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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tree climber’s daughter scales heights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Date to Apply: August 31

Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/USFB2

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

Prizes & Rewards: Rs 40,000 to Rs 5,50,000 per year for 3 years

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

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

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

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• Annual income from all sources must not exceed Rs 8,00,000

Prizes & Rewards: Up to Rs 2,00,000 for MBA or up to Rs 25,000 for Advanced Diploma

Last Date to Apply: August 26 Application mode: Online applications only

Short URL: www.b4s.in/dtnt/LCBSSP2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT CHANGES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the Human Resources Management Department's policy note, 179 complaints are currently under process before the Lokayukta. The department also provided details on applications received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Since the introduction of the online facility, 1.92 lakh applications and 41,168 appeal petitions have been filed through the portal.

Detailing the cases registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), the department said 2,719 cases had been registered between 2021 and 2026. The department said Tribunals for Disciplinary Proceedings had been constituted to conduct enquiries into allegations of corruption against State government officials based on cases registered by the DVAC. In 2025 alone, 35 cases were disposed of, while 221 cases remained pending before the Tribunals, the department said.

Making the announcements in the Assembly, PWD and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the government would take up a series of projects to improve connectivity between industrial centres, ports, tourist destinations and major cities.

The proposed Chennai-Mamallapuram-Puducherry coastal elevated road will be developed in phases. The project is aimed at reducing travel time along the coast and providing faster connectivity to industrial centres, tourist destinations, ports and urban areas. A feasibility study for the project had been sanctioned in 2025-26, but further progress was pending. The government said steps would now be taken to expedite the studies and other technical work.

The government will also initiate steps to operate a passenger boat service between Chennai, Mamallapuram and Puducherry, creating a coastal tourism circuit connecting major destinations. The service will be taken up in coordination with the Union government and Puducherry administration.

To improve public transport in the cities, the Highways department has proposed to upgrade the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road to cater to all category of road users with Rs 280 crore allocation, while Rs 120 crore will be spent on improving Anna Salai, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai and EVR Periyar Salai to meet future transport needs. To ensure the safety of pedestrians, foot overbridges with escalators and lifts, including on Sardar Patel Road near Anna University and Madhya Kailash, have been planned.

In another major proposal, the state plans to develop an industrial corridor connecting Chennai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi through a network of expressways. The corridor is intended to connect major industrial and economic centres with national and state highways and improve the movement of people and goods.

The government also announced that it would take up with the NHAI accelerating the work on the eight-lane Chennai-Kanniyakumari road, improve entry and exit points of Chennai, including ECR, Poonamallee, on the Chennai-Bengaluru highroad, Madhavaram on GNT road and also to take elevated road from Perungalathur to Chengalpattur on GST road.

The government plans to prepare a Tamil Nadu Highways Vision 2036, setting out the state's road infrastructure requirements for the next decade and aligning highway development with long-term economic growth.

Road safety will receive a major push with the Rs 500 crore Chief Minister's Safe Roads Project. AI-enabled cameras will be used to monitor traffic violations and identify accident-prone locations. The project will also include road safety engineering measures and emergency response facilities.

The government has identified around 18,000 accident-prone locations on state highways. Under the CARE (Corridor Accident Response and Emergency-care) initiative, 25 government hospitals and primary health centres located along national highway corridors will be upgraded with emergency-care facilities to treat road accident victims.

DPR TO BE PREPARED

• Elevated road from Lighthouse to Thiru Vi Ka Bridge at Adyar via Santhome and RA Puram

• Elevated road from Padi to Thiruninravur

• Extend the Vysarpadi ROB to connect GNT road and widening of Basin Bridge

• Widening of the bride across Cooum at Koyambedu on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai

KEY PROPOSALS

• A Tamil Nadu Road Safety Authority to coordinate road safety measures

• Rs 250-cr road maintenance programme, incorporating technology-enabled monitoring and the ‘Namma Salai’ initiative

• Rs 2,550-cr upgrade for 2,000 rural roads

• Rs 1,000-cr upgrade for 500 bus route roads in Chennai, Avadi, Tambaram, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli corporations

A meeting with officials from various departments and the administration of the Shrine Velankanni Basilica was convened by the district collector, in the presence of SP Kelkar Subhramanya Bhalchandra, to discuss preparations for the Basilica's annual festival.

The district collector asked the officials to ensure the safe, hassle-free movement of devotees and asked the civic administration to provide basic amenities. The transport department was told to operate adequate special bus services.

While speaking to reporters after the meeting, the collector said devotees from Tamil Nadu and other states, as well as from various countries, would take part in the annual festival, and the district administration is committed to providing all facilities and special care.

“To ensure the safety of the devotees, as many as 2,432 personnel monitored by SPs from four districts will be deployed, while as many as 378 traffic wardens will be deployed to regulate the traffic. A control room will be established. As many as 15 watch towers, 300 CCTV cameras and three drones will be engaged to take the entire town under surveillance round the clock," he said.

He also stated that adequate basic amenities, including drinking water, toilets and parking facilities, will be arranged and the officials from the respective departments have commenced the inspections.

Meanwhile, the transport department will operate as many as 525 special buses from various destinations, while private bus facilities and their parking slots have also been arranged. “Based on the requirement, the number of buses would be increased from Chennai and Puducherry," the collector said.

An integrated help centre and a dedicated toll-free number will also be launched to address devotees' grievances. The district administration will establish special medical camps at seven locations, and as many as 10 ambulances and three bike ambulances will also be in operation.

To ensure the safety of the devotees who would prefer to take a bath at the seashore, as many as 12 fire and rescue vehicles, along with two rescue boats with five experts, including local fishermen, will be stationed on the beach.

MEASURES IN PLACE

• Police personnel deployed: 2,432

• Traffic wardens: 378

• Watch towers: 15

• CCTV Cameras: 300

• Drone surveillance: 3

• Special buses: 525

• Medical camps: 7

• Ambulances: 10

• Fire and Rescue vehicles: 12

• Rescue boats: 2

• Cleanliness workers: 425

A Tirupur-based garment manufacturer gave orders to a factory in Chhattisgarh to make men’s inner-wear. Working at this factory are women rescued from the Naxal movement and brought into rehabilitation programmes.

For these women, the orders from Tamil Nadu are more than just a livelihood opportunity as it helps them begin a new life after years of violence, fear and isolation.

The change is striking in Chhattisgarh, a State that officially declared its fight against armed Naxalism over on March 31, meeting the deadline set by the Centre and the State government to dismantle the Left-wing extremist insurgency.

Visiting Chhattisgarh to know more about the ground realities four months after the Union government’s declaration, our first stop was Raipur, the State capital. The city is undergoing rapid development, with new shopping malls, hotels, residential apartments and commercial buildings spouting like mushrooms after a spell of rain. Along with this are also other vacant commercial buildings that reflect the challenges businesses continue to face.

The roads, meanwhile, are crowded with mining tipper trucks, a reminder of the importance of the mining economy to Chhattisgarh. But it was the conversations with ordinary residents that revealed another side.

Possibility of a future

Almost every person the DT Next team spoke to for even five minutes brought up Naxalism at some point in the conversation. While younger generations appear to be looking forward to a more peaceful and developed future, many people above the age of 40 still carry memories of the violence.

There is an unmistakable sense that Chhattisgarh is trying to wipe the bloodstains of its past from its history.

The journey then took us to Bastar, a region that was once one of the major centres of Naxal activity. The former Bastar district was spread over 39,114 sq km after the formation of Madhya Pradesh, making it one of the largest districts in India at the time (larger than Kerala). The region was later divided into several districts, including Kondagaon.

Even today, the security apparatus in the region is impossible to miss. Circuit houses and other government facilities remain under heavy armed security. In Kondagaon, we met Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra, an IPS officer, who said the State had now achieved a Naxal-free status, but the victory had come at a heavy cost.

“More than 120 security personnel were killed during operations between 2024 and 2026, while around 1,200 Naxalites and Maoists were killed during the eradication process. Around 3,000 cadres surrendered,” he said.

The end of an armed conflict does not automatically erase the consequences of decades of insurgency. Kondagaon Collector Nupur Rashi Panna explained how deeply Naxalism had penetrated the social fabric of Bastar with the story of a nine-year-old girl rescued by security forces.

“The child had been brought into the Naxal system at a very young age and had developed an extraordinary and disturbing familiarity with weapons,” she recalled. “She had acquired the ability to assemble and dismantle an AK-47 even while blindfolded.”

The girl was among the children rescued from the Naxal ranks and brought into rehabilitation. “She was not the only one,” Panna explained. “Hundreds of girls had been rescued from similar circumstances.”

Their pasts were marked by violence, but rehabilitation programmes are now attempting to give them a completely different future.

The end of an armed conflict does not automatically erase the consequences of decades of insurgency

The difficult task is ensuring that people who were caught in the conflict, particularly children recruited or raised within insurgent groups, are able to return to mainstream society

Tirupur connect

After spending time in rehabilitation centres with assistance from women from self-help groups, an initiative of the Chhattisgarh government, many women have been trained in various skills and moved into employment.

It was at one such facility that we met the women who had been rescued. Their identities have been concealed for their safety and welfare.

Inside the factory, the atmosphere was far removed from the forests and armed camps associated with their past. Machines were running, workers were engaged in production and the women were earning an income through regular employment. And behind this transition is an unlikely connection: Tirupur.

A garment manufacturing company from Tamil Nadu’s textile hub has placed orders with the facility. The women are manufacturing men’s inner-wear, which is then procured by the Tirupur-based company.

For the women, the connection with Tirupur represents more than a commercial arrangement. It is a bridge between rehabilitation and economic independence.

One of the women working at the factory told us that she feels safe working there. “Since most of the employees are women,” she said, “we do not face major difficulties at the workplace. More importantly, the daily wage of Rs 300 is helping us gradually improve our economic condition.”

For women who once lived under the shadow of armed violence, earning a daily wage through legitimate employment represents a fundamental change in their lives.

The story also highlights an important challenge facing post conflict rehabilitation. Eliminating armed insurgency is only the first step. The more difficult task is ensuring that people who were caught in the conflict, particularly children recruited or raised within insurgent groups, are able to return to mainstream society.

Towards a future

Rehabilitation requires education, psychological support, vocational training, employment and, above all, a sense of security. The women at the factory appear to be taking that journey one day at a time.

The scars of Bastar’s past cannot be erased overnight. Nor can the fear that remains in the minds of people who witnessed years of violence disappear simply because an official deadline has been met.

But inside a modest factory in Kondagaon, a different story is taking shape. The hands that once knew the mechanics of an AK-47 are now learning the mechanics of a sewing machine. And, an order travelling from Tirupur to Chhattisgarh is helping these women stitch together something far more valuable than garments - a second chance at life.

For Chhattisgarh, the declaration of a Naxalism free state may mark the end of an armed chapter. For these women, however, the real victory will be the day their past no longer defines their future.

The accused, Radhika of Ambedkar Nagar, was employed as a cleaner at the hostel, where students from various parts of Salem stay.

Police said she was acquainted with Raghupathi (30), of Aathumedu. Radhika facilitated a meeting between Raghupathi and two girls. On the birthday of one of the girls, Raghupathi arrived with a cake and took the girls to a secluded location with Radhika’s assistance.

Raghupathi sexually harassed them, who then informed their parents. Based on a complaint, the Vazhapadi All-Women Police registered a case under the Pocso Act against Raghupathi and Radhika. Radhika was arrested, while a search is under way to trace him.

During the inspection of luggage of passengers bound for Kuala Lumpur by an AirAsia flight on Tuesday, A Thaslima Banu (40), a resident of Ramanathapuram, was intercepted.

She had foreign currency worth Rs 90 lakh, including Indian currency worth Rs 65 lakh. When the officials demanded proof of the currency, Thaslima Banu could not provide it.

The officials seized the money and took her for a separate inquiry.

The Tiruchy City Prohibition and Enforcement Wing police were conducting a vehicle check at Udayanpatti railway gate near KK Nagar in Tiruchy recently and stopped an auto.

They found Appuchi alias Abuthahir (38), a history sheeter, with packs of ganja. When the police attempted to secure him, he escaped. In such a scenario, the police received information that Abuthahir was found dead with several injuries near the Tiruchy-Madurai railway track. Police retrieved the body.

S Velmurugan (45), a resident of Mela Kaviri near Kumbakonam, was staying near the Big Temple and receiving alms. He used to stay along with the vagabonds at the temple premises and was maintaining a puppy. On Monday night, when Velmurugan was sleeping, his puppy raised noises. Irate over this, a fellow beggar, S Ramaiah (40), had reportedly attacked the puppy with a stone, which triggered an altercation between the duo.

Suddenly, Ramaiyya took a knife and stabbed Velmurugan in the abdomen, where he sustained severe injuries. Shocked by the incident, the onlookers passed on the information to the Thanjavur West Police.

The police rushed to the spot and rescued Velmurugan. He was taken to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. However, Velmurugan succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. A case has been registered, and the police arrested Ramaiah. Further investigations are ongoing.

Participating in the debate on the demands for grants for Public Works, Highways, Sports Development and Human Resources Management in the Assembly, she said 10 children had reportedly faced sexual assault in the past five days and called for swift investigation and severe punishment. "Those who commit sexual offences against women and children should be given stringent punishment. After a proper investigation, punishments similar to those followed in Arab countries should be considered. Encounter is the only solution to such crimes," she said.

Premallatha said the growing drug culture was also contributing to crimes and referred to the Amuthan and Dhanush murder cases while stressing the need for a stronger crackdown on narcotics. She said youngsters should be encouraged to take up sports, which would keep them away from drugs and help them become responsible citizens.

Referring to the Karur incident in which a woman allegedly attacked a man accused of sexually assaulting a girl, she described the woman as a "real Velu Nachiyar" and said women fighting back against offenders would send a strong message.

She also urged the government to renovate damaged government buildings, including schools, colleges, and offices; preserve heritage structures; maintain bridges; and improve road conditions across the State.

Raising environmental concerns, she flagged fish deaths allegedly caused by sewage discharge at Ennore port, industrial pollution affecting marine life and the impact of hydrocarbon projects on agricultural land.

She also sought firm action over the killing of three Tamils in Karnataka and urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to raise the issue with his Karnataka counterpart at the southern States' meeting.

Speaker JCD Prabhakar and Leader of the House K A Sengottaiyan said the Chief Minister had taken firm steps to curb drug abuse and crimes against women and children.

He accused the incumbent BJP and the Congress, which had ruled earlier, of using it as a political weapon rather than acting in the interest of students, asserting that Parliament had the power to change laws even after a Supreme Court verdict.

Participating in the debate on demands for grants for Public Works, Highways, Sports Development, and Human Resources Management in the Assembly, Shanmugam said both national parties were blaming each other for the introduction and continuation of NEET.

"Congress says why NEET was introduced, while the BJP says it is being continued based on the Supreme Court's verdict. They may be different parties, but the same gene runs through both," he said.

Shanmugam's choice to attack the BJP, an NDA ally in the State led by the AIADMK, has raised questions about what the dissenter was up to.

Arguing that Parliament could legislate to alter the legal position arising from a Supreme Court judgment, Shanmugam cited the legislation enacted by the Rajiv Gandhi government following the Supreme Court's Shah Bano judgment as an example.

He also referred to a recent amendment concerning major minerals, claiming that the Centre had amended the law following a Supreme Court verdict on states' powers to levy royalties.

"If there is political will, both Congress and the BJP could bring a law in Parliament to remove NEET and save students' lives. Instead, NEET is being used for politics, while innocent students are losing their lives," he alleged.

The deceased, Raja of Netaji Nagar in Tondiarpet, was the deputy ward secretary of DMK’s 38th ward.

On July 13, Raja was standing near his house when the three men attacked him with sickles and fled. He was rescued by passersby and admitted to Stanley Hospital in a critical condition.

Based on a complaint, Police arrested three persons- Ganesan (44), Ranjith (33) and Abinesh (18), all from the same locality, in connection with the attack. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the accused had a previous enmity with Raja and had allegedly plotted the attack following a dispute. The three were subsequently produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

The Centre submitted that, as per the Union Home Ministry’s fresh Circular dated July 9, Vande Mataram and the National Anthem should be sung consecutively, with Vande Mataram being sung first. It clarified that the circular made no reference to the State song or stated that it should be sung at the end.

The judges pointed out that the new Circular did not prevent Tamil Thai Vazhthu from being sung first, noting that it only required Vande Mataram to be sung before the National Anthem. They clarified that this was why Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung first at the Madras High Court on Independence Day, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem. The judges thereafter reserved their judgment.

The petition, filed by Ananya Radhakrishnan, contended that placing Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the third position during the ceremony caused deep anguish among the people and amounted to an unwarranted dilution of the ceremonial dignity traditionally accorded to the State Song. According to the petitioner, the Home Ministry’s January 28 circular, titled ‘Orders Relating to the National Song of India’, does not impose any constitutional, statutory or executive prohibition against commencing official State functions with an officially recognised State Song.

The plea stated that the circular merely regulates the order between the National Song and the National Anthem when both are rendered together and is silent on State Songs, including Tamil Thai Vazhthu.

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

Madurai city police, in a two-page post on its Facebook account on Tuesday, stated that Paramasivam of Mela Anuppanadi was not assaulted by the police and had instead sustained a head injury after falling from the staircase at his residence.

According to the city police, Paramasivam and his neighbour KP Balakrishnan quarrelled over parking a vehicle on the night of July 17. Members of both families, including Paramasivam and his wife Ayyammal, were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) for treatment. A case was registered against members of both families in connection with the quarrel and they were subsequently released on station bail, the police said.

The police said they later learnt that Paramasivam had sustained injuries after falling from the staircase at his residence. He was admitted to GRH as an inpatient on August 5 at around 12.05 pm. When police personnel approached the now-dead 'victim,' he reportedly told them that he had fallen from the staircase himself and that there was no need for a police inquiry, according to the police version. Based on this, the station house officer made a general diary entry.

Doctors at GRH advised him to undergo surgery for his head injury, but he refused and was discharged from the hospital on August 6, the police said. He was subsequently admitted to Government Vellore Medical College Hospital in a semi-conscious state on August 11, where he underwent surgery.

Meanwhile, Ayyammal filed a complaint with the Madurai City Police Commissioner, S Rajendran, on August 15, alleging that her husband's health had deteriorated after he was assaulted by police personnel from Chinthamani police station.

The Police Commissioner recommended an inquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer.

Paramasivam subsequently died at a private hospital on 16th August, and his body was brought to GRH for post-mortem examination. Arrangements were also made for an inquiry by RDO Sangeetha.

However, the police said Ayyammal did not cooperate with the inquiry on August 17 and approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

The court subsequently directed a judicial magistrate to conduct an inquiry. The police said Judicial Magistrate-I, Madurai, was conducting the inquiry and that further action would be taken based on the report.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan observed that the MLAs had been pardoned for violating the party whip and continued to remain members of the party.

“They have not resigned. The petitioner is a third party. The members were pardoned within 15 days as per law and the disqualification proceedings were withdrawn. The Speaker has accepted it. What is wrong in this?” the judges asked, and also observed that there was no anti-defection proceeding pending against them, and subsequently dismissed the petition.

On May 13, 2026, Edappadi K Palaniswamy had submitted a petition to the Speaker seeking the disqualification of 25 MLAs who had violated the party whip by participating in and voting against the Vote of Confidence motion under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India. Four of the MLAs submitted their resignations as members to the Speaker on May 25.

Following this, EPS submitted a letter to the Speaker seeking to drop the disqualification proceedings against the remaining MLAs. The Speaker accepted the letter and dropped the proceedings.

Challenging the decision, PV Selvakumar, a voter from Tiruttani, filed a petition before the Madras High Court.

The complainant Shantha Prabhakaran (74), of Palakkad, was travelling to Madhya Pradesh from Kerala aboard the Ernakulam–Patna Express in June 2024 when her handbag containing 11¾ sovereigns of gold jewellery and Rs 15,000 went missing.

She lodged a complaint with the Satna Railway Police in Madhya Pradesh. The investigation revealed that the theft had taken place within the jurisdiction of the Erode Railway Police.

The case was transferred on June 4 this year. A special team perused CCTV footage, which led them to Harvinder Singh (42), of Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh.

The police arrested him in Uttar Pradesh. Singh had converted 40 grams of the stolen jewellery into a gold bar, which was recovered from him. He had spent the remaining jewellery and cash. A probe is on.

This election petition was filed by C Geetha, a voter in the Uthangarai Constituency, seeking a declaration that the election of N Elaiyaraja, the returned candidate from the 51-Uthangarai (SC) Assembly Constituency in the Assembly elections, be declared void under Section 100 (1) (c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Meanwhile, N Elaiyaraja filed a petition seeking dismissal of the petition filed against him.

After hearing both sides, Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy allowed the application filed by the winning MLA seeking rejection of the election petition and accordingly dismissed the election petition. The judge also made it clear that he intended to dispose of all election petitions pending before him within the six-month period prescribed under the Representation of the People Act, and would not keep them pending for a long period.

Candidates can access the answer scripts on dge.tn.gov.in. They can also download the relevant scripts after registering with their exam roll number and date of birth.

Those seeking retotalling or revaluation must submit applications on August 20 and 21 between 11 am and 5 pm at designated District Government Exam Offices in Chennai, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Tirupur, Kallakurichi, Chengalpattu and Mayiladuthurai.

Fee for retotalling is Rs 505/subject, and revaluation per subject costs Rs 205. Candidates have been advised to carefully verify their answer scripts before applying.

Police said the accused, Aslam, who is the Pappireddipatti Union Youth Wing organiser of the DMK, later transported her body in an ambulance before dumping it in a disused stone quarry in Tirupathur district.

The murder came to light on Monday when residents spotted the body of a woman floating in a quarry pit near Bharat Nagar in Vaniyambadi and alerted the police.

Police identified the deceased as Sasikala (50), wife of Ashokan, a retired sugar mill employee from Pappireddipatti. The body was found with marks suggesting strangulation and was sent to the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore for post-mortem.

Meanwhile, Ashokan had lodged a complaint stating that his wife had gone missing along with gold jewellery and Rs 25,000 in cash.

Police questioned Aslam, who initially gave contradictory answers but later confessed to the murder.

He lured Sasikala into accompanying him by telling her that a relative had met with an accident. “She was seated in the front seat, while Aslam was in the rear, and one of his friends was driving the car. Aslam strangled her with a rope from behind. The body was packed in a sack, transported by an ambulance to Vaniyambadi and dumped in stagnant water at a stone quarry," police said.

Police suspect that Aslam committed the murder to steal Sasikala’s jewellery. Further investigation is on.

"I didn't know whose attention you wanted to attract by speaking about matters outside the subject. You should consider the problems created when speaking about other things," Speaker Prabhakar said. The Speaker also instructed DMK members to remain calm in their seats when the Opposition Whip was standing.

During the Special Calling Attention Motion on the killing of three Tamil-origin persons by foresters in Karnataka, minister Nirmalkumar made some allegations against the former Chief Minister and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. DMK members opposed them and raised their concerns with the Speaker, creating a din in the House.

Following the incident, the Speaker instructed ministers to stick to the subject while they were replying to the Calling Attention Motion. Referring to the issue, the Speaker said ministers should reply only on the subject taken up for consideration and should not deviate. He also directed the Opposition members not to stand when their party whip was given a chance to speak.

They have warned that they would launch a continuous hunger strike at Thangachimadam from September 1 onwards if their demands weren't met.

Sagayam of the Rameswaram Mechanised Boat Fishermen’s Association said the fishermen have sought the immediate release of fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan prisons and the return of fishing boats seized by Sri Lankan authorities. They have also demanded adequate compensation for the seized boats and the facilitation of dialogue between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.

The fishermen said disruption to fishing would affect not only them but also thousands of workers employed on mechanised boats. “Our families depend on this income to meet our daily needs and support our children’s education,” said the fishermen.

The damning audit has exposed financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 107.94 crore across 186 blocks. Aside from straight money transfers, auditors uncovered outright bill manipulation and payments made without basic supporting documents.

"These amounts are meant to improve the livelihood of rural women," said Radhakrishnan, a Theni-based RTI activist who obtained the audit documents through the Right to Information Act.

In Sembanar Koil block of Mayiladuthurai district, Rs 42 lakh intended for 42 Panchayat Level Federations under the Vulnerability Reduction Fund was transferred to BMM Vimala and five other individuals. Though the full sum was later recovered, the breach exposed systemic vulnerabilities.

In the Kuttalam block of the same district, audit spotted a Rs 1.64 lakh bill altered for notebook purchases alongside a blank bill attached to claim Rs 60,000 for self-help group training. Offending officials in Mayiladuthurai were subsequently terminated and faced police action to retrieve unrecovered balances.

The malaise extended to other districts as well. In Villupuram’s Vallam block, Rs 35 lakh meant as incentives was redirected under the names of T Elumalai and Raghul Agency to open a petrol pump before authorities clawed it back. In KV Kuppam block, Vellore district, Rs 2.92 lakh allocated as honorariums for 39 federations was diverted into the personal accounts of five individuals.

So far, authorities have managed to recover Rs 1.43 crore directly from BMMs who routed funds into personal and family accounts. An additional Rs 3.61 crore that sat idle in dormant accounts for years was retrieved and deposited back into the state treasury in May 2026.

The probe was triggered after the TNCDW financial adviser, internal auditors, and anonymous whistleblowers flagged widespread rot in several blocks. To stem the damage, the Managing Director ordered a sweeping check across all 388 blocks in the state. The 15th Audit Committee recommended the exercise on March 5, 2026, with the board clearing it the very next day.

Commencing on March 9, 2026, the investigation initially targeted transactions between April 2023 and March 2026 across 14 central and northern districts. Given the extent of the fraud, the scope was extended to cover transactions dating back to the inception of the scheme.

To prevent further siphoning, the audit team has recommended strict financial monitoring, establishing clear standard operating procedures for block-level federations, and switching exclusively to direct benefit transfer for all scheme payments.

Ranjith's statement comes after many students faced difficulties while applying for visas after receiving financial assistance letters as several UK universities reportedly did not officially accept the Tamil Nadu government's financial assistance letter for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) process.

In a statement posted on X, Ranjith also said that one student reportedly had their visa rejected. Delays in obtaining the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, which can take seven to eight weeks, were also cited as a concern.

Ranjith said 385 students had received assistance under the scheme over the past five years, while 375 students were selected for the 2026-27 academic year. Of them, 316 had secured admission to universities in the UK

What are Ranjith's recommendations given to fix certificate issue?

Ranjith listed the following suggestions to ensure students selected for assistance under 'Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship' scheme could pursue their studies abroad without further delays.

1. Application process for should begin in January and be completed by February. Ranjith noted that this year's process began late and was completed only by the end of July.

2. Formal agreements or clear recognition from foreign universities so that Tamil Nadu government's financial assistance letters are officially accepted.

3. Ranjith sought advance clarity on scholarship sanction and payment schedules to ensure students do not have to spend their own money upfront on visa procedures, university deposits and travel expenses.

4. The government should ensure that students shouldn't lose educational opportunities because of government delays. If so happens, then they should not have to apply again from the beginning.

5. The 'Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship' scheme should cover not only tuition fees but also essential expenses such as living costs, medical insurance and travel expenses. Ranjith urged the government to consider a comprehensive financial assistance package in the next Budget.

6. Ranjith also sought immediate release of pending financial assistance to students who had been selected for the scheme in previous years but had not received the funds.

The 13-classroom building was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.06 crore with financial assistance from NABARD to meet the growing requirements of students at the school in Narikudi union.

Though all construction work was completed around six months ago, the building is yet to be opened for use.

Students continue in old building

The delay has raised concerns among parents and residents as students and teachers continue to use the school's 35-year-old building. The old structure is reportedly in a poor condition, with portions of its roof and walls considered unsafe.

Parents said students attend classes under constant apprehension as the condition of the old building poses a potential safety risk.

They questioned why the newly completed classrooms have not been handed over for use despite the urgent need for additional and safer learning spaces.

Parents seek immediate action

Parents and social activists have urged the district administration and the School Education Department to intervene and open the new building without further delay.

"It is unclear why the opening of the completed building is being delayed. The authorities should act immediately before an untoward incident occurs and ensure that students are shifted to the new classrooms," they said.

They also appealed to officials to inspect the old building and take necessary safety measures until the new block is made operational.