Page 5 - M K Stalin

Tamil Nadu 'ready' for another language war: CM Stalin amid row over Hindi

The ruling DMK has been a vocal critic of the three-language policy, insisting that Tamil Nadu will continue with Tamil and English

CM Stalin asks Centre to convene Joint Working Group over fishermen arrest

Expressing concern over the 'alarming' rise in arrest of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan navy, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday urged the Centre to immediately convene the Joint Working Group to find a permanent solution to the issue. The CM wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, flagging the latest detention of 32 Indian fishermen and five boats by the Lankan navy. "I write this letter with a sense of deep anguish as the number of incidents of apprehensions of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have risen alarmingly in the recent times. In the latest incident, 32 fishermen have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on 23.02.2025 along with their five mechanised fishing boats...these fishermen had ventured for fishing from the Rameswaram fishing harbour on 22.02.2025," Stalin said in his letter. The apprehensions of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy are still continuing in large numbers inspite of his repeated requests to prevail

Decoded: Why Tamil Nadu is engaged in a tussle with Centre over NEP

The latest row erupted after the Centre withheld Rs 2,150 crore meant for Tamil Nadu after the MK Stalin-led government refused to implement the NEP in the state

Unnecessary controversy: Tamil Nadu BJP hits back at DMK amid row over NEP

The Tamil Nadu BJP chief assured that the students will not be forced to learn a particular language, instead they can choose any one language they would want

NEP row: Dharmendra Pradhan urges CM Stalin to rise above differences

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday attacked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the ongoing row on the implementation of NEP and accused him of "spinning progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives". In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should rise above political differences and think about the interests of young learners who will benefit from the new National Education Policy. The education minister was responding to the letter Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. In his letter, Stalin said linking the two centrally sponsored initiatives -- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools -- with the National Education Policy (NEP) was fundamentally unacceptable. In his letter to the Tamil Nadu CM, Pradhan said, "The letter sent to PM is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by Modi government. Hence, it is inappropriate for the state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic ..

PM must interfere in federalism's interest, release SSA funds to TN: CM

Reiterating that linking the two different Centrally sponsored SSA and PM SHRI Schools initiatives was fundamentally unacceptable, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the immediate release of Rs 2,152 crore of Samagra Shiksha funds for the state. The Prime Minister should intervene in the interest of cooperative federalism and welfare of lakhs of students and teachers, he said. "To dissipate the unrest caused due to this issue, Rs 2,152 crores of Samagra Shiksha funds for Tamil Nadu for 2024-25 may be released immediately, without linking it to the implementation of National Education Programme (NEP) 2020. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, I look forward to your personal intervention in this regard, Stalin said in a letter addressed to Modi. He expressed deep concern' over the recent remarks of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan indicating that SSA funds for Tamil Nadu would not be released until the state ..

CM Stalin targets Centre with halwa' jibe for letting down TN in Budget

Wondering if it was enough if Tamil Nadu remained only on India map but not figure in the Union Budget, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday slammed the Centre with his halwa' jibe, a Tamil expression of the sweet delicacy to mean deception. During his visit to this southern district, the Chief Minister said Tirunelveli was known for its world famous sweet: halwa. But the Centre's halwa being given to the states is all the more famous, Stalin said strongly criticising the BJP-led government for allegedly not allocating funds to the Tamil Nadu. Speaking at a state government event here, he said the December 2023 unprecedented rain ravaged Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi districts. Though two Central Ministers visited the flood-hit areas, they didn't facilitate any relief to Tamil Nadu, he claimed. Pointing to the BJP legislator Nainar Nagendran, Stalin said he should not get offended if he (CM) faulted the Centre on fund allocation. Nainar Nagendran knows everything

Tata Power planning to double Tirunelveli solar cell unit: Chandrasekaran

The new 4.3 GW solar cell and module manufacturing plant is equipped with cutting-edge TOPCon and Mono PERC technologies

Tamil Nadu CM announces $1 million for deciphering Indus Valley script

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, has announced a reward of $1 million for researchers who decode ancient script of the Indus Valley Civilisation

Draft regulations on appointing V-Cs an assault on federalism: TN CM Stalin

The University Grants Commission's draft regulations 2025 granting Governors broader control over Vice Chancellor appointments and allowing non-academics to hold these posts were a direct assault on federalism and state rights, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Tuesday. This 'authoritarian' move by the Union BJP government sought to centralise power and undermine democratically elected state governments, he commented on the draft UGC regulations, 2025, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the national capital on January 6. The regulations prescribe minimum qualifications for appointments and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in higher education. At the event, Pradhan said that these draft reforms and guidelines would infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in every aspect of higher education, empower teachers and academic staff, strengthen academic ...

Manmohan's economic policies formed basis of India's growth: TN CM Stalin

The economic policies framed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh formed the basis of India's growth and Tamil was accorded classical language status during his reign, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Tuesday. Paying rich tributes to Singh at a memorial meeting organised by the TNCC here, he said the late Prime Minister had served as Finance Minister during the economic crisis. "Manmohan Singh brought various schemes for the welfare of the people. The economic policies formulated by him became the foundation for India's growth, Stalin, who is also the DMK president, said on Singh who died due to age-related ailments on December 26, 2024. In 2004 the Prime Minister's position came seeking him following the victory in the elections. Everybody including former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi urged Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to accept the position. But she declined and was magnanimous enough to give it to Manmohan Singh, Stalin said. Singh remained in power for a decade a

High drama in TN Assembly: Governor walks out over national anthem dispute

Minutes after the Governor walked out, his office accused the Tamil Nadu government of disrespecting the Constitution by not singing the National Anthem at the start of the session

CM Stalin announces $1 million prize for decoding Indus valley script

The Indus valley script remains an unsolved riddle for over a century, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said here on Sunday and announced a prize of US dollar 1 million to those who decipher it. Inaugurating a 3-day international conference to mark the centenary of the discovery of the Indus civilisation, Stalin said,"We are still unable to clearly understand the script of the Indus valley civilsation that once flourished." Efforts are on to this day by scholars to solve the riddle and in order to encourage such efforts, a prize of US dollar 1 million will be provided to individuals or organisations that solves the riddle, he announced. The Indus civilsation, one of the earliest, is reputed for its urban culture and its script has not been decrypted yet. The fading away of such a civilisation, and its context, also remains a riddle.

Monthly electricity billing for power loom units under consideration: TN CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has said that the monthly electricity billing system for power loom units in the state was under consideration. Stalin made a surprise visit to a private power loom unit here on Thursday night and interacted with the owner and workers of the factory. The owner thanked the CM for increasing the free supply of electricity from 750 units to 1,000 units for the power loom units. He requested the CM to implement the monthly electricity billing system in power looms instead of the once in two months which is in place now. Responding to the request, Stalin said, "Monthly electricity reading system is under the consideration of the Tamilnadu government." Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy and Erode District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara accompanied the CM to the power loom unit. Later, attending the DMK party functionaries meeting at a marriage hall, Stalin asked the cadres to strive hard to secure a minimum of 200 seats in th

Stalin seeks family income ceiling hike for SC, ST, OBC scholarships

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the annual family income ceiling for post and pre-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, which is essential and fully justified. Underscoring an urgent need to enhance the income cap, Stalin, in a letter to Modi, said that the Centre has revised the income ceiling for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) to Rs 8 lakh. Also, the union government has raised the income ceiling for schemes such as National Overseas Scholarship and Top-Class Education Scheme to Rs 8 lakh for SC, ST students. "The refixing of income ceiling has benefitted many students from disadvantaged backgrounds." According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe students and certain Backward Communities remains significantly lower than other students. There is a stark difference in the GER of

Tamil Nadu vows to block Hindustan Zinc tungsten mining in green zone

Assembly resolution urges Centre to not grant any mining licence without the permission of state governments

TN CM announces cyclone relief fund of Rs 2,000 to rain-affected families

The families in Villupuram, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi districts which bore the brunt of damage caused by Cyclone Fengal would be provided a relief of Rs 2,000 each, Tamil Nadu Chief M K Stalin announced on Tuesday. Chairing a meeting at the Secretariat here to assess the damage due to rain in the state, the chief minister directed the officials to provide a relief sum of Rs 2,000 on the basis of family ration cards to families whose livelihood was affected due to a very heavy rain in Villupuram, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi districts. These districts witnessed unprecedented rain for more than two days. The meeting decided to extend relief assistance to the rain-hit people in Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Thiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, and extend Rs 5 lakh as compensation each to the families who lost their kin due to cyclone or floods. The government has decided to provide Rs 10,000 as compensation for damaged huts, give priority to construct houses und

Rain hit TN districts battle with inundation woes, roads remain cut off

Several districts in Tamil Nadu adversely battered by torrential rain are battling with inundation woes, badly damaged roads and lack of access to essential commodities. In certain areas like Arasur in Villupuram district, people confronted with depleted essential commodities, resorted to a sudden agitation demanding the essentials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday to enquire about the flood situation in parts of the state and assured him of all possible support from the Centre. As per an estimate by the Tamil Nadu government, Cyclone Fengal caused unprecedented devastation in 14 districts, extensively damaging roads, electricity lines and caused heavy inundation. The sudden deluge not only inundated vast areas but also displaced the population and severely impacted the infrastructure. The "catastrophic event" resulted in the loss of 12 human lives, 2,416 huts, 721 houses and 963 cattle. Widespread damage was also caused to agriculture and

After SC rap, TN BJP demands CM Stalin to sack minister Senthil Balaji

The Supreme Court's posing question over the reinstatement of DMK's V Senthil Balaji in the M K Stalin-led Tamil Nadu Cabinet soon after he was granted bail in a money laundering case was actually 'directed' at the Chief Minister and he should sack his cabinet colleague immediately, the state BJP said on Tuesday. TN BJP vice-president and party spokesperson, Narayanan Thirupathy pointed out to the apex court asking "what is going on," vis-a-vis Senthil Balaji's reinstatement and said the question was "directed" at the CM. "Is Senthil Balaji the reason for this question? No. It is a question directed at Chief Minister M K Stalin. It is not Senthil Balaji's crime to have become minister. The question is why did you (Stalin) bring him back as a minister," Thirupathy said in a post on 'X.' As a "responsible chief minister", Stalin could have told Senthil Balaji that he would be made minister "after coming out of the case," he said. Senthil Balaji was behind bars for "over 400 days," as

Cyclone Fengal hits Tamil Nadu: 15 million affected, CM demands Rs 2,000 cr

Cyclone Fengal reportedly devastates 14 districts in Tamil Nadu. CM Stalin has urged PM Modi for Rs 2,000 crore as immediate relief to help millions recover from the destruction