As Vijay had time and again positioned himself as the successor to the welfare legacy of iconic AIADMK leaders M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, his campaign at Dharapuram, an AIADMK stronghold, has attracted more attention.

Vijay is expected to start his campaign by 3 pm.

Following MGR and 'Madam' Jayalalithaa, it was he who had been opposing the "evil force DMK," the TVK chief campaigned in Madurantakam constituency days ago, which will also go to polls alongside Dharapuram on October 6.

The TVK's poll plank assumes more significance as the western parts of Tamil Nadu had traditionally been a fortress of the AIADMK, which was pushed to the third spot in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.

The bypolls were necessitated due to the resignations of AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel, and P Sathyabama, who later joined the ruling TVK.

The two former AIADMK functionaries have been renominated from Madurantakam and Dharapuram respectively by the TVK.

The customised campaign vehicle of Vijay has arrived at the sprawling venue in Dharapuram.

The actor-turned politician has all along been addressing his election meetings from atop his campaign vehicle.

Vijay is scheduled to leave Chennai by 11.45 am for Coimbatore by a special flight, from where he is set to reach Dharapuram by road.

Police said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the meeting and about 3,000 personnel have been deployed.

The TVK has already said that entry to the venue is restricted to QR code passes.

Only 5,000 people who have been provided with entry passes featuring QR code will be allowed to attend the event, according to the ruling party.

Vijay will hold his poll campaign at Chitravuthanpalayam in Dharapuram, which falls under Tiruppur district.

The party has advised pregnant women, children, school students, senior citizens, differently-abled persons, and individuals with underlying health conditions to not attend the rally.

Arrangements are in place to provide basic amenities, including drinking water and medical teams have also been deployed at the venue.

The decades-old case resurfaced after investigators accessed a text message asking Veeramani (84) if he remembered his involvement in the victim's death, prompting a fresh complaint from the girl's mother alleging that her daughter died by suicide following sexual abuse by Veeramani, founder of Gem Granites.

Already a POSCO case has been booked against Veeramani and now a fresh case has been registered following a complaint from the victim's mother, sources said.

According to police, following the message, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of senior women police officers was formed to verify its authenticity.

Through extensive inquiries, investigators successfully identified the victim.

The victim's mother subsequently lodged an official complaint alleging that her daughter had been sexually abused by Veeramani before taking her own life in 2004.

She further stated that although a complaint was lodged with local police at the time of the incident, no action was taken.

Meanwhile, a Special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act Court in Chennai on Tuesday reserved its orders on the bail petitions of co-accused Shanthi (60) and her husband Mahendra Simhan (63).

Police alleged that Veeramani kept minor children at Shanthi’s residence to assault them and that Shanthi attempted to destroy evidence.

Investigators highlighted major financial transactions linked to the crime, revealing that Rs 24.63 crore was transferred from Veeramani's account to Shanthi, with Rs 2 crore further moved to Simhan.

Police are also verifying allegations that the accused paid Rs 1 lakh to the 2004 victim's family on two occasions and have initiated steps to freeze suspect bank accounts containing over Rs 20 crore.

Opposing bail before POCSO Special Court Judge S Padma, police expressed concerns over witness tampering and evidence destruction, noting that seized electronic devices are being examined to determine if other minors were targeted.

Defense counsel argued that the couple's arrest was improper and that further custody was unnecessary.

Accordingly, the SIT is expected to file its charge sheet in the designated court soon.

The demands came after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in Delhi on Monday and sought expeditious approval for the project.

Shivakumar said the Central Water Commission had already conducted a field inspection at the proposed site and that Karnataka had identified alternative land to compensate for the forest area required for the project.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the Karnataka government was pursuing the project with urgency, while the Tamil Nadu government appeared to be remaining silent.

He urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to convene a meeting of all political parties and farmers' organisations and evolve a common position. An all-party delegation, along with farmers' representatives, should then meet the Prime Minister and urge the Centre not to grant approval for the dam, he said.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said reports that Shivakumar had sought a speedy examination and approval of the project's detailed project report by the Central Water Commission were "shocking".

He urged the Centre not to permit the project, arguing that it would adversely affect Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water.

If the Mekedatu dam is constructed, Tamil Nadu could face serious shortages of water for irrigation and drinking, with the Cauvery delta bearing the brunt, he said.

The CPM called for a delegation led by the Chief Minister, comprising political party leaders and farmers' representatives, to meet the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister and seek steps to stop Karnataka's efforts to construct the dam.

Veerapandian said the project would affect Tamil Nadu's rights and inter-state relations and called for all necessary measures to prevent its implementation.

In a statement, Anbumani referred to the killing of two persons and injuries to four others during a dispute over car parking in Tirunelveli Town. Two brothers, Dalton and Nicholas, were allegedly stabbed to death during a clash between two families, he said.

He also referred to the murder of a youth, Ajith, in Chennai's Ice House area. According to Anbumani, a four-member gang murdered the youth in front of his family members and also stabbed his mother when she attempted to intervene. He also cited the murder of an elderly woman in Salem.

Anbumani said the recent incidents had caused fear and concern among the people about their safety. He questioned where the State's law and order situation was heading amid what he described as an increase in murders and sexual violence in recent times.

He said maintaining law and order and ensuring that people could move freely and live without fear were among the basic responsibilities of a government. If this basic assurance was absent, other amenities and development would become meaningless, he said.

Anbumani pointed out that the Police Department is under the direct control of the Chief Minister. He said the Chief Minister must recognise this responsibility and take all necessary steps to ensure people's safety and enable them to live in peace and without fear.

The houses of Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s aides and that of the associates of the main accused, BT Araskumar and Muthukumar, in Saligramam, Kodambakkam, Choolaimedu, Navalur, and Poonamallee were searched, said the police.

The police seized 44 documents and a laptop at the end of the search.

Earlier, on September 16, searches were conducted at houses and offices belonging to the former minister and his aides, Valadi Karthik, Arun Prakash, and Prakash, in Tiruchy and Chennai, during which the police seized documents and electronic devices.

Last Saturday, searches were also conducted at houses and shops in Kallakurichi belonging to Saravanan, Ramesh, and Gokulakrishnan, relatives of the absconding accused, Muthukumar, who allegedly abetted the fraud by collecting money from private school managements.

The case stems from a complaint filed by DC Elangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, with the Chennai city police commissioner, alleging that a network had collected money from private school managements after promising to secure government approvals, including permanent recognition, upgradation, DTCP clearance, and other clearances.

Based on the complaint, the CCB registered a case and arrested the prime accused, BT Arasakumar (59) of Saligramam, on June 27. He was later remanded in judicial custody and detained under the Goondas Act. He was granted bail by the Madras High Court on Tuesday (September 29). Two other accused, Suresh and Raja have also been arrested in the case.

According to the police, more than 250 people have been examined so far, including several government officials from the School Education Department, and relevant government documents have been seized.

Preliminary inquiry has revealed that several crores of rupees were allegedly collected from 177 private schools on false assurances. Bank accounts linked to the accused, their family members, and associates have been identified and frozen. Also, 20 accounts linked to Arasakumar and his family and 29 accounts linked to Muthukumar are under financial scrutiny

Through official health channels: Consult a doctor if you develop persistent fever or dengue-like symptoms → get the recommended dengue test based on the illness stage → monitor platelet counts and other blood parameters as advised → seek urgent care if warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting or bleeding appear → prevent dengue by eliminating stagnant water and report mosquito-related concerns through the GCC’s 1913 helpline.

CHENNAI: As monsoon-related illnesses increase, fever can often be difficult to identify by symptoms alone. Dengue, seasonal viral infections and other mosquito-borne diseases may initially appear similar. Here are some key questions to help readers understand when to seek testing and medical attention.

What are the common symptoms of dengue?

Dengue commonly begins with a sudden high fever. Other symptoms can include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.

However, these symptoms can overlap with other viral infections. A doctor may recommend a blood test to confirm dengue rather than relying on symptoms alone.

How can dengue be different from a regular seasonal viral fever?

There is no reliable way to distinguish dengue from every other viral fever based only on symptoms. Dengue may be suspected when high fever is accompanied by intense body or joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea or rash.

Persistent or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated, particularly during periods when dengue cases are circulating.

When should someone get tested for dengue?

The appropriate test can depend on how many days the person has had symptoms. Tests that detect the dengue virus or its NS1 antigen are generally useful during the early stage of illness, while antibody testing becomes more useful later.

A doctor can determine which test is appropriate based on the patient's symptoms and the stage of the illness.

Where can people get free fever testing at government facilities in Chennai?

Government healthcare facilities in Chennai provide services for people presenting with fever, including evaluation for dengue and other infections. The Greater Chennai Corporation's health facilities include Urban Primary Health Centres and diagnostic centres offering investigations.

People should check with the particular government facility for its current testing availability and timings before visiting.

Are dengue tests available free of cost at government centres?

Diagnostic investigations are available free of cost at several Greater Chennai Corporation facilities. Availability can vary depending on the centre and the test required, so patients should confirm the service at the facility.

What platelet count is considered dangerous in dengue?

Platelet numbers are only one part of assessing a dengue patient's condition. A falling platelet count does not automatically mean that a platelet transfusion is required.

A count below 10,000 platelets per microlitre is generally considered a level at which prophylactic platelet transfusion may be considered in dengue patients who do not have bleeding, according to India's national dengue management guidance. Active bleeding and the patient's overall clinical condition are also important factors.

Patients should not attempt to interpret platelet reports on their own. Doctors may monitor platelet counts along with other blood parameters and signs of bleeding or plasma leakage.

Does every dengue patient with low platelets need a platelet transfusion?

No. A low platelet count by itself does not necessarily mean a transfusion is required. Clinical condition, bleeding and other complications are considered when deciding treatment.

This is particularly important because platelet counts can fall during dengue and then recover as the patient improves.

What are the warning signs that require urgent medical attention?

Immediate medical assessment is important if a person with suspected or confirmed dengue develops symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stools, unusual drowsiness, extreme weakness or restlessness.

The period around the time the fever comes down can also be critical, so improvement in temperature does not always mean the illness has passed.

How can residents help prevent dengue in their neighbourhood?

The dengue mosquito breeds in stagnant water. Residents should regularly empty or cover containers that can collect water, including buckets, pots, discarded tyres and other outdoor items.

Keeping surroundings free of water accumulation can reduce mosquito breeding and help protect the wider community.

Where can Chennai residents report stagnant water or mosquito-related concerns?

Residents can report public-health and mosquito-related complaints to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) through its civic grievance channels, including the 1913 helpline.

Providing the exact location of stagnant water can help civic teams identify and address potential mosquito-breeding sites.

What should someone do if they develop a fever during the monsoon?

Do not assume that every monsoon fever is dengue or, conversely, that dengue can be ruled out because symptoms appear mild. People with persistent fever or symptoms suggestive of dengue should consult a healthcare professional and follow the recommended testing and monitoring schedule.

Self-medication, particularly with medicines that can increase bleeding risk, should be avoided unless advised by a doctor.

Sources

Dengue Symptoms

Clinical Testing Guidance for Dengue

National Guidelines for Clinical Management of Dengue

Clinical Care of Dengue

Dengue management

Justice P Murugan also questioned why the DVAC had not conducted a proper inquiry into the complaint.

The judge passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Jagan of Kanniyakumari district,

Justice P Murugan questioned why the DVAC had not yet conducted a proper inquiry into the bribery complaint

who sought a direction to the DVAC to investigate allegations that money was collected as bribes for appointing government pleaders in courts in the district.

According to the petitioner, government pleaders had recently been appointed to courts in Kanniyakumari district, and large sums of money were allegedly collected as bribes for the appointments.

He also referred to an audio clip that had surfaced on social media, in which a person was allegedly heard seeking a bribe from a woman lawyer in connection with a government pleader post.

When the case came up for hearing, the government pleader appearing for the State sought time to file a detailed response to the petitioner’s allegations.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Justice Murugan directed the DVAC police to conduct an appropriate inquiry into the complaint and closed the case.

Responding to charges by PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna that AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami was reducing the party to a family-run outfit by sidelining prominent leaders, the AIADMK issued a statement claiming the accusations were baseless.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Aadhav alleged that Palaniswami’s son Mithun Palaniswamy was indirectly influencing key organisational decisions despite not holding a formal party post. “Why were several prominent functionaries in the Kongu region sidelined after the Assembly election? It is because the party is being indirectly controlled by Mithun. He is indirectly influencing key organisational decisions, including candidate selection and campaign strategy,” he said.

The AIADMK, in a social media post, hit back, stating that Mithun Palaniswamy held no party post other than primary membership. It also questioned Aadhav’s remarks alleging his involvement in grabbing AIADMK properties and claimed that the party’s assets and bank balances had increased since Palaniswami became general secretary.

The AIADMK also turned the attack on Aadhav, citing his 2026 election affidavit and claiming Aadhav had declared assets worth Rs 534 crore. It questioned the source of his wealth and alleged that he had amassed the wealth through his father-in-law.

Aadhav also accused the DMK and AIADMK of having a tacit understanding in the ongoing Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections. “In Madurantakam, the AIADMK is seeking votes for the DMK, while in Dharapuram, the DMK is seeking votes for the AIADMK,” he alleged.

Rejecting the claim, the AIADMK said it respected the independent decisions of its alliance partners and dismissed Aadhav’s remarks on seat-sharing and alliance equations.

Taking aim at both the DMK and AIADMK, Aadhav alleged that the two parties were resorting to personal attacks against TVK leader and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay instead of focusing on governance and policy issues.

“The DMK had targeted the personal lives of former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa in the past. Instead of seeking votes by highlighting its five-year governance record, Udhayanidhi Stalin is also focusing on personal attacks. Palaniswami is adopting a similar approach,” he said.

The AIADMK, in turn, criticised Vijay and the TVK, alleging that the Chief Minister was avoiding leaders of his own alliance partners during the campaign. It also alleged that the TVK depended on MLAs elected with DMK votes and said the AIADMK’s strength lay in its cadre base, asserting that it could face elections independently of alliance arrangements.

Aadhav also criticised DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth for aligning with the DMK, recalling that late DMDK founder Vijayakanth had opposed the DMK. “Vijayakanth’s soul will not forgive this,” he said.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had opposed the SIR exercise since it was rolled out.

"TVK's stand on the SIR issue was not against the stand of the alliance parties. Congress and we are double-barrel guns. If SIR had not been implemented, the TVK could have secured more seats in the elections. More TVK candidates could have been elected, and many of us would have become Ministers," Rajmohan said.

Rejecting social media posts about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, the Minister said the information circulating was not true and added that the Chief Minister would decide on the reshuffle.

Responding to a question about AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's criticism of the Chief Minister's family, Rajmohan said TVK members conducted themselves with dignity in politics. "We are watching those who are speaking in filthy language. Our aim is to maintain genuine politics, not tit-for-tat politics," he said.

Names of 97 lakh persons were removed from the voter lists in Tamil Nadu as part of the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls.

Of the 97 lakh entries that were deleted in the state, 66.4 lakh had changed their residences, 26.9 lakh had died, and 3.9 lakh had been enrolled in multiple places.

The submission was made in response to a PIL filed by Tirunelveli-based K Venkatachalapathy, seeking to restrain the ECI from notifying and conducting bye-elections in Tiruchirappalli (East), Perundurai, Viralimalai, Karur and Ambasamudram Assembly constituencies.

When the matter came up before Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, the ECI filed its written submissions.

The poll panel submitted that where an election petition seeking a further declaration is pending before the High Court, a vacancy caused by the resignation of an MLA need not be filled until the petition is decided.

The crucial question, according to the ECI, was whether the election petition was pending when the vacancy arose, and not whether the MLA resigned before or after the petition was filed.

The poll body further submitted that deferment of a bye-election would not be indefinite, as the election could be held after the High Court decided the pending petition. In the case of Perundurai, the election petition was dismissed on September 8, 2026.

The ECI said the law provides a maximum period of six months for holding a bye-election and does not require it to be held immediately after a vacancy arises. It also welcomed any direction from the High Court to expedite the hearing of the pending election petitions.

The Commission said bye-elections to Tiruchirappalli (East), Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur could be notified after the High Court decides the respective pending petitions. It therefore sought dismissal of the PIL seeking directions to hold bye-elections while the petitions concerning the constituencies represented by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Esakki Subaya, C Vijayabaskar and MR Vijayabaskar remain pending.

The Bench posted the matter to September 30 for the ECI's arguments.

Hearing the matter earlier, the High Court on July 10 observed that the ECI's obligation to conduct bye-elections would remain suspended until the pending election petitions were decided. The Bench had consequently restrained the ECI from issuing notifications for bye-elections in the five constituencies.

The fortnight-long exhibition will be held from October 1 to 15, 2026, offering visitors a range of traditional and handcrafted products, a press release from the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) said here on Tuesday.

Organised under the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission and the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihoods Mission, the exhibition aims to provide self-help groups with fair market prices and wider access to urban markets.

More than 70 SHGs from across the state will participate in the exhibition, setting up 50 stalls offering more than 100 varieties of products.

The exhibition will feature artisanal and festive products, Navarathri 'Golu' dolls, wooden sculptures, handicrafts, textiles and accessories, as well as handcrafted products made from jute, paper, palm leaf and banana fibre. Herbal preparations and household products will also be available.

Dedicated food stalls will serve traditional delicacies throughout the exhibition, the release said.

Admission and parking will be free, and the venue will be open to the public daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The organisers have invited the public to visit the exhibition and purchase products made by women SHGs, the release added.

Navarathri will be observed from October 11 to 19, followed by Vijayadashami on October 20.

Vithya had earlier anchored India to a silver medal in the 4x400m mixed relay event. So far, she has won three medals in three athletics events she participated in.

For Ramraj, Vithya’s remarkable achievements are the culmination of years of financial hardship, sacrifice and unwavering support for his daughter’s sporting ambitions.

“I was confident that Vithya would win medals, and she has proved it by helping India win gold. Breaking PT Usha’s long-standing record and then winning gold the very next day is a matter of immense pride for me. She was also part of India’s silver medal-winning mixed relay team,” he said.

Ramraj has three daughters. His eldest is married, while Vithya and Nithya are twins. Despite his limited means, he did everything possible to support their education and sporting ambitions.

“I could afford to send them to a private school only until Class 5. Because of financial constraints, I admitted them to a government-aided school in Coimbatore. The turning point came when a physical education teacher recognised their potential and encouraged them to take up athletics while they were in Class 7,” Ramraj said.

The twins later moved to a Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu hostel in Erode, where they pursued their studies alongside intensive athletics training. Their performances at State and national-level competitions eventually earned them government jobs, with Vithya joining the Railways and Nithya the Income Tax Department.

The sisters have remained close training partners throughout their sporting journey, constantly motivating and pushing each other to excel. “Nithya competed alongside Vithya at the previous Asian Games in China but could not participate this time after suffering an injury during training,” Ramraj said.

An elated Nithya said she had always believed in her sister’s ability to excel at the highest level. “Vithya was in excellent form and has gone on to achieve one success after another. We are extremely proud of her,” she said.

He claimed that nine murders were reported across the State over the past two days alone.

"With murders taking place one after another, for whom is the Chief Minister running this reels government when no one appears to be safe? Instead of continuing to sit idle, the Chief Minister should take firm action to restore law and order," Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

In a post on X, Udhayanidhi expressed shock over the alleged daylight killing of brothers Dalton and Nicholas in Tirunelveli. He also referred to the killing of a youth identified as Ajith in Chennai's Ice House area, allegedly following a dispute over the sale of ganja.

He also cited the death of woman police constable Kannagi in Paramakudi, alleging that she was pushed to the ground and died. He said the incident raised concerns over the safety of police personnel themselves.

Udhayanidhi said murders had also been reported in Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Kanniyakumari and Theni-Gudalur during the two-day period.

Questioning the Chief Minister over the reported incidents, he alleged that people were being left without adequate security and urged the government to take firm steps to strengthen law and order. He called upon Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further crimes.

In his petition, Baalu said a day after the State police chief constituted the SIT on September 25, the TVK leaders made public statements alleging the involvement of the DMK in the case and claimed that they had material evidence to substantiate it.

Baalu contended that those who had publicly made such claims had a duty to appear before the SIT and produce the evidence in their possession to facilitate an effective investigation. However, they had not submitted any such material to the SIT so far, he said..

Given that the case involved minor victims, preservation of evidence and maintaining the integrity of the investigation were of particular importance, he submitted.

Baalu said he had submitted a representation to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on September 27 seeking that the persons concerned be summoned and questioned and that relevant material in their possession be secured as part of the investigation.

The petition is expected to come up for hearing shortly

Former Sun TV news reader and advocate Mahalakshmi had first lodged a complaint against Shankar in 2013, alleging that he had published defamatory remarks about her on his website 'Savukku'.

Subsequently, she filed a case before the magistrate against Shankar and his associates, accusing them of threatening and defaming her.

During the hearing, Mahalakshmi's lawyer argued that Shankar was deliberately spreading defamatory content against her and issuing threats, and sought legal action.

Denying the allegations, Shankar's counsel contended that the charges and complaints levelled against him were completely false.

After perusing the arguments, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sivasakthi held Shankar guilty under section 509 IPC (words intended to insult modesty of woman) and sections of the Tamil Nadu prohibition of Harassment of women (TNPHW) Act, and sentenced the YouTuber to three years imprisonment, on Tuesday.

The judge granted him 30 days to file an appeal against the order.

The 10th floor of the NKM has been divided into three blocks for the new CMO. Two major works have been taken up as part of the preparations. A new high-capacity lift has been installed exclusively for the 10th floor, while the other work involves shifting the offices currently functioning on the floor to other locations.

"Around 50 per cent of the offices on the 10th floor have already been shifted to other places in the NKM building," an official said.

The Chief Minister's Office is planning to shift to the new premises during the Pongal festival.

The Public Works Department (PWD) floated three separate tenders for interior works in Blocks 1, 2 and 3 on the 10th floor. The combined estimated cost of the works was Rs 5.54 crore.

Raasi Builders emerged as the lowest bidder for all three blocks. It quoted Rs 1.66 crore for Block 1, against the nearest bidder's estimated cost of Rs 2.41 crore; Rs 1.37 crore for Block 2, against Rs 2.01 crore; and Rs 74.94 lakh for Block 3, against Rs 1.12 crore.

The contractor will execute the three works for a total of Rs 3.78 crore, around 32 per cent lower than the estimated cost.

The government has decided to shift the CMO from its existing location at Fort St George to the 10th floor of the NKM within the Secretariat complex.

The move has been planned due to space constraints at the existing office and to provide improved infrastructure for administrative work. The PWD has prepared plans for a dedicated office for the Chief Minister, along with a modern conference hall and other infrastructure and interior facilities.

Distributors of the three public-sector OMCs told DT Next that they were not accepting applications for new domestic LPG connections, neither online nor in person. "All applications have been put on hold," an Indane distributor said.

The restrictions have continued despite a steady supply of cylinders to existing domestic consumers, distributors said.

"The shortage continues to be a recurring problem. Nothing much has changed. In fact, there is no stock availability either," another distributor said. Agencies also said they have received no clarity on the resumption of fresh connections.

For consumers in urgent need of LPG, some distributors are offering an alternative in the form of a 10-kg composite LPG cylinder. Two such cylinders cost around Rs 9,100 to Rs 9,250 and can be purchased against Aadhaar, distributors said.

In contrast, a conventional 14.6-kg domestic cylinder costs around Rs 936, apart from an initial deposit of around Rs 3,000 for a new connection.

The composite cylinders are being offered as an interim arrangement until fresh domestic connections are permitted.

A distributor said consumers opting for composite cylinders could later shift to a regular domestic connection once new applications are processed. Around Rs 6,000 could be refunded under the arrangement, the distributor said.

For households seeking first-time connection, however, the alternative entails a substantially higher upfront cost.

A consumer who has been waiting for a new connection since June alleged that distributors were keen on pushing the 10-kg composite cylinders.

"When the OMCs can supply the more expensive composite cylinders, why can't they lift the restrictions on new connections?" the consumer asked, alleging that consumers were being made to bear the burden of the ongoing crisis.

Distributors maintained that the composite-cylinder arrangement was only an interim measure.

Around 9,646 guest lecturers are working in government arts and science, engineering and polytechnic colleges across the State.

Of them, 8,741 are employed in arts and science colleges, 319 in engineering colleges and 586 in polytechnic colleges.

Guest lecturers have been working in government colleges for more than 20 years. Their monthly remuneration, which was initially fixed at Rs 6,000, has gradually increased over the years to Rs 30,000.

According to guest lecturers, the UGC norms prescribe a monthly remuneration of Rs 50,000 but, the State government had not implemented it.

During the Assembly session, Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan, while replying to the demands for grants, had announced that the monthly remuneration of guest lecturers would be increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.

However, even a month after the announcement, the GO has not been formally issued, delaying implementation of the revised remuneration.

V Thangaraj, state president, Tamil Nadu UGC Qualified Guest Lecturers Association, said, “While the government has now announced an increase to Rs 35,000, steps should be taken to issue the GO and implement the hike without any further delay.”

The tender was floated for the operation and maintenance of 105 cloth-bag vending machines across Tamil Nadu and the machines will dispense cotton bags priced at Rs 5 each.

The one-year contract, valued at Rs 67 lakh, will cover the supply of cloth bags, regular servicing of the machines and their upkeep. The selected agency will have to keep the machines stocked based on demand, visit each machine once a week and attend to repairs whenever required.

TNPCB had reported 188 machines at high-footfall locations across the State and nearly 3.85 lakh bags dispensed by September 2024. By November 2025, the number had risen to 226, with 5.05 lakh bags dispensed across the State, TNPCB data reported at the time. The new tender, however, covers only 105 machines.

It marks a departure from the yellow cloth bag that was closely identified with the ‘Meendum Manjappai’ campaign launched by the DMK government in 2021 to encourage people to move away from single-use plastic bags. The campaign used the traditional yellow cloth bag as its visual symbol, with vending machines later introduced at busy public locations to make reusable bags available to people.

Kuppammal, president, RBLA, Tiruvallur, and a member of the District Vigilance Committee (DVCs) for Bonded Labour, recalls her experience as one of the rescued labourers.

At the time, Kuppammal was in her 40s, walking through the streets of Siruvanur, a gram panchayat in Tiruvallur, when a school caught her eye. She had been buying groceries, walking back to the rice mill where she was a bonded labourer.

Kuppamal had studied until Class 8 but had to drop out after being married off at 13. After seeing the school, she had only one goal: her six-year-old daughter would go to school.

That fight for survival would unravel the life she and her family had known for generations, setting Kuppammal on a decade-long effort to challenge the order of her world.

Tiruvallur, like many districts, houses small-scale industries owned by dominant OBCs such as Gounders, Mudaliars, Reddiyars and Mutharaiyars, who use their influence and the system to turn migrant workers, mostly Tamil or Telugu natives, almost all of them Dalit or tribal, into bonded labour.

Kuppammal is from the Irular tribe. The mill owners were Aarumugam and Natesan Mudhaliyar.

“Women can’t talk to the mill owners directly. I spent a month waiting outside his office only to be denied permission for my daughter to go to school. He said “your daughter will work here too”,” Kuppammal said.

What followed was a string of violent attacks on her husband and father-in-law, as Kuppamal had committed the sacrilege of asking for something. She began working in the mill after marriage, joining her husband’s parents and in-laws who were already bonded labourers there.

The mill ran on its own clock: 3 am to 2 am the next day. Six people, 3 couples, worked in shifts, sleeping 2-3 hours while the paddy steamed. She became a mother there – 3 daughters, no pregnancy check-ups, vaccinations or hospital visits.

Her eldest died at one, drowning in a water tank while the family worked; Kuppammal said that the owner told them to bury the child and return to work. Her second daughter’s schooling became the family’s first open challenge. By 6, the girl was already helping in the mill.

When Kuppammal approached a village school headmaster for help, he asked the owner’s permission to enrol her daughter at a government school. The third suffered severe burns from the steaming pipes, and the owner refused to allow hospital treatment. By then, leaving had become more than a wish.

When she told the owner about leaving, he demanded Rs 25,000. The family had no savings, as their entire salary was just Rs 15 every three days, minus Rs 500 for ration rice. She sought help from a lorry worker, who connected her to an NGO. A petition went to then Revenue Divisional Officer Uma Maheshwari.

By late 2005, authorities raided five rice mills in the Kosapalayam-Siruvanur area in a single day. Kuppammal received Rs 1,000 as immediate assistance and 6 months later, Tiruvallur RDO office gave her a cheque for Rs 19,000. But release left the family with nowhere to go.

Kuppammal returned to her locality, Thideer Nagar, and lived in a tent outside her mother’s house, while people in the village refused to employ them because they are ‘runaways’. “I realised slavery was so normalised that coming out was some kind of oath-break,” she said. “It took my family 5 years to get a ration card and Aadhaar.”

Today, Kuppammal is the president of RBLA in Tiruvallur. Her eldest daughter, Oviya, completed a catering course, while her second daughter, Monisha, completed BE Computer Engineering.

Kuppammal herself had gone in disguise in 6 rescues. “Not all rescue and rehabilitation happens with ease,” she said, recalling a poultry-farm case. “Police recorded that the workers had taken loans of Rs 50,000 to buy motorcycles.”

She addressed the issue in court and confronted the Public Prosecutor over the way workers’ statements were being handled. She alleged that the victims were being coached to give a particular version of events and that the owner’s actions were being shielded.

Kuppammal’s journey from a bonded labourer to an empowered woman is not an isolated case.

Krishnaveni was also married at 13 into a bonded-labour family in Tiruvallur, after being born in Andhra Pradesh. After her rescue, she worked as a daily-wage labourer while her children went to school. In 2023, the family finally built its own house.

The difficulties faced by survivors after release were also what pushed them to come together. In 2013, more than 3,000 released labourers gathered in Tiruvallur. From the brainchild of individual activists and NGOs who had been working closely with bonded labourers for decades, the RBLA was formally registered in 2014.

The idea was to build a network of survivors who could work for other survivors rather than remain dependent on an organisation to navigate every problem, but with limited third-party help. “We train them from the basics, including how to get IDs and apply for patta,” said an RBLA personnel. Survivor leaders, mostly women, learn to approach officials and navigate the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.

RBLA now spans 21 districts with over 4,000 survivors, and recorded 27 rescues in Chengalpattu alone between 2022-25. The survivor-led model also changes how bondage is identified.

“We can recognise signs of bondage from our own experience and, through family and community links, sometimes enter workplaces as relatives or visitors to gather information,” Kuppammal said.

Its Vidiyal project, specifically aimed at released bonded labourers, has been taken up in 11 districts. The organisation has so far rescued and rehabilitated around 350 survivors across the State.

The organisation’s role has increasingly extended into the government machinery dealing with bonded labour. RBLA members serve on DVCs, where they can identify areas where bondage persists and raise rehabilitation issues such as housing.

Eligibility: Applications are open to first-year students enrolled in full-time undergraduate professional degree programmes in India

Prizes & Rewards: An award of up to Rs 50,000 per academic year.

Last Date to Apply: October 31

Application mode: Offline Application Only

Short Url: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SDIS2

Eligibility: Open exclusively to meritorious girl students currently enrolled in Classes 9 to 12, Polytechnic Diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses at recognised government schools, colleges, or institutions across India.

Prizes & Rewards: Selected students can receive a scholarship of up to Rs 60,000

Last Date to Apply: October 30

Application mode: Online Application Only

Short Url: www.b4s.in/dtnt/ABCC18

Eligibility: Open to girl students who are daughters of drivers of heavy and light commercial road transport vehicles for carrying goods and large passenger transport vehicles like buses, in Class 11-12 or pursuing UG/diploma/polytechnic in STEM & core engineering fields

Prizes & Rewards: Selected students can receive a scholarship of up to Rs 30,000 based on category

Last Date to Apply: October 21

Application mode: Online Application Only

Short Url: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SMLS1

Eligibility: Open to transgender students across India pursuing secondary, senior secondary, undergraduate or postgraduate studies through any government or private open school or open university

Prizes & Rewards: Selected candidates will receive a one-time scholarship of up to Rs 40,000

Last Date to Apply: October 30

Application mode: Online applications only

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

Eligibility: Open to first-year students pursuing engineering at government colleges, excluding IITs

Prizes & Rewards: Tuition fee reimbursement and other educational allowances

Last Date to Apply: Round the year

Application mode: Online applications only

Short Url: www.b4s.in/dtnt/SIEM1

Eligibility: Open to Indian students in Classes 11 and 12 or pursuing UG, Diploma, or ITI courses at recognised institutions

Prizes & Rewards: Selected students can receive 80% to 100% of their tuition/course fees, up to Rs 15,000 (Class 11 & 12) and up to Rs 18,000 (undergraduate, diploma & ITI), based on their academic performance.

Last Date to Apply: October 26

Application mode: Offline Application Only

Short Url: www.b4s.in/dtnt/TCPS37

G Viswanathan, chairman of the library, and founder-chancellor of VIT, and GV Selvam, vice-president of VIT, were present.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, who was the chief guest, presented the awards, citations and cash prizes at the function. He also released a book on Nannool, with Selvam receiving the first copy.

Speaking at the function, he said that the time had come for a renaissance of the Tamil language and noted that the state government was taking steps for its development. “We have to work more to develop Tamil and take it to a larger public. I’ve conducted several meetings in my Assembly constituency to promote Tamil and take the language to a much larger youth population,” he said.

Viswanathan called upon political parties in Tamil Nadu to work together for the development of the state and the country. Referring to the political systems of Nordic countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, he pointed to the political parties there that cooperated on issues concerning national development. He also stressed the need to strengthen democratic values and institutions in India.

Y Manikandan, former head, Department of Tamil, University of Madras; S Avudaiyappan, founder of Porunai Pakangal; and Sivalayam J. Mohan, vice-chairman, Dr U.Ve. Swaminatha Iyer Library, also spoke at the function.

A bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that a similar plea seeking the same relief had already been dismissed. The court held that it lacked the power to issue such directions and that the matter was for the Legislature to decide.

The petitioner, advocate S Kasi Ramalingam, sought a declaration that the former MLAs' resignations were not genuine and amounted to a betrayal of the voters' trust. He argued that the present plea was different from the earlier one and contended that the court had inherent powers to issue directions in the absence of any specific law.

The bench, however, declined to entertain the plea and dismissed it. It observed that the PIL was nothing but a publicity litigation filed with an ulterior motive.

The court directed the petitioner to pay Rs 1 lakh in costs to the Tamil Nadu Legal Services Authority.

Speaking to reporters in Perambalur, Thirumavalavan said it was too early to discuss the Prime Ministerial candidature as there was still time for the election.

“In a democratic country, anyone can aspire for any post, but there should be some reality. The TVK has not announced Joseph Vijay's candidature. It is only a claim by enthusiastic cadres and cannot be considered at this stage. When the time comes, the parties will sit together and decide on the candidature,” he said.

On the safety of women at workplaces, Thirumavalavan said women continued to face serious difficulties, including sexual abuse, and urged officials to ensure their safety at all workplaces.

He also called upon officials to ensure the safety of workers in stone quarries and to prevent water contamination from limestone quarries.

To make such applications easier to track and prevent them from getting lost in bureaucratic processes, the State government has directed all Secretariat departments to digitally register every RTI petition, including those submitted in physical form.

The move is aimed at providing departments with a common system to monitor RTI applications from receipt to dispos to track pending petitions, transfers to other departments, and requests involving additional fees.

The government has already provided an online facility through the RTI portal for citizens to file applications and seek information under the RTI Act, 2005.

However, complaints have been received about information not being furnished within the stipulated period, even for applications filed online, Principal Secretary to the Human Resources Department C Samayamoorthi said in a letter.

The State government has appointed a Nodal Officer in each Secretariat department to facilitate the online provision of information under the Act.

While the online system enabled applications to be tracked digitally, RTI petitions submitted in person were handled separately. Under the latest instructions, Information Officers have been asked to enter details of such petitions in the RTI Cell on the RTI website as soon as they are received.

This will bring both online and physical RTI applications under a common digital tracking mechanism, enabling officials to monitor their status and take follow-up action.

The system will also help Information Officers track applications requiring payment of additional fees.

Samayamoorthi said an online payment facility was available and Information Officers need not send a separate communication to applicants seeking payment of additional fees.

The government hopes that the uniform digital recording of RTI applications will simplify record-keeping and improve the monitoring of petitions, particularly those received in physical form.

For citizens, the significance of the move lies in making the status of a request for government information less dependent on manual record-keeping.

An RTI petition may begin with a simple question from an individual, but the information sought can often help expose delays, establish accountability or enable a citizen to pursue a grievance with the government.

The move marks the first major project-preparation step following the announcement made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly during the recently concluded session.

Vijay had announced the establishment of the Digital FinTech Hub in Coimbatore at an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore, with the project intended to strengthen the State's financial-technology ecosystem and create a platform for technology-driven financial services.

The consultant’s assignment will involve preparing the techno-economic feasibility report, which will form the basis for assessing the project's viability and planning its subsequent implementation. The initiative comes as the State seeks to widen its technology and innovation footprint beyond Chennai.

Coimbatore, one of TN’s major industrial and technology centres, already has an established IT ecosystem, with major companies operating from the city’s IT parks. The city also has a regional hub of the Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub, focused on supporting startups, researchers and industry in western Tamil Nadu.

TIDCO has previously been involved in developing the State’s FinTech infrastructure, including the FinTech City and FinTech Tower at Nandambakkam in Chennai. The corporation’s existing FinTech projects are aimed at creating an ecosystem for financial-services and FinTech companies.

The appointment of a consultant for the Coimbatore project will now pave the way for a detailed assessment before the government moves to subsequent stages of project development and implementation.

During Tuesday's hearing, counsel for the petitioners argued that the two accused had not been properly arrested or produced before the court within 24 hours. As the police had completed their interrogation, there was no need for their continued custody, the counsel argued.

Opposing the bail pleas, the State submitted that Shanthi had allegedly taken Rs 24.63 lakh from Veeramani to delete evidence related to the case. The police also argued that releasing the accused on bail could result in them influencing witnesses or threatening the minor girls and their families.

The prosecution further submitted that the accused could flee abroad if released and said the investigation was still at an initial stage, and sought dismissal of both bail petitions.

A private charitable organisation also filed an intervention petition opposing the grant of bail to the two accused.

After hearing the arguments, Judge S Padma of the Special Court for POCSO Act Cases reserved orders on the petitions.

The case came to light after a pen drive containing a video clip purportedly showing an elderly man sexually assaulting a minor girl was sent to the Intelligence and Technology Police Unit (ITPU) in October 2025. The police identified the man in the video as Veeramani.

The Central Crime Branch's Anti-Vice Squad registered a case on October 7, 2025, based on a complaint by a social activist. However, no immediate action was taken, police sources said.

The case was subsequently transferred to the ITPU, which arrested Veeramani, Mahendra Simhan and Shanthi on August 29 under provisions of the Pocso Act, IPC, and Information Technology Act in connection with the alleged sexual assault of minor girls.

Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan later moved the Pocso court seeking bail.

Addressing reporters on Sunday, District Superintendent of Police Anshul Nagar said investigative teams nabbed the accused and recovered stolen valuables after the high-profile break-in.

According to him, the incident occurred on Thursday night when Madhumitha, the YouTuber, her husband and their child had gone shopping.

Taking advantage of their absence, intruders gained entry by cutting open the rear door lock using a specialised tool.

The burglars broke open the bedroom wardrobe and fled with nearly 118 sovereigns of gold, diamond jewellery, and cash, together valued at approximately Rs 1 crore.

Anshul said five special teams were immediately deployed to investigate the case.

"After examining footage from nearby CCTV cameras, conducting forensic analysis at the crime scene, and tracking local movements, police managed to identify and nab the primary suspect involved in the break-in", he added.

The victim routinely uploaded reels and videos on social media showing off bundles of cash, gold purchases made every month, and live updates of her family's travel locations and outings.

Investigators suspect that these online posts may have made the household an easy target by revealing both the presence of wealth and the exact moments when the house was left unattended.

Police confirmed that further interrogation of the suspect is underway to trace and recover any remaining missing valuables and determine if any accomplices assisted in planning or executing the crime.

The mayor cancelled the meeting, citing lack of quorum and postponed it until further notice.

The Tiruchy City Corporation meeting was held, chaired by the mayor Mu Anbalagan in the presence of the Commissioner N Ponmani, in which the DMK members were present wearing black dress, condemning the state government for failing to release funds for the civic administration for the past four months, which affected developmental works in the city.

The DMK members said that they are being questioned by the residents for failing to undertake basic amenity works or any developmental projects in the city after the TVK formed the government.

The members also claimed that the commissioner had returned an allocation of Rs 6 crore meant for establishing bore wells in the Kollidam river to ensure a regular drinking water supply.

They also said that the commissioner, without even consulting the council, had taken the decision and acted. Saying this, they walked out of the meeting hall and staged a protest in front of the main building.

Soon after the DMK members walked out, the AIADMK members headed by KK Ambikapathi said that the DMK members staged a walkout against the DMK mayor. They said that the act was unusual and staged a walkout condemning the DMK members who spoiled the meeting process.

While the AIADMK members had gone out, the VCK member N Prabakaran, who was holding Dr Ambedkar’s statue, raised slogans against the Greater Chennai Corporation for removing the portrait from the hall. He condemned the Chennai Corporation administration and staged a walkout.

While the members went out, the Congress and Left party members who remained in the meeting hall demanded that the mayor go ahead with the meeting, as they had a series of issues to be raised in the meeting. Suddenly, a few DMK members who came back to the meeting hall asked the mayor not to continue the meeting, as the council lacked a quorum.

But the Congress and Left party members continued to demand that the mayor go ahead with the meeting, and this triggered an altercation between the DMK and the other members in the meeting hall. But the mayor postponed the meeting until further notice.

Kavin murder case

Kavin, 24, a software engineer from Thoothukudi district, was allegedly murdered in broad daylight on July 27 last year over his relationship with a woman. Since Kavin belonged to a Scheduled Caste community, the murder was alleged to have been caste-motivated.

CB-CID investigation

The Palayamkottai police initially investigated the case before it was transferred to the CB-CID. The police first arrested Surjith, the woman’s brother, along with her father Saravanan and relative Jaipal. Nine months later, CB-CID officials arrested Surjith’s mother Krishnakumari, who was absconding, in connection with the case.

Surjith’s father and mother Krishnakumari were serving as Sub-Inspectors in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force. Both were suspended following the incident.

Chargesheet quashed

Hearing the case on Tuesday, Justice R Vijayakumar quashed the chargesheet filed against Surjith’s parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari. Following the order, Saravanan and Krishnakumari have been discharged from the murder case.

Meanwhile, the court dismissed Jaipal’s petition seeking to quash the chargesheet filed against him.

Thirumavalavan reacts

Reacting to the order, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said it was “shocking” that the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench had quashed the chargesheet against the parents of Surjith.

He said that the court has the authority to acquit the accused after a trial if there is insufficient evidence, but quashing the chargesheet before the commencement of the trial would set a wrong precedent.

Thirumavalavan also pointed out that Saravanan, who was arrested in connection with Kavin’s murder, was arrested again in another murder case after securing bail, allegedly for his links with contract killers.

He said the High Court’s order could create an impression that Saravanan and his wife were innocent despite the circumstances surrounding the case.

Thirumavalavan urged the Tamil Nadu government to take steps to appeal against the order on behalf of the VCK.

The accused, Senthilkumar (44), who works as a welder in Chennai, also sustained stab injuries and is undergoing treatment at the Palayamkottai Government Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Dalton (76), a resident of Manipuram near Nellai Town, and his elder brother Nicholas Rajarathinam (78). Dalton owned a petrol pump in the area.

According to the source, the hostility between Senthilkumar and Dalton's family was not new. Senthilkumar's family owns land near Dalton's house, and there had been a long-standing dispute between the two families over Dalton's family parking cars on the vacant land surrounding the temple. The parking issue had been a source of friction between the families for some time.

The simmering dispute came to a head on Tuesday morning when Senthilkumar was leaving his house on a motorcycle. At that time, Dalton's son Narendra (27) was taking his car parked in the area.

An argument broke out between Narendra and Senthilkumar, which escalated into an assault.

Nicholas Rajarathinam attempted to intervene. Senthilkumar allegedly took out a knife he was carrying and stabbed Nicholas.

Dalton, who tried to stop Senthilkumar, was also allegedly stabbed repeatedly. Both brothers collapsed.

Dalton's other son Naveen (29) then attempted to wrest the knife from Senthilkumar. The scuffle resulted in Naveen and Senthilkumar suffering injuries.

The three injured men were immediately taken to a private hospital by Dalton's family, where Nicholas died.

Dalton, who was subsequently shifted to the Palayamkottai GH, also died. Naveen was undergoing treatment in the hospital. Senthilkumar is also being treated at Palayamkottai GH.

Nellai City Police Commissioner Deshmukh Shekhar Sanjay and Deputy Commissioner Saravanan, among other officials, visited the spot of the crime. Police personnel were deployed in the area as a precaution.

Nellai Junction police registered a case and examined CCTV footage from the street.

As Senthilkumar and Naveen are undergoing treatment at the same hospital, police have also been deployed there to prevent any untoward incident. Police personnel led by Medical College Hospital Inspector Alagar are providing security at the hospital.

The incident has caused tension in the area.

The move follows an announcement by Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh in the Assembly on August 31, offering a slew of measures for Tasmac employees. The minister had announced a monthly provision of Rs 5,000 for shops in corporation areas, Rs 4,000 for those in municipalities and town panchayats, and Rs 3,000 for shops in rural areas.

According to the circular dated September 29 issued by Tasmac, covering all 4,048 retail vending shops in the State, the allocation will be credited to the shop supervisor along with the monthly salary. It can be used for cleaning materials, disinfectants, garbage bins and bags, and drinking water. A local person can also be engaged for cleaning work using the provision.

But the money cannot be spent on rent, electricity, building repairs, furniture, equipment, or expenses for which Tasmac already has a separate provision. It also approved a 5 per cent annual increase in the maintenance rates from April 1, 2027, with the revised amounts to be rounded up to the nearest Rs 100.

The move comes amid months of complaints from Tasmac employees over shop-level expenses and additional duties. Unions have flagged rent, electricity and unloading charges, besides the manpower and costs involved in the empty-bottle buy-back scheme, which they said were being borne by shop staff.

The government had begun addressing some of the employee demands. Earlier, the government did a wage revision, taking the monthly pay of supervisors to Rs 33,023, salesmen to Rs 30,284, and assistant salesmen to Rs 28,680 from September 1.

Earlier this month, TASMAC had sanctioned an interest-free festival advance of Rs 20,000 a year for eligible employees of its retail vending shops, allowing each employee to avail the benefit for one festival of their choice.

Few weeks back, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had witnessed heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition DMK over the Rs 10 collected per liquor bottle at TASMAC outlets. Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh defended it, saying the amount was not a government charge, but began as a Rs 2 collection to support low-paid shop employees and later rose to Rs 10 to cover electricity, rent and maintenance costs.

Ayudha Puja falls on October 19 and Vijayadashami on October 20, giving people a four-day holiday including the weekend. Many are planning to travel to their hometowns on October 16 and 17, resulting in increased demand for omni buses.

Passengers have expressed shock over the fares, with tickets to Kodaikanal priced at up to Rs 4,999 and Ooty at Rs 3,500. Fares to Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi have crossed Rs 3,000.

Fares to Madurai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Kovilpatti and Virudhunagar have also reportedly risen to around Rs 3,000, compared with the usual Rs 2,000.

For return journeys on October 20 and 21, fares have reportedly risen further. Routes to southern districts that normally cost around Rs 1,200-1,500 are being priced at more than Rs 3,500.

Even passengers booking tickets two to three weeks in advance have reported high fares, with prices dropping on days immediately before and after the holiday period.

Omni Bus Owners Association State President Anbazhagan said the maximum fares for omni buses were fixed and announced in 2024 and that most operators charge accordingly.

“Charging more by a few operators gives all omni bus owners a bad name. Immediate action should be taken against those charging more than the prescribed fare,” he said.

He added that the issue of higher fares tends to recur during festive seasons and consecutive holidays.

Purse seine fishing is a method that uses a vertical net attached to a vessel to encircle schools of fish in open water.

A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe termed the issue serious as instead of complying with the court's direction, the state government completely banned it.

"We have seen the order. It's no breeding season order which bans fishing during the specific period.

"We will call your secretary. How can our orders be overreached? File your reply in two weeks," the bench told counsel for the Tamil Nadu government.

Advocate Jaya Sukin, appearing for fishermen from Tamil Nadu, submitted that immediately after the court's order of September 2 which allowed fishing by purse seine nets subject to certain conditions, the state government came out with a notification dated September 9 completely banning such kind of fishing.

The plea filed by fishermen said that the state government has deliberately violated this court's order dated September 2, despite the fact that representatives of the state and the director of fisheries were also members of the expert committee and they accepted the final report of the expert committee on fishing by purse seine nets.

On September 2, the top court frowned upon the "unwritten ban" imposed by the Tamil Nadu government on fishermen by not granting access passes for using purse seine nets in the Centre's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), and said it is necessary for the Union and the state to abide by the principle of cooperative federalism.

It ruled that the rights and liabilities of the parties will now be governed according to the relevant laws, EEZ Rules, 2025 and the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020.

The top court said that the laws, rules and regulations addressing the issue of access to the EEZ for fishing using purse seine nets and transiting through the territorial waters of the state have come into force and are operating.

Giving a reality check, the top court had flagged that out of 257 applications made, 226 applications are still pending verification by Tamil Nadu.

It further directed the state government to frame necessary rules/ regulations designating a specified channel under Rules 15(5) and (6) of the Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020 for transit of vessels from its territorial waters to the EEZ for fishing using purse seine nets.

It noted that the expert panel constituted by the court earlier has broadly said that purse seine nets do not cause any major environmental harm in the maritime zones on the population of fishing stocks.

"The panel has suggested no outright blanket ban on purse seine fishing but it was of the view that there must be effective regulation on the use of these nets," it said.

The bench said the powers of both the Union and the state are equal and autonomous in each of their legislative spheres.

On August 4, the top court, while reserving its decision, told the state government that fishermen must be allowed to go for purse seine fishing beyond the state's territorial waters but any such activity should be within the exclusive economic zone with due permission.

The NGO 'Fisherman Care' alleged that the state was neither allowing it to do fishing in its territorial waters nor was it allowing them to go beyond 12 nautical miles in the Centre's jurisdiction of the exclusive economic zone.

On January 24, 2023, in a relief to fishermen, the top court conditionally allowed purse seine fishing beyond the territorial waters of the state but within the exclusive economic zone of the Centre.

It noted that some coastal states like Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa and West Bengal do not have any restrictions on this type of fishing within their territorial waters.

The top court formed an expert panel which had suggested that a ban on purse seine fishing was not justified and may be allowed with a proper access plan for the fishermen.

The top court said that the fisheries department would give permission to only those boats where an approved vessel tracking system had been installed and which should be kept running during the operating time of the vessels.

The state government contended that fishing entities could use their vessels with purse seine nets in the territorial waters itself while proceeding to the EEZ and their concern was that under the guise of fishing in the EEZ, the fishermen could employ purse seine nets within 12 nautical miles.

Acting on specific intelligence regarding narcotics movement, a specialised police team intercepted the consignment in Poobalarayerpuram.

Hashish oil is a concentrated extract derived from the cannabis plant, containing high levels of THC, the substance responsible for its intoxicating effects.

According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that the high-value contraband was transported by car from Coimbatore to Tuticorin on Monday.

The suspects had planned to launch a boat to smuggle the illicit haul across the sea into the Maldives.

The arrested individuals are all residents of Tuticorin.

Police officers seized the hashish (ganja) oil along with the vehicle used for transportation.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.

The police are currently interrogating the accused to trace the source of the hashish oil in Coimbatore and identify the alleged international syndicate members waiting for the consignment in the Maldives.

Further investigation is under way.

The packets were ingeniously concealed inside the false bottoms of the checked-in baggage.

The recovered contraband weighed 3,424 grams (net weight) and tested positive for Ganja/Marijuana using the Narcotic Drug Detection Kit.

The contraband was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The seized drug worth approximately Rs 1.20 crores in the illicit market.

The passengers have been arrested under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody.

Further investigation is in progress, the release added.

Ganja worth Rs 1.2 crore seized at city airport

Meanwhile, KM Guru Rajesh, Joint Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport, in an official release here, said that based on passenger profiling, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Chennai Customs, intercepted an Indian female passenger, who had arrived at Chennai International Airport from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

The passenger attempted to exit through the green channel without making any declaration to Customs.

Upon detailed examination of her checked-in baggage, four transparent airtight packets containing dried greenish-brown flowering and fruiting tops of a plant, suspected to be high-grade hydroponically cultivated Cannabis (Ganja), were recovered.

The packets were ingeniously concealed inside the false bottoms of the checked-in baggage.

The recovered contraband weighed 3,424 grams (net weight) and tested positive for Ganja/Marijuana using the Narcotic Drug Detection Kit.

The contraband was seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The seized drug is worth approximately Rs 1.20 crores in the illicit market.

The passengers have been arrested under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody.

Further investigation is in progress; the release was added.