On Tuesday, sleuths from the agency conducted joint surprise checks at government offices across Tamil Nadu and detected unaccounted cash and suspicious digital transactions totalling Rs 1.73 crore. Officials figured suspicious transactions made through UPI amounted to Rs 1.59 crore, and seized Rs 13.78 lakh in unaccounted cash. That is, 92 per cent of suspected bribes were paid via UPI using apps like Paytm and GPay.

The trend has risen sharply. In the last week of August, DVAC found that 77 per cent of the Rs 1.18 crore in suspected bribe transactions was paid through digital platforms. In the first week of July, only 32 per cent of the Rs 84.7 lakh in suspected bribes was via UPI. The digital share thus rose from 32 per cent in early July to 92 per cent by the third week of September.

Tuesday's checks covered 36 locations in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram.

The highest digital transaction amounts included Rs 43,42,563 at the Greater Chennai Corporation Office Zone 14 in Perungudi; Rs 19,66,500 at Kayalpattinam Municipality in Thoothukudi district; and Rs 19,16,280 at the Velankanni Town Panchayat Office in Nagapattinam district. Cash seizures included Rs 7,64,500 at the Arakkonam Municipality Office in Ranipet and Rs 5,53,767 at the Avinashi Municipality Office in Tirupur.

DVAC said the checks were part of its vigilance exercise across government offices.

After Prakash’s name surfaced when the police were looking into the financial transactions of Veeramani, a police team went to Prakash's residence to issue summons for an interrogation, but they were informed that he had gone abroad. The city police then issued the LOC to all airports. Prakash is said to be an associate of the prime accused Veermani and allegedly acted as a conduit for the businessman.

Meanwhile, city police teams conducted searches at five premises linked to Veeramani, including his office on Dr Radhakrishnan Salai and a guest house in Teynampet on Wednesday. The police had recently arrested a fourth person in the case, Ganesan, a former employee of Veeramani. Ganesan allegedly had a video of Veeramani sexually assaulting a minor girl and hid the information from the police.

The police have reached out to multiple victims who were sexually abused by the businessman over a period of time. Veeramani (84) and his two associates were arrested by the Greater Chennai Police on August 29 for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl.

A pendrive with the video of an elderly man sexually abusing a minor girl was sent to the ITPU in October 2025 and a case was registered, but action was delayed for several months. The police had earlier sought to close the case citing they could not identify the perpetrator nor locate the girl.

A detailed investigation by The Indian Express revealed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders concerning electoral rolls that they said were taken without their knowledge. The objections related to voter registration, deletion and restoration, appeals concerning electoral-roll entries and access to the voter database.

Stalin said the DMK and other Opposition parties had consistently opposed the SIR, alleging that the exercise, undertaken ahead of elections in several states, could result in large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls.

“The revelations have severely eroded the credibility of the Election Commission,” Stalin said in a statement, arguing that the three-member constitutional body was required to function collectively and transparently.

The DMK chief questioned the reported filing of appeals against the inclusion of voters whose names had been ordered to be added to the electoral rolls by courts, asking who had authorised and filed such appeals.

Stalin also raised concerns over access to the electoral-roll database, saying Electoral Registration Officers were empowered by law to scrutinise and revise electoral rolls.

“If two of the three EC members themselves were kept unaware of what was being done in the commission’s name, this cannot be dismissed as a mere internal or procedural matter,” he said.

Stalin recalled that the DMK, along with other Opposition parties, had moved a motion seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s removal in March.

“He has no right to continue in office any longer. Gyanesh Kumar must go immediately,” Stalin said, demanding a fair and thorough investigation into the functioning of the Election Commission and accountability for those responsible.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that decisions on SIR and other matters were taken unanimously with the approval of all three commissioners.

When the resolution opposing the Karnataka government's proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu and seeking withholding of clearance for the project was taken up for debate on June 19, opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin raised the demand for a separate tribunal, which was incorporated into the resolution without being separately moved, seconded, debated, or put to a distinct vote.

Questioning the legality of the process through which the tribunal clause was added to the final resolution, the AIADMK leader moved the court.

However, a bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that when the amendment was moved in the House, the AIADMK members had an opportunity to object, but chose to vote "Aye" or remain silent. They could not later claim that their silence should be treated as a nullity, it said.

The court also noted that when the AIADMK leader raised a grievance on the Assembly floor after the amendment was introduced, the Speaker ruled that there was no illegality and the ruling was not challenged.

The court said the party's silence and its subsequent unsuccessful attempt to reopen the issue within the House showed that it was not prejudiced by the amendment.

"This is not a case of a citizen who was shut out or misled; it is a case of a member, and of the party he belongs to, who was present in the House when the amendment was proposed, read out, and voted upon. A challenge of this kind cannot succeed unless prejudice is 'ex facie apparent'," the court observed, adding that the petitioner had an opportunity to object to the alleged irregularity at the relevant time but chose not to do so.

"Courts exercising jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution are not obliged to entertain a challenge founded on an irregularity that the petitioner himself was in a position to object to at the time, and chose not to," it remarked.

According to the opposition party, although Article 212 of the Constitution bars courts from questioning legislative proceedings, its challenge was to the authenticity of the document communicated to the Union government.

The court, however, held that the challenge concerned the procedure followed by the House and the alleged failure to follow the procedure contemplated under Rule 104 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules. Therefore, it fell within Article 212 (1), which bars courts from entertaining challenges based on procedural irregularities in legislative proceedings.

Holding that there was no substantive illegality, mala fide or breach of any constitutional limitation, the bench dismissed the plea.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the accident occurred while the occupants of the car were returning to Chennai after attending a wedding in Ramanathapuram district.

The car travelling behind the Omnibus, crashed into it on the national highway near Perambalur.

While four people, including a youth from Ramanathapuram district, were killed in the accident, four others, including women, sustained injuries.

The seriously injured are undergoing treatment at the Perambalur Government Hospital.

Pension payments to 33.85 lakh beneficiaries have been successfully processed and released this month under the new Aadhaar-based payment system through SNA-SPARSH, which came into effect in September in accordance with central government guidelines. The transition to the new system is being carried out in coordination with the departments concerned, banks, and other government agencies.

However, a few of them have faced difficulties due to their Aadhaar number not being linked to their bank account, the linked account being inactive, or incorrect or incomplete bank and Aadhaar details.

Appropriate corrective measures were being taken and they have also been informed through SMS on their registered mobile numbers, it said, adding that special camps and help desks have been set up at all taluk offices to provide immediate assistance, particularly to elderly pensioners.

Those yet to receive their pension were advised to approach the nearest special camp or the Social Security Scheme (SSS) help desk at the taluk office, where officials would help check the status of pension payment, verify Aadhaar-bank account linkage, and identify the corrective measures required.

The government has put in place several mechanisms to address grievances, including SMS alerts, bank-level corrections, taluk-level special camps and dedicated help desks, said the government.

The transition to SNA-SPARSH was being continuously monitored and steps were being taken to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their pension without unnecessary difficulties, it added.

The rally will begin near Chitra Theatre in Egmore at 3 pm on September 26. The unions will submit a petition to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, he said.

Balasubramaniam said auto fares had not been revised for 14 years and alleged that the transport minister had failed to implement assurances given to unions during discussions on the issue.

At a meeting attended by representatives of over 45 unions, consumer groups and senior transport officials, the unions proposed Rs 60 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 30 for every subsequent kilometre, apart from a waiting charge and higher night fare.

He said the proposal was accepted by the participants, but the government subsequently sought the unions' views several more times.

"More than 133 days have passed since the new government assumed office. Despite assurances that the fare revision would be announced soon, there has been no decision," he said.

The unions are also demanding action against bike taxis. Balasubramaniam said they should either be banned or brought under a regulatory framework requiring fitness certification, third-party insurance, road tax and appropriate driver permits.

He said nearly five lakh auto-driver families depended on the trade and claimed that drivers were forced to work 12 to 16 hours a day to make ends meet.

The federation urged auto drivers to participate in the rally and appealed to the government to revise fares and protect their livelihood.

In a communication dated September 23, Commissioner of Transport and Road Safety Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan said the department had received several complaints regarding dealers collecting additional amounts from customers while selling new autorickshaws.

Citing Rule 43B of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the department said all vehicle dealers must display the sale price of vehicles, model-wise, at a location easily visible to customers at their sales outlets. The applicable taxes and other charges should be shown separately along with the displayed price.

The department warned of stringent action against dealers who collected amounts over the displayed sale price.

Their trade certificates could also be cancelled for violations.

All Regional Transport Officers have been instructed to immediately bring the directions to the notice of vehicle dealers under their jurisdiction and monitor compliance.

They have also been asked to take immediate action under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules if complaints are received against dealers.

K Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary for Labour and Migrant Labourers' Welfare, Bihar, said the centre would be set up after a similar facility in Bengaluru. He was speaking to a group of Tamil Nadu journalists touring Bihar.

"After Bengaluru, the Bihar government will set up the facilitation centre in Coimbatore. Once operational, it will oversee the welfare of Bihar labourers working in Tirupur, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore and Puducherry," he said.

The centre will coordinate welfare measures for migrant workers employed in both organised and unorganised sectors. It will assist, particularly during medical emergencies and other exigencies.

The Bihar government also plans to engage a dedicated agency to collect data on its migrant workers in Tamil Nadu, in coordination with the state government.

The proposed centre will include officials from the Tamil Nadu government. It will maintain data on the socio-economic conditions of Bihar-origin workers, Kumar said.

"Once the facilitation centre is established, it will cater to the needs of Bihar's migrant labourers, particularly by providing medical and emergency assistance. It will also collect data on their socio-economic status," he said.

Bihar is also planning to establish similar facilitation centres in 12 other states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and Punjab.

CPI State secretary M Veerapandian urged the government to identify and prosecute everyone who facilitated the crimes or failed to act despite being aware of them. He said all available evidence, including reportedly seized video related material, should be secured and presented before the court.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss also said all those who allegedly assisted the accused, failed to act on complaints, or attempted to suppress the case should be brought under the investigation. Referring to the proceedings before the Pocso special court, he said the investigation should be expedited and appropriate provisions invoked based on evidence emerging during the probe.

Makkal Needhi Maiam leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan said the case showed the extent to which people hiding behind social status could go. He appreciated those who brought the alleged offences to light and called for strict legal action against everyone connected with the crime.

NTK chief coordinator Seeman demanded that Veeramani and those involved in the case be identified and arrested, while seeking expeditious investigation and trial. He also called for the maximum punishment prescribed by law.

The leaders stressed that the probe should cover the alleged wider network and that no person found responsible should be allowed to escape legal action.

The Minister, who organised a training session for the lecturers from the university, was approached by the members of the Guest Lecturers Union. They submitted a petition stating that as many as 130 guest lecturers are working in the university in various disciplines and they get only a consolidated payment of Rs 20,000 despite engaging in various activities, including valuation of papers, conducting lab assessments and conduct of examinations, besides teaching.

Pointing out that they get paid for 9.5 months and left with no income for the next 2.5 months, they appealed to revise the payment scheme to at least 11 months.  They also demanded regularisation for the guest lecturers working for over 10 years, and priority be given to them during the regular appointments.

They also demanded withdrawal of the Tamil Nadu’s Private Universities (Amendment ) Bill 2026, which would affect admissions in government and government aided colleges, impacting students from marginalised backgrounds.

Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Anna University Teachers’ Association also submitted a petition urging timely promotion of the teachers working in the Anna University Constituent Colleges for more than 17 years. They also appealed to fill vacancies of teaching faculty as per student-teacher ratio norms.

When the petition came up for hearing before Justice Murali Shankar, the counsel appearing for the government requested the Court to grant time for the state public prosecutor to appear in the case.

The temple Joint Commissioner filed an intervention petition opposing the bail to Ramakumar.

The Court permitted the Joint Commissioner to file the intervention petition and adjourned the hearing of the case to September 25.

Schools have been asked to ensure that the information entered in EMIS is accurate before final submission. The exercise covers key particulars including students' names, date of birth, gender, photographs, parents' names, address, medium of instruction and other academic and personal information. Students and parents must also verify the particulars through a declaration form available on the DGE website.

The form includes details such as the student's name in English and Tamil, date of birth, EMIS number, disability status, mobile number, parents' names, address and parents' annual income.

For differently abled candidates, schools have been instructed to attach a copy of the disability identity card or the required medical certificate. The declaration form must be signed by the parent or guardian, student, class teacher and head of the institution.

According to the prosecution, the accused, Eswari (65), wife of Mariyadas of Karatu Colony, Alanganallur, and the deceased, M Vellaiyan (75), of the same area, had quarrelled over dumping garbage.

The accused, Eswari, dumped garbage and poured water mixed with saliva in front of Vellaiyan’s house, which led to the quarrel. Following this, when Vellaiyan was sleeping on the verandah of his house, Eswari poured boiling water on him, resulting in his death.

Alanganallur police arrested Eswari in connection with the murder and booked her under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in 2024. She was subsequently remanded in judicial custody.

Samayanallur Deputy Superintendent of Police T Anandharaj and Court Head Constable Manorama conducted the investigation and filed the chargesheet before the court.

After the charges against Eswari were proved in court, the judge sentenced her to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on Tuesday.

Police said Vijayalakshmi (56) was found dead at her house in Kuniamuthur on September 15, with the gold chain she had been wearing missing.

She was living alone after her husband’s death, while her married daughter, Mavia, lived with her family in a nearby locality.

The murder came to light when Mavia and her husband found Vijayalakshmi lying dead inside the house and noticed that her gold chain was missing.

Based on her complaint, the Kuniamuthur police registered a case and launched an investigation.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Vijayalakshmi had died of suffocation. The investigation took a decisive turn with police recovering pieces of a broken glass bangle lying near the victim’s body.

Investigators examined CCTV footage from the locality and noticed a woman in the neighbourhood wearing a bangle on one hand but missing on the other.

The clue led police to the deceased’s neighbour, also named Vijayalakshmi (44), an idli vendor. The two women knew each other because they lived next door.

During questioning, the 44-year-old woman confessed to having smothered the victim with a pillow when she was alone at home and fled away with the gold chain.

Police said when the accused was questioned soon after the incident, she feigned shock and claimed not to know about her neighbour’s death. She was arrested on Wednesday.

Further inquiries are on.

Mohammed Farooq (32), a resident of Vellalar Street in Tennur in Tiruchy, runs a mechanic shop in the locality. Farooq frequently engages in quarrels with his brother Azar (28). It is said the siblings used to consume liquor together and get into a tiff under the influence of alcohol.

On Wednesday evening, the siblings had reportedly consumed liquor and started to quarrel again. Suddenly, Azar picked up a knife and reportedly slit Mohammed Farooq’s throat and escaped.

At around 7.30 pm, their mother Nisha, who returned after her work, found Farooq dead in a pool of blood. As she raised an alarm, neighbours rushed to the house. Based on the information, Thillai Nagar police rushed to the spot, retrieved the body and sent it to the Tiruchy GH.

Police registered a case and arrested Azar on suspicion. Further investigations are on

The appointments take immediate effect. Ram Madhav, who served as the BJP's national general secretary from 2014 to 2020, has also been given the charge of Uttarakhand. His appointment comes as the party reworks its organisational structure across the country ahead of Assembly elections scheduled in several states in 2027 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

The Tamil Nadu appointments assume significance with Vanathi Srinivasan, a former BJP MLA from the state, being appointed co-in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, where Arvind Bhadoria will be the in-charge. The latest organisational allocation leaves Vanathi without a formal responsibility in the Tamil Nadu unit.

Vanathi had been among the names discussed for the BJP's state president selection. Her move to Andhra now takes her out of the Tamil Nadu organisational set-up at a time when attention is on the party's next state leadership arrangement.

Meanwhile, M Venkatesan, has been named co-in-charge of Kerala, with M Nagaraja as the state in-charge.

In an order dated September 22, Tasmac Managing Director K Nanthakumar directed senior regional managers and district managers to implement the revised remuneration. The decision follows representations from various trade unions and labour associations seeking enhanced remuneration and other welfare measures.

Under the revised structure, the monthly remuneration of supervisors has been increased from Rs 22,313 to Rs 33,023, a hike of Rs 10,710. For salesmen, the remuneration has been raised from Rs 19,413 to Rs 30,284, an increase of Rs 10,871. The remuneration of assistant salesmen has been enhanced from Rs 17,925 to Rs 28,680, representing an increase of Rs 10,755.

The order said the Tasmac Board of Directors had considered the demands raised by employee organisations and approved various welfare measures, including the enhancement of monthly consolidated remuneration. The Managing Director was authorised to take the necessary consequential action to implement the measures.

The order also revised the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contribution structure from the September 2026 wage month. The employee's share, calculated at 12% of the enhanced remuneration, will be recovered from the monthly pay, while Tasmac will bear the employer's 12% share as approved by the Board.

Senior regional managers and district managers have been instructed to ensure that the revised remuneration is reflected in pay bills, service records and establishment returns. They have also been directed to ensure that the EPF contributions are duly credited to the accounts of all eligible employees.

Narmada of Gomathipuram in Madurai filed a PIL petition before the Madurai Bench seeking directions to constitute a state-level committee to examine the feasibility of granting menstrual leave to working women in the state and to direct the government to formulate a policy for providing fully paid leave, taking into consideration the welfare of women.

When the petition came up for hearing before a division bench of Justices CV Karthikeyan and Sakthivel, the state government submitted that the committee comprising 13 women members had been constituted to decide on providing paid menstrual leave to women. The government stated that the committee required three months to submit its report.

After noting this, the Court appreciated the petitioner for bringing this important issue to its attention. The Court adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, directing the government-constituted committee to submit its report on that date.

The officials briefed Vijay on power demand and generation, availability from renewable and non-renewable sources, the gap between demand and available capacity, and the continuing rise in electricity consumption.

The meeting also discussed challenges in meeting the increasing demand, including restrictions on procuring power from the market, coal availability, the high cost of gas-based generation, and unexpected outages at central generating stations. Vijay also reviewed preparations to meet the anticipated power demand during 2027 summer and discussed an action plan to address the projected requirement.

The review covered challenges in the distribution network, including ageing infrastructure and equipment, major faults, network congestion caused by rising loads, factors affecting supply quality, disruptions due to rain, storms and strong winds, and shortage of field personnel.

Electricity Minister R Nirmalkumar said people should not obstruct TNPDCL personnel engaged in restoring power supply, even as he acknowledged public frustration.

“People's frustration over interruptions in power supply is understandable, but they should not lay siege to substations or disturb field personnel who are busy fixing the problem,” he said, while responding to complaints about TNPDCL officials being unavailable over the phone to register power outage complaints.

Nirmalkumar attributed some of the recent interruptions to inadequate maintenance of distribution assets ahead of summer under the previous DMK government. “Citing elections, the previous government postponed maintenance of distribution assets such as substations and transformers. They eventually could not withstand the surging load and failed, leading to power cuts,” he said.

To tackle the disruptions, field officers have been authorised to engage up to 18,000 workers on a contract basis for six months, he said. Up to 6,000 transformers would be installed or upgraded over the next year to handle the growing load, he added.

“Tamil Nadu also needs 600 substations to strengthen the distribution infrastructure. These will be set up in a phased manner over the next five years,” Nirmalkumar said. He cited the recent incident at Perambur, where additional load was transferred from the Stanley substation following a problem. The Stanley substation subsequently came under excessive load and a fire broke out. “Such incidents show the need to increase the capacity of the distribution network,” he said.

He said a detailed plan on meeting the power demand during the next summer was presented to the Chief Minister during the review.

The minister also said an AI-enabled grievance redressal mechanism for electricity consumers was being planned. The state is also set to release its battery energy storage policy in October, which would enable surplus wind and solar power to be stored and used to meet peak demand, he added.

Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, Energy Department Principal Secretary Anil Meshram, TNEB chairman and managing director V Arun Roy and other senior officials attended the review.

Hariharan's achievement would inspire young sportspersons across Tamil Nadu, Vijay said while announcing the incentive in recognition of his performance. "My heartfelt appreciation to the Indian men's team and Tamil Nadu badminton player Hariharan for winning the bronze medal in the men's team event," Vijay said.

He noted that Hariharan was receiving financial assistance under the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu's Elite Sportsperson Scheme.

"The Tamil Nadu government will always stand by the dreams of sportspersons," Vijay said, wishing Hariharan greater success in his career.
State Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna, too, appreciated the performance by the Indian team, and Hariharan in particular.

He noted that Hariharan was receiving financial assistance under the SDAT’s Elite Sportsperson Scheme

Congratulating Hariharan on becoming eligible to receive the Rs 30 lakh High Cash Incentive provided by the Sports Development Authority (SDAT) to athletes who win bronze medals at the Asian Games, minister Aadhav said, “The continued success of our sportspersons in international competitions has provided new encouragement to Tamil Nadu's youth and increased their interest in sports. Our government will extend all possible support to you as you pursue your sporting ambitions.”

The study assessed postgraduate doctors' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding haemovigilance, the systematic monitoring and reporting of adverse events associated with blood transfusions. The researchers found that knowledge and positive attitudes did not consistently translate into optimal reporting practices and called for structured training and simpler institutional mechanisms.

The cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Chennai between August and September 2025. Of the 173 eligible postgraduate doctors invited to participate in a 32-item questionnaire, 150 completed it, recording a response rate of 86.7 per cent.

The participants' mean age was 29.3 years, and women accounted for 64 per cent of respondents. While the doctors demonstrated generally good knowledge of blood components and indications for transfusion, their awareness of the Haemovigilance Programme of India and the Transfusion Reaction Reporting Form was limited.

The study also found that practice scores were lower than knowledge and attitude scores, indicating that awareness did not always translate into appropriate reporting practices.

The researchers found no significant association between the doctors' postgraduate year of training or their department and their overall knowledge, attitude and practice categories.

However, statistical analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and practice and a strong correlation between attitude and practice. This indicated that better knowledge and more positive attitudes were associated with better haemovigilance practices.

The researchers said timely reporting of adverse transfusion reactions was essential for identifying problems, analysing patterns and preventing their recurrence. They recommended structured haemovigilance training, greater awareness of national reporting mechanisms and simplified institutional pathways for reporting adverse transfusion reactions.

The authors also called for multicentre studies to determine whether similar gaps exist among postgraduate doctors in other healthcare settings.

What does the study say?

Finding: Good knowledge of blood components and transfusion indications

Gap: Limited awareness of India’s Haemovigilance Programme and Transfusion Reaction Reporting Form

Concern: Knowledge did not consistently translate into optimal reporting practices

Recommendation: Structured training and simpler institutional reporting mechanisms

“Some of the names currently in use are so derogatory that they cannot even be uttered in this court. Therefore, changing their names is an appropriate action,” the court observed, while dismissing a petition filed by Paramasivam, the state vice-president of the Hindu Advocates Front, seeking a stay on a Government Order to remove caste names from public places.

The division bench comprising justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel said, “A change must occur in the mindset of the people. Bringing about the change through a GO is the only appropriate way.”

The court went on to observe that confusion would arise only in the minds of those who continued to retain caste names, while no confusion would arise among those who had removed caste identity from their minds. “They can identify names without caste identity and can also identify localities by those names,” the bench observed.

In its counter affidavit seeking to vacate the interim stay earlier granted by the court, the State government submitted that 445 municipalities, 24 corporations and 169 local bodies had passed resolutions to change the names of 69 residential areas, 40 roads, 109 streets, 57 water bodies and 23 other social infrastructure assets.

For instance, ‘Arundhathiyar Street’ in Namakkal has been renamed ‘Kamarajar Nagar’; ‘Irular Colony’ in Tiruvannamalai has been renamed ‘Kapilar Street’; and ‘Narikkuravar Colony’ in Ranipet has been renamed ‘Perarignar Anna Street’. Several other names have also been changed, it stated.

The counter affidavit also stated that the GO was issued with the objective of removing objectionable or derogatory caste names. It was aimed at promoting equality, eliminating caste-based discrimination and ensuring that public places are inclusive and caste-neutral. It stated that detailed guidelines had been issued for this purpose.

The court also directed the government to identify other localities left out of the present GO that need to be renamed and issue a fresh GO to rename them.

The judges urged residents to come forward and request the government to change the names of their localities

“This exercise should continue,” the judges said, and lifted the interim stay.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare KG Arunraj participated in the programme via videoconference and paid tribute to the donors and their families. Health Secretary Darez Ahamed paid floral tributes to the portraits of the 312 donors and presented mementoes and shawls to their families.

The annual observance was instituted in memory of Hithendran, whose parents, doctors Ashokan and Pushpanjali, donated his organs after he was declared brain dead following the September 23, 2008 road accident. The decision triggered widespread awareness about organ donation, according to the Health department.

Shields were presented to government and private hospitals and coordinators for their contribution to organ retrieval and transplantation. The Chennai police were also honoured for facilitating Green Corridors to enable swift transportation of donated organs to hospitals.

Tamil Nadu received 14,845 organs and tissues from 2,550 donors between October 2008 and September 2026. During September 2025-August 2026 alone, 1,699 organs and tissues were retrieved from 312 donors.

The state has received the Union government's national award for implementing the organ donation programme for 10 consecutive years. It was also named the best state for organ donation in 2025 and received the award at the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day function in New Delhi on August 3.

“During the last fiscal year, the RWP produced 60,000 wheels. Of these, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai alone received 18,000 wheels,” Sanjeev Kumar Roy, Principal Chief Materials Manager, said.

After production, the plant sends wheels to Southern Railway. It also receives raw materials such as steel and aluminium from various parts of Tamil Nadu.

“The plant needs raw materials for wheel casting. We have been receiving raw materials not only from the Indian Railways itself, but also from places such as Salem and Thoothukudi,” Roy said.

The Rail Wheel Plant produced 60,699 wheels in the 2025-26 financial year. “For the current fiscal year, we have fixed a target of 72,000 wheels. Of this target, we produced 18,261 wheels in the first quarter,” Aman Raj, Chief Mechanical Engineer, said.

The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai needs more wheels from RWP, Bela, owing to the increased production of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) and Broad Gauge Carriage (BGC) trains.

“ICF is concentrating on producing more bogies under the BGC and EMU categories because Southern Railway needs more passenger trains to cater to the additional rush during festival times. Keeping this in mind, ICF has given more production orders to RWP through the Railway Board every year,” Aman Raj said.

During the last fiscal year, RWP produced 4,652 wheels for Southern Railway, while it produced 1,867 wheels during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

Along with this, ICF alone received 3,034 wheels during the last fiscal year and 1,901 wheels during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

Considering the production of EMU and MEMU trains, RWP produced 815 wheels for Southern Railway under this category during the last fiscal year. RWP has supplied 311 wheels under this category during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

“We are looking for more job orders from various zones of the Indian Railways because we have fixed a target of producing one lakh wheels per year. We are working to achieve this goal if the Railway Board gives us more orders,” Aman Raj said.

The company had invited bids in November last year for executing Phase V of the CPRR through four separate packages. The project envisages a 10-lane, access-controlled expressway, comprising a six-lane main carriageway and two-lane service roads on either side.

The corridor is planned as a high-speed link to ease traffic pressure on Chennai's radial roads and improve connectivity between major national highways and fast-growing suburban areas.

As part of the project, a 1.8-km elevated road is proposed from the SH-49B junction, running along or above State Highway-49B, crossing Perumal Eri and joining the approach road of the trumpet interchange being developed on National Highway-332A leading to ECR. The link is intended to provide seamless movement between the CPRR and the coastal corridor while minimising disruption to local traffic.

The project also includes four vehicular underpasses for major cross movements and eight light vehicular underpasses to maintain village-level connectivity. Six major bridges are proposed across waterbodies and low-lying areas, besides three animal and pedestrian underpasses aimed at improving safety.

Access to the expressway will be regulated through designated entry and exit ramps. Junctions will be upgraded with acceleration and deceleration lanes, channelisation measures and controlled median openings to be used only during emergencies. The design also includes crash barriers, delineators, LED blinkers at crossings, and uniform street lighting.

The posters, purportedly put up on behalf of the people of Dharapuram, carry pointed questions, including: “Why this resignation? Who asked you to commit this betrayal?” and “After winning, why did you abandon the people of Dharapuram?”

The posters have appeared at several locations, including Madathupalayam, Chinnaya Goundampalayam, Panamarathupalayam, Uppar Dam and along the road leading to Poolavadi.

Sathyabama, who was elected MLA from the Dharapuram constituency on an AIADMK ticket, resigned from the post and subsequently joined the TVK. She is now contesting the by-election from the same constituency, seeking a fresh mandate.

Her resignation and political switch have increasingly become contentious issues during the campaign, with sections of residents questioning her decision to resign after winning the seat and subsequently return to the constituency as a candidate.

The issue came to the fore again on Wednesday when a group of residents confronted Sathyabama during her campaign at Periyakumarapalayam panchayat near Kundadam. They questioned her over her resignation and decision to contest the by-election again.

The exchange turned heated, following which Sathyabama and TVK functionaries appealed to the gathering over a loudspeaker, saying that those who wished could vote for the TVK and those who did not could choose not to vote for the party. Sathyabama subsequently cut short her campaign and left the spot.

Later, a similar confrontation took place during Sathyabama’s campaign at Nallipalayam near Kundadam. A resident questioned her on the switch over and accused her of joining the TVK after allegedly receiving money. Sathyabama rejected the allegation and asked him to produce evidence to substantiate the claim. The heated exchange caused a brief commotion and was captured on video, which subsequently circulated on social media.

Addressing a campaign meeting in support of TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel in Madurantakam, Aadhav alleged that the AIADMK had taken a ‘box’ from the DMK in Madurantakam, while the DMK had allegedly taken a ‘box’ to facilitate the AIADMK’s victory in Dharapuram.

“Did the AIADMK work in Madurantakam? They have taken the box from the DMK. In Dharapuram, the DMK has taken the box so that the AIADMK can win. This is the understanding between them,” he alleged. Hence, he claimed, voting for the AIADMK’s “two leaves” symbol was, politically, equivalent to voting for the DMK.

Aadhav said the TVK was confident of securing at least 1.20 lakh votes in Madurantakam and claimed that the party was in direct contest with the DMK and AIADMK.

He also attacked the AIADMK, saying it was no longer the party founded by MG Ramachandran or built by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. “The AIADMK founded by MGR and strengthened by Amma does not exist today. It ended after 2017,” he said.

Referring to the AIADMK candidate, he questioned the decision to field a person who, he alleged, had earlier been removed from the party during Jayalalithaa’s tenure.

Appealing to TVK functionaries to reach every household, Aadhav said the party would seek votes without discrimination based on caste or religion. He said Madurantakam needed industries and local employment so that young people would not have to travel to Chennai for work.

“Caste and religion must be set aside and development must reach everyone. This is what our leader Vijay keeps telling us,” he added.

Citing data raised in Parliament, Tagore said 28 of the 45 students who died by suicide belonged to SC, ST, or OBC communities, accounting for more than 62 per cent of the total. He questioned whether students from socially marginalised backgrounds entering premier institutions, such as the IITs, were being provided an equal, safe and discrimination-free academic environment.

Tagore said the Union Higher Education Department had sought the relevant data from IITs on December 1, 2025, but the information was not placed before Parliament on December 8.

"This is not merely a statistic. It raises a larger question about whether students from socially marginalised sections have an equal, safe and discrimination free environment in premier institutions," he said.

He stressed that social justice did not end with providing reservation and said the government had a responsibility to ensure that students who benefited from such opportunities could study and live with dignity and equality.

Tagore demanded that the Centre provide the Parliament with the complete data sought in connection with student deaths in IITs and spell out a clear action plan to address the issue. He also questioned what steps the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government would take to ensure the safety, equality and dignity of SC, ST, and OBC students in higher educational institutions.

From the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur. A total of 1,035 buses will be operated on Friday (September 25) and 760 buses on Saturday (September 26).

From CMBT, Koyambedu, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru. A total of 210 buses will be operated on Friday and 180 buses on Saturday (September 26). In addition, 200 special buses will be operated from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations.

From Madhavaram Bus Terminus, special buses will be operated to Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Vellore, Hosur and Puducherry. A total of 145 special buses will be operated each day on September 25 and 26.

To facilitate passengers returning to Chennai and Bengaluru from their hometowns after the weekend and pournami holidays, 875 special buses will be operated from various parts of the State on Sunday, based on passenger demand.

The Managing Director of the State Express Transport Corporation said, “Around 14,224 passengers have booked tickets for Friday, 6,774 passengers for Saturday and 9,881 passengers for Sunday. The number of advance bookings is expected to increase further in the coming days. Additional officials have been deployed at major bus terminals to monitor the operation of the special services.”

Book tickets on TNSTC mobile app or on www.tnstc.in

The high-level delegation from the NCST, which included NCST members Asha Lakra and Jatothu Hussain, along with joint secretary Amit Nirmal briefed the Chief Minister on core development initiatives and the effective implementation of safeguards for Scheduled Tribes across the state, an official said on Wednesday.

The meeting was slightly delayed due to Vijay's prior engagement of rolling out the expansion of the breakfast scheme for school students from Class 6 to 8 studying in government and aided schools across the state on Tuesday morning.

Following the meeting with the CM, the NCST delegation interacted with representatives of various ST associations and community members at the Tamil Nadu State Guest House here. During the session, tribal leaders raised critical concerns regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), tribal land rights, atrocities against ST communities, unemployment, bogus caste certificate issues, and educational challenges.

According to the statement from the Commission, the interactive session provided an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the grievances raised by ST representatives and establish effective resolution mechanisms to address their long-standing concerns.

The Commission met the AIADMK legislator P Usharani representing Yercaud (ST) Assembly Constituency, and TVK MLA P Chandrasekar from Senthamangalam (ST) Constituency and discussed various issues concerning the welfare, development and constitutional safeguards of Scheduled Tribes in the respective constituencies.

The delegation later called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan and the meeting focused on matters concerning the Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu.

This major breakthrough for maritime archaeology came during the 18-day underwater exploration at Poompuhar about 260 km from here. This third phase of deep-sea underwater excavations off the Poompuhar coast wrapped up on Tuesday, unearthing critical physical evidence of the submerged Chola port city of Kaveripoompattinam.

Located at the mouth of the Cauvery river, Poompuhar is also known as Kaveripoompattinam and it once served as the maritime hub of early Chola kingdom. Catastrophic floods lashed the coast and swallowed major portions of the city around 4th to 5th century CE.

The expedition carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University, spanned a two-square-kilometer underwater zone.

The findings offered compelling new insights into ancient Tamil Nadu’s global trade networks and changing coastal landscape. Among the most significant discoveries of the 2026 campaign is a fine-ceramic fragment of a West Asian "torpedo jar," with an estimated total diameter of 30 cm to 35 cm.

Historically utilised to transport liquid cargo such as wine and olive oil across oceanic trade routes, the vessel directly reinforces literary accounts of Poompuhar’s thriving maritime links with West Asia and the Mediterranean world, an official said.

Divers also discovered four massive terracotta ring wells, measuring 60 cm to 65 cm in diameter, resting on the sea floor.

Since the ring wells were traditionally constructed on dry land to access freshwater, researchers noted that their presence on the seabed strongly points to a buried palaeochannel - an ancient riverbed that was eventually swallowed by the sea due to coastal erosion and rising water levels.

The expedition yielded a massive pottery haul of over 250 ceramic pieces, including rare glazed ware fragments. Unlike earlier isolated underwater surveys conducted in the 1990s, the multi-phase 2025–26 project utilised state-of-the-art marine technology including side-scan sonars, sub-bottom profilers, multibeam scanners, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to map the ocean floor.

Addressing historical challenges related to underwater visibility, a core priority of this latest phase was building comprehensive photographic and video documentation of the submerged antiquities in situ.

According to officials, the current deep-sea investigation represented roughly 10 percent of the overall planned exploration zone. The TNSDA is presently consolidating its data and artifact findings, and is scheduled to submit a detailed underwater exploration report to the Tamil Nadu government by February 2027.

The decision was taken at the association’s state executive committee meeting held through videoconference on Tuesday.

The association has demanded that the government withdraw the contractual appointment system and, as promised in its election manifesto, regularise all categories of employees working on a temporary or contractual basis in the medical department.

As part of the programme, the association will conduct a campaign on September 28 and 29 by meeting nurses, nursing students and students of the colleges and explaining its demands. Nurses will also wear black badges while on duty on both days.

The association has also urged its members to send emails to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, seeking implementation of their demands.

On September 30, the association will stage a one-day token hunger strike in Chennai, the statement said.

The association said that if the government failed to respond to its demands, the state executive committee would meet and decide on the next phase of intensified agitation.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a renovated pond at the Government Museum campus in Egmore, Rajmohan said the TVK government had taken up the case within months of assuming office and was conducting a comprehensive investigation.

“Who kept this case under wraps for a year? Whom are DMK functionaries still trying to protect in this case? Despite so much evidence, why was no action taken by the previous government?” he asked.

The minister also questioned who had ordered that the Veeramani case be closed and criticised former minister S Regupathy over his remarks on the issue.

“The Veeramani case is under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister. No one can escape. Wherever cases have been kept under wraps, we will bring them to light,” Rajmohan said, adding that other cases allegedly suppressed in the past would also be brought to light.

On the proposed new Secretariat-cum-Assembly complex, Rajmohan said Pattinapakkam was not the finalised location and that Vijay would take the final decision. “Pattinapakkam is not the final decision. The Chief Minister will announce a good decision soon,” he said.

On Keezhadi, the Archaeology minister said the site was not merely a symbol of Tamil civilisation but an identity of civilisation as a whole. He urged the Centre to release the findings of studies relating to Keezhadi at the earliest.

Asked about the Dharapuram and Madurantakam Assembly by-elections, Rajmohan said the TVK’s chances of victory in both constituencies were favourable.

In a social media post marking the Organ Donation day, observed annually in the state on September 23, Vijay paid tribute to the organ donors and recalled the legacy of young boy Hithendran, whose selfless contribution set a landmark precedent in the state.

"Organ donation is a noble humanitarian act that bestows a new lease on life upon many, even after one's passing," he said.

"For numerous patients anxiously waiting for transplants, every donated organ brings new hope and a fresh start."

Calling upon citizens to carry forward this spirit, he added, "on this day, let us proudly remember and honor all donors who hold high the flame of humanity and pave the way for the rebirth of lives.

Under the revised procedure, a free certificate of title obtained online will be sufficient for registering house and land sale deeds, mortgage documents and other specified documents.

The department has been adjusting aspects of the scheme based on requests and practical issues arising from its implementation. It was earlier informed that a certificate of title obtained by paying a fee was required for registration without a physical visit.

Following requests from various parties, the department has now decided to change procedures related to the certificate of inheritance and other matters.

According to an order issued by Registration Department IG Arun Sundar Dayalan:

• A free certificate of occupancy obtained online will be sufficient for registering house and land sale deeds, mortgage documents and other documents under new projects.

• Mortgage deeds submitted through the Citizens’ Gateway will also be accepted for registration.

• The order states that proof of ownership need not be verified for registering receipt documents related to loan completion.

• No holiday fee will be required for non-attendance deed registration.

• Special public authority documents called ‘presentation power’ cannot be used for non-face-to-face registration, as the document holder can register the document from anywhere through the internet.

The review was held at the TNEB headquarters on Anna Salai, with officials briefing the CM on the rising power demand, availability, distribution network, transformer failures, maintenance and monsoon preparedness.

Electricity Minister R Nirmalkumar said the state’s power demand could increase by up to 4,000 MW and that power shortages were being witnessed in several parts of the country as well as in the Central generating pool. The meeting discussed measures to manage the demand and arrangements for procuring power to bridge any shortfall.

“The immediate challenge is strengthening the distribution infrastructure. Tamil Nadu requires more than 600 additional substations to meet the present demand,” Nirmalkumar said.

The government has already announced plans to establish around 600 substations in phases by 2031. The minister said the locations requiring new substations had been identified and work was being expedited.

He cited the recent incident at Perambur, where additional load was transferred from the Stanley substation following a problem. The Stanley substation subsequently came under excessive load and a fire broke out. “Such incidents show the need to increase the capacity of the distribution network,” he said.

Tamil Nadu has around 1,900 substations, of which nearly 600 are more than 20 years old. The government is examining their upgradation, the minister said.

A major concern is also the ageing transformer network. More than 40,000 transformers installed around 25 years ago are still in use, Nirmalkumar said. The department has identified around 1,500 transformers in Chennai and its surrounding areas and around 6,000 across the state for replacement or upgradation.

The minister said preventive maintenance had been affected during the election period and several works could not be carried out before the summer. The subsequent increase in demand had contributed to equipment failures in several locations.

Maintenance of thermal power plants has also been deferred because of the present demand. “We need to carry out maintenance of the thermal power plants, but it is difficult to shut them down when demand is high. We are planning the maintenance in the coming months,” he said.

The CM was also briefed on complaints received through Minnagam. Around 30,000 calls are being received every day, apart from complaints being posted on social media platforms.

Nirmalkumar said the government was working on a unified complaint-ticketing system that would bring complaints from different platforms onto a single system and clearly assign responsibility for resolving each complaint. The system is expected to be implemented within a month.

The government has also approved the engagement of 18,000 contract workers for six months to strengthen field operations, including at substations.

On the current power position, Nirmalkumar said the state’s daily demand was around 19,000 MW. Reduced wind generation had resulted in a shortfall of around 3000 MW, which was being met through power purchases, including from gas-based generation.

He said arrangements were being made to procure power for the coming months and longer-term power tie-ups were also being examined. Long-term contracts could take around two years to materialise, he said.

The state is also set to introduce a battery storage policy next week, subject to final approval. The policy will facilitate storage of surplus power generated from renewable sources during the day for use during evening and night peak hours, when solar generation falls.

The CM also reviewed monsoon preparedness. Nirmalkumar said works to raise the height of bill boxes would be completed by September 30 and steps were being taken to shift vulnerable high-tension and high-voltage lines underground.

The department has identified transformers requiring replacement and financial and administrative approvals are being processed, the minister said. Notifications relating to the recruitment and re-engagement of personnel are expected in the coming weeks.

In a statement, the party’s IT Wing alleged that no effective action was taken against Veeramani and questioned why a final report was filed without a proper investigation in a case that had caused widespread public concern.

“Why did MK Stalin, the Arangavalar (trustee) of Anna Arivalayam, fail to take action against Veeramani and allow the case to be buried?” the IT Wing asked.

It also questioned former Law Minister S Regupathy’s handling of the video evidence submitted in the case, particularly his contention that the footage was unclear.

“Under whose pressure did the then Law Minister Regupathy allow the investigation to be weakened? What was the reason?” the statement asked.

The IT Wing further sought an explanation from Stalin, saying the DMK leadership should clarify why the case was not pursued during its tenure.

“Who are you trying to protect through this silence? If there was no connection, should you not answer these questions openly?” it asked.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a newly constructed fair price shop at East Namachivayapuram in Choolaimedu here along with Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar, Venkataramanan said the government was identifying fair price shops that had been completed but remained unopened and taking steps to make them operational. Three newly constructed shops in the Chepauk area would be opened after inspection, he said.

The government was also taking steps to resolve technical glitches related to Aadhaar authentication and fingerprint verification at fair price shops and upgrade the equipment. Prices of essential commodities were being continuously monitored, he said.

On paddy procurement, the Minister said arrangements were being made based on the number of farmers, area under cultivation, harvesting period and expected production. Accordingly, procurement centres, drying machines, lorries and storage facilities were being provided.

“If any deficiency is found in paddy procurement, immediate action will be taken through the concerned departments,” he said.

Prabhakar said residents of East Namachivayapuram had been seeking a ration shop in their locality for more than a decade, as they had to travel through congested roads to reach a distant outlet. Though a building constructed using the local councillor’s development fund had been completed more than a year ago, it had remained unopened, he said.

He said he had recently brought the issue to the Minister’s attention, following which arrangements were made to open the shop within two days.

During the inauguration, Venkataramanan inspected the quality of rice, pulses and other essential commodities stocked at the shop and checked the weighing machines.

The Minister also said steps were being taken to improve the functioning of fair price shops and ensure the smooth distribution of essential commodities across the State.

The transition to the new system is being carried out in coordination with the departments concerned, banks and other government agencies.

However, a few beneficiaries have faced difficulties in receiving their pension due to their Aadhaar number not being linked to their bank account, the linked account being inactive, or incorrect or incomplete bank and Aadhaar details.

The beneficiaries facing such issues have been identified and corrective measures are being taken. They have also been informed through SMS on their registered mobile numbers, the government said.

To provide immediate assistance, particularly to elderly pensioners, special camps and help desks have been set up at all taluk offices.

Beneficiaries who have not received their pension have been advised to approach the nearest special camp or the Social Security Scheme (SSS) help desk at the taluk office.

Officials at these centres will help beneficiaries check the status of their pension payment, verify Aadhaar-bank account linkage and identify the corrective measures required.

The government has put in place several mechanisms to address grievances, including SMS alerts, bank-level corrections, taluk-level special camps and dedicated help desks.

The government said the transition to SNA-SPARSH was being continuously monitored and steps were being taken to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their pension without unnecessary difficulties.