Unveiling major investments to boost the state's power grid, manufacturing base, and tech ecosystem, he said Rs 33,066 crore has been earmarked for the Tamil Nadu Transmission Improvement Scheme to set up 196 new substations and lay 15,000 km of power lines.

A 1,600 MW Super Critical Thermal Power Station will be set up in Tuticorin through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, involving an investment of Rs 20,800 crore, he said.

Making a statement under Rule 110 in the Assembly, Vijay said the decision was taken in response to requests from milk producers for a higher procurement price amid a rise in the cost of various inputs required for dairy cattle.

The latest hike will benefit 13.16 lakh milk producers associated with cooperative institutions, he said.

Vijay recalled that he had announced a Rs 3 increase in the Assembly on August 19, raising the procurement price from Rs 38 to Rs 41 a litre. With Monday's announcement, milk producers will now receive Rs 44 a litre for milk procured through the State's cooperative milk network Aavin.

The government had taken the decision with the welfare of milk producers in mind, Vijay said. The State will bear the additional financial burden incurred by Aavin due to the latest hike.

The increase will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 60 crore a month and Rs 720 crore annually, he said.

The Housing and Urban Development Department, in its Government Order dated August 10, 2026, rescinded its earlier notification on the proposal for the “Preparation of New Town Development Plan for Kancheepuram New Town and Detailed Development and Heritage Revitalization Plan for Kancheepuram Town 2025-2045” by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).

The previous DMK government had, in February 2023, notified its intention to establish Kancheepuram New Town across 62.78 sq km covering 18 revenue villages. The move was aimed at ensuring planned development as the city expanded rapidly towards NH-48. The notification cited unplanned commercial growth, traffic congestion and the adverse impact of development on Kancheepuram’s heritage character as key concerns.

CMDA had subsequently initiated the preparation of the New Town Development Plan and a detailed development and heritage revitalisation plan for 2025-2045, covering the proposed new town and Kancheepuram’s heritage areas.

The latest reversal comes shortly after the government dropped the proposed Parandur greenfield airport and terminated the Rs 205.89 crore work order for the Global Sports City at Semmencheri, citing a redesign of the latter on a larger footprint.

Significantly, the Housing and Urban Development Department’s 2026-27 policy note tabled in the Assembly on Friday does not mention development plans for Thirumazhisai, Minjur, Tiruvallur, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu, Maraimalai Nagar and Sriperumbudur, adding to the uncertainty over the government’s wider new-town strategy.

Intellectuals, educationists, men and women, and school and college students took part in the rally, organised by Jamaat-E-Islami Hind, Chennai, raising slogans against substance abuse and carrying placards bearing messages calling for a ‘Drug-Free Tamil Nadu’.

Participants expressed concern over the impact of alcohol and drugs on young people and pledged to work towards protecting the younger generation from substance abuse. The participation of people from different sections of society created a strong public awareness against drugs in the area.

Organisers said that the human chain marked the culmination of the 15-day campaign and served as a collective expression of public opposition to drug abuse. They stressed that creating a drug-free society could not be achieved through government measures alone and required the collective efforts of parents, teachers, educational institutions, social organisations, youth and the general public.

The campaign concluded with a call for sustained awareness and preventive initiatives to safeguard young people and promote a healthy, drug-free Tamil Nadu.

The leaders paid floral tributes at his memorial at Teynampet here and recalled his contributions to Tamil Nadu politics and the Congress Party.

Referring to the no-confidence motion moved against the thenPrime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in 1999, Tagore praised Moopanar’s resolute stance. “Moopanar had three members in the Lok Sabha then. Had he chosen not to vote alongside AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa at that time, the Vajpayee government would have survived. However, acting upon the request of Sonia Gandhi, he remained steadfast in his principles without any deviation, Tagore told reporters,

He also recalled his past association with the former Congress leader who floated the Tamil Maanila Congress, upset with the party’s top brass. “While growing up in the Youth Congress, he served as an iconic figure for many of us,” he said, adding, “On his death anniversary, paying homage to him on behalf of the TNCC is our solemn duty.”

Congress Rajya Sabha member Praveen Chakravarty said, “Not having the opportunity to meet the late Moopanar is one of the greatest regrets in his life. However, I share a deep and long-standing friendship with his son, GK Vasan, and his family. Through them, I have learned a great deal about Moopanar’s life and political journey. “

Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, “From my childhood, I have known Moopanar. A very decent politician, who was very strong in his ideology at the same time, not hurting the other leaders.”

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister A Srinath, representing the ruling TVK, visited Moopanar’s memorial here and placed a wreath. “It is a great privilege for me to participate in this remembrance day. May his legacy live on forever,” he said.

MDMK chief Vaiko and senior CPM leader TK Rangarajan recalled Moopanar’s immense contributions to Indian politics and his exemplary public life.

Vaiko highlighted Moopanar’s proximity to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and praised his selflessness, noting how he walked in the footsteps of ‘Kingmaker’ K Kamaraj by putting the nation’s leadership above personal ambition.

Rangarajan commended Vasan for carrying forward his father’s enduring legacy and organising the commemorative event to champion secular, progressive, and inclusive politics.

Minister Vignesh alleged that irregularities involving the collection of an additional Rs 10 per liquor bottle at Tasmac outlets had occurred during the previous regime also, amounting to up to Rs 4 crore a year.

He said the government had introduced salary hikes and other welfare measures for Tasmac employees to improve the situation. Strict action had also been taken against employees who collected additional amounts from customers, he said.

The minister said the government had brought the collection of the additional Rs 10 under control and was taking steps to completely prevent the practice.

Following the Minister's reply, DMK members sought permission to clarify the allegations. However, the Speaker did not allow them to speak, prompting the DMK members to walk out of the House.

Later, speaking to reporters, former Minister V Senthilbalaji rejected the allegations. He claimed that the present government had increased Tasmac revenue under the name of an additional priority charge.

Responding to the minister's remarks on the bottle return scheme, Senthilbalaji alleged that the government had inspected only three outlets on a trial basis and wrongly claimed that only 54 per cent of bottles were returned.

He demanded that all 4,000 Tasmac outlets be inspected and that the actual number of bottles collected under the scheme be disclosed.

On April 28, 2023, R Senthil Kumar (46), a resident of Bheema Nagar in Tiruchy, entered a house where a 13-year-old girl was alone and attempted to sexually assault her.

The alert girl raised an alarm and passed on the information to her parents, who lodged a complaint with the Cantonment All Women police.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and arrested Senthil Kumar and lodged him in prison under judicial custody while the case was in progress at Tiruchy Mahila Court.

On Monday, the Mahila Court judge who heard the case awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 to Senthil Kumar.

The judge also recommended the state government to disburse a compensation of Rs one lakh to the victim.

The private tour operators who met the District Collector Pratik Tayal said that the state government has extended the free bus service to women across the state in the express and mufassil buses, and this would certainly affect their livelihood as the people would opt for the free service rather than the private buses.

They said that they had already been affected due to several issues, including the fuel price hike, and most of the people dependent on the private bus services have lost their employment.

They appealed to the state government to find an alternate arrangement for their livelihood or withdraw the free service to women. They also demanded that the road tax be collected once in three months and that diesel be made available at a subsidised price which would support them.

“We have also sent an appeal to the Chief Minister explaining our plight, and we expect a favourable response from him,” said P Ramesh, president, Tiruchy Central Region Tourist Vehicle Drivers Welfare Association.

Justice Anita Sumanth and Justice Sunder Mohan impleaded the Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Home Department, as parties to the case and directed them to file their responses to the plea. The matter was posted to September 24.

On October 23, 2022 morning, a Maruti car exploded in front of the Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Temple at Ukkadam in Coimbatore. Jameesha Mubeen, who was driving the car, was killed in the blast. The case is being investigated by the NIA.

Mohamed Thalha, the third accused, was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on charges that he had purchased the car used in the attack.

Thalha had approached the MHC challenging the order of the Poonamallee Special Court rejecting his bail petition.

Hearing the plea, a Division Bench dismissed the petition and noted the material indicating his participation in a conspiracy meeting held before the attack, as well as the presence of pro-ISIS views and evidence in his electronic devices.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s directions that the pace and progress of trials relating to the NIA Act should necessarily be improved, the Bench directed the Union government to constitute exclusive courts to hear NIA cases in the State.

Replying to the debate on demands, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said new sugarcane varieties would be identified and tested through field trials for their suitability to cooperative and public-sector sugar mills. "The field trials will help identify varieties suited to the requirements of sugar mills," he said.

The government will also promote newly released sugarcane varieties and demonstrate modern cultivation technologies in the fields of cooperative and public-sector mills. Demonstration plots will be used to assess the performance of new varieties and encourage farmers to adopt improved practices.

As part of the sugarcane initiative, 40 progressive farmers will be taken to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Baramati in Maharashtra for five-day training on modern sugarcane technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things-based applications.

The announcements come against the backdrop of a sharp rise in sugar prices. Retail sugar in Tamil Nadu, which touched Rs 72 a kg on August 24, fell to Rs 58 on August 29, while the Chennai retail price stood at Rs 63 on August 30.

Across India, the average retail price was Rs 64.24 a kg on August 30, around 30 per cent higher than a month earlier. The Centre has attributed the rise to lower-than-expected production, festive demand, weather-related crop damage, and speculation and hoarding.

The State will also promote high-pungency chilli varieties in low-rainfall districts, including Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli, focusing on better yield, pungency and disease resistance.

A separate programme will seek to raise the productivity and quality of betel leaf and improve farmers' returns.

A Division Bench comprising Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice Krishnaswamy Govindarajan said that compassionate appointment was a concession and not a constitutional scheme of appointment. “Compassion can never be claimed as an absolute right,” the Bench observed.

The government employee had died in service on May 9, 2007, leaving behind two children, aged 11 and seven. His elder daughter applied for compassionate appointment in 2016, nearly nine years after his death. The Single Judge, after hearing her plea, directed the State to provide her a job.

The State challenged the order before the Division Bench, contending that the daughter was ineligible for compassionate appointment as her application had been made nine years after the employee’s death. It submitted that the applicable scheme required applications to be filed within three years of the employee’s death.

The daughter was a minor and therefore not an eligible legal heir for appointment at the time of her father’s death. Her mother had also died, and the application was consequently made beyond the prescribed period, the State contended.

While considering the appeal, the Bench said the ill-effects of the compassionate appointment scheme must also be weighed and a pragmatic balance maintained to ensure its proper implementation. “If the scheme infringes the rights of citizens, the State must revisit it and introduce appropriate conditions to protect their constitutional rights,” it said.

The Bench stressed that the sanctity of public appointments and the constitutional guarantee to citizens must be protected. It therefore interfered with the Single Judge’s order and allowed the State’s writ appeal.

The deceased, identified by police as Thangamani, from Balaji Colony in Thathanur in Mettupatti, had gone missing on August 22. She was working as a maid at a house in Hasthampatti.

The brutal murder came to light on Monday, when Ramesh (62), a temple priest from Gunabalaramasamy Street in Arisipalayam, noticed an unbearable smell in the water coming through the tap of his house. He had returned home on Sunday night from a spiritual tour to Kumbakonam along with his wife Jumunarani and son Gautham.

Ramesh, with the help of his son, opened the lid of the Sintex tank and found a sack. “He was shocked to find severed hands and legs in a decomposed state. In another tank, nearby, he took out a sack, which had the severed head of a woman. On the terrace of a neighbour, there was another sack which had the chopped body of the woman. In all, the assailants had chopped the woman into seven parts and packed them in sacks to be thrown into the tanks,” police said.

On receiving information, the Pallapatti police rushed to the spot and traced the identity of the woman through a missing complaint with the Hasthampatti police station. After scrutinising the CCTV footage in the neighbourhood, police secured a man, working as a cook, for inquiry. Further investigations are on.

According to an official communication from the police headquarters, a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) -cum-Cryptocurrency trading fraud operating under the names "FQL Investment Trading", "FQL Exchange App" and "VG Investment Group Syndicate" has come to light across Madurai, Virudhunagar, Dindigul and Sivaganga districts over the past seven months.

Agents associated with the scheme are alleged to have induced members of the public to invest money by promising abnormally high daily rewards and falsely representing that the investments could be doubled within 40–45 days through cryptocurrency trading.

Complaints have been received from victims across the four districts. Based on information regarding the functioning of the scheme, six cases have been registered so far -- 3 in Madurai district, one each in Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga districts, and so far, 17 accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, and 13 bank accounts linked to the accused have been frozen as part of the investigation.

"Prima facie investigation indicates that local agents induced the public to invest in purported cryptocurrency trading through cash and G-Pay/UPI transactions, with part of the funds allegedly converted into Tether (USDT) and credited to FQL/VG wallets. Subsequently, withdrawals reportedly failed, balances became inaccessible, and additional payments were demanded. The application was later shut down, leaving investors unable to access their purported balances, " an official release stated.

Considering the role of each accused, the extent of the network, the inter-district nature of the alleged fraud, the large number of victims, the reported financial loss, the involvement of cryptocurrency transactions including USDT, Binance wallets and the suspected international linkages, to ensure systematic, in-depth investigation, the DGP ordered transfer of all 6 cases to EOW.

The deceased was identified as Saravanan (25) of Tiruninravur.

Police said he had cases pending against him in Tiruninravur, Avadi Tank Factory, Sevvapet and Poonamallee stations.

A local farmer spotted the body in an agricultural field behind the Bala Muneeswarar Temple in Aranvoyal village and alerted Sevvapet police.

Inspecting the scene, police found no external injuries. However, 50 grams of ganja were recovered from his pocket, alongside a one-foot iron rod lying nearby.

The body was sent to Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

Replying to a question raised by Agriculture Minister R Vinoth, in violation of conventions that ministers can't raise questions during such a session meant for MLAs, Minister Ramesh said he had held discussions with the Chief Minister regarding the world-famous Mahamaham festival to be held in 2028.

"We held elaborate discussions with all departments in Mayiladuthurai district. In view of the festival, consecration should be held at all temples in Kumbakonam. The Heritage Committee, which was constituted to review the number of temples requiring consecration, will submit its report to the department within two days," the minister said.

During the Question Hour, Ministers are not permitted to ask questions of other ministers, as the session is exclusively for questions from members.

However, Minister Vinoth raised a question about the Mahamaham event to his Cabinet colleague, Minister Ramesh.

Raising this issue in the Assembly, DMK member Kovi Chezhian asked whether such a practice would continue or be stopped.

The Speaker acknowledged that the practice was contrary to the Assembly rules. However, he said that if a minister had a sufficient answer to a query, he could provide it.

Over the past few months, agents allegedly approached residents in Melur and surrounding areas, particularly women, claiming that the FQL financial company would double their investments through mobile applications. Trusting the promises, thousands of people reportedly borrowed money and invested in the schemes.

However, the investors allegedly did not receive the promised returns after the stipulated period. Thousands of affected investors have since been lodging complaints with the police in Melur and Sivaganga.

Rasu, 26, from the Natham area, was among those who reportedly lost money in the online fraud. He is said to have been under mental distress for the past few days after realising that the money he had expected to double had been lost.

Meanwhile, members of the public staged a protest on the Dindigul-Madurai road, demanding action against those behind the alleged fraud and justice for Rasu's death. Police rushed to the spot and were holding talks with the protesters, leading to tension in the area.

They were received and welcomed by Tamil Nadu Minister for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, K Thennarasu, and the Tamil Nadu Government's Special Representative in New Delhi, K Venkata Narayana.

Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu House Jaya, Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar, and Commissioner of Non-Resident Tamils Welfare R Satheesh were among the senior officials present on the occasion.

According to a government press release, a three-member team of nodal officers from the Tamil Nadu government is currently stationed in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to assist visiting relatives and coordinate rescue and relief measures with local authorities. Family members seeking information can also reach out to the control room set up at Tamil Nadu House, the release said.

The leaders from various environmental associations including Tamil Nadu Environmental Protection Movement, Cauvery River Protection Movement, Federation of Environmental Protection and Movement against Illegal Quarries approached the Karur district collector C Muthukumaran, and submitted a petition to cancel the public hearing for the ethanol manufacturing unit at Kumaramangalam scheduled today (Tuesday) as the proposed project has been opposed unanimously by the villagers during the gram sabha meeting held on August 15.

The activists pointed out that the upcoming the Karnataka based ‘Green Energy Pure Ethanol Private Limited’ which has selected 35 acres of wet land at Kumaramangalam between Kulithalai in Karur and Pettavaithalai in Tiruchy districts would need a minimum of 37 lakh litre per day which would be at least 1 TMC water annually, the quantity that used to be stored in Mayanur barrage.

“While Karnataka government fails to distribute due share of water to Tamil Nadu, our state is getting ready to entertain a factory from Karnataka that would use water from the region and it would certainly pollute the water bodies and turn the wetlands into barren”, said, advocate N Shanmugam, Coordinator, Movement against illegal quarries.

Shanmugam also stated that the subject was discussed during the gram sabha meeting on August 15and all the participants opposed it and passed a resolution against the project. “Since the gram sabha meeting opposed the unit, it is naturally invalid to conduct a public hearing, and so we urged the district collector to cancel the meeting and save agriculture in the region”, he said.

He also said, while Tamil Nadu has been struggling for water for drinking and irrigating, it is not convincing to give water to the Karnataka-based firm and permit them to function in Tamil Nadu, which would only destroy the environment.

Residents said that drinking water had not been supplied properly for the past few days, forcing them to travel nearly 5 km on two-wheelers with empty pots to fetch water. The shortage has caused considerable hardship, particularly for those going to work and school students.

“We’ve approached the Araipakkam panchayat office and Maduranthagam Panchayat Union office several times for a solution, but no action was taken,” fumed a villager.

As a result, residents gathered on the Elavalampettai-Thirukalukundram State Highway on Monday morning, carrying empty pots, and staged a sudden road blockade. The protest caused heavy traffic congestion on the Thirukalukundram road, with vehicles stranded for nearly 2 km.

Police from Maduranthagam reached the spot and held talks with the protesters. However, they refused to withdraw the blockade, insisting that they would continue the protest until drinking water was supplied.

Later, Panchayat Union officials held talks with the villagers and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the water shortage. Following the assurance, they withdrew the protest and dispersed. The blockade affected traffic for more than two hours.

Cuthbert was earlier seated in the section allocated to TVK MLAs. However, her seat was changed on Monday, with the Congress leader now occupying a place in the front row of the Opposition benches, near PMK member Sowmiya Anbumani.

The development comes amid growing speculation over the relationship between the Congress and TVK, a day after Tourism Minister S Rajeshkumar said that Congress ministers in the state Cabinet would resign if TVK did not support Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Raising the issue, Opposition Whip EV Velu urged Speaker JCD Prabhakar to allot front-row seats to senior minority community member Jawahirullah and MLAs Thamimun Ansari and Nithyanandhan.

Responding to the demand, the Speaker said seats had been allotted based on the party and symbol under which the members were elected. He said the seat for Tharahai Cuthbert had been allotted in view of her position as the Congress Legislature Party leader.

The Speaker said he would consider the request for the three members and take a decision at an appropriate time.

Highways Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who was part of the ministerial team coordinating the efforts and had been camping in New Delhi for the past few days, made a suo motu statement during Zero Hour in the Assembly after returning to Chennai.

Providing details of the stranded pilgrims, Arjuna said 57 people had travelled to Nepal through Super Yatra from Kumbakonam, of whom 21 had been rescued.

He said 49 people who had travelled through Mahadev Yatra from Chromepet remained missing.

“The government has taken efforts to rescue them through the Indian Embassy,” the minister said. “The State government is ready to take relatives of the missing people from Tamil Nadu to Kathmandu free of cost.”

As part of the relief and rescue efforts, three officials from Tamil Nadu House in Delhi were camping in Kathmandu and coordinating with officials of the Indian Embassy.

“The State government has set up a dedicated call centre at Tamil Nadu House to receive information about missing people and coordinate with their families. The call centre has received 2,161 calls from the families of affected people. The State government has been in constant touch with the Union government and Embassy officials,” the minister added.

Last year, 1,45,481 seats had been filled during the corresponding stage of counselling. Despite 8,611 additional seats being made available this year, the number of seats filled declined by 1,186 compared to last year.

Tamil Nadu has 418 engineering colleges, with Anna University approving 2,53,806 seats for admission this year.

Of these, 1,99,775 seats are to be filled through the counselling process. A total of 2,36,017 students applied for engineering admissions this year.

The engineering counselling process began on July 13, and general counselling on July 20.

The number of colleges achieving 100% admissions also fell this year. All seats were filled in 30 engineering colleges, compared to 39 colleges last year.

Computer Science Engineering continued to be the most preferred course among students. Of the 1,03,614 CSE seats available, 79,104 have been filled, accounting for around 55% of all seats filled through counselling.

Electronics and Communication Engineering was the second most preferred course, accounting for 16.55% of the seats filled.

Meanwhile, registration for supplementary counselling ended on Monday (August 31).

Students who cleared Class 12 through the supplementary examinations, and those who missed the regular counselling process, have been allowed to register for the supplementary round.

The supplementary counselling is expected to provide another opportunity for eligible students to secure engineering seats in colleges across TN.

Police said Vairavan, a jaggery trader, and his wife Sumathi, residents of Cinema Kottai Medu in Pilikkalpalayam, were asleep when they woke to a noise around midnight. When they came out of their room, they found the masked intruders inside the house.

One of the gang members allegedly attacked Vairavan with a knife, injuring his hand. The gang then assaulted the couple and tied them up before breaking open a bureau. They then fled with around 40 sovereigns of gold jewellery, including jewellery worn by Sumathi, and Rs 40 lakh in cash. The stolen valuables are estimated to be worth around Rs 80 lakh.

The couple raised an alarm after the gang fled. Hearing their cries for help, neighbours rushed to the house, un-tied them and alerted the Jedarpalayam police.

Namakkal Superintendent of Police Yadav Girish Ashok and other senior police officials visited the scene and conducted an inquiry. Fingerprint experts collected evidence from the house, while a sniffer dog was deployed to assist the investigation. The Jedarpalayam police have registered a case and launched a search for the suspects.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta listed the matter again for September 15.

During the hearing, senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, alleged that Karnataka had failed to clear the backlog in water releases despite the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) recording the shortfall.

Vaidyanathan said that nearly 24,700 acres of agricultural land in Tamil Nadu was dependent on Cauvery water and pointed to a substantial shortfall in the water recorded at Biligundlu.

He urged the apex court to direct the authorities to reconsider Tamil Nadu's request for clearing the accumulated deficit.

Appearing for Karnataka, senior advocate Shyam Divan said the State had released 9,888 cusecs on August 30 against the stipulated 9,000 cusecs and was releasing over 11,000 cusecs on Monday.

"We have released an excess amount as of 8 am this morning," Divan said, adding that Karnataka would endeavour to maintain the required 9,000 cusecs.

The bench noted that Karnataka had increased its release from 11,000 to 12,000 cusecs from August 12.

When Vaidyanathan pressed for consideration of the backlog, the bench observed that Karnataka was already releasing the 9,000 cusecs being sought by Tamil Nadu.

The bench also told Tamil Nadu that any challenge to the decision of the CWMA would have to be made before the appropriate forum.

Vaidyanathan, however, said Tamil Nadu had filed a review before the authority on August 27 and urged that the CWMA reconsider the State's request.

The Court observed that the authorities were considering the issue and passing orders every 15 days, and said the next CWMA order could similarly take into account the submissions of both States.

The bench directed the parties to place subsequent developments on record and listed the matter for September 15.

Tamil Nadu has approached the top court seeking enforcement of a decision by the CWMA directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for 15 days.

The Tamil Nadu government moved the top court on August 3, challenging the non-implementation of the CWMA's July 30 direction for the release of water from Karnataka's Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara reservoirs.

The State has sought a total release of 4.536 TMC of water, corresponding to 3,500 cusecs per day over 15 days. It has urged that the stipulated quantity be released by August 12.

It sought directions to resolve the issue and ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share of Cauvery water within the stipulated time.

The DMK, the opposition party in the state, had also approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Karnataka government immediately release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the February 16, 2018 judgment of the apex court and subsequent directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

In an application filed in the long-pending Cauvery water dispute, the DMK, represented by its Farmers Wing Secretary AKS Vijayan, sought enforcement of the CWRC's July 28, 2026 direction, upheld by the CWMA on July 30, 2026, requiring Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs per day at Biligundlu for 15 days commencing July 29.

The application sought direction to the CWMA to monitor the releases from the reservoirs of Karnataka and the flows realised at Biligundlu on a day-to-day basis and to report compliance to the apex court.

The DMK contended that Karnataka has failed to comply with the binding directions despite their affirmation by the statutory authorities constituted under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018.

The applications come against the backdrop of the long-running dispute between the two States over the sharing of Cauvery river waters.

The exchange took place during the debate on the demands for grants for the Prohibition and Excise, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, and Agriculture-Farmers’ Welfare departments in the Assembly.

PMK MLA Sowmiya Anbumani said liquor consumption had become a social problem, affecting women and families and contributing to domestic violence and an increase in young widows. She noted that the government had closed 717 TASMAC retail outlets since assuming office and urged it to take a policy decision on complete prohibition.

“The government can do it with one signature. The Chief Minister can do it with one signature,” she said.

Ravishankar, who was in the Speaker’s Chair during Speaker J C D Prabhakar’s lunch break, intervened and asked Sowmiya to conclude her speech as her allotted time had ended.

“You spoke well. But your time is over. Please complete your speech by saying thanks. The government will decide when the time comes,” he said.

He added that the government would take a decision on prohibition at the appropriate time and that it cannot be implemented in one signature.

Aadhav then gestured to Ravishankar to stop making such observations and was heard saying, “Don’t speak. Don’t say all these.”

Aadhav’s intervention came as the Deputy Speaker weighed in on a policy matter that would require a decision at the government level.

Ravishankar immediately cut short his intervention and gave the floor to Minister P Venkataramanan, who had risen to speak.

The exchange took place during the Assembly debate on demands for grants for the Prohibition and Excise, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare departments.

TVK member SR Thangapandi alleged that irregularities worth about Rs 200 crore had occurred in the Madurai Corporation and sought to know what action had been taken to recover the amount.

DMK member KN Nehru said action had already been taken against those accused of irregularities during the previous regime, including arrests, and that a related case was before the court. “If there has been wrongdoing in any corporation, conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action. The power and police are with you now,” he said.

Aadhav Arjuna alleged that corruption was not confined to Madurai and said details of irregularities in various corporations would soon be made public.

Law Minister R Nirmalkumar alleged that property tax was not being properly collected from more than 60,000 commercial buildings in Madurai, resulting in an annual revenue loss of around Rs 200 crore. He alleged that some zonal chairpersons and the mayor were sharing the amount.

Aadhav Arjuna alleged that, despite the change in government, the DMK continued to control local bodies and that mayors, zonal functionaries, and other local representatives were not implementing government schemes even though funds had been sanctioned.

Referring to GCC Mayor R Priya, he said she was not cooperating with the government. During the heated exchange, when a DMK member shouted “Panaiyur”, Aadhav Arjuna retorted, “If you say Panaiyur, we will say Gopalapuram.”

He asserted that TVK would secure a 100 per cent victory in the local body elections and said evidence of alleged irregularities would emerge after the party took control of the 25 corporations.

Nehru further alleged that funds for several corporation works had been stopped and urged the government to identify stalled projects and direct officials to resume them. He also said commissioners had the authority to implement government schemes if elected representatives failed to do so.

Expressing deep concern about the missing pilgrims, Maravel Nagappan, the firm owner, said that over 40 yatris from Tamil Nadu had completed the Kailash yatra and were waiting to enter Nepal from the China side when the disaster struck on August 26.

The travel firm owner requested the Central government to get information about the untraceable yatris from the Chinese authorities. “The Kailash yatra, began on August 14,” he said. “My son Sathyanarayana had led the team, and had spoken to Nepalese associates to keep vehicles ready at their end for them, just before the disaster struck.”

Nagappan told reporters that his son had conveyed to the Nepalese travel associates that they may clear the immigration formalities after two hours and accordingly, vehicles should be made available at the Nepal side. “Our group of 49 people were 100% on the China side at that time. We request the Union government to take action quickly and get information from China,” he stated.

At the time of the disaster, 11 teams of Indian yatris, including those from TN, were waiting to enter China from the Nepal side. “You would have seen video clips of two out of three buses getting swept away in the floods and they were among those waiting to enter China,” he said.

At the same time, three teams were waiting to exit China and enter Nepal. He claimed: “Pilgrims who ran away from the immigration building were from our team. We identified them (by scrutinising the video clips) by our signature jerkin with dark blue-grey shades. There are also possibilities for yatris to have survived. All the information related to yatris has already been provided to State government officials.”

The State government said all possible assistance was being extended on the instructions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. So far, 21 tourists from TN have been rescued and brought to New Delhi before being sent to their respective native places. Search and rescue efforts are continuing for 84 more tourists from the state, according to the latest government statement. 

The development comes as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of devastating flash floods, with the death toll rising to 903 on Monday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Around 4,247 people remain missing, while 10,451 people have been rescued. 

Earlier, School Education Minister A Rajmohan said that 319 people from the State had travelled to Nepal through different groups. Of these, 219 had been accounted for, while 100 remained untraced at that time. The State has established a war room at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi and coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Nepalese authorities. 

Rajmohan said, “The State government has received thousands of calls from families seeking information about their relatives. 319 people from TN had travelled to Nepal through various groups. Of them, 219 are safe. The remaining 100 people are considered missing.”

He added that the rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate the missing tourists and that the State government remained in coordination with central and Nepalese authorities. Meanwhile, families of missing people have been gathering at help centres in Nepal, checking lists of rescued and deceased persons and waiting for information about their relatives.

According to police, fraudsters target victims by offering fake financial assistance and business startup grants under the guise of the actor-politician's charitable trust, extorting money under the pretext of registration and processing fees.

Talking to PTI, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Prevention Branch, Rajesh Dandotiya said that cyber fraudsters allegedly called people and claimed to be associated with Vijay's charitable organisation, which provides financial assistance to the poor and funds for starting small businesses or startups.

"Fraudsters allegedly took anywhere between Rs 1,000 and Rs 50,000 from the victims in the name of registration, verification, and processing fees on the pretext of providing financial assistance from the fake organisation," he said.

A probe is underway into the complaints, he said, urging citizens to be cautious of such fraud.

On August 25, the CWMA upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) recommendation directing Karnataka to ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.

Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, told the bench that they had pointed to the Authority about the backlog of water but no direction was passed in this regard.

"We are complying (with the CWMA direction) as of today," senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Karnataka government, said.

Divan said according to the August 25 direction, 9,000 cusecs water was to be released and on the first day, Karnataka released 10,727 cusecs.

"On August 30, 9,888 cusecs (of water) was released and as of 8 am today, 11,547 cusecs was released," he said, adding, "We have released water in excess amount as of today."

The top court was hearing the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking directions to the Karnataka government for immediate release of the water to it.

During the hearing, Vaidyanathan said earlier, Karnataka was directed to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12, and it has now been reduced to 9,000 cusecs without any reason.

"You want water. They (Karnataka) are releasing. The decision of CWMA has to be challenged," the bench told Vaidyanathan.

Divan said recently, Karnataka has declared severe drought in some of the areas that include the districts which fall within the Cauvery basin.

"There should be some consideration by some authority as to why my backlog should not be cleared," Vaidyanathan argued.

The bench was informed that the CWRC was reviewing the situation every 15 days.

The top court posted the matter on September 15 and asked the parties to place on record the updated data.

It said parties may also place on record further development that may take place in the meantime.

The bench noted that the CWRC was meeting every 15 days and passing appropriate orders after hearing the parties.

While hearing the matter on August 24, the apex court had told the Tamil Nadu government that they can raise before the CWMA their grievance concerning release of proportionate share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.

The CWRC had earlier directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12. The CWMA had subsequently upheld the decision.

On August 17, the apex court had asked Karnataka to ensure compliance of the CWMA direction on the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier said the state was not getting its due share of Cauvery water in a rain-deficient year.

The Joseph Vijay-led state government on August 3 approached the apex court seeking directions to the Karnataka government for immediate release of the water.

The state government, in its plea, claimed that the quantum allocated to it by the CWRC as well as that released by its neighbour Karnataka was very less.

A CWRC meeting on July 28 directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days starting July 29. However, the quantum of water released at Biligundlu ranged between 158 and 550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2, the state government said.

A press release issued by the Tamil Nadu government said that as of August 3, the combined total storage in the reservoirs in Karnataka -- KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy -- stood at 77.537 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) and Karnataka would face no difficulty in releasing Tamil Nadu's due share proportionately.

Following rains in the catchment areas in the KRS and Kabini dams in Karnataka recently, the proportionate water to be realised at Biligundlu should be 26.954 TMC, it said.

"Accordingly, the Cauvery Water Management Authority order allocating 4.536 TMC is very less," the release added.

Karnataka has "failed" to share with Tamil Nadu its due share of water and the quantum was 26.954 TMC, the press release said.

Replying to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Udhayanidhi Stalin, who sought to know the status of the project, Arjuna said it had not been scrapped and would be taken forward under a restructured model.

He said the land acquired for the project was under the control of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).

The minister said the government had already announced plans to establish sports hostels for men and women in all districts and construct 10 Olympic academies.

Explaining the proposed restructuring, Arjuna said the original Global Sports City plan covered only a few disciplines, including aquatic sports. The revised model, he said, would encompass around 42 sports. "The Chief Minister will make an announcement on this project, and the work will commence within six months," he said.

Arjuna said that the previous DMK government had initiated the project just before the Assembly elections.

MBA president V R Kamalanathan and secretary J Pothiraj made the appeal in a letter dated August 30 to the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Association said Justice Sivagnanam was travelling in Nepal as part of a group of Tamil pilgrims when the disaster struck. It noted that the floods had caused several deaths and left several people, including Indian nationals, missing.

Landslides, debris, damaged roads and disrupted communication networks were hampering rescue operations, the Association said.

The MBA urged the authorities to coordinate closely with Nepalese agencies, including the police and rescue services, to trace the former judge.

It also sought checks at hospitals, shelters, evacuation centres and identification centres for any information about his whereabouts.

The Association further urged the deployment of Indian search-and-rescue teams and forensic resources, besides seeking regular updates to Justice Sivagnanam's family on the efforts being made to locate him.

According to a Southern Railway press release, maintenance work will be carried out between Pedabariya and Naidupeta railway stations in the Chennai division.

The details are as follows:

1. Chennai Central-Howrah Express

The Chennai Central-Howrah Express (Train No. 12840), scheduled to depart Chennai Central at 7 pm on Monday and on September 3 and 10, will instead leave at 8 pm.

On September 5 and 12, the train will depart at 9 pm instead of its scheduled 7 pm departure.

2. Pothanur-Sambalpur special train

The Sambalpur-Pothanur special train (Train No. 08311) will operate from September 9 to November 25 on Wednesdays. It will leave Sambalpur at 11.35 am and reach Pothanur at 1.30 am on the third day.

In the return direction, the Pothanur-Sambalpur special train (Train No. 08312) will operate from September 11 to November 27 on Fridays. It will leave Pothanur at 1 pm and reach Sambalpur at 11.15 pm the following day.

3. Madurai-Kanpur Central special train extended

The Kanpur Central-Madurai special train (Train No. 01925) has been extended from September 2 to November 25 and will operate on Wednesdays.

In the return direction, the Madurai-Kanpur Central special train (Train No. 01926) has been extended from September 5 to November 28 and will operate on Saturdays.

A division bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel issued the direction on a petition filed by Madurai-based advocate KR Raja, who alleged that he had reliably learnt from prisoners’ families that manual scavenging and forced toilet-cleaning were continuing in the Central Prisons at Madurai, Palayamkottai and Tiruchy, and that conditions in several district prisons in the southern districts were worse.

Raja, co-founder of Global Network for Equality, India, an organisation that supports the education of children of inmates and crime victims, also alleged that similar degrading practices existed at the Special Prison for Women, Tiruchy.

He stated that some women prisoners had been permitted to work at the Freedom Petrol Bunk operated by prison authorities as part of rehabilitation measures. However, instead of being engaged in petrol-bunk operations, they were allegedly forced to clean toilets and sanitary areas there, the petitioner claimed.

Disputing the prison authorities’ claim that municipal services alone were engaged to clean toilets, the petitioner alleged that certain blocks and barracks at the Madurai and Palayamkottai central prisons had been demarcated exclusively for prisoners from oppressed communities. These prisoners were allegedly forced to clean around 150 toilets inside cells and outside barracks, while only two appointed scavengers were employed for the entire prison, which is overcrowded.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling in Sukanya Shantha vs Union of India, which condemned caste discrimination in prisons, and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, Raja submitted that he had made representations to prison authorities in 2025 seeking an end to caste discrimination in prison and sought legal action against all prison officials found to be responsible for perpetuating such discriminatory practices.

The authorities, however, denied that such practices existed.

Raja further sought directions to the prison authorities at Madurai, Tiruchy, and Palayamkottai to preserve CCTV footage from January 16, which he claimed would show prisoners being made to clean toilets and drainage systems.

After hearing the arguments, the court directed the DLSA in the respective districts to inspect the prisons and file a status report. The matter was posted for further hearing on October 4.

Ahead of the commencement of the debate on the Prohibition and Excise Department in the state assembly, Vignesh said the salary revision, effective September 1, was aimed at curbing MRP violations at TASMAC outlets.

Under the revised structure, the monthly salary of supervisors will increase from Rs 22,313 to Rs 33,023, while salesmen will get Rs 30,284 against Rs 19,413. The salary of assistant salesmen will rise from Rs 17,925 to Rs 28,680. The revision will entail an additional annual expenditure of Rs 486.90 crore for the government.

The minister also announced a festival advance of Rs 20,000 for employees and Rs 6,000 towards uniform and stitching expenses.

In a move aimed at improving basic facilities and cleanliness at TASMAC outlets, the government will provide Rs 5,000 per shop in corporation limits, Rs 4,000 for shops in municipalities and town panchayats, and Rs 3,000 for outlets in village areas towards maintenance.

Weekly off, eight-hour duty

The government will also introduce a rotational weekly off and an eight-hour duty period for TASMAC employees. Each employee will additionally be entitled to two casual leaves every month, Vignesh said.

The government would also take steps to appoint 250 qualified TASMAC employees as junior assistants in government departments, he said.

On MRP violations, the minister contrasted the government's proposed action with the punishment followed during the AIADMK regime. He said employees who were found charging between Rs 1 and Rs 9 above the MRP were then punished only with a fine.

"Under the TVK-led government, employees found indulging in MRP violations will face three months' suspension from service. If they repeat the violation, they will be dismissed from service. The government will not tolerate corruption," Vignesh said.

Venkatachalam, who won the Perundurai assembly constituency in Erode district twice, in 2011 and 2016, as an AIADMK candidate, had served as Revenue and Environment Minister in the erstwhile Jayalalithaa cabinet.

Denied an AIADMK ticket in the 2021 Assembly election, he contested as an independent but was unsuccessful. He subsequently joined the DMK and contested from Perundurai in the 2026 Assembly election but lost to the AIADMK candidate. As part of a recent organisational overhaul, the DMK relieved Venkatachalam of his post and subsequently dissolved the Erode central district unit. “I am resigning from the DMK’s primary membership as I can no longer continue in the party due to the mental anguish caused by bitter experiences,” Venkatachalam said.

He said he had no complaints against former DMK minister S Muthusamy and clarified that he had no immediate plans to join another political party. Venkatachalam said he continued to hold great regard for DMK president MK Stalin, who had reposed faith in him and given him an opportunity to contest the Assembly election. He added that he would continue working for the welfare and development of people in his constituency.

The immigration facility where his parents were last staying has been one of the worst hit in the floods, and emergency personnel don't see any quick breakthrough to end his ordeal of finding his missing parents, Natarajan (67) and his wife Krishnaveni (56), residents of Vellode in Erode district.

After a desperate three-day search, I aborted my mission and returned to Erode on Sunday with a heavy heart, said N Kavinraj (35). “I went to Kathmandu hoping to find my parents, but could not locate them anywhere. Their names have been included in the list of people reported missing in the floods. More than 30 feet of mud and debris have accumulated around the immigration office where my parents were present when the disaster struck, making the rescue operation extremely challenging,” he said.

His parents had travelled to Nepal on a spiritual tour on August 14, along with relatives, through a Chennai-based travel operator. The couple last spoke to their son Kavinraj over the phone on August 25

When the couple became unreachable after the floods, Kavinraj travelled to Kathmandu to search for them. He visited hospitals, military camps and other locations over the next three days, but was unable to trace his parents.

“The people who have been living in the Manjolai and Meghamalai regions for several generations are now facing the threat of eviction, which would affect their livelihood,” he said while addressing reporters in Madurai. “It is possible to resolve this issue if the Forest Rights Act, 2006 is implemented properly,” he said, adding that the State government should appoint strong lawyers to represent the case before the Supreme Court while filing the review petition.

A meeting involving leaders of all political parties will be organised soon in Madurai to oppose the proposed eviction, he said.

He hit out at the TVK government, saying that they have withdrawn security cover given by successive governments for the past 30 years.

On the controversy over the TVK projecting Vijay as its Prime Ministerial candidate, Krishnasamy said, “Vijay can never contest for the post of Prime Minister at any point in time. However, it is the Congress that has to respond to such claims."

According to the police, a 25-year-old woman from Maduravoyal had been in a relationship with Lakshmanakanthan (30) of Dindigul. Two years ago, both families held marriage talks, which failed due to disputes.

The woman then stopped contacting him and changed her phone number. Police said that Lakshmanakanthan continued to pressure her into marrying him, created a fake Instagram account in her name, uploaded photos of them together from when they were in a relationship, and sent them to her friends and relatives.

Based on her complaint, Police arrested him. 

The order refers to provisions under the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) framework and the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 2023, besides directions issued by the Madras High Court.

According to the proceedings, staff strength is to be determined on the basis of the number of students recorded in the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) as on August 1 of every academic year.

The department has also highlighted the issue of delays in issuing deployment orders to surplus teachers. The proceedings cite a Madras High Court direction requiring the School Education Department Secretary to examine the reasons for the delay in issuing deployment orders, not only in the case before the court but also in respect of 52 other surplus teachers.

The High Court has directed that if the delay is found to have occurred due to negligence or dereliction of duty by officials, appropriate action, including disciplinary proceedings, should be initiated. It has also directed that salaries paid to surplus teachers during the period of delay be recovered from the officials responsible.

The proceedings further state that delays in staff fixation have resulted in additional expenditure for the government, despite the teachers concerned having already been identified as surplus.

Under the procedure outlined in the order, the District Educational Officer will undertake staff fixation for primary and middle schools, while the Chief Educational Officer will be responsible for high and higher secondary schools. The Joint Director concerned will handle the process for Anglo-Indian schools.

The officials have been instructed to assess staff strength based on the student enrolment recorded in EMIS and identify surplus personnel accordingly. The department has reiterated that the prescribed deadlines under Rule 32 (B) must be strictly followed.

The latest proceedings are aimed at ensuring that staff fixation and deployment of surplus teachers for 2026-27 are completed without delay and that unnecessary financial burden is avoided.