In a statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said a group of eight men allegedly intercepted their car near Kiliyur after the leaders had completed preparations for a protest, abused them, damaged the party flag and car windows, and assaulted them.

The attack was allegedly linked to the CPM's protests against a former Vadhamambakkam panchayat president over alleged diversion of funds meant for constructing 22 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The former panchayat president's two sons were among the alleged attackers, Shanmugam said.

Though a complaint was lodged at Kallamarudur police station, police had so far arrested only one person, he said. Shanmugam urged police to immediately arrest all the accused and invoke stringent provisions of law.

In a statement, Shanmugam said the decision to organise the campaign was taken at the CPM state committee meeting held in Kanyakumari on July 31 and August 1. He said all 12,000 party branches in Tamil Nadu should fully involve themselves in the campaign.

“The objective is to meet as many people as possible and engage in a direct dialogue with them,” he said, adding that the party wanted to understand people's views on its work in Tamil Nadu, its political positions, and the criticism and appreciation it received.

He said the campaign would also focus on understanding the problems people were facing and the measures they expected the party to take. Citing the Marxist principle of “going to the people and learning from them”, Shanmugam said party workers should listen patiently whether people appreciated, criticised or opposed the party, and respond appropriately.

“Working people are our foundation and we must give due importance to their feelings and views,” he said.

Shanmugam said the party had decided to distribute several lakh pamphlets during the six-day campaign. The pamphlets, already prepared in all districts, would contain questions and demands raised by the CPM with the Union government.

The campaign would also take up issues confronting Tamil Nadu and seek to engage people on the measures and approaches that the TVK government should adopt to address them, he said.

The campaign would be conducted in every village and ward. Street-corner meetings would be organised in the evenings, followed by public meetings at the end of the campaign, he said.

Shanmugam said the campaign had been designed to enable thousands of party workers, from the state secretary and members of the political leadership to branch secretaries and grassroots members, to visit homes across Tamil Nadu and interact directly with people.

Rain likely in several Tamil Nadu districts

Earlier, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai had said that a weak trough was prevailing in the lower levels of the atmosphere along the Tamil Nadu coast.

Due to this system, moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds of 40-50 kmph is likely at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore on August 23. Puducherry may also receive similar weather.

Light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely at one or two places in other parts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal.

Sea to remain rough along east coast

The newly formed low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to cause rough sea conditions along the coasts of West Bengal, Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh until Sunday.

Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea along these coastal areas. However, the IMD has clarified that the new low-pressure area is not expected to cause any impact on Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, Anbumani said the committee’s final report, submitted on March 14, 2023, had remained undisclosed for 41 months despite being prepared using public funds. He said the report contained 161 recommendations aimed at protecting Chennai from floods.

The committee, headed by former IAS officer Thirupugazh, was constituted by the then DMK government following the severe flooding in Chennai in 2021. He submitted an interim report in May 2022 and the final report in March 2023 after conducting field studies and analysing data for 17 months.

Anbumani said the then DMK government had claimed that 101 of the 161 recommendations were being implemented, but the details of those recommendations had never been made public.

He criticised minister Sengottaiyan for stating in the Assembly that the DMK government should have released the report, shifting the blame.

Speaking to reporters in Nellai, Minority Welfare Minister Shahjahan said the IUML would continue its alliance with TVK and added that the Muslim community had welcomed the decision.

“The Indian Union Muslim League is the party that carried the DMK on a palanquin for so many years,” Shahjahan said, while also claiming that TVK was working several times better for Muslims than the DMK. He said Vijay’s influence was expanding beyond Tamil Nadu to Karnataka and Kerala, and claimed this would be reflected in the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

Shahjahan said the INDIA bloc was working with the objective of forming the government at the centre in 2029 and that TVK would also travel with the alliance. Asked whether the DMK would continue in the INDIA bloc, he said it was Arivalayam that has to clarify its position.

He said the IUML, TVK, Congress and other parties would work together in the proposed alliance and that the alliance leaders would decide on the prime ministerial candidate a few months before

Minister Shahjahan claimed that CM Vijay government was working several times better for Muslims than the DMK regime, predicting TVK’s win in 2029 LS polls the election. On the release of long-term prisoners, Shahjahan said the government was considering all steps required, within the framework of the law, to release those who had been in prison for more than 25 years.

He also said several announcements benefiting Muslim and Christian minorities would be made during the Assembly Budget session under the Minority Welfare Department’s demand for grants. The announcements, he said, would address complaints that welfare schemes meant for minorities had not been reaching beneficiaries properly.

Forest personnel have deployed three thermal drones, set up six cages at strategic locations and installed 50 camera traps across the forested terrain to track and capture the animal.

More than 80 forest personnel, divided into two specialised teams, have been deployed for continuous monitoring and combing operations in forest-fringe areas affected by the tiger's presence.

Gudalur Forest Officer Devaraj on Sunday advised residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid venturing outdoors late at night or in the early morning until the tiger is captured.

Held under the theme “From Forests to Seeds”, the symposium focused on issues including the use of AI in classrooms, assessment practices, the suitability of uniform foundational learning models across diverse contexts, community participation and teacher mentoring. The event was organised by Madhi Foundation to discuss challenges facing foundational learning in India and Tamil Nadu specifically.

Pooja Kulkarni, CEO of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board, said, “Foundational learning should become part of the everyday functioning of schools rather than being treated as a time-bound programme. She stressed the need to align teaching, assessment, remediation and teacher support with clearly defined learning outcomes, while strengthening the involvement of parents and communities.”

Sessions during the day examined whether AI can adequately understand Indian classroom realities and whether a single foundational learning model can work across the country. Another panel considered whether education systems are measuring outcomes that matter to children’s learning. It also focused on community involvement, effective classrooms and mentoring for teachers. Students were given a direct role, with four students participating in a session on whether children are sufficiently consulted while designing schools.

C Devarajan, chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) TN State Council, bringing in the industry perspective, said, “I studied in a Tamil-medium school, and I know education has the power to transform lives. Our system must respond to the mental, physical and psychological needs of every child.

The water level, which stood at 2,282 feet last month, was 2,274 feet as of today. With rainfall being low, farmers fear that it will be difficult for the reservoir to fill completely.

They said that if the available water continues to be released to Tamil Nadu, there will be insufficient water for drinking and agriculture in the region. Agitated farmers staged a protest over the issue.

They raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments, demanding that the state government stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu from now on.

Hundreds of farmers gathered near the Kabini dam and attempted to lay siege to it. Police stopped them, arrested some of the protesters and took them away in police vehicles before dispersing the gathering.

Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam organised a cultural conference in support of Keezhadi excavation and in opposition to Vedic culture. The Hindu Munnani members attempted to stop the event and even announced a protest by showing a black flag against the event. The outfit also lodged a complaint with the Thanjavur West police demanding to ban the conference. However, the Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam proceeded with the cultural event as per the schedule.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the police arrested Gunasekaran, Karthi Rao, Santhosh Kumar, Gubendran and Divakar of right-wing groups as precautionary measures.

In the meantime, Hindu outfits, Thanjavur BJP, Hindu Makkal Katchi and other pro-Hindu outfits opposed the arrest and condemned the police for acting in the interest of Christian missionaries.

"Are officials under the control of the Tamil Nadu government or is the government under the control of officials?" Shanmugam asked, demanding the removal of Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and action against Gujiliamparai tahsildar Ayyasamy.

Addressing a CPM protest at Saidapet, Shanmugam alleged that a circular issued by the Higher Education secretary, directing officials to closely monitor Left parties, student and youth organisations was a serious infringement of democratic and constitutional rights. While a subsequent circular issued by the Collegiate Education commissioner was withdrawn after protests, the communication sent to university registrars and the Directorate of Technical Education remained in force, he said.

Shanmugam said Sai Kumar, whom he held responsible for the circular, should be issued a notice and subjected to an inquiry. "Why should a person who does not have this basic understanding continue as Chief Secretary when Tamil Nadu has several qualified IAS officers?" he asked.

He also questioned the government's handling of the Gujiliamparai tahsildar controversy. Revenue minister Sengottaiyan had told the Assembly that Ayyasamy was sent to conduct a survey and was recalled after the government learnt of the matter at 8.30 pm on August 18. However, Shanmugam pointed to the collector's report stating that Ayyasamy had come for training and was relieved of his responsibility in the afternoon before being sent to the commissioner's office in Chennai.

"If he was relieved in the afternoon, how did the minister take action against him at 8.30 pm?" he asked. Shanmugam said if the minister gave incorrect information in the Assembly, the Speaker should initiate breach of privilege proceedings. If the collector's report was incorrect, then action should be initiated against him, he said.

Taking aim at the chief secretary, Shanmugam said the circular came after a July 28 meeting chaired by Sai Kumar, even though protests by Left student and youth organisations against NEET had concluded on July 25 and 26. "Why are Left organisations being targeted? Are they against democracy?" he asked.

Shanmugam also questioned the extension of Sai Kumar's tenure as chief secretary.

Jagan lived with his mother and was unmarried. He was working as a priest at the Sankaranarayanasamy temple. In this situation, Jagan died by suicide by hanging himself on the terrace of his house on the evening of the day before yesterday. On receiving information, Sankarankovil Town police re.covered the priest’s body and sent it to the Sankarankovil Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Further probe is under way.

Also known as Suvaran Maran, Mutharaiyar II was an eighth-century monarch of the Mutharaiyar lineage who ruled parts of the Cauvery Delta region, with strongholds around Tiruchy, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai.

He was a powerful feudatory ally of Pallava king Nandivarman II and is regarded as a cultural icon by the Mutharaiyar community, which has a significant presence across central Tamil Nadu and the Delta districts.

Speaking to reporters after performing a puja, Kovind said he felt privileged and honoured to pay respects to the monarch who had ruled the region centuries ago.

"Every emperor is above community, caste, creed and religion. No one should associate any king with any religion, caste, community, region or language," Kovind said, underscoring the unifying legacy of historic leaders.

Reflecting on his tenure in office, Kovind expressed gratitude to the people of the country and said the credit for his presidency belonged to citizens across the country, including those in Tamil Nadu.

He recalled his longstanding ties with Tamil Nadu, including visits to the state with close friends during their parliamentary tenures. The former President also offered prayers at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

According to the complaint, Arun Kumar had an improper relationship with a woman while serving at the Teppakulam police station in Madurai city.

The complaint further noted that he had harassed the woman after allegedly distancing himself from her when he was posted at Veeravanallur police station.

A preliminary inquiry into the complaint found prima facie substance in the allegations, following which Tirunelveli district Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Balasubramaniam Sastri, IPS, recommended departmental action against Arun Kumar to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range.

Meanwhile, based on the woman's complaint, the Tirunelveli Rural All-Women Police Station registered a criminal case against Arun Kumar on August 21.

Following a recommendation by the top official, the inspector has been placed under suspension. Further investigation into the case is under way.

Pazhaya Seevaram comes under Walajabad taluk, and the VAO office serves residents of the village and surrounding areas. People regularly visit the office for services related to patta, chitta, land tax, community and legal heir certificates, as well as old-age and widow pensions.

However, the office building, constructed several years ago, was not maintained properly. Walls have developed cracks, and portions of the concrete plaster have started falling off. Residents fear that the structure could collapse at any time.

The building has also been surrounded by overgrown bushes, becoming a haven for snakes and other poisonous creatures, say residents. With the building considered unsafe, the VAO and other village-level staff are reluctant to work from the premises. Residents too are hesitant to enter the building.

Information on the building's structural condition has already been communicated to the Public Works Department, and necessary repair work will be carried out soon, said Walajabad Panchayat Union officials

Several complaints were submitted to the district administration and the taluk office. Officials have said that office maintenance comes under the Public Works Department (PWD) and that necessary action would be taken. However, no major repair work has been carried out so far.

The VAO's mobile number has been displayed on the locked building, and residents who call the number are asked to meet the official at the nearby bus stop. Residents noted that the situation has continued for years and that even the recently appointed VAO took charge from the bus shelter. The previous VAO is also said to have handed over charge at the same location.

When contacted, officials from the Walajabad Panchayat Union said that maintaining cleanliness and the day-to-day upkeep of the office premises was the responsibility of the respective VAO. They added that information on the building's structural condition had already been communicated to the Public Works Department, and the department will carry out necessary repair work soon.

Under the earlier order, the interim monthly payout and monthly family payout for eligible employees covered under the Contributory Pension Scheme were fixed at 30% of the monthly basic pay last drawn or Rs 10,000, whichever was higher, along with 60% Dearness Relief. The latest order addresses employees whose last pay was drawn under either the Seventh or Sixth Pay Commission scales.

The government noted that the rate of Dearness Allowance for employees continuing to draw, or who last drew, pay under the Sixth Pay Commission was 262% with effect from January 1, 2026. Accordingly, where 30% of the last drawn basic pay under the Sixth Pay Commission is below Rs 10,000 and the employee's pay has not been refixed or claimed under the Seventh Pay Commission, the interim payout will be stepped up to the minimum of Rs 10,000 during the interim period.

Where 30% of the last drawn Sixth Pay Commission basic pay is Rs 10,000 or above and the pay has not been refixed or claimed under the Seventh Pay Commission, DR will be sanctioned at 262% from the eligible date.

The government also reiterated that DR will be calculated only at 60% of the monthly basic pay last drawn under the Seventh Pay Commission.

He said the Communist parties had traditionally stood up for the poor and the toiling workers, but claimed that the present government would address their concerns without the need for agitations. "The Communist parties are known for their struggles. It is a party of workers, poor people and those who lead simple lives. Likewise, the TVK is also a party for the poor and ordinary people. There will be no need for Communist parties to fight anymore. That was the situation under the previous regime. The present Chief Minister is for the poor," Anand said.

Addressing the second state conference of the Tamil Nadu Rural Development Department Workers' Union at a private college campus near Manapparai in Tiruchy district, Anand said sanitation workers rendered an invaluable service to society and deserved greater recognition and welfare measures.

"There is no one in the world who can serve society as sanitation workers do, and there will never be anyone like them," he said, adding that he did not know why previous governments had failed to take adequate measures for their welfare.

Anand assured the workers that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would consider all their demands and ensure that their interests were protected.

He also assured sanitation workers that the government would not abandon them and said ministers and legislators would not indulge in wrongdoing. "We have won because people were ready to vote for the leader. I firmly assure you that MLAs and ministers will never do wrong," he said.

The State government is planning to draw 5- to 10-year transformation roadmaps. The Bureau for Facilitating MSMEs of Tamil Nadu (FaMeTN) has invited consultants to undertake separate studies for the two sectors.

The focus is also on improving productivity, technology adoption, skills, market access and sustainability.

The technology assessment would analyse how employment patterns could evolve as industries modernise. Consultants will identify jobs and job levels likely to emerge along the sectoral value chains, along with indicative compensation and skill requirements. At the same time, they will identify existing roles that could come under pressure from technological changes and examine how such jobs could be redefined.

The exercise will examine six broad dimensions — operations and productivity, digitisation, research and innovation, jobs and skills, markets and exports, and sustainability.

The studies will begin with a baseline assessment of businesses across the respective value chains. This will include mapping enterprises by size, level of formalisation, ownership, and market orientation, as well as identifying where MSMEs enter the value chain, where they add value, and where they face barriers to market access or risk exclusion.

The assessment will also map the geographical spread of businesses across districts and industrial clusters, providing a clearer picture of the sector's concentration and the role of MSMEs in different regions.

A separate assessment of the workforce will examine existing jobs, functional roles, compensation levels, qualifications and skill requirements. It will distinguish between permanent, contractual and informal employment and study the existing skilling and reskilling ecosystem, including ITIs, polytechnics, universities, private training providers and industry-led initiatives.

Technology adoption will form another key component of the exercise. Consultants will assess the use of technology in both core and non-core operations, covering production, logistics, inventory management, quality control, finance, human resources, compliance and marketing. For MSMEs, the study will specifically examine the barriers preventing wider digitisation.

Research and innovation will also be studied alongside the industry's evolving technology requirements, with the assessment examining the scope for greater adoption of new technologies and practices. Sustainability, including the sectoral implications of changing production and business practices, will form another key part of the roadmap.

The award was presented by Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran at a Super Chennai Arattai gathering.

Speaking at the event, Sriram opined that Chennai should not be viewed as a single, uniform city, as each neighbourhood has its own history and stories. “Heritage documentation should move beyond prominent buildings and personalities to cover communities and everyday experiences that often remained undocumented,” he stated. “Histories of neighbourhoods like Shenoy Nagar, KK Nagar, Anna Nagar, Aminjikarai, Tambaram and Sholinganallur need to be recorded before rapid urbanisation erases their physical and social traces.”

Sriram also stressed the need to document the lives of ordinary Chennai residents, including railway workers, linesmen and traffic constables, whose work had contributed to the city’s social history

Sriram also stressed the need to document the lives of ordinary Chennai residents, including railway workers, linesmen and traffic constables, whose work had contributed to the city’s social history but remained largely confined to public memory. “History of our city must be made accessible in regional languages,” he added, and highlighted his work on ‘Madras Bhashai’ and efforts to present the city’s history in Tamil through digital platforms. “Heritage walks,” he said, “should serve as a starting point for deeper research rather than being treated merely as an end product.”

Sameeran compared Chennai’s history to the roots of a large tree, saying the visible city represented only one layer of its deeper stories, people and memories. He credited Sriram with bringing lesser-known aspects of the city’s history into public consciousness.

Ranjeeth Rathod, MD, Super Chennai, said that Madras Day was not merely a celebration of the city but also of the people who had shaped its identity. “Sriram’s books, heritage walks and storytelling have helped successive generations engage with the city’s history meaningfully,” he said.

As part of the celebrations, Super Chennai also launched ‘Let’s Talk Chennai’, a citizen-led platform inviting people to share stories, memories and photographs connected to the city. The initiative seeks to document the city’s neighbourhoods, people, communities, culture, landmarks and everyday experiences.

Addressing the state executive committee meeting of CITU in Tiruchy, Kannan said the government should also drop its plan to privatise electric line works and ensure regularisation of employment in the power sector.

“The decision to appoint employees in Tangedco on a contract basis is anti-labour and should be withdrawn immediately. The government should ensure regularisation of employment,” Kannan said.

The CITU executive committee also condemned a recent government circular preventing students from participating in protests organised by Left parties and demanded the removal of the Chief Secretary, alleging that he had been acting against democracy.

Kannan said Kerala had already commissioned the installation of smart meters directly through the government, while Tamil Nadu was planning to hand over the work to private players. This, he said, would affect employees on the payroll.

He also cautioned the government against privatising electric line works, saying it could lead to job losses. He warned that the union would organise protests across the State if the government did not withdraw its privatisation plans in the power sector.

He alleged that the TVK government had failed to fulfil its election promise of waiving crop loans and was maintaining silence over Karnataka’s move to construct the Mekedatu dam, which he said would affect Tamil Nadu farmers.

AIADMK organised a protest in Tiruchy condemning the Mekedatu dam project and demanding that the TVK government fulfil its crop loan waiver promise. Party members led by Kamaraj converged at Marakadai and raised slogans against the government.

Addressing the protesters, Kamaraj said AIADMK had consistently raised issues concerning farmers and was known as a pro-farmer party. He alleged that the TVK government had no concern for farmers and had failed to fulfil its crop loan waiver promise.

Speaking to reporters later, Kamaraj criticised the Congress for remaining silent on Karnataka’s efforts to construct the Mekedatu dam. He said the Congress, which he alleged was part of the TVK government, should prevail upon the Congress government in Karnataka to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests.

“Tamil Nadu Congress does not have the guts to say anything against Karnataka. If Tamil Nadu Congress is concerned about the farmers, they can approach the Chief Minister of Karnataka, who is also from Congress and get the due share of water to Tamil Nadu,” Kamaraj said.

He said AIADMK MPs had opposed the Mekedatu project in Parliament and that the party continued to fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu farmers.

The gang has been smuggling a huge quantity of ganja from Odisha and stocking it in Puducherry, from where they supplied ganja across Tamil Nadu.

Based on an input about ganja peddling across the State from Ramji Nagar in Tiruchy, SP Dongare Pravin Umesh ordered the formation of a special team.

They conducted a raid at a house in Ramji Nagar and seized 3.6 kg of ganja. The police also arrested Sangeetha (40), a resident of West Bengal, her 17-year-old son, Prabakaran (40) and Jagan (30), both from Ramji Nagar.

The subsequent investigation found that Sangeetha was smuggling a huge quantity of ganja from Odisha and stocking it in Puducherry, from where the gang has been distributing ganja across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Further inquiry with Sangeetha revealed that the gang had used Tiruchy as the major transit spot for peddling ganja. Subsequently, the police seized vehicles and mobile phones used for the offence.

The police found that there were other ganja peddling cases against three persons, except Sangeetha.

In a statement, Nainar Nagenthran referred to reports that C Ezhumalai, a TVK member from Thaiyur near Kelambakkam, had allegedly hired a contract killer to murder his daughter's boyfriend. "The reports that Ezhumalai, a TVK functionary, allegedly hired a contract killer to murder his daughter's boyfriend are deeply shocking," Nainar said.

He alleged that incidents involving murder, robbery, sexual assault, rowdyism and extortion were increasingly being associated with TVK functionaries and claimed that an illegal network was emerging within the party.

"From the time Joseph Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister, the lawlessness involving TVK functionaries has been increasing day by day. It is unfortunate that the party leadership appears unwilling to take note of it," he said.

Nainar also criticised the practice of expelling functionaries only after criminal incidents were reported, saying such action amounted to a mere eyewash. He urged Vijay to identify people with criminal records within the party and take firm preventive action to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, the ruling TVK on Saturday (August 22) expelled Ezhumalai and his son A Gautham from its primary membership.

In an order, TVK Chengalpattu East district secretary Thaiyur S Kumaravel said neither Ezhumalai nor Gautham had held any official position in the party and that both had joined as primary members through the TVK website.

"Both have acted against the law and violated the party's rules. Therefore, they have been officially removed from the primary membership of the TVK," Kumaravel said.

He directed party functionaries and cadres at all levels not to maintain any organisational contact with the duo or allow them to undertake activities in the party's name.

They are set to receive the awards from the President of India during the Teachers’ Day celebrations on September 5.

Thangaraj is a teacher at Puliyampatti Panchayat Union Primary School, while Amudha is a headmistress, and also teaches, at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Madurai.

Thangaraj, a secondary-grade teacher for 22 years, has been selected for his dedication to improving educational opportunities for rural and economically disadvantaged children, and has highlighted many initiatives undertaken to strengthen student learning, upgrade school infrastructure, and encourage greater community participation.

He has also given special attention to strengthening students’ foundational skills in Tamil, English and Mathematics.

“At the heart of the teacher’s efforts is the belief that a child’s economic or social background should never become a barrier to quality education,”said Thangaraj.

Amudha, who also has 22 years of experience, was a primary teacher for 10 years and promoted to HM 12 years ago. Strongly focused on foundational learning, she has taught Science, English and Hindi.

“The teacher’s initiatives underline how innovative teaching, improved infrastructure and strong community participation can work together to create better educational opportunities for children,”said Amudha.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has congratulated the two awardees on Saturday and said their achievement was a proud moment for the State and its teaching community. He credited their selection to their commitment to education, innovative approaches to teaching and emphasis on the overall welfare and development of students.

The National Teachers’ Awards, presented annually on Teachers’ Day, recognise teachers who have made significant contributions towards improving school education and positively influencing the lives of their students.

The move is an extension of the bid to charge UPI transactions, he added.

In a statement, Tagore said the basic banking account was introduced in 2005 during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure as a "no-frills account" to provide banking access to economically weaker sections. The BJP-led government later renamed the scheme the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, he said.

Tagore claimed that the State Bank of India had decided to levy a Rs 15 charge, plus 18% GST, on every cash withdrawal beyond four per month, effective October 1. This would take the total charge to Rs 17.70 per transaction, he said.

He alleged that other banks could follow SBI and impose similar charges on basic account holders. He also criticised the Centre over its reported move to impose charges on UPI transactions, saying such measures could push people back towards cash.

Referring to the rise in currency in circulation from around Rs 9 lakh crore in January 2017 to Rs 43 lakh crore now, Tagore said it showed that a significant section of the population continued to depend on cash.

Calling the proposed levy a "fee burden" on the poor, Tagore urged the Centre to withdraw the charges immediately.

She urged graduates to use technology to solve social problems and contribute to India’s development.

“Don’t just be users of AI, build India’s own AI,” she added, highlighting Union government investments under the India AI Mission in semiconductors, computing, defence, space, drones, robotics and biotechnology.

“Graduates should work with governments to address challenges such as pollution, traffic and waste management,” Gupta opined, citing Delhi’s collaboration with IIT institutions. “Treat failure as an opportunity to learn. Identify mistakes and work through them rather than give up.”

The convocation had a personal moment for Gupta as her son, Nikunj, was among the graduating students. She watched from below the stage when he received his degree. Earlier, Gupta had inaugurated VIT’s Centre for Advanced Research for Bacteriophage and Infectious Diseases.

VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan said that India’s GER in higher education was around 30% - well below South Korea’s 90%, Japan’s 60%, China’s over 60%, Malaysia’s 40% and Thailand’s 45%. “The National Education Policy aims to raise India’s ratio to 50%,” he said. “There’s a need for greater investment in medical education. Around 22 lakh students appear for NEET for just 1.3 lakh medical seats, forcing nearly 1 lakh Indians to study medicine abroad every year.”

He also urged the Union government to address vacancies in Vice-Chancellor posts caused by differences between governors and State governments, noting that 17 universities in Tamil Nadu and more than 13 in Kerala had vacant posts. He also called for higher production and exports to strengthen India’s economy.

TCS Vice-President and CTO Babu Unnikrishnan also addressed the convocation.

A total of 11,276 students received degrees, including 7,359 undergraduates and 3,917 postgraduates. Among them were 781 PhD graduates and three integrated PhD graduates. Academic distinction certificates were awarded to 248 students and 84 received gold medals.

The increase has been driven by rising demand amid the heat and falling arrivals after strong winds caused lemons to drop from plants, traders said.

For farmers in and around Puliyankudi, the price rise marks a turnaround after months of poor returns. Lemons had been selling for just Rs 20-Rs 30 a kg two to three months ago, leaving growers struggling to recover their costs.

Lemons are cultivated across thousands of acres in Puliyankudi, Vasudevanallur, Kadayanallur, Chokkampatti, Punnaiyapuram, Singilipatti and Kumanthapuram in Tenkasi district. The produce is brought to the Puliyankudi market and sent to Kerala and various districts in Tamil Nadu.

Around 15 to 20 tonnes of lemons are sent from the region for sale every day.

The current price of Rs 170-Rs 200 per kg has been welcomed by farmers and traders. However, the rise is also being felt by consumers, with individual lemons now costing Rs 10-12 depending on quality.

Traders expect demand to increase further with a series of auspicious occasions, Amman temple festivals and the upcoming Onam celebrations in Kerala. They said lemon prices could rise further in the coming days.

Farmers and traders have urged the government to establish industries in the region to manufacture value-added products from lemons. They said this could help protect growers from sharp price fluctuations and provide an alternative market when prices fall.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Erode Corporation bus stand, the Tamil Nadu minister for Handlooms, Textiles, and Khadi said yarn sourced from government mills had already been supplied to local cooperative societies to facilitate production.

"The tender process for the free dhoti and sari scheme is complete, and yarn procurement has begun. Yarn has been supplied to the societies to ensure continuous employment for weavers. Unlike last year, there will be no delay. The free dhotis and saris will be distributed on schedule, ensuring timely wages for weavers," Balaji said.

He added that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had released Rs 300 crore as the initial allocation for the scheme.

In July, a government order estimated the cost of implementing the scheme at Rs 642.88 crore. Of the Rs 606.94 crore allocated for the scheme in the 2026-27 Budget Estimates, financial sanction had been accorded for the first instalment of Rs 300 crore, it said.

Responding to queries about a possible increase in weavers' wages, the minister said departmental officials had been instructed to examine the matter and take appropriate action.

Earlier, Balaji inaugurated seven mothers' feeding rooms set up with CSR funds at the Erode municipal bus stand and inspected basic civic and transport infrastructure along with the Corporation commissioner.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly had earlier witnessed debates over delays in procuring yarn for the Pongal Free Dhoti and Sari Scheme, with the Opposition alleging "procedural lapses" that had affected weavers.

The government, however, maintained that yarn procurement and distribution were proceeding smoothly to ensure timely delivery of the festival garments.

Anitha, a 17-year-old from Kuzhumur in Ariyalur district, had scored 1,176 out of 1,200 marks in her Class 12 State Board examinations in 2017, with a medical cut-off of 196.75. She had approached the Supreme Court seeking an exemption from NEET for Tamil Nadu.

However, she could not secure a medical seat under the NEET-based admission system and died by suicide at her home on September 1, 2017. Her death triggered widespread protests across Tamil Nadu and turned her into a prominent symbol of the State’s anti-NEET movement.

Protests planned on September 1

SFI and DYFI have urged students, youth and members of the public to observe September 1 as NEET Opposition Day and participate in programmes marking Anitha’s ninth death anniversary. The organisations have called for the anti-NEET campaign to be taken to the people and for the demand for equal and socially just access to education to be strengthened.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Tamil Nadu, has announced a protest in Madurai on September 1, demanding the abolition of NEET, along with an open-air discussion at the EB Office in Arasaradi.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Students Youth Federation (TSYF) has announced a remembrance programme for Anitha at Besant Nagar beach in Chennai at 5 pm on September 1. The organisation has appealed to the public to participate and pay tribute to Anitha.

SFI and DYFI have also announced a programme at Villupuram Signal as part of events being organised across Tamil Nadu. The organisations have appealed to the public to participate in the programmes, pay tribute to Anitha and reiterate the demands for the abolition of NEET, social justice and equal access to education.

Anitha’s struggle continues

Over the years, Anitha’s name has remained closely associated with Tamil Nadu’s demand for an alternative to NEET and greater State autonomy in education. Her family members and anti-NEET activists have continued to raise the issue, particularly highlighting the difficulties faced by rural, State Board and economically weaker students.

The issue has also remained active in Tamil Nadu in 2026. Anitha’s brother S Manirathnam participated in anti-NEET protests in Delhi and later joined a 12-day hunger strike in Chennai, demanding the abolition of NEET and the restoration of education to the State List.

Addressing the party executive committee meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Stalin said the DMK had witnessed both victories and defeats and that the recent defeat was only an electoral setback. "We have not been permanently defeated. Let us consider this as an opportunity to plan the party's future," he said.

Stalin said a comprehensive self-assessment was required, rather than merely identifying and replacing individuals constituency by constituency. He acknowledged that the functioning of party administrators was also among the reasons for the defeat and said the party must openly accept its mistakes.

He said a 38-member field study team had been constituted after the election to collect feedback from party functionaries constituency-wise. Thousands of additional suggestions were also received through a dedicated website and reviewed by him.

Based on the feedback, a restructuring committee headed by Thangam Thennarasu was formed, and its recommendations were discussed with senior party functionaries before being converted into resolutions, Stalin said.

As part of the revamp, age limits and tenure restrictions would be introduced for various party posts, while more responsibilities would be given to younger and new faces.

"We need to regain the confidence of young people and women. New membership enrolment should begin soon, and it must be genuine and transparent," Stalin said.

He said internal elections would be conducted at all levels after the membership drive, expressing confidence that capable new functionaries would emerge through elections rather than nominations.

Stalin also cautioned party functionaries against failing to nurture colleagues at the grassroots level. He took a dig at an unnamed functionary, saying that some are ready to greet opposition party leaders with a 'vanakkam' but not rivals from their own party. A district secretary or a single MLA alone could not strengthen the party, he said, stressing that every cadre should function as an organiser.

Stalin said the DMK would work for the welfare of even those who had not voted for the party and urged cadres to begin political outreach from their own homes, to relatives and in their neighbourhoods.

"Victory or defeat will not determine the life of our movement. As long as the Tamil identity, language and land exist, we must work with the determination that the black-and-red flag should continue to fly," he said.

Over one lakh gold rings are required to implement the scheme for four months and the welfare initiative is set to be launched on September 15, marking the birth anniversary of Dravidian icon CN Annadurai.

Children born in government hospitals from June 22, the birthday of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, will benefit under this scheme.

According to a ballpark estimate, Rs 220 crore would be the cost of the 1,28,499 rings (22-carat) weighing approximately 128.5 kg and the Tamil Nadu government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 755.83 crore for the supply of a total of 4,41,667 rings (for one year).

Though the final cost for the initial batch of rings may dynamically vary, the state government has undertaken to pay for the gold at the prevailing market rates.

Joyalukkas' 70 percent share will work out to 89,949 rings while Kalyan Jewellers' 30 percent share will comprise 38,550 rings.

According to sources at today's market rate in Tamil Nadu, a gold ring under this scheme will cost the government approximately Rs 14,850 per gram.

The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) has issued the work orders to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers on 70:30 ratio to supply 1,28,499 gold rings required for the beneficiaries from June to September, the government said late on Friday.

The scheme, announced by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in the run-up to the April Assembly election, will cover the children born in state-run hospitals to encourage deliveries in government medical facilities.

"Following the government order to supply 4,41,667 gold rings weighing one gram each, 11 companies participated in the tender on July 14 by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and submitted their price details through the TN Tenders portal," a government press release said.

Joyalukas submitted the lowest price of Rs 0.01 excluding the price of one gram of gold, including all additional charges such as processing fee, insurance, transportation, and BIS stamping.

When the winning price was disclosed, in accordance with the relevant laws, to 10 other bidders, Kalyan Jewellers submitted a matching price, it said.

"The Thaimaman Gold Ring Scheme is being implemented to strengthen the people's trust in the healthcare services of the Tamil Nadu government, commemorate the birth of a child born in government hospitals, and to celebrate the joy and importance of motherhood," it said.

The tender for the scheme became a subject of heated debate in the Assembly this week. Opposition DMK and AIADMK questioned the procurement mechanism and asked about "a highly unusual tender outcome," as the successful bidder had quoted Rs 0.01 (one paisa) towards additional charges.

Other competing firms had quoted additional charges ranging from Rs 410.97 to over Rs 15,000, according to the opposition parties.

In a statement, Joyalukkas said: "The tender is valued at approximately Rs 755 crore with the gold component forming the major part of the overall procurement value."

The firm said it quoted a "symbolic service charge of just 1 paisa above the prevailing gold rate."

The opposition questioned why the procurement was handled through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and argued that the TNMSC was established solely to procure medicines, medical equipment, and construct healthcare buildings.

Health Minister Arunraj defended the move by stating that the scheme is vital to strengthen the public trust in state healthcare services.

CWC member and Union Jal Shakti Ministry additional secretary Yogesh Paithankar visited Mettur dam on Friday (August 21) evening and inspected the reservoir from the Diamond Jubilee Tower on the right bank.

He later held discussions with Water Resources Department officials and enquired about the dam's water level, inflow and discharge. He also sought details on the dam's height, water storage and safety.

Paithankar then left for Biligundulu on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border.

He is reportedly scheduled to visit the proposed Mekedatu dam site in Karnataka on Saturday morning. However, Public Works Department officials declined to confirm details of the proposed visit.

The visit comes after the Southern States Chief Ministers' Conference and Southern Zonal Council meeting held at Kovalam near Mahabalipuram, where the Cauvery water-sharing issue, the proposed Mekedatu dam and other inter-state issues involving Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were discussed.

Paithankar was accompanied by Mettur dam Executive Engineer Venkatajalapathy, Assistant Executive Engineer Selvaraj and Assistant Engineer Satheesh Kumar.

He said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was unlikely to participate in the consecration. "No decision has been taken regarding that so far. But it is unlikely, as there are other events scheduled around that time. Also, in a place where crowds are already heavy, the CM's visit will further increase the crowd," he said.

The minister for Energy Resources, Electricity, and Law was addressing a press conference here after an inter-departmental review meeting, which brought together officials from the district administration, city corporation, police department, electricity board and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department. The meeting focused on crowd management, security measures and basic civic amenities.

According to the minister, current plans envisage allowing 8,000 to 10,000 people onto the temple terrace during the rituals, while detailed zoning of surrounding streets and exit routes is being finalised.

Current plans envisage allowing 8,000 to 10,000 people onto the temple terrace during the rituals, while detailed zoning of surrounding streets and exit routes is being finalised

To streamline entry, holographic entry passes with QR codes will be issued to devotees, and the full schedule will be made public within a week, he added.

"Arrangements are being made to provide temporary toilets, drinking water facilities and extensive CCTV surveillance. Parking arrangements to accommodate at least 8,000 vehicles are also being made," he said, adding that multiple LED screens would be put up at key public locations for devotees unable to enter the main complex.

Structural stability audits of surrounding residential buildings are also being undertaken to ensure people do not gather on rooftops.

A designated section for around 200 to 300 dignitaries, including High Court judges, district collectors and temple administrators, will be accommodated alongside other permitted visitors.

During the investigation, ARP had sought the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Police and examined CCTV footage from Central station and other locations.

The footage showed a middle-aged man and a woman arriving at Central with a red suitcase and boarding the Tamil Nadu Express. Shortly before the train departed, they left the suitcase inside the train and got down. They then walked to Park station, boarded an EMU train, got down at Guduvanchery and travelled in an autorickshaw.

More than 200 cameras in and around Guduvanchery were analysed. Further investigation revealed that the duo had left a rented house on Masjid Street in Guduvanchery carrying the same suitcase. When police reached the house, it was locked. The ARP, with the assistance of Guduvanchery police, searched the premises.

Police have shown photographs of the couple to residents to establish their identities and trace their movements. Preliminary inquiries revealed that there were two women and a man from Odisha, who had been staying in the house for the past few days. Police are investigating whether the murdered woman was one of the two women.

Police have also found evidence suggesting that the woman may have been killed inside the house and her body dismembered before being packed into the suitcase. Police suspect that the body may have been suspended from a ceiling fan while it was being cut into pieces. They also found a large vessel containing maida flour and human body parts.

The identity of the deceased, whereabouts of the missing head and the motive for the murder remain unclear.

A special team of the Agra Railway Police has arrived in Chennai and is continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Police. As the suspected murder took place in Guduvanchery, which comes under the Tambaram Police Commissionerate, authorities are also examining whether the case should be transferred to the Tambaram Commissionerate.

The suitcase was found in a general compartment after the train reached Agra on August 6. Passengers noticed a foul smell emanating from it and alerted railway officials.

When the Agra Railway Police opened the suitcase, they found the dismembered headless body. The remains were sent to a GH for postmortem and a case was registered.

What happened?

The driver was driving along the national highway near Tiruttani when suddenly smoke rose from the engine bay of the lorry, which eventually erupted into flames.

A strong wind caused the fire to spread to the rest of the vehicle and the cargo compartment at the back.

What did the driver do?

As soon as he realised the flames were spreading, he immediately stopped the vehicle on the side of the road.

The driver understood that if the fire spread to the other parts, the entire vehicle would be completely destroyed, and the danger would be greater if the fire spread to the rear end of the vehicle, where the cargo was loaded.

He acted bravely and detached the cabin and engine section from the cargo section at the rear.

By doing so, he saved cargo worth several lakhs of rupees and a large part of the vehicle from being completely destroyed by the fire.

Driver lauded by the public and officials

The fire department rushed to the scene after receiving information and extinguished the fire in the engine compartment, preventing it from spreading further.

The driver’s actions were praised by the public and officials for his ability to not panic and act tactfully in a critical moment, preventing a major accident without any loss of life.

Police investigation

The police have registered a case regarding the fire and launched a probe to investigate whether the accident was caused by the truck’s electrical system.

The sweeping changes are expected to force several heavyweight leaders to make way for younger faces at the district level.

DMK Executive Committee, which met at Anna Arivalayam on Saturday, also limited district secretaries to two terms and resolved to abolish the post of city secretary.

The new age criteria will directly impact prominent senior leaders, including former ministers R Gandhi, EV Velu, Gingee KS Masthan, S Muthusamy, S Regupathy, KKSSR Ramachandran and Anitha R Radhakrishnan, along with former Assembly Speaker K Avudaiyappan.

Given their seniority and contribution, the party high command is likely to accommodate them in State-level roles. Furthermore, the two-term limit will force several veteran district secretaries who have held their posts for multiple terms to pave the way for fresh leadership.

Under the restructured organisational design, one party district will be created for every two Assembly constituencies, aligned with revenue districts. Where a single constituency remains after reorganisation, it will be attached as a third unit to an adjoining party district within the same revenue district.

The restructuring extends deep into the party’s cadre base. The maximum age for branch secretaries has been capped at 45 with a two-term limit. Ward secretaries across corporations, municipalities and town panchayats can serve a maximum of two terms, with the age ceiling fixed at 50.

For area, town and union-level secretaries, the maximum age limit has been set at 60, again with a two-term cap.

The party will focus on strengthening branch units in key urban centres including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchy and Salem, along with other corporations.

Under the new norms, each ward in Chennai will cover an average of 10,000 voters, while in other corporations it will be an average of 5,000 voters per ward.

Area committees will oversee roughly 40,000 voters in Chennai and 30,000 in other corporations. Town committees will cater to an average of 40,000 voters, while union committees will be formed for every 30,000 voters.

Once the party chief announces the 110 districts, district Executive Committees will meet to complete the reorganisation of union, town, area and ward units within 15 days, in strict adherence to headquarters guidelines.

A second district Executive Committee meeting will then be convened with a headquarters observer to approve the restructured units before submitting the final lists.

ON EXIT PATH

12 district secretaries who face the exit under the new rule:

EV Velu (75) – Tiruvannamalai South

S Regupathy (76) – Pudukkottai South

S Muthusamy (77) – Erode South

KKSSR Ramachandran (77) – Virudhunagar South

Gingee KS Masthan (71) – Villupuram North

R Gandhi (80) – Ranipet

Anitha R Radhakrishnan (74) – Thoothukudi South

K Avudaiyappan (81) – Tirunelveli West

SR Sivalingam (75) – Salem East

N Ramakrishnan (77) – Theni South

Sakkottai G Anbalagan (72) – Thanjavur North

K Sundar (72) – Kancheepuram South

The issue came up during a heated exchange in the Legislative Assembly on Friday over the live broadcast of House proceedings and the continued circulation of remarks removed from the official records, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Udhayanidhi flags circulation of expunged remarks

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said the Speaker was conducting the proceedings effectively and giving members opportunities to raise questions. However, he alleged that ministers and ruling party members were being given more opportunities to speak.

Speaker JCD Prabhakar said the time allotted to members was based on the numerical strength of their respective parties. Udhayanidhi said he was not objecting to the allocation of time but pointed out that ministers and ruling party members often made allegations while responding to questions. He said some of these remarks were subsequently expunged from the official records.

He also highlighted the issue of live broadcasting, saying that remarks later removed from the records had already been broadcast and could continue to circulate through edited videos on YouTube and other social media platforms. Udhayanidhi said this made the process of expunging remarks ineffective, as the statements could continue to be viewed and shared online even after being removed from the official records. Referring to the manner in which some ministers and members responded in the House, he remarked that the proceedings at times appeared like a “Super Singer” show.

Ministers question delay in live broadcast

Responding to the Opposition, Minister Aadhav Arjuna questioned why the previous government had not introduced live broadcasting of Assembly proceedings during its tenure. Minister Anand also referred to the popularity of the live proceedings, saying people were now able to watch the Assembly directly rather than depending only on television programmes.

Udhayanidhi, meanwhile, maintained that the DMK government was the first to introduce live broadcasting of the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly. He said the present system of broadcasting the entire proceedings had taken the initiative further but stressed that the concern was about the circulation of remarks that had been expunged from the official records.

JCD warns against sharing expunged remarks

Speaker JCD Prabhakar said remarks made without evidence could be expunged from the official records as per convention. He said a letter had been submitted on behalf of the DMK seeking action through the Committee of Privileges over the publication of remarks that had been removed from the House records.

The Speaker asked members to provide details of media outlets carrying such remarks, stating that the matter could be taken up by the Committee of Privileges. Minister Rajmohan said the live broadcast was intended to allow the public to see what was happening inside the Assembly. He also claimed that the live broadcast had been initiated during the DMK regime under MK Stalin.

Udhayanidhi reiterated that the Opposition was not against the live broadcast but was concerned about what happened to remarks after they were expunged. He pointed out that such statements could continue to trend on social media after being broadcast during the proceedings. The Speaker said it was a convention to remove statements made without evidence from the official records. However, he noted that such remarks were later being taken from the proceedings and published by various media platforms.

Action warned against Reels

Speaking to reporters after attending an event in Chennai, JCD Prabhakar reiterated his warning that action would be taken if expunged remarks were released as reels or other short videos on social media.

He said using remarks removed from the Assembly records in any form undermined the dignity of the House and amounted to a violation of the rules.The Speaker added that letters seeking action for breach of privilege had been submitted to him and were under consideration.JCD Prabhakar said action would be taken against the circulation of expunged remarks as reels, while urging members to make statements backed by evidence and maintain the dignity of the Legislative Assembly.

The temple received a total of Rs 1,05,54,389 in cash, 293 grams of gold, and 7,153 grams of silver through the shrine’s donation boxes. The Aadi Krithigai and float festival were the primary drivers, an official said.

The unprecedented rise in collections is attributed to a heavy influx of thousands of pilgrims arriving from various districts across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

The footfall spiked dramatically due to the auspicious Aadi Krithigai festival - a revered annual event dedicated to Lord Murugan and the Theppa Thiruvizha (float festival). The festival is observed when the Krithika star aligns with the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August).

According to Hindu tradition, the day honours the divine origin of Lord Murugan, who was nurtured by the six Krithika maidens upon his birth.

Devotees believe that worshipping at hill shrines like Tiruttani during this period amplifies spiritual benefits, drawing vast crowds seeking blessings for courage and prosperity.

Located around 93 km from Chennai in Tiruvallur district, the Tiruttani temple serves as a major pilgrimage destination in the state, frequently visited by pilgrims travelling towards Tirupati. This ancient temple is the 5th abode of Lord Muruga.

The counting process was carried out under strict supervision by officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, temple administrators, and security staff.

Following official protocols, the cash was sorted, inventoried, and deposited directly into the temple's official bank account, while the gold and silver items were weighed and logged into secure vaults.

High-footfall attracting temples across Tamil Nadu routinely schedule such frequent counts after major festivals to manage capacity and maintain financial transparency.

Water release from KRS and Kabini dams

The KRS Dam, situated across the River Cauvery near Kannambadi in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district, had a water level of 108.95 feet as of 8 pm on Friday. The dam has a maximum capacity of 124.80 feet.

Water was flowing into the KRS Dam at 1,551 cusecs, while 2,000 cusecs was being released from the dam into the River Cauvery.

Meanwhile, the Kabini Dam, located across the Kapila River near Beechanahalli village in H D Kote taluk of Mysuru district, has also been releasing water to Tamil Nadu.

As of 8 am on Friday, the water level in the Kabini Dam stood at 2,275.56 feet against its maximum elevation capacity of 2,284 feet. The water level was 2,282 feet on August 13.

Following an order from the Cauvery Water Management Authority to release water to Tamil Nadu, water was continuously released from the Kabini Dam for nine days, from August 13 to Friday. During this period, around 4.95 TMC of water was released into the River Cauvery for Tamil Nadu from the dam.

Kabini water level drops by 7 feet

The continuous release has resulted in the water level in the Kabini Dam falling by around 7 feet over the last nine days. The dam has a total storage capacity of 19.52 TMC and held around 14.57 TMC of water as of Friday.

At 8 am on Friday, the inflow into the Kabini Dam stood at 7,184 cusecs, while 12,940 cusecs was being released into the River Cauvery.

Together, the KRS and Kabini dams were releasing a total of 14,940 cusecs of water into the River Cauvery for Tamil Nadu.

Hogenakkal inflow reaches 12,000 cusecs

Meanwhile, officials from the Central Water Commission are closely monitoring the water flow in the River Cauvery at Biligundlu, located along the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border.

The increased inflow has also prompted the Dharmapuri district administration to continue the ban on coracle operations at Hogenakkal as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of tourists.

The water inflow at Hogenakkal was recorded at 10,000 cusecs at 6 am on Saturday. The inflow subsequently increased to 12,000 cusecs, according to the report.

With the River Cauvery witnessing increased inflow, authorities continue to monitor the situation at Hogenakkal and other points along the river, while restrictions on coracle operations remain in place for the safety of visitors.

During Zero Hour, the issue was raised by AIADMK member CVe Shanmugam, who demanded proper maintenance of the statue of Jayalalithaa located at the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education on Kamarajar Salai.

Replying to him, Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan said the demand was an important one and assured that the government would always accord due importance to former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Shanmugam went on to fight for the party's stance and bat for chief Edappadi Palaniswami, with whom he has been waging battles. He said the AIADMK government under Palaniswami had resisted pressure to implement the quota and stood by Tamil Nadu's 69 per cent reservation policy. "We firmly stood by the 69 per cent reservation and refused to implement the 10 per cent EWS quota. We still oppose it. Thalavai Sundaram's demand is not the AIADMK's stance," Shanmugam said.

The exchange assumes significance as Shanmugam, who has been openly critical of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in recent weeks, asserted that Sundaram's demand was a personal view, not the party's position. Shanmugam has repeatedly questioned Palaniswami's leadership and sought accountability for the party's electoral setbacks.

Participating in the debate on the Law department's grant demands, Sundaram urged the government to implement the Supreme Court's verdict on the EWS quota, saying it would benefit a large section of people in Kanniyakumari. "At least, the government should consider providing a five per cent EWS quota for economically weaker sections," he said.

Shanmugam said, "I hope this was his own opinion and demand. The AIADMK does not agree with this. The party strongly opposes the 10 per cent EWS quota."