovation, leadership and local governance. The objective is to enable students to translate the global SDG framework into practical initiatives within their schools, colleges, neighbourhoods and communities.

SDGs’ targets

Poverty eradication

Food security

Health

Quality education

Gender equality

Clean water, energy

Employment

Sustainable infrastructure

Sustainable cities

Reduced inequalities

Responsible consumption

Climate action

Protection of marine, terrestrial ecosystems

Inclusive institutions

Global partnerships

Club structure

Institutional head

Advisory board

Staff coordinator

Student coordinator

Student goal champions

Activities for schoolkids

• Primary school: Participate in storytelling, games, art activities, gardening, SDG badges and simple sustainability habits

• Middle school: Participate in workshops, debates, eco club activities, community service and project-based learning

• Secondary school: Participate in student-led governance, sustainable school projects, Model UN, entrepreneurship, climate campaigns, field visits and collaborative projects

Community engagement

SDG clubs will also work with Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies on surveys, awareness campaigns, behaviour-change initiatives and community mobilisation, and implement the following:

Waste segregation drives

Water conservation projects

Health-awareness campaigns

Tutoring

Support for vulnerable communities

Lake and pond restoration

Tree planting and neighbourhood clean-up drives

Addressing a meeting at Madurantakam, Arjuna had put the Communists on the spot over alleged corruption in the previous regime, particularly in the highways and public works departments.

"Did corruption take place in the highways department? Did corruption take place in the public works department? Communist comrades should answer," he said.

Arjuna alleged that a 27% commission system prevailed in government contracts, with 10% allegedly going to a "family fund", 8% to a ministerial fund and 7% to officials. He also questioned the Communists on alleged irregularities in CMDA and TASMAC and alleged that ministers and the then chief minister received money.

Arjuna claimed the TVK government had addressed the alleged commission system by reducing tender estimates in the highways department by 27%. He said 27 tenders had been awarded after such reductions and cited a tender worth around Rs 65 crore as an example.

Reacting to the remarks, Subbarayan questioned the TVK leadership over its handling of MLAs who had won on the BJP-AIADMK alliance ticket.

"Why did you make the MLAs who won on the BJP-AIADMK alliance ticket resign? Why did you induct them into the TVK immediately after their resignation? Why did you select two of them as TVK candidates?" he asked.

Subbarayan sought an explanation for what he termed the "political motive" behind the moves and questioned the TVK's claim of being a clean political alternative.

"If corruption and irregularities are established, the Communists will oppose them, whoever is involved, " he said.

CPM state secretariat member K Kanagaraj, meanwhile, turned the attack towards the TVK government's claim of upholding social justice.

"Minister Aadhav Arjuna should answer this. You have named your alliance the Social Justice Alliance. If 4,724 nurses are appointed only on a contract basis, how is social justice being ensured?" he asked.

Kanagaraj questioned the proposed contractual appointment of nursing college teachers and other staff and also asked how the government could claim social justice while appointing 2,047 conductors and ministerial staff on contract.

He also alleged that subsidies for nutritious meal centres had not been released for three months.

"What kind of social justice is it to delay the subsidy meant for the food of poor children?" he asked.

They were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, and further probe is under way.

After a video clip showing the students involved in the clash went viral on Sunday, the police warned that strict action would be taken against those sharing such videos.

According to the police, a 17-year-old school student from Vannarpettai and a polytechnic student from Thalaiyuthu had quarrelled over a social media post.

Subsequently, the polytechnic student, along with his friends, allegedly intercepted and assaulted the school student at the Tirunelveli Junction bus stand.

Based on a complaint, the Junction police registered a case and, after an inquiry, apprehended eight juveniles and produced them before the Juvenile Justice Board.

Meanwhile, the Tirunelveli City Police, in an official release, stated that action had been taken against eight students in connection with the altercation at the Junction bus stand.

Letters had also been sent to the principals of the school and polytechnic college concerned, asking them to take disciplinary action against the students.

The police further warned that posting videos on social media in a manner that reveals the identities of juveniles amounts to a violation of Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

In a circular dated September 19, Tasmac said that its Board of Directors had approved the welfare measure through Resolution No 23/2026 dated August 31, following representations from trade unions and labour associations.

The measure was subsequently announced by the Prohibition and Excise Minister in the Assembly on the same day. The advance can be availed for Pongal, Deepavali, Christmas, Ramzan, Bakrid or any other religious festival permitted or notified by the Tamil Nadu government.

Only one advance can be sanctioned to an employee in a year, and a fresh advance will be granted only after the earlier amount is fully recovered. An eligible employee must submit a written option to the District Manager, specifying the festival, at least one month before the month in which it falls.

The advance will be disbursed along with the remuneration for the month immediately preceding the festival month. If no option is exercised, it will be paid with the December remuneration for Pongal. The amount will be recovered in 10 equal monthly instalments of Rs 2,000, beginning the month following disbursement. For advances paid with December remuneration, recovery will run from January to October.

If an employee leaves Tasmac service before full recovery, the outstanding amount will be recovered in one lump sum. District Managers have been directed to maintain employee-wise records and ensure strict compliance with the scheme.

The study found dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of just 0.1 to 0.2 mg/L at the point where the river enters from Karnataka. According to the firm, BioSynk, the near-zero oxygen level indicates severe organic pollution and conditions unsuitable for aquatic life.

Healthy freshwater ecosystems generally require DO levels of around 7 to 9 mg/L, while prolonged exposure to levels below 4 mg/L can adversely affect fish and other aquatic organisms.

Kelavarapalli dam, located about 8 km from the Karnataka border and 10 km from Hosur, has been witnessing persistent formation of toxic-looking foam along several kilometres of the river. The foam is generally associated with sewage and other pollutants entering the water, while turbulence caused by water falling from a height further contributes to frothing.

Tamil Nadu Environment and Climate Change Minister VK Rajeev inspected the dam on July 7 amid concerns of pollution.

Field tests recorded total dissolved solids (TDS) levels between 485 and 491 ppm (the healthy level is 50 to 300). The team also reported elevated levels of phosphorus and nitrates in the water. According to the firm, the presence of these nutrients is contributing to excessive frothing and the extensive growth of water hyacinth in the reservoir.

The dam has a watershed area of about 3,676 hectares and is an important water source for the SIPCOT Hosur drinking water scheme and the Hosur corporation's water supply system.

The pollution of the river has also raised concerns among farmers, with the study team stating that more than 8,000 acres of agricultural land depend on the water source. Farmers are reportedly using the water for irrigation, including flower cultivation.

The team claimed that prolonged use of the polluted water could affect groundwater quality, with open wells and borewells in agricultural areas also showing signs of contamination. It further said farm workers handling the water had reported skin rashes and allergies, while livestock were unable to consume the water.

Dakshayani S Dalavai, managing director of BioSynk and a member of the expert team, said the interstate pollution issue could be addressed without relying solely on conventional sewage treatment plants (STPs), which require continuous power, manpower and maintenance.

She proposed an inline treatment system at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, using the natural gravity flow of the incoming water to treat the polluted stream before it enters the reservoir.

Dalavai said similar modular, gravity-assisted systems had been deployed in river basins in northern India and Gujarat. She said a policy intervention by the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments could address the 15-year-old issue within one or two months.

Farmers and residents have urged both governments to take immediate measures to prevent further pollution, protect agricultural livelihoods and restore the quality of groundwater in the region.

The minister reviewed the types and quality of handicraft products displayed at the showroom, their pricing, presentation, and procedures for marketing them in domestic and international markets. He also held discussions with showroom officials on design changes, value addition, branding, marketing strategies and expanding export opportunities.

The visit followed the inauguration of a Poompuhar handicrafts exhibition and sales event at Shilparamam in Telangana on Saturday. During the event, Mathan Raja interacted with Tamil Nadu handicraft artisans and officials from the handloom, handicrafts, textiles, and khadi departments, and heard about their professional difficulties, requirements, and market-related challenges.

The minister highlighted the importance of promoting Tamil Nadu's GI-tagged handicrafts, including Thanjavur paintings, Swamimalai bronze idols, Nachiarkoil kuthuvilakku, Thanjavur art plates, Pattamadai mats, Mamallapuram stone sculptures, and Kallakurichi wood carvings.

He said measures would be taken to improve the design, quality, presentation, branding and pricing of these products and expand their market opportunities in India and abroad. The government also aims to ensure that artisans receive appropriate recognition and income for their skills and traditional knowledge.

Mathan Raja said the information gathered from the inspection would be used to strengthen Poompuhar's production and marketing activities, modernise its showrooms, add value to products and establish stronger market linkages for artisans.

Addressing a booth agents’ meeting in Madurantakam, Aadhav Arjuna said the Secretariat proposal was being unnecessarily politicised and that the government would decide on the location only after receiving a detailed project report (DPR).

“Fishermen brothers and sisters, the Chief Minister has not taken any decision yet on the Secretariat. If the choice is between the Secretariat and the livelihood of the fishing community, our Chief Minister will certainly stand by the fishermen,” he said.

The remarks came against the backdrop of protests by fishing communities and Left parties against the proposed Pattinapakkam site. The government has decided to move away from the location and is examining alternative sites along the East Coast Road, according to a DT Next report dated September 19.

Taking a swipe at the Left parties opposing the project, Aadhav asked them to state with a clear conscience whether DMK functionaries had received commissions during the previous regime.

Speaking to DT Next, Vijayendra Bidari, Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Madurai, said, “The web-based platform brings together the details of sensitive routes and locations, police databases, leader statues and previous unrests, giving police officers a complete picture while planning security.”

The system covered 938 sensitive locations in Ramanathapuram district alone, with live camera feeds from the field integrated into the monitoring platform.

Organising security for the annual Immanuel Sekaran guru pooja on September 11 and Thevar Jayanthi, marking the birth anniversary of Pasumpon Muthuramalingam on October 30, has remained an uphill task for police and revenue officials. Thousands of people from southern districts converge for the two events in Paramakudi and Pasumpon, respectively. Politicians and party functionaries also participate.

The security challenge is compounded by the history of caste-related tensions and incidents of violence associated with the events in the previous years. Against this backdrop, the new geo- mapping system brings together information on sensitive routes, locations, and previous incidents to aid security planning.

“Real-time updates from checkpoints enabled the police to coordinate the arrivals and departures of various groups sequentially without overlaps,” said Bidari

The application was accessed by the police’s technical team and senior officers through computers installed in police vehicles deployed in the field, enabling them to monitor sensitive locations and receive live inputs while moving between different points, the IG said.

The real-time monitoring enabled 11,000 police personnel to respond swiftly to developments in the field, said a senior police officer.

Moreover, with a click of a button on a sensitive location marked on the virtual map, police officials could access the history of previous untoward incidents reported in the area and enforce security arrangements more effectively.

Geo-mapping also helped ease traffic movement. “With the help of live feeds, we ensured that vehicles did not clog any road or junction leading to the venue,” said Bidari.

The Police Technical Wing developed the software and implemented it for the first time during the Immanuel Sekaran Guru Pooja this year. TS Anbu, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), who oversaw the security arrangements for the event, also witnessed the functioning of the geo-mapping system.

Samba cultivation contributes the highest share of total paddy production in the State, with at least 10.50 lakh acres cultivated in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore, and production estimated at 45 lakh MT. Around 60% of farmers depend on bore wells for samba cultivation, while the remaining 40% opt for river irrigation.

However, the farmers said that the samba target might not be achieved this year as Mettur storage has been declining day by day and on Sunday it stood at 47.809 TMC against the previous week of 50.977 TMC (on Sept 13), with inflow witnessing a sharp decline to 4,484 cusecs on Sunday against the inflow on Saturday with 6,563 cusecs.

“The current storage at Mettur can be used only for 40 days. El Niño might cause rainfall to fall short of expectations. As the outflow from Mettur stepped up to 12,000 cusecs on Sunday against 3,000 cusecs from the opening date of September 1, the storage would further decline,” said P Kalaivanan, Senior Agricultural Technocrat.

Explaining that a steady release of at least 22,000 cusecs could only flow upward towards the tail-end region and would not reach the irrigation canals otherwise, Kalaivanan said farmers dependent on river water irrigation should quit samba cultivation.

He suggested that farmers with adequate borewell facilities can go ahead, as the current flow into the rivers could have recharged the groundwater table. “The farmers who had already ploughed their lands should opt for direct sowing that would reduce the usage of water. The sowing should be completed by September 30; only then will the crops benefit from the ensuing North East monsoon,” Kalaivanan said.

He also stated that cultivation by September end would realise harvest by February, for which December is a crucial period as the crops would reach either milking or flowering stage. “There should be rain at least for 10 days in December, which would support the growth of the crops,” Kalaivanan said, stressing that rain-fed cultivation is the only possibility for samba this year.

Sami Natarajan, state general secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, noted that most of the farmers of the tail-end regions dependent on the groundwater need proper support from the government.

However, in certain areas in the Delta, the farmers have commenced the samba cultivation with the anticipation of the NE monsoon. “Though a good spell of rain is forecasted for the NE monsoon despite the El Niño conditions, the absence of storage facilities is a major hurdle,” Natarajan said. He appealed to the government to create farm ponds in rainfed regions for farmers to store water temporarily and utilise it for irrigation.

Meanwhile, PR Pandian, President of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Association, said, “Despite repeated appeals to the government to release Mettur water only by September 30, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay released water on September 1. Now, the water flow in the main rivers has been affected.”

“Had the government paid heed to our suggestion on releasing Mettur water, we could have realised some benefit to a certain extent. The government should bear responsibility for loss,” Pandian added.

Samba cultivation in Delta region:

• Total cultivation: 10,42,500 acres

• Thanjavur- 3.36 lakh acres

• Tiruvarur- 3.62 lakh acres

• Mayiladuthurai- 1.72 lakhs

• Nagapattinam- 1.62 lakhs

Water declining fact sheet in Mettur (past week):

• Full level – 120 feet

Status of distributaries of the Cauvery from Grand Anicut as on Sept 20:

• Cauvery: 3,703 cusecs (full capacity 10,691)

• Vennaru: 3,305 (full capacity 3.305)

• GA Canal: 1,011 (full capacity: 3,380)

• Kollidam: 1007 (full capacity nil)

• Cauvery irrigating districts: Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai (empties at sea in Poompuhar)

• Vennar: Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam (empties in Bay of Bengal in Nagai)

• GA Canal: Thanjavur and Pudukkottai (empties in Mumbalai lake in Pudukkottai)

• Kollidam: Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai (empties in Bay of Bengal via Pazhaiyar in Mayiladuthruai) 

In a statement, Nainar said Modi was an elected Prime Minister who had enhanced India’s standing on the global stage and condemned the performance as an attempt to ridicule him.

The remarks followed criticism from BJP leaders over a mimicry performance at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore on Saturday. A comedian mimicked Modi during the event, and footage of the performance was subsequently circulated on social media.

Nainar alleged that Rahul had repeatedly resorted to such conduct out of frustration over successive electoral defeats.

Calling Rahul a part-time politician, the former minister alleged that the Congress leader appeared on political platforms occasionally, staged what he termed cheap theatrics and then returned to his leisure life.

“How will the people of India accept such a person as their leader?” he asked, alleging that Rahul was directing his frustration at Modi.

The BJP leader accused Rahul of forgetting the basic dignity expected in parliamentary democracy and urged him to abandon what he described as theatrical politics.

“His daydream that he can divert the people through cheap theatrics on public platforms will never succeed,” he said.

Nainar also asked Rahul to introspect and act responsibly, warning that otherwise only such clownish roles would remain in his political career.

Speaking at a wedding function at Velappanchavadi, Udhayanidhi said he had raised 16 questions with Vijay during a 38-minute intervention in the Assembly over the alleged deterioration in law and order during the past four months.

“Even when the Chief Minister returned to the Assembly three days later, he did not answer a single question. Instead, he spoke about the Sarkaria Commission and MISA arrests from 50 years ago,” he said.

Referring to Vijay’s remarks about three files on his table, Udhayanidhi said he had asked the Chief Minister to open them and take immediate action if anyone was at fault. “I told him, ‘Please open them soon and take action immediately.’ There has been no response so far,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the Assembly proceedings, he said, “Tamil Nadu is caught in the hands of a circus gang.” He also mocked ruling party members for singing during proceedings, asking whether legislators had come to the Assembly or a ‘Super Singer’ programme. He said only ‘fight and dance’ were left.

Udhayanidhi claimed TVK had 106 MLAs against the 118 required for a majority and alleged that the government depended on legislators elected on the DMK-led alliance’s record.

Udhayanidhi further alleged that the AIADMK MLAs had been bought and urged the DMK cadre to expose what he called the government’s misdeeds before the people.

Reacting to remarks by TVK leaders, including Aadhav Arjuna, questioning the Left parties, Mutharasan said, “I don't know why Aadhav Arjuna is suddenly angry with us. Whenever an MLA raises an issue, the Chief Minister or the concerned minister should give a response. Diverting the issue will serve no purpose.”

Mutharasan said he did not want to dwell further on the political issue at the meeting, which was attended by representatives of different parties and focused on resolving public issues.

On the proposed changes in the management of Chennai airport, Mutharasan said the CPI opposed both privatisation of the airport and handing over its maintenance to private players.

“A minister has said the airport is not being privatised and only maintenance work is being given to a private entity. We do not accept that explanation either. If it goes to private hands, employees working there could be reduced to a bonded-labour-like situation,” he said.

He said the airport had been developed with public money and should not be handed over to private entities.

“The Centre is gradually attempting to privatise airports, railway stations and railways. The Chief Minister's letter appears to support that effort. Chennai airport is a profitable international airport. We do not accept its privatisation or even handing over its maintenance to private parties,” Mutharasan said.

“Shanmugam’s experience is equivalent to our age. He is someone who has fought for the people throughout his life. He has the right to express his views. We will accept his constructive criticism and suggestions that are feasible,” the Minister said in response to a question from the media about Shanmugam’s continued criticism of the TVK for not conducting an all-party meeting to discuss policy issues affecting the people of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the DMK’s criticism that the TVK could not have formed the government without the support of its former alliance partners, Rajmohan said the government had been formed with the support of women and the common man.

Responding to the DMK’s criticism that the TVK lacked a majority, the Minister recalled that the DMK had formed a minority government in 2006 after winning 98 seats.

“Our government functions by sharing power in the administration with our alliance partners,” he said.

Unlike the previous DMK government, which, according to him, approached its alliance partners such as the Congress and Communist parties with a “big brother” attitude and did not accommodate them in governance, the TVK government was running a coalition government and providing ministerial berths to its alliance partners.

“Did the DMK ever give even a single ministerial post to the Indian Union Muslim League?” he asked.

“Our leader has fulfilled what he promised during the election regarding power-sharing in the government,” he said.

However, it may be noted that the dengue numbers that the minister shared is only till now, but the surge in fever cases happens during and immediately after the monsoon – and the number is likely to rise in the coming months.

According to figures shared by the minister, the State reported 56,863 dengue cases in 2023, 46,971 in 2024, and 25,585 in 2025.

Minister Arunraj said every fever case was being monitored and every death reviewed, while fever camps, disease surveillance, and mosquito-control measures were being carried out across the State.

"There is no cause for panic, but there is no room for complacency either," Arunraj said, urging people to remove stagnant water from their homes and seek early medical attention if they develop fever. He also called for public cooperation in preventing the spread of dengue and stressed the need for timely treatment.

His remarks come at a time when Tamil Nadu is recording a surge in dengue numbers. Officials said they were continuing dengue surveillance and prevention efforts, and monitoring fever cases and strengthening field-level interventions.

The Health Department has been conducting fever camps and, along with other departments and local bodies, intensifying vector-control activities as part of its efforts to contain mosquito-borne diseases.

Arunraj urged residents to ensure that water does not stagnate in and around their homes, as such breeding sites can contribute to mosquito proliferation. He also appealed to people experiencing fever to approach government hospitals without delay rather than ignoring the symptoms.

Reiterating the need for collective action, Arunraj said the government and the public should work together to prevent dengue transmission and protect the State from the disease.

Launched by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as soon as he assumed office, SSF is a preventive and proactive policing initiative. "Through visible policing, focused patrolling, surveillance, awareness programmes, and prompt intervention, the force has enhanced the sense of safety and security among women and children," an official statement said.

As part of its preventive and outreach initiatives, the SSF has conducted 14,231 awareness programmes in educational institutions, 34,632 awareness programmes in other public spaces, and 2,236 awareness programmes among migrant labourers.

According to the police, these awareness initiatives have encouraged women and children to come forward and report offences. "In 20 instances, survivors disclosed offences committed against them earlier following interaction with SSF personnel during awareness programmes," the statement noted.

In a recent case in Chennai, a woman who had been sexually assaulted in April 2026 had initially concealed the offence due to fear of family repercussions and reported only the theft of her jewellery. Subsequently, following an awareness programme conducted by the SSF, she gained the confidence to disclose the sexual assault to the police, following which the accused, a history sheeter, was arrested.

SSF's outreach activities in schools especially have led to registration of cases against sexual offenders. In Madurai, a Class 7 girl disclosed to SSF personnel that a 55-year-old man who was in a relationship with her mother had sexually abused her for over one year. Following this, the accused was arrested. In Tirunelveli, a 15-year-old girl shared to SSF personnel about sexual abuse by her uncle in 2024, after which he was arrested.

Similarly, during an awareness programme conducted at a girls' hostel in Kallakurichi, students disclosed allegations of sexual harassment by a teacher, which led to his arrest.

In addition, SSF teams have systematically monitored and repeatedly visited 1,57,460 identified vulnerable hotspots across the State.

The force's sustained awareness and outreach activities are helping to create an environment in which women and children can seek assistance and report offences without hesitation, according to Tamil Nadu Police.

The decision was conveyed in a circular dated September 19, issued by TASMAC Managing Director to all senior regional managers.

“All District Managers are hereby instructed to issue indent to Retail Vending (RV) Shops strictly based on the actual requirement/request raised by the respective RV Shops,” the circular said.

The move ends the equal-apportionment arrangement introduced from July 20, under which quantities of products from all suppliers were distributed equally among RV shops. “The earlier circular on equal apportionment will stand discontinued with effect from Monday,” Tasmac said.

Senior regional managers have been directed to instruct district managers and depot managers to follow the revised procedure. Copies of the order have also been sent to all district managers, depot managers and RV shop in-charges through the respective district managers.

The revised system effectively shifts stock ordering from uniform allocation to outlet-specific demand. It is expected to reduce the accumulation of slow-moving stocks at retail outlets and help ensure that brands witnessing stronger demand are intended for shop requirements.

In a statement, the TVK IT Wing asked, ‘Mupperum Vizha or Oppari Vizha?’ and said Stalin had not uttered a single word about former chief minister and DMK founder CN Annadurai, but had extensively analysed Vijay’s walk, dress and mannerisms.

Taking a sarcastic dig at Stalin, the ruling party said he appeared to be repeatedly watching the Chief Minister’s every move, describing him as a ‘former…present-day fan’ who was enjoying Vijay’s movements repeatedly.

Referring to Stalin’s remarks thanking the people of Kolathur after his defeat in the 2026 Assembly election, the TVK questioned why he had gone in for revaluation three times after thanking the constituency’s voters for what it termed a ‘Koththu Parotta’ outcome.

On Stalin’s remarks on his arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency, the TVK questioned why he had released a nine-minute video on the issue if there was no need to prove his arrest. It also sarcastically asked whether the detention copy had gone missing.

The party recalled Stalin’s earlier question, “Foreign investment or investment abroad?”, and alleged that his government had a history of displaying a blank white paper in response.

Responding to Stalin’s criticism that Vijay continued to ‘act’ despite quitting films, the TVK cited his cycle rides during foreign visits, mini-vlogs with Instagram users, walking with a Harry Potter stick and monovlog videos, alleging that these were part of an image-building exercise.

The TVK also hit back at Stalin’s reels-obsessed ruling party remark, saying he was now wailing through reels and urged him to recover from his inability to accept the people’s verdict.

“Her outstanding performance, dedication and sporting excellence have brought immense pride to Tamil Nadu and the nation,” Arlekar said, describing Elavenil’s achievement as an inspiration to aspiring sportspersons and the youth.

Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna also congratulated Elavenil Valarivan, noting that she had won her second silver of the day after being part of India’s silver-winning women’s 10m air-rifle team. He said her perseverance, dedication and sustained hard work would serve as an example to Tamil Nadu’s youth.

The DIPR, in two separate social-media posts, congratulated Elavenil Valarivan and Chennai-based motorcycle racer Jagathishree Kumaresan. Elavenil was congratulated for her individual silver, while Jagathishree was praised for securing third place for India in the FIM Asia Women’s Cup of Circuit Racing in Thailand.

The DIPR post described Elavenil Valarivan’s individual medal as India’s first medal, though India had earlier secured silver in the women’s 10m air-rifle team event, in which Elavenil was part of the Indian trio.

The individual silver thus gave Elavenil her second medal of the day, making her the only Indian shooter to win two medals on the opening day of the Games.

Marie Wilson said he made the demands during the State Finance Ministers’ conference on “Financing India’s Journey Towards Viksit Bharat”, chaired by Nirmala Sitharaman at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

“Under the guidance of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, I participated in the conference and submitted a memorandum highlighting Tamil Nadu’s economic development and federal rights,” Wilson said in a social media post.

During his meeting with Nirmala, Wilson said he raised several issues concerning the State’s finances and development.

He sought the early release of funds for schemes implemented jointly by the Centre and the State, particularly those relating to Municipal Administration and School Education.

Wilson also urged the Centre to immediately release pending GST compensation and increase the States’ share in tax devolution to ensure a fair distribution of central tax revenues.

On disaster management, he sought adequate relief funds based on the State’s requirements to deal with natural calamities. He also urged the Centre to ensure its contribution to key infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu.

“We will continue to work to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s fiscal rights and make overall development possible,” Wilson said.

He said the State government would continue to pursue measures to protect its fiscal rights and promote overall development.

The meeting, scheduled for around noon, will review the measures to be undertaken ahead of the onset of the monsoon and the preparedness of districts to deal with heavy rainfall and possible flooding.

According to the officials, the discussions will focus on the measures required across districts, including preventive works in areas vulnerable to flooding and inundation. The Chief Minister is also expected to review the steps being taken to address potential flood risks and ensure timely intervention in vulnerable locations.

Collectors and officials from the Delta districts will participate in the meeting through video conference.

The review comes as Tamil Nadu prepares for the Northeast Monsoon, which is crucial to the State’s annual rainfall. District administrations are expected to strengthen preparedness and ensure that necessary preventive measures are completed ahead of the monsoon.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to assess the preparedness of various departments and district administrations and identify areas requiring immediate attention.

In a statement, she cited the Sivaganga double murder and recent killings in Madurai and Krishnagiri, and questioned the government’s response to the law-and-order situation. She demanded that those responsible be arrested and given the maximum punishment.

On the acquisition of agricultural land for NLC projects in Neyveli, Premallatha sought proper compensation, employment for one member of each affected family, housing, healthcare, roads, drinking water and other basic amenities. She said existing assurances to farmers who had already given up their land should be fulfilled before acquiring more farmland.

She urged the government to intensify dengue-prevention measures, strengthen mosquito-control operations and ensure adequate beds, medicines and testing facilities in government hospitals. She also raised concerns over reported dengue cases among Anna University students.

Premallatha demanded complete farm-loan waiver, citing the farmers’ protest at Samayapuram and the reported waiver of Rs 247.15 crore in crop loans for 50,779 farmers in Tiruchy district.

She also urged the government to address fishermen’s concerns in Pattinapakkam, ensure security during Vinayaka Chaturthi processions and press Karnataka to release Cauvery water.

Raising concerns over alleged unscheduled power cuts and rain-damaged paddy stocks awaiting procurement in Tirunelveli and Vriddhachalam, she asked the government to act immediately on people’s grievances.

Premallatha said continued inaction on these issues would leave people questioning the government’s response to their concerns.

But not anymore.

A rock solid study of over 10 years, encompassing follow up of the same individuals across rural, suburban and urban Coimbatore has found that "non-communicable diseases are not just an urban phenomenon anymore," the KMCH (Kovai Medical Center and Hospital) Research Foundation said.

Inspired by the transformational, multigenerational Framingham Heart Study, the KMCH said its study has found that suburban and rural communities in and around Coimbatore recorded the sharpest rise in new cases of high blood pressure, pushing back both urban and rural populations.

The findings challenge the widely held assumption that non-communicable diseases (NCD) are primarily an urban problem.

The results were presented at the third International Conference on Indian Rural Public Health and Non-Communicable Diseases, held in Coimbatore on Saturday and Sunday.

Founding Trustee, KMCH Research Foundation and Chairman, KMCH, Dr Nalla G Palaniswami, said: "As a young doctor, I was fascinated by the Framingham study and always dreamed if a similar study could be done in our part of the world to understand about NCDs. The idea is to create evidence locally for the people by local researchers and nurture a culture of research among busy clinicians."

That dream has unfolded into a reality and the results doubt would have a profound and far-reaching impact in the way the chronic conditions are dealt with, according to the KMCH.

Another key finding of the study is that such chronic conditions rarely occur in isolation, and abdominal obesity, raised blood pressure, abnormal glucose and lipid abnormalities frequently present together in the same individual.

Among participants who did not have high blood pressure when the study began, the proportion who developed it during follow up was 31.5 per cent in rural, 44.4 per cent in suburban and 37.0 per cent in urban communities.

The KMCH said its NCD study commenced in 2015 covering rural, suburban and urban communities in and around Coimbatore, covering close to 9,600 participant assessments across successive phases, with the most recent survey completed in 2026.

Participants first assessed in 2015 and 2016 were traced and reassessed in the latest round unlike most of the other studies on NCD in India which were one time surveys.

Explaining further, KMCH said its study found that men are progressing considerably faster in developing NCDs than women.

In urban communities, 54.8 per cent of men who were free of high blood pressure at the start developed it, against 26.0 per cent of women.

The gap was similar in suburban communities, at 52.2 per cent for men and 37.7 per cent for women, and in rural communities, at 37.0 per cent and 27.2 per cent.

In most individuals who already had manifested such a condition, it was largely not brought under control.

Among participants who had high blood pressure at the start of the study, 91.1 per cent in urban communities, 80.0 per cent in suburban and 78.7 per cent in rural communities continued to report it during the follow up.

The trend extends to blood sugar as well as those who had been diagnosed with prediabetes progressed into diabetes and people with normal glycemic levels turned prediabetic.

A key finding was that one in four rural adults already had measurable coronary disease.

Abnormalities in carotid arterial wall, early changes in the blood vessels and anemia were among the other findings in the study populations.

Among participants who had prediabetes when the study began, 51.2 per cent in urban communities and 42.2 per cent in suburban communities went on to develop diabetes, against 20.8 per cent in rural communities.

Among those whose glucose readings were normal at the start, 46.3 per cent in urban, 42.0 per cent in suburban and 35.2 per cent in rural communities moved into the prediabetes range.

These glycemic findings are based on 128 rural, 81 sub-urban and 67 urban participants.

A separate arm of the programme examined rural adults aged 35 to 65 who had no symptoms of heart disease.

Using coronary computed tomography at Kovai Medical Center and Hospital to look for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, an established early marker of atherosclerosis, the study detected such deposits in 25.6 per cent of them.

The figure was 33.5 per cent among men and 18.5 per cent among women, and it increased with age.

In other words, roughly one in four rural adults with no complaints already had measurable coronary disease.

Early changes in the blood vessels were also recorded.

Among participants whose carotid intima media thickness was normal at the start, abnormal readings developed in 21.2 per cent of the rural group and 20.7 per cent of the suburban group.

Anemia developed in 31.3 per cent of rural, 26.3 per cent of suburban and 20.0 per cent of urban participants who were not anemic at baseline.

Such conditions, as underlined, rarely occur in isolation.

The conference, the third edition, was organised by the KMCH Research Foundation together with KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, and was held at Dr NGP Conference Hall, Dr NGP Arts and Science College, Kalapatti, Coimbatore, on September 19 and 20, 2026.

Sessions were held on rural public health, cardiovascular health, diabetes and metabolic disorders, maternal, child and adolescent health, healthy ageing, nutrition and lifestyle medicine, tobacco and alcohol control, environmental and occupational health, and health systems and public health policy.

The KMCH NCD Study concludes that rather than waiting for the full manifestation of diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases, initiation of appropriate interventions at the borderline stage itself would help save lives.

It also finds that the differences between rural, suburban and urban communities, and between men and women, indicate that a single prevention approach applied uniformly is unlikely to work.

Reacting to the summons issued to the Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in a land case and notices sent to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's family in Delhi, Elangovan alleged that the BJP views regional parties as its major threat.

"The BJP is very much afraid of the regional parties because the Congress is weak," he said, adding that regional outfits are now uniting to fight the BJP.

Backing CPI(M) leader M V Rajan's call for maximum opposition unity rather than a third front, Elangovan stated that ideologically, all these parties are opposed to the BJP and plan to expose the party to the public to gain votes.

He also accused the BJP of trying to convert democratic India into a "monopolistic India" and acting as if they are the "kings of this country" by refusing to address the people's grievances.

Turning his guns on the TVK government, the DMK leader claimed it had completely "failed" to maintain law and order over the past 100 days. "Within yesterday, eight murders happened," he said, alleging that the ruling party was raking up 50-year-old charges against the DMK because they had no answers for their own recent failures.

Defending DMK president MK Stalin's assertion that he did not need to prove his arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), Elangovan noted that the state-appointed Justice Ismail Commission had already confirmed the arrest. "Why should he prove that he was arrested under MISA?" he asked.

Elangovan also agreed with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertion that the system is suppressing students, stating that it is the fundamental right of any citizen to fight against the government for a genuine cause.

He emphasised that elected governments have a constitutional duty to meet agitators and redress their grievances rather than shutting them down.

Addressing a gathering, Udhayakumar claimed the ongoing debate over the Prime Ministerial face of the TVK-Congress alliance was a "calculated distraction".

"The boxing match between TVK and Congress over whether Vijay or Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial candidate is creating more flutter than the dengue fever panic or the law and order incidents," Udhayakumar said.

"In a single day, 253 people were affected by dengue in Tamil Nadu. Along with three murders in Madurai, eight people have been murdered across the state in 24 hours," he added, stating, "Perhaps, TVK is deliberately spreading this to divert attention".

Criticising the newly formed TVK-led 'Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance', which includes parties like the Congress, VCK, and MDMK, the former minister said the coalition is facing an impending collapse due to the Prime Ministerial candidate controversy.

Udhayakumar strongly condemned Arjuna for recently questioning why a leader from southern Tamil Nadu could not become the Prime Minister. "The speech by him at the Madurantakam by-election candidate introduction meeting is the height of arrogance, ego, and political indecency," he said.

Questioning the minister's political awareness after he purportedly belittled AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Udhayakumar asked, "What can we say about the half-baked speech of a minister who does not even know the basic fact that Palaniswami won by a margin of 98,000 votes."

Udhayakumar also levelled allegations about Arjuna's political career. "He was chased out of the DMK and came to the streets, fell at the feet of Thirumavalavan to join VCK, and when his secret plan to capture the VCK was discovered, he was driven away by loyal party cadres," the AIADMK leader claimed.

He further alleged that Arjuna had approached the AIADMK seeking a leadership position. "When he asked the AIADMK general secretary for the deputy general secretary post to join the party, Palaniswami taught him the grammar of politics, stating that posts are not for sale here and are only for hard workers," he said.

Expressing confidence about the upcoming by-elections, the AIADMK leader declared that his party would secure decisive victories. "The political lesson that will be taught to you in Dharapuram and Madurantakam will put an end to your anarchic dance and horse-trading treacherous politics," Udhayakumar asserted, adding, "The 'Two Leaves' symbol will bloom again in Dharapuram and Madurantakam".

Buying liquor above Rs 500? Pay only through digital modes

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Tasmac introduced a computerised system in 2024 to digitise operations from liquor manufacturing units to retail outlets. Under the system, every liquor bottle sold at retail shops is scanned using handheld devices, which also allow customers to make payments by scanning a QR code.

Despite this, more than 80 per cent of transactions at Tasmac outlets are still made in cash. The average daily liquor sales are around Rs 150 crore, with sales rising further on weekends and special holidays. The cash collected is kept at the outlets and deposited in banks the following day, increasing the risk of theft during transportation.

Rs 500 cash limit at TASMAC shops

Customers can currently select their preferred liquor brands through the Tasmac website, make digital payments and show the generated code at outlets to collect their purchases. However, complaints have been raised about delays in handing over liquor bottles to customers using this facility.

A Tasmac official said the delay was mainly because employees preferred collecting cash payments. The corporation is therefore planning to reduce cash transactions and promote digital payments.

The official said the move would also help prevent liquor bottles from being sold at prices above the prescribed rate and address issues such as a shortage of change.

Under the proposed system, customers will be allowed to pay up to Rs 500 in cash, while purchases above Rs 500 will have to be paid for digitally. Instructions to this effect will be issued to Tasmac outlets soon, the official added.

Tamil Nadu auto fare revision

The state has around 3.46 lakh auto-rickshaws. The existing fare, fixed in 2013, is Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every subsequent kilometre.

Auto-rickshaw unions are seeking a minimum fare of Rs 45 and Rs 20 for every additional kilometre as part of the proposed revision.

The Transport Commissionerate has asked the district administrations to hold consultations with consumer organisations as part of the process to finalise the revised fare structure.

Auto fare hike demand

Sadagopan, president of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre, said the government should finalise the revised fares without further delay, particularly with festivals such as Ayudha Puja and Deepavali approaching.

He said the minimum fare should be fixed at Rs 45, while the fare for every additional kilometre should be Rs 20. He also called for digital meters and GPS devices to be made mandatory in all auto-rickshaws.

As per the policy note of the Prohibition and Excise Department 2026-27, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) operates 4,048 retail vending shops, employing 22,877 staff, including supervisors, salesmen and assistant salesmen.

Tasmac is a state-run corporation vested with the authority for wholesale and retail sales of liquor in the state. Citing a GO, a senior official from Tasmac on Sunday said shop supervisors will wear light blue shirts paired with navy blue trousers, while salesmen and assistant salesmen will wear beige shirts with dark grey trousers.

“All shirts must feature the Tasmac emblem affixed on the left chest and can be worn either tucked in or untucked,” he added.

To ensure uniformity in fabric shades across all districts, staff must procure the approved fabric exclusively from the state-owned Co-Optex outlets located in their respective district headquarters by October 31, 2026. “Stitching must be completed by November 10, 2026,” he added.

Noting that wearing the prescribed uniform throughout business hours becomes mandatory on November 15, 2026, the Tasmac official said that district managers have been directed to conduct inspections starting mid-November.

“Failure to wear or procure the uniform after drawing the allowance without valid reasons will lead to recovery of funds and disciplinary action,” he added. “To support the initiative, the State government has sanctioned an annual uniform allowance of Rs 6,000 per employee to cover three sets of uniforms.”

The Marxist party demanded that the proposal be immediately dropped as fishermen will be affected and the neighbourhood around the chosen site is heavily congested and hence, unsuitable.

The proposal must be withdrawn and an all-party meeting must be held to solicit views on alternative sites and a suitable place must be selected within the Chennai city, the CPM said and warned that it will "stop work" in case authorities commence construction at the proposed site near the beach.

Speaking to reporters after leading the demonstration, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said that the decision to construct the Secretariat-Assembly complex in Pattinapakkam was "flawed and unacceptable" in view of several relevant factors.

The proposed project near the seashore, if implemented, will seriously affect the livelihoods of fishermen and also their residential neighbourhoods.

"Whoever may have proposed this site, it is unacceptable and must be rejected," he said. He said the Tamil Nadu government should accede to the demand of fishermen to build houses for them at that site.

"In case the Secretariat plan at Pattinapakkam fructifies, and if the CM and Ministers frequent this place, due to congestion, people will not wish to continue to live there," he said.

He asserted: "I would like to make it very clear that Pattinapakkam is not suitable by any parameter." To a question on the work for setting up a new office space for the CM at Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai building's 10th floor with the Fort St George campus, the state CPM chief said that a new Secretariat may take years for completion. "In the meantime, they need space, so its okay."

Shanmugam said: "I do not know whether the chief minister is aware of this. But officials must be fully knowing about it. It was officials who provided tsunami relief and built houses for the affected people; the decision to build the new Secretariat in an area vulnerable to tsunami is unacceptable."

Sarcastically, he said: "I do not know if they have discovered a new technology to prevent tsunami and I would also like to ask the State government if it has decided that there will not be no tsunami anymore."

At the same time, the Marxist party does not accept the idea of some leaders to set up an administrative city, "several hundred kilometres away," he said. The Guindy Race Course Grounds, spread over 160 acres, owned by the government is among the appropriate choices.

As the terminus for long-distance buses at Koyambedu in the city has been shifted to suburban Kilambakkam, that site is also available.

Speaking to reporters here, Murugan said that besides enabling children to study in their mother tongue and learn other Indian languages, the Navodaya schools would provide quality education to poor and disadvantaged students.

"Navodaya schools should be brought to all districts of Tamil Nadu. They will enable poor and disadvantaged students to receive quality education. Preventing this would amount to denying them their rights," he said.

On the proposed Secretariat complex, Murugan said the government should shift the project from Pattinapakkam, where fishermen depend on the sea.

"Fishermen's livelihood is entirely dependent on the sea. I know the difficulties they face. Chief Minister Vijay played a fisherman in the film 'Sura'. Merely acting as a fisherman is not enough. He should understand the genuine pain of fishermen," he said.

Earlier, at the 20th Rozgar Mela in Chennai, Murugan handed over appointment letters to 285 newly recruited candidates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nationwide event through video conference, with more than 51,000 recruits receiving appointment letters at 45 locations. The latest edition takes the cumulative number of appointment letters issued through Rozgar Melas to about 12.75 lakh.

Addressing the gathering, Murugan said young government recruits would have a key role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047. He stressed integrity, accountability, compassion, continuous learning and adopting new technologies.

He said India's startup ecosystem has grown from around 400 companies in 2014 to more than 2.5 lakh, while youth participation had expanded in space and nuclear technology. He also highlighted growing participation of women in various fields.

The exercise is to be completed by September 25. Officials have been instructed to verify the existing entries and make necessary corrections.

The exercise covers details relating to transfers, deputation, change of post or cadre and other service-related changes of non-teaching staff.

The department said the process would help ensure that the EMIS database reflects the current status of employees.

The department has also issued instructions for staff who have moved between schools or offices. Such personnel are to be transferred through the administrative transfer module so that their records are linked to the appropriate institution.

The department has asked officials to complete the verification and updating process by September 25. Chief Educational Officers and other concerned officials have been instructed to monitor the exercise and ensure that accurate staff information is available in EMIS.

The 2x800MW project, planned at an estimated cost of Rs 15,000 crore, has remained stalled since 2021. Nirmalkumar inspected the construction works, equipment already procured and stored at the site and warehouses, land and infrastructure works, and facilities related to power connectivity.

He discussed the present status with officials and representatives of associated companies, and noted that nearly Rs 6,000 crore had already been spent and a comprehensive assessment was needed before deciding the next course of action.

Nirmalkumar said the condition of equipment that had remained unused for several years would have to be assessed by the respective manufacturers and technical experts. Its technical condition, corrosion and scope for reuse would be examined. The government would also assess whether some equipment could be shifted and used elsewhere and how the civil works already completed at Uppur could be utilised.

Arrangements for transporting coal remain one of the key challenges for the project, he said. Options such as transporting coal by sea or rail, using smaller vessels and storing coal at Udangudi before transporting it to Uppur would be examined. The cost of each option and its impact on the per-unit cost of electricity generation would be worked out before taking a decision.

The minister said significant work had already been completed on bringing water to the project site and considerable expenditure had been incurred on related civil works.

"Within 30 to 40 days, all aspects will be consolidated, and an appropriate decision will be taken, followed by the Chief Minister's approval," he said.

Nirmalkumar said the government needed to take a clear and responsible decision on the project's future considering the investment already made and the works pending, so that public money was not wasted further.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change VK Rajeev, Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation managing director M Govind Rao and Ramanathapuram Collector M Sivaguru Prabhakaran were present during the inspection.

The project, spearheaded by the organisation's chairman Dr Kalyanasundaram and managing trustee Dr Kirubha Karunakaran, aims to strengthen the livelihoods of coastal waste collectors through structured training, capacity building, and improved access to welfare programmes. Around 3,700 waste-collecting families across the target districts have been identified to receive support under three core pillars: Engage, Educate, and Empower.

Under the initiative, beneficiaries will receive practical training tailored to local requirements, covering efficient collection, systematic segregation, and recycling processes. Specialised skill development programmes will be organised across 11 key locations to enable workers to upgrade their technical capabilities and explore better income-generating avenues in the waste management value chain.

Recognising the severe health hazards inherent in waste handling, the project places strong emphasis on occupational safety. Registered waste collectors will be provided with basic personal protective equipment, including protective footwear, gloves, masks, slippers, and uniform T-shirts, to mitigate daily exposure to health risks.

To build a more organised market for recyclable materials, Hand in Hand India will facilitate direct supply-chain linkages between waste collectors and local scrap dealers. The organisation will also assist eligible workers in accessing benefits under various government social security and livelihood schemes.

By encouraging segregation at source, the project aims to significantly reduce the volume of recyclable waste reaching landfills, thereby protecting vulnerable coastal ecosystems. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to deliver a sustainable framework that balances marine conservation with targeted socio-economic empowerment for waste-collecting communities across Tamil Nadu.