Page 13 - Tamil Nadu

SC issues notice to Centre on TN govt's plea over stay on VCs' appointment

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre, Tamil Nadu Governor's office, and others on a plea by the TN government challenging a Madras High Court order that stayed its power to appoint vice-chancellors at state universities. Besides the two, a bench of justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan also issued a notice to the University Grants Commission on a plea against the May 21 interim order passed by a vacation bench of the high court. The provision of the law for which the stay has been granted was originally among the bills that were given deemed assent by the Supreme Court in the Tamil Nadu government vs the Tamil Nadu governor case. The high court's order had come on a PIL filed by a lawyer who challenged the constitutional validity of the state's amendments. The petitioner argued that the laws violated UGC regulations, which are central and mandate that the appointment of VCs must be made by the chancellor, the governor of the state.

Tamil Nadu plans seafood exports of $5 bn, sets roadmap for blue economy

State has India's second-longest coastline but is seventh among seafood-exporting states

8 killed in Sivakasi cracker unit blast, Tamil Nadu CM announces aid

The toll in a blast at a firecracker manufacturing factory in Sivakasi in the district on Tuesday rose to eight with three more workers succumbing. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, who condoled the accident, announced solatium to the kin of the deceased. The devastating fire gutted the unit and left many injured, police said. Smoke that billowed from the factory as the firecrackers burst, could be seen from a distance. Police and fire and rescue services personnel who reached the spot rushed the injured to the hospital. The fire was later brought under control, a fire and rescue services official said. Revenue officials who arrived at the private firecracker manufacturing unit in Chinnakamanpatti near Sivakasi and police are inquiring into the incident. The deceased have been identified as R Mahalingam, C Chellapandian, K Lakshmi, R Ramamurthy, R Punyamurthy, K Ramajayam, M Nagapandi, and G Vairamani. Five persons are undergoing treatment at the Government Hospitals in Sivak

Cabinet nod to 4-lane Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram road project in Tamil Nadu

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the construction of four-lane Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87 in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 1,853 crore. The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of Rs 1,853 crore, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting. Currently, connectivity between Madurai, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, Rameshwaram, and Dhanushkodi is dependent on the existing 2-lane National Highway 87 (NH-87) and associated State Highways, which experience significant congestion due to high traffic volumes, especially in densely populated stretches and key towns along the corridor. To address these challenges, the project will upgrade approximately 46.7 km of NH-87 from Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram to a 4-lane configuration, an official release said. This will decongest the existing corridor, improve safety, and cater to the mobility needs of rapidly growing towns such as ...

Cabinet clears ₹1,853 crore Tamil Nadu highway project under HAM

The four-lane upgrade of NH-87 between Paramakudi and Ramanathapuram aims to ease traffic congestion, boost tourism and trade, and create nearly 1.84 million employment days

Tamil Nadu custodial death: Family of victim moves Madras High Court

The family of an alleged custodial victim from Sivaganga has filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court, seeking a direction to the authorities concerned to register a murder case in connection with the incident. The case came up before the Madras HC bench here on Tuesday. The family pleaded the court for issue of a Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ, order or direction to the respondents, including TN Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to register a murder case based on the complaint of the victim's mother. Ajithkumar (29) of Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga, was picked up by the local police, reportedly in connection with a theft case earlier. His death later had sparked an outrage, with political parties slamming the government over the issue. The victim's counsel told reporters that a video purportedly showing policemen in plainclothes assaulting Ajithkumar has been submitted before the court.

At least 5 feared killed in crackers factory blast in TN's Sivakasi

The fire has been brought under control and efforts were on to clear the debris at present, a fire and rescue services department official said

NCW takes cognisance of bride's suicide, seeks report in 72 hours

NCW Chairperson, wrote to the DGP, Tamil Nadu, asking for a prompt and fair investigation under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

Mango drink makers using less pulp content to 'circumvent' GST: Kanimozhi

DMK MP Kanimozhi writes to Union Minister Chirag Paswan, flagging reduced pulp in fruit drinks driven by GST evasion as hurting Tamil Nadu mango farmers

Eight fishermen arrested by Lanka: Stalin tells Centre, seeks action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday conveyed to the Centre that 8 fishermen have been arrested by Sri Lanka and sought its intervention to ensure their safe return. Writing to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Stalin said: "I wish to draw your urgent attention to a matter of grave concern affecting the livelihood and safety of Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu." The CM said it has been reported that the Sri Lankan authorities on June 29, 2025 apprehended 8 fishermen from Rameswaram and seized their mechanised fishing boat. Such incidents lead to loss of boats and equipment, prolonged detentions, and cause a heavy psychological toll for the affected families. "I request your early intervention to ensure the safe repatriation of the apprehended fishermen and their boat." With the annual fishing ban period now over and the season having just resumed, fishermen returned to the sea with hopes of earning their livelihoods. "Considering that the fishin

Over 72,000 houses built under Tamil Nadu scheme to make state 'hut-free'

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday informed that 72,081 houses have been built under 'hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030' programme, and the construction of the remaining houses was under progress. During the Budget for 2024-25, the government announced the 'noble goal' of creating a 'hut-free Tamil Nadu' by 2030, and that eight lakh concrete houses would be built in rural areas to replace huts. An assistance of Rs 3,50,000 each was provided to the beneficiaries under the scheme. Nearly Rs 7,000 crore was sanctioned for the construction of two lakh houses in two years (2024-25 and 2025-26). "So far, 72,081 houses have been completed. The construction of the remaining houses is in various stages of progress," the government said in a release here. Provisions have also been made for the needy beneficiaries to receive loan assistance of up to Rs one lakh through banks. On the repair and reconstruction of houses in seven districts affected by cyclone and floods in 2023, the release said Ch

TN engineering admission 2025 rank list released today; Check details

TNEA 2025 rank list will be out today, June 27. Online certificate verification took place from June 10 to 20, during which candidates were required to upload their mark sheets and other documents

TN SSLC, HSE supplementary exam hall ticket 2025 out today at dge.tn.gov.in

TN SSLC and HSE 1st Year supplementary exam 2025 hall tickets have been released today, June 25, at dge.tn.gov.in. Candidates can download the admit card from the official website

TN CM slams centre for favouring sanskrit over classical languages

Citing a media report and voicing strong criticism on social media platform X, the CM wrote, "Sanskrit gets the crores; Tamil and other South Indian languages get nothing but crocodile tears

The Keeladi question: Tamil pride, archaeology and political rivalry

The village becomes a flashpoint as Tamil parties champion ancient roots and the BJP-led Centre calls for further archaeological verification

SUN TV family feud: Why Dayanidhi Maran is taking his brother Kalanithi to court | Explained

A fierce family battle has erupted within one of South India’s most powerful business-political dynasties. Former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran has served a legal notice to his brother.

SC transfers probe against Tamil Nadu ADGP to CB-CID, tosses HC order

The Supreme Court on Thursday transferred investigation against ADGP H M Jayaram to the CB-CID after the Tamil Nadu government said it wants his suspension to continue till probe in the kidnapping case allegedly involving him is over. A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan requested the Madras High Court chief justice to transfer cases involving the ADGP to another bench. It also set aside the directive of the high court asking police to take Jayaram in custody in connection with the kidnapping case. Earlier, in the day the top court asked the Tamil Nadu government to apprise it on whether it can transfer investigation against Jayaram to special branch or CID after the state said it wants his suspension to continue till probe in kidnapping case allegedly involving him is over. The bench was told by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, that Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jayaram's suspension was not pursuant to the June 16 ord

BJP's bid to hide Keezhadi findings shows its hate for Tamil pride: Stalin

The BJP government's attempt to not accept the findings of the ancient excavation site of Keezhadi in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district by trying to put out of sight the final report only showed how much hatred it has for Tamil pride, Chief Minister M K Stalin alleged on Thursday. Despite all the studies backed with scientific results, the Central government, which was trying to hide the cultural pride of the Tamils' by delaying the publication of the Keezhadi excavation report, has failed to produce additional evidence even two years after the final report was submitted, he claimed. This, Stalin said in a letter to party workers. "Is a blatant attack by the BJP government on Tamil culture and pride." The BJP wanted to destroy the symbol of Dravidian culture by promoting the fictional Saraswati civilisation, which lacked credible evidence, while dismissing the proven antiquity of Tamil culture, the CM said. The artifacts obtained from Keezhadi site were subjected to world-class ...

VinFast scales back India sales target, delays production and bookings

The rollout of VinFast's VF 7 and VF 6 models in India is expected to face a month's delay, attributed to the company's ongoing uncertainties around sales and distribution network in the country

Over 8.1 mn people benefited from CM health insurance scheme: TN govt

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said that over 81 lakh persons have benefited from the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. Listing out various achievements in the 4-year old DMK rule headed by Chief Minister M K Stalin, an official release also pointed out that the country's second National Centre for Ageing has been set up here at an outlay of Rs 151 crore. "Under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, 81,33,806 beneficiaries have benefited with an insurance amount of Rs 5,878.85 crore." "Out of this, 25,80,867 beneficiaries have been treated in government hospitals at an insurance cost of Rs 2,750.28 crore," it added. Further, the 108 ambulance service scheme has benefited 79.85 lakh people including 19 lakh pregnant mothers and nearly 14 lakh road accident victims. Setting up of new government hospitals, including the Kalaignar Centenary Special Hospital, initiatives like the Mother and Children Nutrition Kit, the Tamil Nadu Health