TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for home and law & order

• Singapenn Special Task Force for women's safety; Rs.354 crore allocated.

• 65 STING units to tackle narcotics and gangs across Tamil Nadu.

• Rehabilitation Fund for de-addiction; Rs.70 crore allocated.

• New Road Safety Policy; Rs.200 crore under the CM Accident Relief Fund and Rs.130 crore under the Road Safety Fund.

• Rs.431 crore for police residential quarters benefiting 5,000 police families.

• Rs.17,290 crore allocated to the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for governance reforms

• AI, agentic workflows and speech-to-text tools to modernise government administration.

• Quality Assurance Audit Board backed by AI to monitor file movement and decision quality.

• Governance Processes Reforms Committee under the Chief Secretary to simplify administrative procedures.

• Annual recruitment planner to be published by all recruitment agencies.

• Right to Services Act to be introduced to guarantee time-bound delivery of public services.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for self-help groups

1. Singappenngal Valimaippaduthum Thittam – Rs.5 lakh investment subsidy for eligible SHG enterprises.

2. Rs.38,000 crore credit target for SHGs under the Annual Credit Plan.

3. Loan and subsidy sanction process to be fully computerised with integrated co-audit.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for public distribution system

• Doorstep delivery of essential commodities for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities; Rs.7.18 crore.

• Pilot supply of packaged wheat flour through PDS; Rs.18 crore.

• Rs.14,000 crore for food subsidy.

• Rs.14,830 crore allocated to the Food and Consumer Protection Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for rural development

1. Vetri Veedu Thittam launched for families living in kutcha huts.

2. House construction assistance increased from Rs.3.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh; 70,000 houses to be sanctioned at Rs.3,500 crore.

3. TN-VETRI to integrate rural infrastructure schemes, with sub-missions for water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and connectivity; Rs.6,000 crore annual allocation.

4. Rs.1,000 crore for peri-urban panchayats and Rs.100 crore for hill village panchayats under TN-VETRI.

5. MGNREGS to be implemented with Rs.12,642 crore, including Rs.5,057 crore State contribution.

6. Vetri 150 to provide an additional 25 days of employment to eligible households; Rs.100 crore annually.

7. Rs.39,609 crore allocated to the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for water resources

1. Government reiterates opposition to the Mekedatu project, seeks timely Cauvery releases, raising of the Mullai Periyar water level, Anaimalaiyar and Nallar dams, and the Godavari–Cauvery river link.

2. Cauvery–Vaigai–Gundar River Linking Project to begin this year; Rs.150 crore allocated.

3. Rs.50 crore for DPRs for the Pennaiyar–Cheyyar, Pennaiyar–Palar and Tamirabarani–Vaippar river-linking projects.

4. Rs.25 crore for feasibility studies to restore the Cauvery, Vaigai and Tamirabarani rivers.

5. Rs.10 crore for feasibility study on barrages across the Cauvery and Rs.10 crore for ecological restoration of the Cauvery Delta.

6. Rs.9,264 crore allocated to the Water Resources Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for environment, climate change and forests

• TN-SHORE project to restore 2,500 hectares of mangroves across eight coastal districts; Rs.322 crore allocated.

• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation scheme in 100 villages across 11 districts; Rs.20 crore allocated.

• Rs.1,762 crore allocated to the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for highways

1. Rs.9,300 crore under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme for four-laning state highways, bypasses, road safety works, bridges and road upgrades.

2. Safe Roads Mission to improve road design, construction, maintenance, AI-based traffic enforcement and trauma care.

3. Rs.250 crore for road repairs under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts; defects can be reported through the Namma Salai app.

4. Rs.21,524 crore allocated to the Highways and Minor Ports Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for transport

1. 1,000 new air-conditioned electric buses for Chennai MTC under the Gross Cost Contract model; Rs.500 crore for depot infrastructure.

2. Rs.7,675 crore subsidy for State Transport Undertakings, Rs.2,650 crore as performance gap funding and Rs.1,005 crore as share capital assistance.

3. Rs.13,561 crore allocated to the Transport Department.

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TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for metro rail

1. Chennai Metro Phase II (118.9 km) progressing; Poonamallee Bypass–Porur Junction stretch to open shortly.

Metro proposals awaiting Centre's approval:

Chennai Airport–Kilambakkam

Koyambedu–Pattabiram via Avadi

Poonamallee–Sunguvarchathiram via Sriperumbudur

Hosur–Bommasandra (Karnataka) Metro.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for municipal administration and water supply

1. Chief Minister's Integrated Urban Development Mission launched with Rs.2,117 crore, covering urban infrastructure, water supply, underground sewerage, solid waste management, roads, urban transport, green spaces, water bodies, AI-driven e-governance and urban public health.

2. Intelligent Transport Management System in Chennai in final stages; comprehensive street redesign, smart parking at 20 locations, and road improvements in Ambattur and Guindy industrial estates.

3. Blue-green infrastructure projects around Chennai's water bodies to mitigate urban flooding.

4. Ring Main Pipeline project worth Rs.3,108 crore to ensure round-the-clock drinking water supply across Chennai by 2030–31.

5. People-friendly streets with pedestrian pathways, cycling lanes, junction improvements, safe school access and LED streetlights in all municipal corporations.

6. Global tenders and DPRs to restore the Cooum and Adyar rivers through river rejuvenation.

7. Rs.29,863 crore allocated to the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for housing and urban development

1. Third Master Plan (2027–2046) for the Chennai Metropolitan Area (1,189 sq km) is being prepared to guide future growth.

2. Comprehensive Master Plan to be prepared for the expanded Chennai Metropolitan Area, covering 5,904 sq km, benchmarked against global metropolitan planning frameworks; Rs.25 crore sanctioned.

3. SPEED – An AI-enabled single-window planning approval system integrating the CMDA, DTCP and local bodies to provide timely and transparent planning permissions across Tamil Nadu; Rs.40 crore allocated.

4. 24,131 multi-storied tenements under construction to be completed this year; work to begin on 14,194 additional tenements; Rs.1,253 crore allocated.

5. MY-HOME (Metropolitan Youth and Family Housing Scheme) – 1 lakh housing units to be developed in Chennai over seven years through PPP, attracting

6. Rs.15,000 crore investment, supported by Rs.3,500 crore in Viability Gap Funding and a Digital Rental Voucher system.

7. Rs.8,852 crore allocated to the Housing and Urban Development Department.

Land and industrial infrastructure:

New SIPCOT industrial parks will be established in industrially backward districts based on district-specific industrial plans and sectoral strengths, with state-of-the-art infrastructure; approximately Rs.3,200 crore over the next five years.

5. Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli will be declared a Space Industrial Investment Zone, supported by a Space Vehicle Common Technical Facility in collaboration with IN-SPACe.

6. The government will strive to establish more Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), Dry Ports, petrochemical and ancillary industries, and explore the possibility of new ports in Tamil Nadu.

7. A new Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy will be released to support innovation, emerging industries, exports and sustainable development.

8. India's first AI and Innovation City, 'Arivagam', will be developed with an AI university, semiconductor testing lab, innovation incubators and residential infrastructure; Rs.5 crore allocated for the feasibility study.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for MSMEs and textiles

1. Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme – Rs.225 crore.

2. Capital Subsidy Scheme – Rs.352 crore.

3. Green Steel Production Initiative – Rs.300 crore over five years.

4. Tamil Nadu Institute of Design to be established

5. Technical Textiles Transformation Scheme for Entrepreneurs.

6. Tamil Nadu Palmyra Development Corporation – Rs.16 crore.

7. Tiruppur Textiles Technology Centre (TTTC) – Rs.10 crore.

El Nino Preparedness

The Tamil Nadu government has announced special measures to mitigate the impact of a potential super El Nino. A total of Rs 340 crore has been allocated from the State Disaster Response Fund to strengthen drinking water supply, augment water resources and ensure fodder availability for livestock.

Smart Meters

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson on Wednesday announced that smart meters will be installed for all electricity consumers in Chennai, alongside a new rooftop solar subsidy scheme offering up to Rs 1 lakh for households and financial support for Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in residential complexes.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for industries

1. New Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy to promote innovation, emerging sectors and exports.

2. Guidance 3.0, an AI-powered investment service system, and Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal 3.0.

3. Non-Resident Tamil Investment Facilitation Desk to promote diaspora investment.

4. New SIPCOT industrial parks in backward districts; Rs.3,200 crore over five years.

5. Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli to become a Space Industrial Investment Zone.

6. 'Arivagam', India's first dedicated AI and Innovation City; feasibility study at Rs.5 crore.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for agriculture

1. Crop loan waiver of Rs.5,932 crore, benefiting 14.43 lakh farmers.

2. Kuruvai Package Scheme with an outlay of Rs.134 crore.

3. Rs.7,432 crore allocated towards electricity subsidy for farmers.

4. Rs.14,984 crore allocated to the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for animal husbandry and fisheries

1. Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme – five goats or sheep with 100% subsidy for eligible beneficiaries; Rs.110 crore.

2. 41 veterinary hospital buildings, 25 veterinary polyclinics, 210 upgraded veterinary hospitals and 143 mobile veterinary units.

3. 'Kaalnadaigal Kaappom' livestock insurance scheme; Rs.31 crore.

4. Fodder seed banks and depots; Rs.13 crore for green fodder cultivation and grazing land restoration.

5. Lean-period fishing assistance increased from Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 per family, benefiting 1.93 lakh families; Rs.135 crore.

6. Interest subsidy for purchase of deep-sea fishing boats; Rs.12 crore.

7. Free milch cows for 10,000 eligible women every year; Rs.57 crore.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for energy

1. New BESS Promotion Policy to attract investment in Battery Energy Storage Systems.

2. Rooftop Solar Subsidy Scheme with subsidy up to Rs.1 lakh; Rs.50 crore allocated.

3. Smart meters to be introduced in Chennai and for 50 lakh industrial and commercial consumers.

4. 178 new substations and replacement of 40,000 transformers.

5. 20,000 public EV charging stations over five years; Rs.50 crore allocated.

6. Subsidy for RWAs to install EV charging stations; Rs.5 crore.

7. Free electricity entitlement increased from 100 units to 200 units for eligible households; Rs.1,545 crore allocated.

8. *Rs.18,860 crore allocated towards electricity subsidy.

TN Budget 2026: Key announcements for AI and IT

1. Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission (TN AI Mission) to be strengthened to cover AI, Quantum Technology, AVGC-XR and AI applications across sectors.

e-Sevai 2.0 centres to be rolled out across the State.

2. 'Namma Arasu' WhatsApp Chatbot to expand from 76 to 275 public welfare services.

3. Rs.398 crore allocated to the AI, Information Technology and Digital Services Department.

MY-HOME Housing Scheme

The Tamil Nadu government has launched the MY-HOME (Metropolitan Youth and Family Housing) scheme for Chennai. To be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with an investment of Rs 15,000 crore, the project aims to construct one lakh homes over the next seven years for low-income families and young people. The government will provide Rs 3,500 crore as viability gap funding, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced.

Chennai Rivers Revamp

The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to transform the Cooum and Adyar rivers into world-class urban waterways. A detailed feasibility study and project report will be prepared, with proposals including boating facilities, riverfront promenades and recreational spaces. The initiative aims to make the two rivers a new landmark for Chennai.

TN Budget 2026: Key annnouncements for Health

1. 'Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam' – Every newborn delivered in a Government hospital will receive a 1-gram gold ring; Rs.560 crore allocated.

2. 1,000 Mobile Geriatric Treatment Centres to be introduced in phases across Tamil Nadu; Rs.33 crore allocated.

3. 'Thai Care' maternity support centres to be established for pregnant women, offering free meals, medical care and health monitoring; Rs.23 crore allocated.

4. Hub-and-Spoke Telemedicine System to connect specialist doctors with Primary Health Centres and Government hospitals, beginning with 5 hubs and 200 spokes; Rs.18.5 crore allocated.

5. Five zonal cancer care hospitals to be established under a Hub-and-Spoke model; Rs.10 crore allocated for preparing the Detailed Project Report.

6. Rs.100 crore additional allocation to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines for patients with hypertension, diabetes and cancer.

7. Rs.23,357 crore allocated to the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Key sectoral allocations in the 2026-27 Tamil Nadu Budget:

*.School Education Department: Rs 44,527 crore

*.Higher Education Department: Rs 8,393 crore

*.Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department: Rs 2,022 crore

*.Special Programme Implementation Department: Rs.17,150 crore

*.Cooperation Department: Rs 8,028 crore

*.Agriculture Department: Rs 14,984 crore

Livelihood support scheme

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced that the Tamil Nadu government will provide five goats free of cost under a 100% subsidy to widows, destitute women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities. The Budget has allocated Rs 110 crore for the livelihood support scheme.

Rural Sports Plan

The Tamil Nadu government will organise Tamil Nadu Rural Games to promote and showcase the State's traditional sports on the global stage. The Budget has earmarked Rs 42 crore for the initiative, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced.

Mother Care Centres

The Tamil Nadu government will establish Thai (Mother) Care service and assistance centres for pregnant women across the State. Expectant mothers nearing delivery can stay at these centres and receive free accommodation, food, medical care and continuous health monitoring. The Budget has allocated Rs 23 crore for the initiative, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced.

Cancer Care Expansion

The Tamil Nadu government will establish five regional cancer care hospitals under a Hub-and-Spoke model to strengthen oncology services across the State. The Budget also provides for cancer research and development, with an allocation of Rs 10 crore.

Aandror Membattu Thittam

TN Budget 2026: From anganwadis and senior citizens to disability and transgender welfare, key announcements

1. Aandror Development Scheme – Rs 250 crore allocated for tribal habitations to improve housing, roads, drinking water, streetlights, livelihood infrastructure, community assets, and education-related facilities.

2. Equal Opportunity for All – Rs 462.41 crore allocated to protect the 69% reservation policy through legal efforts and continue the 7.5% medical quota for government school students.

3. Welfare of Persons with Disabilities – Rs 1,485 crore allocated.

4. Social Welfare & Women's Rights – Rs 9,818 crore allocated.

5. Annanin Seer Scheme – Financial assistance for women's marriages with 8 grams of gold and one silk saree; Rs 812 crore allocated.

6. Secular Social Justice Initiatives – Educational assistance for minorities; Haj subsidy increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000; Rs 1.05 crore for Christian and Muslim women's self-help groups; Rs 34 crore for burial ground and cemetery development.

7. Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme Expansion – Extended to Classes 6-8; benefits 15.14 lakh students; Rs 710 crore allocated.

8. New Old Age Homes – 12 new old age homes to be established across 12 districts; Rs 6.6 crore allocated.

9. Transgender Welfare – Subsidised loans for self-employment with grants up to Rs 50,000; 'Aran' shelter homes in 5 districts; short-stay homes in 15 districts.

10. Anganwadi Upgradation – 500 dilapidated Anganwadi centres to get new buildings with drinking water, toilets, electricity, and improved child-friendly infrastructure.

11. Senior Citizens' Recreation Centres – Libraries, yoga, meditation and indoor recreation facilities to be established initially in 5 districts.

TN Budget 2026: Rs 44,527 crore for education, host of youth-focused schemes

1. RS 44,527 crore allocated for school education.

2. RS 8,393 crore allocated for higher education.

3. RS 277 crore to provide helmets and bicycles to 5.32 lakh Class 11 government and aided school students in 2026–27.

4. RS 10 crore to modernise public libraries into digital libraries.

5. 12th standard syllabus to be updated to include NEET-oriented content.

6. RS 2,000 crore allocated under the Vetri Thiran Payirchi Thittam for skill development.

7. 300 government schools in urban areas to receive modern science laboratories.

8. RS 10 crore to establish Tamil Nadu Students Hostel Development Corporation (TNSHIC/SPV).

9. TN-SUDAR scheme: RS 3,200 crore project to build 200 hostels, with the government contributing RS 640 crore (20%).

10. RS 10 crore for a new initiative to strengthen AI and robotics training in government industrial training institutes (ITIs).

11. RS 3 crore for a minor and small industries apprenticeship training scheme, targeting 22,500 youth over five years.

12. RS 90 crore to establish five new industrial training institutes (ITIs).

Breakfast Scheme Expanded

The Tamil Nadu government has expanded the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to cover students of Classes 6 to 8. The scheme will benefit 15.14 lakh students studying in 15,414 schools, with an allocation of Rs 710 crore.

As Tamil Nadu's first Budget session commenced, Opposition leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with TVK MLAs, arrived at the Assembly.

Labour Welfare Boost

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 2,022 crore to the Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department in the 2026-27 Budget, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced.

TN Budget 2026: Major push for education, AI and youth skilling

1. Rs 150 crore allocated for the Vetri Thiran Payirchi Thittam (skills training scheme)

2. 12th pass students and graduates can benefit from the scheme.

3. 20,000 youth from government and private sectors will receive training annually.

4. Monthly financial assistance will be provided to eligible trainees during the training period.

5. 5,000 government school students will receive TN SPARK training.

6. A new AI Economy Mission will be launched to equip students, graduates and professionals with AI skills.

7. Five institutions will receive special financial assistance to promote AI-related education and research.

8. Rs 17,150 crore allocated for the School Education Department.

9. Rs 2,022 crore allocated for the Higher Education Department.

Drug-Free Schools

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 7 crore for a drug abuse awareness programme in schools. Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson also announced that the Drugs Free Tamil Nadu mobile app will be strengthened to enable the public to report incidents related to the spread of narcotics.

Olympic Centres of Excellence

The Tamil Nadu government will set up 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence across the State to nurture athletes with the goal of winning Olympic gold medals. The Budget has allocated Rs 50 crore for the initiative

Hostel Upgrade Plan

The Tamil Nadu government will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to improve student hostel infrastructure across the State. An initial allocation of Rs 10 crore has been made for the initiative

'Thaimaman Thanga Modhiram'

Rs 560 crore allocated for 'Thaimaman Thanga Modhiram' (Gold Ring) scheme. Under the scheme, every child born in govt hospitals to families permanently residing in Tamil Nadu will receive a one gram gold ring.

Education Department

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 44,527 crore to the School Education Department in the Budget. Of this, Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for the Vetri Laptop Scheme for college students, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced.

'Puthiya Payanam Puthiya Vegam scheme'

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the 'Puthiya Payanam Puthiya Vegam scheme', under which 5.32 lakh Class 11 students will receive bicycles equipped with helmets and water bottles. The scheme has been allocated Rs 277 crore in the State Budget, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a modernisation programme for 3,734 government schools at an estimated cost of Rs 2,132 crore. An allocation of Rs 300 crore has been made for the project in the current financial year

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 25 crore for the restructuring and modernisation of the State school curriculum

Revenue Boost Plan

Finance Minister announced that the government will soon constitute a Revenue Enhancement Committee to identify measures for increasing the State's revenue.

Rs 129 crore allocated for 'Super Clean, Super Campus' scheme in 10,000 government schools

Tamil Nadu expects ₹1,000 crore from liquor production cess, ₹15,000 crore through revenue measures; Revenue Enhancement Committee to be set up, says Finance Minister Marie Wilson

Thaimaman Scheme Launch

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced that the Thaimaman Seer Thittam will be launched on September 15, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai.

Modern residential schools for Classes 9-12 to be set up; free uniforms and textbooks to be provided for them, says Minister Marie Wilson

Under 'Super CM', TVK government to roll out 'Super Campus' and 'Super Safety' initiatives

2036 Economic Vision

The Tamil Nadu government has reaffirmed its goal of transforming the state into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036, outlining the vision as a key long-term economic objective in the Budget. - Finance Minister Marie Wilson

TVK government will not allow public money to be looted: Finance Minister Marie Wilson reiterates anti-corruption stand

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson quoted the Thirukkural, "Pirappokkum Ella Uyirkkum Sirappovvaa Seithozhil Vettrumaiyaan" ("Birth is common to all living beings; distinction arises only from the different work they perform.") , at the start of his maiden Budget speech in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson began presenting the State Budget by paying tribute to the ideological leaders of the party before commencing her maiden Budget speech.

Expected announcements in focus

Ahead of the Assembly elections, the TVK had made several key promises, including a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for women heads of families until the age of 60 under the Madhippumikku Magalir Thittam and an unemployment allowance for jobless youth.

TVK-led government’s youth-focused budget will offer new purpose, direction, says Minister Aadhav

The TVK-led government’s first State Budget, which would be presented on Wednesday (August 5), would feature several major announcements across sectors, with a special focus on youth, Minister Aadhav Arjuna said.

The budget would be transformative, carrying announcements aimed at long-term planning for the next 50 years, he said. "The budget will not be a repetition of the previous years. Every department will present announcements with a new purpose and direction, because we are planning for the next 50 years, not just the next election."

CM Vijay vs LoP Udhay to spark fireworks in Budget presentation on Aug 5

Setting the stage for a fiery beginning for the Budget session of the Assembly on Wednesday, the police on Tuesday arrested opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK on charges of making derogatory comment against actor Trisha Krishnan and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during his speech at a protest over Cauvery water sharing in Thanjavur a day earlier. Udhayanidhi was released on station bail later in the day, as directed by the Madras High Court based on Advocate General Vijay Narayan’s submission that the State government had no intention to seek his judicial remand.

“Our Assembly strategy will be finalised on Wednesday morning. But we will raise the issue of his arrest vigorously in the House," said a DMK leader.

TVK govt to unveil maiden Budget amid fiscal constraints

The government is preparing the Budget amid severe financial constraints and limited fiscal space. Owing to the shortage of funds, it has so far refrained from announcing major welfare schemes, except for the Thaimaman Thanga Modhiram Scheme (Gold Ring scheme).

Finance, Planning and Development Minister N Marie Wilson will present his first Budget after assuming office. 

Green League: TN likely to roll out dedicated Climate Budget with Rs 3,000 cr outlay

Tamil Nadu is likely to become the second State in the country, after Odisha, to introduce a dedicated Climate Budget, with the State government expected to earmark up to Rs 3,000 crore for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in the Budget to be presented on Wednesday.

A significant portion of the allocation is likely to be utilised for tackling coastal erosion across Tamil Nadu's 14 coastal districts, besides supporting compensation and rehabilitation measures for fishing communities affected by sea erosion and extreme weather events.

Sources added that the proposed fund could also be used for the restoration and ecological rejuvenation of the Pallikaranai marshland, one of the State's most critical wetlands, 

CHENNAI: The first Budget of the Chief Minister Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government will be presented in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (August 5) amid a politically charged atmosphere.

1. Expected announcements: The Budget could provide clarity on TVK's poll promises, including Rs 2,500 monthly aid for women heads of families under the Madhippumiku Magalir Thittam and an unemployment allowance for jobless youth.

2. Budget being prepared amid severe financial constraints, with the govt so far avoiding major welfare announcements except for the Thaimaman Thanga Modhiram (Gold Ring) Scheme

3. Budget expected to outline govt's fiscal priorities, welfare schemes and development roadmap.

4. Budget will focus on youth and long-term development, with transformative announcements across sectors aimed at shaping Tamil Nadu over the next 50 years: Minister Aadhav Arjuna

5. The govt is also likely to unveil its "Vetri Tamilagam" (Prosperous Tamil Nadu) vision plan.

6. DMK MLAs are likely to boycott the session to protest the arrest of Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin.

7. Agriculture Budget to be presented on Thursday by Agriculture Minister R Vinoth.

8. General discussion will be followed by Demands for Grants, with the Assembly session expected to continue for around 25 days.

Until now, foundational training for Group A and Group B officers has been conducted through the A and B Foundational Training Institute. Among the officers recruited through the Group 1 Examination, candidates appointed as assistant director of rural development, deputy superintendent of police, employment officer, and certain other posts have been undergoing training at the A and B Foundational Training Institute, where they are required to pass the final examination as a condition for the successful completion of training.

The fresh order issued by the State government said that all officers recruited through the Group 1 Examination would undergo a six-week training programme at the Anna Administrative Staff College. At the end of the programme, they must secure at least 50 per cent marks out of a total of 450 in the final examination.

The Government Order, however, has created confusion regarding its applicability to Group A officers. Officers selected through the Group 1 Examination are appointed to Group B services, while Group A posts are generally filled through promotion rather than direct recruitment.

Despite this, the Government Order states that Group A officers must also pass the probation examination and that their probation will be declared only upon qualifying. Since many Group A officers have already completed their probation in their previous lower-level posts before being promoted.

Sources said Srinivasan (64), a retired bank employee from Narasimhapuram in Karur, along with his brothers Arunan (62) and Suresh (61), also retired bank staff, had lost their mother three days ago. They wanted to immerse the ashes in the Cauvery following the funeral.

All three siblings came to Nerur on the banks of the Cauvery in Karur. They got into the water, and Srinivasan accidentally went into the deeper part of the river.

Shocked, his brothers Arunan and Suresh jumped to rescue him; however, all three drowned. The kin who accompanied them raised an alarm.

The public rushed to the spot, rescued them and sent them to a private hospital, but the doctors who checked them declared them dead.

Vangal police retrieved the bodies and sent them to Karur Government Medical College Hospital. A case was registered, and a probe is on.

The protesters gathered near the Kancheepuram Collectorate, demanding that the State government withdraw the SIPCOT project. The protest was led by Indian Farmers' Association vice-president Dilli Babu, along with farmers, villagers and members of various political parties.

According to the protesters, the proposed industrial park is planned across nearly 803 acres covering the villages of Marudham, Tirupulivanam, Pulivai and Karuveppampoondi. They claimed that the land identified for the project includes agricultural fields as well as lakes, ponds and other water bodies that are vital for irrigation.

The Marudham SIPCOT proposal was first announced by the previous government but was kept on hold after the Assembly election announcement following strong opposition from farmers. Protesters now allege that the present government has revived the project and officials have resumed preliminary preparations.

Raising slogans against the project, the protesters said the industrial park would affect the livelihood of hundreds of agricultural families and damage the region's ecological balance. They urged the government to protect agricultural land and not convert it for industrial use.

Farmer associations warned that if the authorities continue with the project despite public opposition, they would intensify their protest in the coming days.

In his address in the Assembly on revised budget estimates for 2026-27, the minister detailed the steps being taken to eliminate corruption. He said the chief minister remains steadfast in this resolve.

"We will not touch a single paisa of the people's tax money. We will not allow anyone to touch it. If touched, we will not spare them. And we will not spare those who have touched it in the past," he said.

The CM stands unshakeable in this resolve and seeing him and hearing his name, "we witness corrupt individuals fleeing in fear every day", Wilson said.

Before the TVK assumed office, a significant portion of tender estimates were "cornered" by few individuals and certain political parties, he alleged.

Wilson said: "The chief minister has achieved an unparalleled milestone by resolutely putting a complete end to this practice. He has also changed the earlier procedure of approval at the government's level for planning permission for multi-storied and high-rise apartment buildings."

"These approvals can now be obtained from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) itself by delegation of powers, thereby eliminating the corruption that prevailed in the earlier process."

The DMK government was in power from May 2021 to May 2026.

While establishing transparency and integrity in tenders and project approvals, the government is now also undertaking various measures for additional revenue mobilisation.

As part of these efforts, the government has recently levied an additional privilege fee on liquor manufacturers. "This is expected to mobilise an additional annual revenue of up to Rs 1,000 crore to the exchequer."

Government is also leveraging Information Technology through initiatives such as "Faceless Assessment" under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), "Faceless Registration" in the Registration Department and end-to-end computerisation in monitoring mining activities.

Such initiatives are together expected to generate additional revenue of approximately Rs 15,000 crore for the government that will enable the implementation of many welfare schemes successfully.

To achieve growth in revenue receipts in tandem with economic growth, to expand revenue streams sustainably and to suggest measures to increase the State's tax and non-tax revenue, the government has recently constituted an expert committee on Revenue Augmentation, headed by former Deputy Chairperson of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, along with five other members, he said.

Through this committee, government aims to strengthen the State's fiscal autonomy and generate the financial resources necessary to fulfil its socio-economic development commitments.

Presenting the TVK government's maiden Budget (Revised Estimates for 2026-27) in the Assembly, Wilson said the chief minister entered public life solely to pay back the debt of gratitude to the people who gave him everything. He also quoted a couplet (All are equal by birth) from Tamil classic Thirukkural before submitting Budget estimates in the House.

Referring to the 2026 Assembly polls, he said the victory of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is not merely that of a political party; it is the victory of the entire people of Tamil Nadu.

Notably, the minister hailed the CM as a real democrat saying, "he overcame numerous conspiracies to win a historic victory, for the sake of the people he loves as his own life and for the people who love him as their own, and today he sits in this House as a true Jananayagan," an obvious pun on the CM's last film by the same name, which also means "people's leader."

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was arrested and later freed on station bail on August 3 and other prominent leaders from the DMK were seated in their respective seats in the House.

The minister said Vijay constantly guides them, offers counsel, and works tirelessly with the sole thought of delivering good governance to the people of the state.

"I express my heartfelt gratitude to this leader cherished by the people," he added.

The minister commnenced his speech by paying his deep respects to TVK's ideological icons 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy, former CM K Kamaraj, Dr BR Ambedkar, stalwarts of freedom struggle, Rani Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal.

Also, Wilson hailed late CMs CN Annadurai and MG Ramachandran as "people centric leaders" and said they governed democratically with unwavering focus on public welfare.

The minister said that the CM guided by the "all are equal" principle has achieved numerous accomplishments within just three months of assuming office and has earned an enduring place in the hearts of the people. "Our chief minister has brought about a massive people's revolution hitherto unseen in the political history of Tamil Nadu."

Increasing the free electricity provided to consumers with bi-monthly consumption of up to 500 units to 200 units and reducing their household expenses and a loan waiver for farmers through co-operative societies were among the initiatives he mentioned.

A special package for Kuruvai (short term) cultivation, the 'Singapenn Special Task Force' for women's safety, creation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Units at the district level to root out the "deep-seated" drug culture in Tamil Nadu formed part of other schemes that Wilson cited.

Also, the finance minister referred to closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets located near educational institutions, places of worship and bus stands that disrupted "daily public life."

He also referred to the "Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam", (gold ring scheme for newborns) to be implemented from September 15, the birth anniversary of Annadurai, for children born in government hospitals.

The implementation of these schemes have reinforced the trust that people have placed in the TVK government, he added.

Presenting the first Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in the Assembly on Wednesday, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the enhanced assistance would cost the State Rs 135 crore during the current financial year.

The minister said the government would continue implementing a range of welfare measures aimed at protecting the livelihoods of fishermen and promoting the overall development of the fisheries sector. These include relief during fishing lean and ban periods, subsidised diesel and kerosene, and infrastructure projects such as fishing harbours, fish landing centres and fish farms.

In another key announcement, the minister said the government would encourage traditional fishermen to venture into deep-sea fishing by extending interest subsidy support for the purchase of deep-sea fishing boats equipped with modern fish processing facilities.

An allocation of Rs 12 crore has been made for the interest subsidy scheme in the current financial year. The initiative is expected to help fishermen modernise their operations, improve income opportunities and reduce pressure on near-shore fish resources.

The announcements are part of the TVK government's efforts to strengthen the fisheries sector while improving the socio-economic conditions of traditional fishing communities across Tamil Nadu.

Presenting the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 in the Assembly, the minister said immediately upon assuming office, the TVK government released the "White Paper on Financial Management" clearly indicating that Tamil Nadu's debt has doubled over the past five years, reaching about Rs 10 lakh crore.

Further, Tamil Nadu has recorded fiscal indicators that trail behind other peer states, including state's Own Tax Revenue as a proportion of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), Revenue Deficit and Fiscal Deficit.

He said: "Interest payments and committed liabilities as proportion of the state's Total Revenue Receipts, have been rising consistently, leaving limited fiscal space for new schemes and programmes."

In these challenging circumstances, the government is working on fulfilling its commitments to the public in a phased manner, while also taking various measures to recover the state from tight fiscal position.

Firstly, the practice of requiring mandatory submission of unnecessary certificates by contractors in public tenders that had made tenders non-competitive and it has now been abolished bringing transparency to the tendering process.

Secondly, the government has discontinued the prevailing system of restricting tender eligibility to the department's own registered contractors and now, contractors registered with any government department may bid for tenders issued by any other department, subject to the prescribed pre-qualification criteria.

Thirdly, to encourage young entrepreneurs and small businesses to bid for government tenders for the first time, eligibility criteria for low-value procurements have been relaxed, giving new and emerging contractors easier access to government tenders.

He said: "The resulting increase in competition is expected to bring greater efficiency to procurement and reduce fruitless expenditure. I am happy to inform this distinguished House that these initiatives have already begun to yield positive results, delivering significant cost savings for the state."

Presenting the first Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in the Assembly, the minister said the new Rooftop Solar Subsidy Scheme would be implemented in convergence with the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Under the scheme, domestic consumers will receive a subsidy of up to Rs 1 lakh to install rooftop solar panels, helping reduce their electricity bills and supporting the transition to renewable energy. An allocation of Rs 50 crore has been made for the scheme.

The Budget also proposed installing smart meters for all consumers in Chennai and for 50 lakh industrial and commercial consumers across the rest of the State. The announcement marks a departure from the previous government's plan to install 3.04 crore smart meters for all consumers in two phases. Under that proposal, the first phase covered 1.44 crore smart meters for all low-tension three-phase consumers, single-phase consumers with bi-monthly consumption above 400 units, all high-tension (HT) consumers and distribution transformers, while the remaining consumers were to be covered in the second phase after successful completion of the first. The phased rollout was also expected to delay the implementation of monthly electricity billing.

To promote electric mobility, the government announced that 20,000 public EV charging stations would be established over the next five years through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, with Rs 50 crore allocated in the current financial year. It also announced a Rs 5 crore subsidy scheme for RWAs to install EV charging stations in residential complexes.

The government also proposed constructing 178 new substations at a cost of Rs 1,543 crore and replacing 40,000 ageing transformers in phases with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.

The Budget announced major transmission projects, including the Rs 4,000 crore Coimbatore-Ariyalur 765 KV transmission line under the PPP mode, strengthening ultra-high voltage transmission infrastructure in Chennai and surrounding areas at a cost of Rs 1,390 crore, expediting the Rs 1,187 crore Green Energy Corridor Phase II and the Rs 1,640 crore Virudhunagar-Coimbatore 765 KV transmission project, besides securing financial assistance for the Rs 6,884 crore Phase III of the Green Energy Corridor project, which will be capable of evacuating 11,760 MW of renewable energy.

To address rising electricity demand, projected to exceed 37,000 MW by 2035-36, the government will introduce a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Promotion Policy to attract private investment and position Tamil Nadu as India's "BESS Hub".

The government said the power sector would play a key role in achieving Tamil Nadu's vision of becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036. It announced that the Udangudi Stage I and Ennore SEZ thermal power projects, together adding 2,640 MW of generation capacity, would be expedited. The Rs 8,000 crore Ennore Thermal Power Station Expansion Project will be implemented through the PPP mode, while the Rs 5,050 crore Vellimalai Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project will also be fast-tracked.

The Budget allocated Rs 1,545 crore towards increasing the free electricity entitlement from 100 units to 200 units for domestic consumers with bi-monthly consumption of up to 500 units. It also earmarked Rs 18,860 crore for electricity subsidies, Rs 5,000 crore as compensation to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, and Rs 15,828 crore for the Energy Department in the Revised Budget Estimates.

Presenting the first Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in the Assembly, Finance Minister N Maria Wilson said the proposed Space Technology Investment District would be anchored around ISRO's upcoming rocket launch facility at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district.

The minister said the government would establish a Space Vehicle Common Technical Facility in collaboration with IN-SPACe, the Centre's agency responsible for promoting and facilitating private sector participation in the space sector. The facility will provide world-class infrastructure for private companies, startups and research organisations operating in the space technology ecosystem.

He also announced the creation of an AI Technology City, named "Arivagam", to support companies working in artificial intelligence, deep-tech and quantum technologies.

The proposed city will house an Artificial Intelligence University, an international skill development centre, semiconductor manufacturing and testing laboratories, innovation incubators and modern residential facilities. It will function as a dedicated hub for implementing both government and private AI initiatives.

To prepare the project, the government has earmarked Rs 5 crore for a feasibility study, the minister said.

Stakeholders pointed out that inadequate funding for higher education has been a long-standing concern, with State universities grappling with financial constraints for nearly a decade. They said many had expected the new government to address the funding crisis, but the latest Budget has instead reduced the allocation compared to the previous financial year.

The government has allocated Rs 8,393 crore to the Higher Education Department for 2026-27, down from Rs 8,494 crore in the previous financial year, marking a reduction of Rs 101 crore.

Educationists and professors questioned the rationale behind the cut, saying that at a time when universities require greater financial support and new academic initiatives, reducing the department's allocation was unacceptable. They argued that the Budget should have provided additional funds to strengthen higher education rather than scaling back allocations.

Despite the reduction in the overall allocation, the government announced several new initiatives for the sector.

A major announcement was the launch of the TN-SUDAR Scheme, under which 200 integrated student hostels with a total capacity of one lakh beds will be constructed across the State. The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,200 crore, will be implemented with participation from both the government and the private sector.

The hostels will feature air-conditioned digital libraries and other modern amenities aimed at improving the learning environment for students.

To implement the project, the government will establish the Tamil Nadu Student Hostels and Infrastructure Corporation (TNHSC) with an initial capital of Rs 10 crore. It will also provide Rs 640 crore, equivalent to 20% of the project cost, as a construction grant.

The Budget also announced the Vetri Laptop Scheme, with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore to provide laptops to students and strengthen digital learning.

The government further reiterated its demand for the abolition of the NEET examination and maintained that admissions to medical courses should be based on Class 12 marks.

The government also allotted over Rs 1300 crore for two gold assistance schemes-- both key promises of the TVK, while asserting steps were being taken to bring Tamil Nadu out of "financial crunch."

Reiterating that the TVK regime opposes NEET, Wilson urged the Centre to scrap the qualifying test and revert to the old method of medical admissions based on class 12 marks.

The minister said Rs 812 crore is the allocation for the "gold coin, silk saree scheme" for women beneficiaries, wherein eight gm gold and a silk saree would be provided to brides during their wedding.

The government has allotted Rs 560 crore for the gold ring scheme for newborns in government hospitals, an electoral assurance of the Vijay-led TVK and Rs 2,000 crore to the laptop scheme for college students under the "Vettri Madikanini Thittam."

Further, the Haj subsidy for first time pilgrims through the Haj Committee will be increased to Rs 35,000 from Rs 25,000, he noted.

Wilson said several steps were being taken to bring the state out of "financial crunch". The TVK government had earlier issued a "white paper" on state finances, saying the outstanding debt stood at around Rs 10 lakh crore.

He said CM Vijay had made a big achievement by stopping "cut" in tenders to some parties and individuals and assured steps to ensure that revenue directly reached the government treasury.

He also listed reformative initiatives, including transparency in tenders.

The minister announced a modernisation plan for schools (Palli Niraivu Thittam) and set apart Rs 300 crore for it for the current year.

He earmarked Rs 125 crore for ultra modern government residential schools (for students from class 9 to 12 ) scheme named after iconic leader, former chief minister K Kamaraj. For the "Drug-free TN" plan, Rs 7 crore has been earmarked.

The minister listed initiatives of the TVK regime such as closure of 717 liquor outlets and 200 units of free power to domestic consumers.

He outlined steps under the visionary schemes, which includes women empowerment and upholding social justice and housing for all.

“He doesn’t even have the basic fitness to serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly or the Leader of the Opposition. Such a mindset is completely unacceptable for public office,” Nirmalkumar asserted. He further emphasised the broader social implications of such remarks made by prominent figures.

“When a Leader of the Opposition, not just an ordinary person, speaks so vulgarly in a public forum, what kind of impact will this have?” he asked, demanding immediate and strict legal action. “Whoever speaks vulgarly against women in public must face legal consequences. The police should arrest them immediately, “ he added.

Meanwhile, Nirmalkumar lauded his party’s president, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, for his handling of the situation. “Our leader, Vijay, is doing exactly what Amma (J Jayalalithaa) or Puratchi Thalaivar MGR would have done if they were here,” he said.

The minister also launched a scathing attack on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of “political opportunism” and failing to defend his party’s legacy. “Palaniswami is hiding behind the DMK. When Udhayanidhi spoke derogatorily about ‘Amma’ in the past, Palaniswami was the Chief Minister. He didn’t take any action then; he just watched quietly,” he added.

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While the 18 km Milavittan-Melmarudur section was completed by March 2022, the remaining stretch has remained stalled despite the State government issuing orders for land acquisition in 2023.

Earlier this year, an RTI reply by activist Dayanand Krishnan revealed that the project was frozen due to low freight prospects. Inadequate fund allocation and utilisation had also been cited as reasons for the prolonged delay.

The latest tender marks the first significant move on the balance section, inviting consultants to prepare the detailed engineering documents required before construction can begin. “The Madurai-Thoothukudi line is an important corridor but the project has remained only on paper for years,” said Krishanan. “Tamil Nadu should not depend on a single railway route between Chennai and Kanniyakumari. Alternate routes are essential, particularly during disruptions such as floods. Floating a tender is only the first step; adequate funding and timely execution are equally important.”

The scope of work includes carrying out the final location survey and a DGPS survey for nearly 120 km of the proposed alignment, besides preparing detailed alignment plans showing track geometry, station yards, bridges, level crossings, gradients, land boundaries etc. The consultant will also prepare General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) for 35 major and important bridges and 13 road overbridges (ROBs) and road underbridges (RUBs), along with hydraulic waterway and scour calculations for 35 major bridges and 182 minor bridges proposed along the route.

Southern Railway has also proposed to prepare the documents in three phases: Melmarudur-Nagalapuram, Nagalapuram-Kalkurichi, and Kalkurichi-Tirupparankundram. The consultant expected to complete the assignment within four months.

The proposed allocation, if announced, would mark the first time that Tamil Nadu has created a separate climate-focused budgetary framework, signalling a shift towards integrating climate resilience into public spending. Sources said the Department of Environment and Climate Change has completed the groundwork for the initiative ahead of the presentation of the first full-fledged Budget of the TVK-led government.

The proposed Climate Budget is expected to focus on protecting vulnerable regions from the growing impacts of climate change, particularly the State's coastline. A significant portion of the allocation is likely to be utilised for tackling coastal erosion across Tamil Nadu's 14 coastal districts, besides supporting compensation and rehabilitation measures for fishing communities affected by sea erosion and extreme weather events.

Sources added that the proposed fund could also be used for the restoration and ecological rejuvenation of the Pallikaranai marshland, one of the State's most critical wetlands, which plays a key role in flood mitigation, groundwater recharge and biodiversity conservation.

The allocation is also expected to support scientific assessment of climate change impacts on the Western Ghats and finance conservation measures to protect the ecologically sensitive mountain ecosystem from increasing climate-related threats.

In addition, the government is likely to include programmes aimed at increasing Tamil Nadu's green cover to 33 per cent of its geographical area through afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives.

Tamil Nadu has been among the early movers in introducing climate-focused policies over the past few years. In 2021, the then DMK government renamed the Environment and Forests Department as the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, giving climate change a dedicated administrative focus.

The previous regime had also announced the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission and the Green Tamil Nadu Mission in the 2021-22.

In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company was established to implement climate-related projects across departments. The State also created the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund with an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore, before formally launching the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission later that year.

At the urban level, the Greater Chennai Corporation became one of the first civic bodies in India to present a dedicated Climate Budget in 2023, earmarking Rs 1,341 crore for climate-related projects.

If the proposed allocation is announced on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu will join Odisha as one of the few states to introduce a dedicated Climate Budget, reflecting a growing emphasis on strengthening resilience against climate risks while mainstreaming climate action into development planning.

Drawing on two statewide WHO STEPS surveys conducted in 2019-20 and 2023-24 covering nearly 12,000 adults, the study found measurable improvements across every stage of the hypertension care cascade, from diagnosis and treatment to blood pressure control, underscoring the impact of sustained public health interventions in the State.

The age and sex-standardised prevalence of hypertension fell from 31.6% in 2019-20 to 26.8% in 2023-24. During the same period, awareness among people with hypertension increased from 30.1% to 36.8%, treatment coverage rose from 21.7% to 32.2%, while the proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure more than doubled from 7% to 14.4%.

Even after adjusting for age, gender, education, occupation and place of residence, the researchers found that people with hypertension in 2023-24 were 1.3 times more likely to know their condition, 1.5 times more likely to be on treatment and 2.1 times more likely to have their blood pressure under control than those surveyed in 2019-20. “Overall, hypertension care in TN improved, with increased use of public health facilities for treatment,” researchers said.

The study also documented a significant change in treatment-seeking behaviour. The proportion of patients regularly accessing government health facilities increased from 47.5% in 2019-20 to 62.4% in 2023-24. The increase was particularly pronounced in rural Tamil Nadu, where dependence on government facilities rose from 57.2% to 76.2%, while the corresponding figure in urban areas increased from 44.4% to 51.3%.

Researchers said that Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) scheme, introduced in 2021 to provide doorstep screening and medicine delivery for non-communicable diseases, may have contributed to the improvement by expanding access to care and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. Around 37.7% of treated patients reported receiving services through the scheme, including 50% in rural areas and 27.9% in urban centres. The authors, however, cautioned that the study’s cross-sectional design establishes association and not direct causation.

The quality of treatment also showed notable improvement. Among patients receiving medication, BP control increased from 31.4% in 2019-20 to 43.8% in 2023-24. Among those treated in government health facilities, control improved from 31% to 44.5%, while patients using private healthcare recorded an increase from 32.3% to 42.5%. Government primary and community health centres posted the highest control rate at 53.6%.

Despite the encouraging gains, the study flagged persistent gaps. Adults below 45 years, men and people without co-morbidities such as diabetes or high cholesterol were significantly more likely to remain undiagnosed, untreated and have uncontrolled hypertension. Researchers recommended extending screening to workplaces and higher educational institutions to improve early detection among younger adults and working-age men, saying sustained quality improvement would be crucial to further reducing the burden of hypertension in Tamil Nadu.

What the study reveals

• BP control more than doubles in TN from 7% (2019-20) to 14.4% (2023-24)

• Hypertension prevalence declines from 31.6% to 26.8%

• Awareness of hypertension increases from 30.1% to 36.8%

• Treatment coverage spikes from 21.7% to 32.2% over the four-year period

• Takers for government healthcare increase from 47.5% to 62.4% overall, and from 57.2% to 76.2% in rural TN

• Nearly 37.7% of treated patients received care through Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme

• Adults below 45 years, men, and those without co-morbidities most likely to remain undiagnosed and untreated

Udhayanidhi was released on station bail later in the day, as directed by the Madras High Court based on Advocate General Vijay Narayan’s submission that the State government had no intention to seek his judicial remand.

The arrest, which came a day before the TVK-led government is presenting its maiden Budget, is sure to hit the session on Wednesday. A senior DMK functionary said they are still waiting for the leadership to prepare the plan of action for the Budget presentation, and the remaining part of the session.

“Our Assembly strategy will be finalised on Wednesday morning. But we will raise the issue of his arrest vigorously in the House," said the DMK leader.

Earlier in the day, based on a complaint lodged by S Bairavi, the TVK's Central District Women's Wing Organiser for the district, the Thanjavur East police registered a case under nine sections and landed at Udhayanidhi’s Neelankarai residence in the morning. There, they met with stiff resistance from DMK leaders and cadres, who argued with the police over the move. Finally, Udhayanidhi’s brother-in-law V Sabareesan and former minister Ma Subramanian intervened to calm the cadre, assuring that the party would pursue all legal avenues to resolve the issue.

From there, the police team proceeded to Thanjavur by road in a big convoy, which was met with scores of DMK functionaries, including former ministers and senior leaders, along the way.

Meanwhile, protests broke out across the State, with party members blocking traffic, burning effigies, and raising slogans against the government for arresting their leader. Many had to be arrested and removed. In response, TVK cadre staged counter protests in many places, leaving the police on tenterhooks.

Considering the situation, the police decided to take Udhayanidhi to Sengipatti police station instead of Thanjavur East station. There, Thanjavur SP E Sundaravathanam and DSP Alagesan conducted the inquiry with Udhayanidhi. After it was completed, he was freed on station bail, and was welcomed with loud cheers by party members.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchy, Udhayanidhi maintained that his entire 25-minute speech at the protest in Thanjavur focused on farmers' issues, the Cauvery water dispute, and the State government's poor handling of agriculture. However, the government resorted to a "diversion tactic" by circulating edited videos and attributing statements that he never made, he alleged, adding that fake reels and manipulated clips were distributed widely, including to national media, to create a false narrative and pave the way for police action.

The Chief Minister was acting in a "cowardly" manner, Udhayanidhi alleged, drawing parallels between his own conduct after the arrest and that of Vijay, who, he said, avoided facing the media when 41 people died in the Karur stampede.

He maintained that the case was an attempt to divert attention from those issues and vowed to continue raising them both inside and outside the Assembly.

While traders and farmers blame the spike in rice prices on poor agricultural output and shrinking cultivation, poultry experts attribute the increase in chicken and egg prices to heat-induced production losses and soaring feed costs.

PS Vinayagam, a wholesale and retail rice trader, said rice prices have increased by Rs 8 to Rs 10 per kg across most varieties over the past few weeks.

"The price of a 26-kg bag has gone up by Rs 200 to Rs 250, increasing to nearly Rs 1,800 from around Rs 1,550, depending on the variety. Tamil Nadu is now procuring substantial quantities of rice from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana because local production has dropped sharply. Unless production improves, there is little possibility of prices coming down in the near future," he told DT Next.

The production shortfall has been severe in the Cauvery Delta, where poor rainfall and inadequate water release from the Mettur reservoir have drastically reduced Kuruvai cultivation.

According to official sources, the area under cultivation has shrunk alarmingly to merely 2.2 lakh acres from 6.3 lakh acres in the last season (the target was also reduced to 3.5 lakh acres). Without adequate water in Cauvery, farmers are dependent on borewells, but frequent power cuts have hit most of them, and only those with diesel generators have taken the risk this year, sources said.

"The crop has been severely affected due to the absence of rainfall and inadequate water availability. Coarse rice prices have increased by up to Rs 10 per kg, while fine varieties have risen by as much as Rs 30 per kg. If the situation continues, prices could increase further in the coming months," said KV Elankeeran, president of the Federation of the Cauvery Delta Irrigation Farmers Association.

Seeking immediate intervention, Elankeeran urged the State government to convene a tripartite meeting involving farmers, traders, and officials to chart measures to stabilise prices. He also suggested temporarily regulating the movement of rice outside the State until local supplies improve.

The impact is already being felt in households.

"We have switched to a lower-priced variety of rice (IR64 - Rs 47/kg) because the premium varieties (Ponni - Rs 70 per kg, earlier Rs 57 per kg) have become unaffordable. Chicken has become an occasional purchase now, and even buying eggs every day has become expensive," said M Lakshmi, a homemaker in Perambur.

The pressure has extended to the poultry sector as well. According to the Broiler Coordination Committee (BCC), Palladam, the live broiler rate climbed from around Rs 100 per kg in June to nearly Rs 150 by mid-July before touching Rs 160 by the end of July. Although prices have eased marginally, the live bird rate stood at Rs 130 per kg on Tuesday.

However, according to Chennai Mutton and Chicken Merchant (Retailers) Association, the live bird price stood at Rs 144 per kg on Tuesday. Retail chicken prices currently hover around Rs 280 per kg for dressed chicken, Rs 320 per kg for skinless chicken, and Rs 340 per kg for boneless chicken in several markets across Tamil Nadu.

Egg prices have also remained elevated. While the average retail price stood at Rs 6.61 per egg on Tuesday, consumers in several localities are paying between Rs 7.50 and Rs 8 apiece.

G Balamurugan, a private-sector employee, said the simultaneous increase in the prices of essential food items has upset his monthly household budget. "Rice, eggs, and chicken are staples for middle-class families. When all three become expensive at the same time, we have no option but to cut spending on other necessities," he said.

Dr M Balaji, Tanuvas professor and coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary Graduates Federation, said prolonged summer conditions had reduced poultry production, while rising feed costs had sharply increased production expenses.

"Soybean, a key feed ingredient, now costs around Rs 60 per kg, while maize has increased to about Rs 23 per kg. These higher input costs, coupled with heat stress, have affected both broiler and egg production," he said.

Balaji noted that the recent correction in egg prices should not be misconstrued as a decline in production costs, as it was largely driven by seasonal demand. He called for a comprehensive price stabilisation framework centred on feed security, scientific market monitoring, climate-resilient poultry infrastructure, institutional procurement during market downturns, export diversification, and targeted support for small and medium poultry farmers.

"The objective should not be to artificially control prices but to reduce extreme market volatility, protect farmers' livelihoods, and ensure affordable animal protein for consumers," he told DT Next.

Agriculture - Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government was closely monitoring the situation.

"The inflow of water from Karnataka has begun and is gradually increasing. We are continuously reviewing the situation and discussing alternative cropping options with farmers wherever necessary. Necessary measures are being taken to increase production, while the Food and Civil Supplies Department is working to contain the price rise," added the minister.

RISING RICE PRICE

Rice prices: Up by Rs 8–10 per kg across most varieties

26-kg rice bag: Increased by Rs 200–250, from around Rs 1,550 to Rs 1,800

Reason: Sharp fall in paddy production, poor rainfall, inadequate Mettur water release, resulting in increased dependence on rice from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana

Kuruvai cultivation: Down from 6.5 lakh acres last year to about 2.2 lakh acres this season

Steps by govt: Reviewing water situation, exploring alternative cropping options, taking steps to boost production, and working to contain food price inflation

BBQ-ing THE BUDGET

Broiler live bird rate: Rs 130/kg in wholesale and Rs 144/kg in retail (August 4)

Dressed chicken: Rs 280/kg

Skinless chicken: Rs 320/kg

Boneless chicken: Rs 340/kg

Retail egg price: Rs 6.61 per egg on average; Rs 7.50–8 in several localities

Poultry feed cost: Soybean at around Rs 60/kg; maize at Rs 23/kg, pushing up production costs

Key drivers: Water scarcity, lower farm output, prolonged summer, heat-induced poultry losses and higher feed prices

Experts' prescription: Feed price stabilisation, scientific market monitoring, climate-resilient poultry farming, institutional procurement during downturns, export promotion and targeted support for poultry farmers

Speaking to reporters after being questioned by police near Tiruchy, he maintained that his entire 25-minute speech was focused on farmers' issues, the Cauvery water dispute and the State government's handling of agriculture.

Udhayanidhi claimed that after his speech received a positive response from farmers, the government resorted to a "diversion tactic" by circulating edited videos and attributing statements that he never made. He alleged that fake reels and manipulated clips were distributed widely, including to national media, to create a false narrative and pave the way for police action.

Rejecting allegations that his speech contained offensive or derogatory remarks about women, Udhayanidhi said he had no such intention. He said his parents had raised him to respect women and added that, as a husband, father of a daughter and brother, he viewed every woman in Tamil Nadu as his own family. He maintained that his speech was solely in support of farmers and insisted he had not used any double meaning or objectionable language.

He said the case and police action were politically motivated attempts to intimidate him, but asserted that he would continue to raise the Cauvery issue and the concerns of farmers. "I will speak again, even a hundred times," he said, adding that he was prepared to challenge the case legally.

LoP criticised the manner in which he was transported by road from Chennai with heavy police security. He said nearly 3,000 police personnel escorted him over about 400 km from Chennai at public expense "as if they were transporting a terrorist". He alleged that despite being taken towards Thanjavur, he was stopped midway at Sengipatti police station where he was questioned before being released, describing the exercise as an unnecessary misuse of taxpayers' money.

Udhayanidhi also called Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay a "cowardly Chief Minister", alleging that he had avoided facing the media during an earlier crisis in which around 41 people had died in a Karur stampede and had remained "underground" for weeks. He claimed Vijay now believed filing cases against DMK leaders would similarly intimidate them. "The DMK has never been afraid. We will continue to meet the people and the media,"

Expressing disappointment that some political leaders had criticised him without watching or listening to his full speech, Udhayanidhi reiterated that he had spoken only about farmers, the delay in releasing Cauvery water and the need for the government to protect Tamil Nadu's rights. He maintained that the case was an attempt to divert attention from those issues and vowed to continue raising them both inside and outside the Assembly.

A CCB team arrested Anbalagan on Tuesday, while Rajkumar of Pudukkottai and Ilayaraja of Usilampatti, who was allegedly hiding in Bengaluru, were arrested on Monday.

Police said Anbalagan, while serving as Madurai North Tehsildar, allegedly removed the temple's ownership from the revenue records and transferred the patta in favour of Ramaayi Ayyar and eight others on June 24, 2016.

The arrests follow an FIR registered by the Madurai city CCB on July 25 based on a complaint by Chellathurai, Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The complaint alleged that 19 persons conspired to illegally transfer the trust property through fraudulent patta mutation, forged documents and mortgage transactions.

According to the police, a will registered in 1930 at the Saidapet Sub-Registrar's Office states that the Ashoka Vilas Bungalow and its adjoining garden on Alagarkoil Road in Madurai belong to a trust established to render services to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Alagarkoil. The will stipulates that the property may only be leased and may not be sold, mortgaged, or otherwise transferred.

Police alleged that Rajkumar and Ilayaraja conspired with Anbalagan to commit the fraudulent patta transfer and the registration of forged documents. Despite an interim stay granted by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in a case relating to the property, Ilayaraja and P Anil, acting as power agents, allegedly executed a registered General Power of Attorney through the Murappanadu Sub-Registrar Office and later registered a mortgage deed before the Vadamadurai Sub-Registrar Office in favour of Kavitha, Piragasu and Kalikumar.

Following the alleged illegal patta transfer in 2016, the temple administration immediately approached the district administration. Former Village Administrative Officer Arasan was placed under suspension, while departmental action and an inquiry by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption were recommended against Anbalagan.

Subsequently, the Revenue Divisional Officer cancelled the Tehsildar's order, ruled that the property belonged to the trust attached to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Alagarkoil, and directed that the patta be restored in the temple's name.

The CCB has also sought an explanation from the Karambakudi Tehsildar over the issuance of the legal heir certificate allegedly relied upon by the accused. The certificate listed Ramaayi Ayyar, Senthamizh Selvi, Prema, Rajkumar, Muthurani, Rajendran, Kuzhandhaiya, Pushparaj, Jothi and Geetha as the legal heirs of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar.

At a meeting of TVK legislators and ministers at the party headquarters in Panaiyur here, minister Aadhav Arjuna urged legislators to remain focused on the government's vision, the Budget and the debate on the demands for grants, instead of being drawn into exchanges with the Opposition.

If a message is directed at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Minister N Anand, Aadhav said the responsibility of responding to allegations levelled by the Opposition should rest with other ministers. "You please leave the opportunity of replying to the questions and charges raised by the Opposition in the House. We will take care of them. You please focus on governance and Assembly proceedings, " he said.

Stepping up his attack on Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, Aadhav condemned his alleged remarks against women and asserted that no one was above the law.

"He made disgusting remarks against women yesterday and today he faced the consequences. No one should escape the law. The government will take all measures to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety and dignity of women," he said.

Udhayanidhi is not fit to be the Leader of Opposition or to guide the DMK, Aadhav claimed. "TVK will remain in power for the next 50 years. Let Udhayanidhi expose himself before the people and face their verdict," Aadhav said.

Ministers from TVK's alliance partners, including P Viswanathan and AM Shahjahan, also attended the meeting held ahead of Wednesday's Budget presentation.

The raid was carried out following complaints that bribes were being collected from vehicle operators to allow them to cross the check post. A DVAC team comprising more than ten officials launched the surprise inspection at around 4 am and concluded around noon.

Officials seized Rs 3.36 lakh in cash that was not accounted for in official records. They questioned Motor Vehicle Inspectors Sumathi and Mahalakshmi with regard to the seizure of cash.

In Tirunelveli, the Palayamkottai All-Women Police arrested Perumal (71), a former hockey player from KTC Nagar, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act following a complaint by the parents of a schoolgirl.

The police said Perumal, who had been coaching school students in Palayamkottai for the past few years, allegedly made obscene remarks to a schoolgirl during a hockey practice session. The student later informed her parents, who lodged a complaint with the police.

In a separate incident in Theni district, the Bodi All-Women Police arrested Venkatesh Prabhu (40), a teacher at a government-aided school, for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old studying Class 12.

The police said the student informed her parents about the alleged harassment, following which they lodged a complaint. A case was registered against the teacher from Bodi under the Pocso Act and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Police said Anandan had returned home late on Monday night after performing a special puja at the temple as part of the ‘Aadi Perukku’ festival celebrations. At night, a wild elephant entered the area near his shed. Awakened by the movement of the animal, Anandan came out to check, when the elephant attacked and trampled him. The animal also trampled one of the cows tied nearby, killing it.

Hearing Anandan’s cries for help, nearby residents rushed to the spot. However, by the time they arrived, the elephant had moved away towards the forest area. The villagers found Anandan dead with severe injuries.

Shocked by the incident, residents staged a road blockade on the Krishnagiri–Kuppam National Highway demanding action to prevent further human-animal conflicts.

Police and forest department personnel rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters. Following negotiations, the villagers withdrew their protest after three hours, at around 1 am. The police later recovered Anandan’s body and sent it for post-mortem.

Finance, Planning and Development Minister N Marie Wilson will present his first Budget after assuming office. The Budget is expected to outline the government's fiscal priorities and development agenda for the current financial year.

The government is preparing the Budget amid severe financial constraints and limited fiscal space. Owing to the shortage of funds, it has so far refrained from announcing major welfare schemes, except for the Thaimaman Thanga Modhiram Scheme.

However, the Budget is expected to include several new schemes, policy changes and administrative reforms aimed at improving governance and public service delivery.

Following the Budget presentation, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) will meet to finalise the duration of the Assembly session and the schedule for Budget discussions.

The government's first Agriculture Budget will be presented on Thursday by Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare R Vinoth. After the general discussion on both Budgets, the Assembly will take up the Demands for Grants for various departments, with the Budget session expected to continue for around 25 days.

TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja had filed a complaint alleging that Thirunavukkarasu, an aide of former minister V Senthilbalaji, offered him Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker during a proposed no-confidence motion in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and later threatened him and his family after he rejected the offer. Based on the complaint, the Triplicane police registered a case and have arrested 14 persons so far, including Ramesh, who the Madras High Court recently granted bail.

Ramesh has moved the Madras High Court seeking transfer of the investigation from the State police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), contending that he would not receive a fair and impartial investigation.

At an earlier hearing, the court granted an interim stay on the investigation against petitioner Ramesh pending further orders.

Subsequently, Sethuraj and Karthik, who were granted bail on Monday, also moved the High Court seeking transfer of the case to the CBI and a direction for a fresh investigation by the central agency.

When the batch of petitions came up for hearing before the Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, the Court directed the Union Government, the Tamil Nadu government and the CBI to file their responses to the petitions.

The bench further ordered that all further proceedings and the investigation in the case on the file of Triplicane police station shall remain stayed until the next date of hearing. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 27.

Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N Anand and Health and Family Welfare minister KG Arunraj chaired a high-level coordination meeting at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital at Omandurar estate, attended by senior officials from health, rural development, municipal administration, school education and other departments to streamline disease-control measures ahead of the northeast monsoon.

The government directed departments to intensify surveillance for dengue, chikungunya, malaria, leptospirosis and diarrhoeal diseases while ensuring seamless coordination between field agencies. Fever surveillance will continue through 5,781 government and private hospitals, supported by 4,083 laboratories functioning under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme to detect unusual disease clusters and trigger immediate containment measures.

Officials were instructed to keep fever wards, fever clinics, medicines, laboratory facilities, beds and emergency treatment infrastructure ready. Local bodies have been asked to conduct door-to-door inspections to eliminate mosquito breeding sources, remove stagnant water, intensify fogging wherever required, chlorinate drinking water supplies, repair leaking pipelines and strengthen sanitation campaigns.

“Prevention before the outbreak of disease is the Chief Minister’s priority,” Anand said, urging officials to intensify mosquito-control efforts, particularly in vulnerable habitats. “The annual review should not remain a routine exercise but translate into committed field action, as monsoon disease prevention is a collective responsibility. Awareness on safe water storage must increase. Senior officials must mentor newly appointed health inspectors to ensure effective implementation of preventive measures across districts.”

The inflow at Biligundlu, which stood at 500 cusecs on Monday evening, rose to 1,000 cusecs in the early hours of Tuesday. It further increased to 8,000 cusecs by 7 am and surged to 18,000 cusecs by 10 am, bringing the dry stretches of the Cauvery back to life with water flowing in full force.

Officials said the inflow is expected to rise further as Karnataka continues to release more than 27,000 cusecs of water from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoirs following heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas.

With the river flow increasing, police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel have intensified patrols and monitoring along the Cauvery banks. As a precautionary measure, the Dharmapuri district administration has prohibited bathing and suspended coracle operations at Hogenakkal.

Officials from the Central Water Commission are also closely monitoring the water flow at Biligundlu, the interstate gauging station on the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border. The Cauvery water reached the Mettur Dam at around 8 pm, with the inflow recorded at 4,923 cusecs.

As on Tuesday morning, the Mettur reservoir’s water level stood at 73.02 feet against its full reservoir level of 120 feet. The dam was receiving a meagre inflow of 67 cusecs, while 1,500 cusecs of water was being released for downstream requirements. The arrival of Cauvery waters from Karnataka is expected to substantially improve inflows into the Mettur reservoir and provide relief to farmers in the drought-hit delta region.

On Monday, a group of 10 persons, including Pandian (49), from Karambakudi in Pudukkottai, his wife Valarmathi (45), son Pavin and relatives, R Dhanalakshmi (47), Thirunavukkarasu (52) and his wife Thillayammal (48), were on a pilgrimage to various temples during the Aadi Perukku by car. Meheswaran from Karambakudi was driving the car.

After visiting various temples in Thanjavur, they headed towards Tiruchy late at night. When they were nearing Pallividai on the Tiruchy-Chennai bypass, the driver missed the service road to Samayapuram, and they were proceeding towards Chennai for around 50 metres.

Upon realising this, the driver, Maheswaran, stopped the car and moved it back, when an omni bus heading to Chennai from Tiruchy rammed into the car in which Pandian, Dhanalakshmi and Pavin, who were seated in the back seat, were crushed to death while Gowsalya, Valarmathi, Thirunavukkarasu, Thillayammal, Gokulavani (13), Mani Sharma (16) and the driver Maheswaran sustained severe injuries.

The onlookers rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and rushed them to a private hospital in Samayapuram. Based on information, Samayapuram police rushed to the spot, commenced the rescue operation, retrieved the bodies and sent them to Samayapuram Government Hospital.

The police also registered a case and arrested the omni bus driver, Ajith Kumar, from Ramanathapuram. Further investigations are under way.

The Thanjavur SP E Sundaravathnam and DSP Alagesan conducted inquiry with Udayanidhi and after the process completed, he was freed from the station.

The cadres greeted him and Udayanidhi waved at them. He is scheduled to reach Tiruchy and would head towards Chennai by flight. He might give a press briefing in Tiruchy airport.

The State witnessed high drama today after police arrived at the DMK leader and Chepauk MLA's Neelankarai residence in the morning and took him away in a police vehicle for questioning, shortly after a TVK women's wing functionary in Thanjavur filed a complaint against Udhayanidhi's remark on actor Trisha while attacking Chief Minister Vijay at a Cauvery agitation yesterday. Angry DMK cadre raised slogans against the ruling party, protesting against the police action, outside his residence, outside Anna Arivalayam, and in Thanjavur, as well as on the route taken by the police vehicle en route Thanjavur.

The tenders covered rural infrastructure works, including construction of community sanitation complexes, laying of cement concrete roads and compound wall improvements across the three panchayat unions - Kadayanallur, Kuruvikulam and Alangulam.

According to the organisation, it had on July 21 submitted a representation to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister N Anand, Principal Secretary Prashanth M Vadnere and Tenkasi Collector Ranjit Singh, alleging that the tender notifications were contrary to GO (Ms.) No. 115.

Arappor Iyakkam had objected to the eligibility condition allowing only contractors registered with the respective panchayat unions to participate in the tenders.

The organisation pointed out that under the revised registration system, all eligible contractors registered with the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) are entitled to bid for tenders floated by any procuring entity within the district and are also eligible to participate in adjoining districts.

Following the cancellation, Arappor urged the state government to ensure that all panchayat unions and local bodies strictly implement GO (Ms.) No. 115 and take action against officials issuing tenders with eligibility conditions contrary to the revised norms.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan issued notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) and posted the matter to August 11.

Kali Poongundran has filed a petition before the Madras High Court challenging the police's refusal to grant permission for the organisation's proposed two-wheeler propaganda campaign against NEET and the EWS quota.

The petitioner submitted that, following the alleged NEET scams and question paper leaks across the country, the organisation had planned a statewide two-wheeler propaganda campaign from July 30 to August 2, 2026, demanding the abolition of NEET and opposing the EWS quota.

He stated that a representation seeking general permission and police protection was submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP) on July 18. However, instead of granting general permission, the DGP directed the organisers to obtain permission from the respective jurisdictional police authorities. Despite submitting applications to the concerned police stations, permission was allegedly denied across Tamil Nadu.

Contending that Dravidar Kazhagam has been campaigning against NEET since 2010, the petitioner sought to quash the DGP's order and direct the police to grant permission for the proposed two-wheeler propaganda campaign.

Staff members said that salaries for April and May were credited only recently after months of uncertainty. However, they alleged that delayed payments have become a routine issue rather than an exception.

According to employees, they have repeatedly raised the matter with authorities and highlighted it through the media, but salary disbursement and reimbursement of allowances continue to be irregular. “We were informed that the delay was linked to the late release of funds from the Ministry of Women and Child Development,” said an employee. “This kind of financial uncertainty continues to affect our daily lives.”

Several staff members also alleged that they were denied essential employment benefits such as Provident Fund (PF) and insurance despite working in an emergency service that regularly handles distressing and sensitive child protection cases. They said that the demanding nature of the job, coupled with delayed wages, had taken a toll on their mental and physical well-being. Field experts have reportedly described the situation as a form of labour exploitation.

The Child Helpline workforce includes supervisors, counsellors, coordinators and case workers, earning monthly salaries ranging from Rs 18,000 to Rs 28,000. One staff member claimed that only 40% of the salary was released in May and that June and July’s salary remains unpaid.

They also said conveyance expenses incurred during child rescue and rehabilitation operations were often reimbursed only after significant delays, placing an additional financial burden on frontline workers.

According to an official statement, Chief Minister Vijay inaugurated new buildings under the health department through video conferencing from the Secretariat.

The projects include additional buildings at government hospitals in Aranthangi (Pudukottai), Sivakasi, Pallipattu, Pothatturpettai (Tiruvallur), Attur (Dindigul), Marakkanam and Valavanur (Villupuram), constructed at a total cost of Rs 113 crore.

In another event, Vijay inaugurated 4,260 tenements constructed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board in various districts at a cost of Rs 525.75 crore.

He also inaugurated an air-conditioned bus shelter at Perambur in Chennai and new buildings under the higher education department, constructed for Rs 274.46 crore.

Ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and P Viswanathan, Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, and senior officials participated in the inauguration ceremony.

In a separate statement, the government announced that the Chief Minister had sanctioned Rs 10 crore for conducting the International Women's Tennis Championship in Chennai. The tournament is scheduled to be held in November at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Stadium in Nungambakkam.