Page 24 - Tamil Nadu

ED attaches assets worth Rs 100 cr in case against TN MLA Vaithilingam

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday said it has attached assets worth more than Rs 100 crore as part of a money laundering investigation against former AIADMK minister and serving MLA R Vaithilingam and some others. The two immovable properties are located in Tiruchirappalli and are registered in the name of Muthammal Estates Pvt Ltd, a family-owned entity, the federal agency claimed in a statement. Vaithiyalingam, a close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), represents the Orathanadu seat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. He was expelled along with OPS from the AIADMK in 2022 during the leadership tussle involving OPS and incumbent party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. He has been a former minister for housing and urban development. The money laundering case of the ED is based on an FIR filed by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) where it was alleged that "R Vaithilingam, during his tenure, accepted a bribe of Rs 27.90 crore

Adani top bidder for 124-km NH stretch in Tamil Nadu, offers Rs 1,692 cr

The National Highway Authority of India further plans to monetise 86 highway stretches, covering 4,912 km, as a part of its strategy to raise funds for infrastructure development and debt reduction

Passenger train derails in Tamil Nadu, no one injured; traffic restored

A coach of a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train bound for Puducherry derailed near Villupuram on Tuesday, an official said and a major accident was averted as the loco pilot noticed it and quickly halted the train. No one was injured and the traffic was restored in about 3 hours, the official said adding the cause of derailment would be known only following completion of an inquiry, which has been ordered. When the Villupuram-Puducherry train with approximately 500 passengers, soon after its departure from Villupuram at 5.25 am, was crossing a curve, a coach derailed and the loco pilot swiftly stopped the train. The derailment led to disruption of train services in the Villupuram route till 8.30 am. The Villupuram-Puducherry MEMU is a short distance train covering about 38 km.

TN thrives on AI in makeover to tech-driven economy, beat other states

Last week, the Government of Tamil Nadu announced the setting up of a 2 million square foot facility for AI in Coimbatore under the public-private partnership mode

TN people favour DMK's return due to efficient governance: CM Stalin

Notwithstanding the Centre 'ignoring' Tamil Nadu and political rivals trying to create rumours about the ruling dispensation, the DMK-led government was delivering efficient administration and the people of the state were therefore inclined to vote for the party once again in next year's elections, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Sunday. In a letter to party men extending his Pongal festival greetings, the ruling DMK President also exhorted them to sincerely work for people's welfare and be "true to their trust on us." "The people of Tamil Nadu are firm that the DMK government should come to the ruling saddle for the seventh time (in 2026), thanks to the Dravidian model government's transparent rule and efficient administration with clear-cut schemes that has resulted in various achievements, despite the Centre regularly ignoring Tamil Nadu and political rivals trying to spread rumours," Stalin said. Tamil Nadu has been making rapid strides in attracting investments, women's safet

Only the centre has the power to cancel Neet, clarifies TN CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test would have been abolished had the Indi alliance captured power, but only the Central government can now cancel the test. The DMK has consistently opposed NEET and was involved in efforts aimed at scrapping the test, he told the Assembly. "NEET did not enter Tamil Nadu as long as our leader Kalaignar (late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi) and late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa were in power. The exam was introduced only during your regime," Stalin said responding to the Leader of the Opposition AIADMK Edappadi K Palniswami's charge that the ruling dispensation had done precious little to abolish NEET despite its promise in the run-up to the 2021 assembly election. "Does Opposition Leader Palaniswami not know that only the Union Government can cancel NEET? If the Indi alliance had come to power at the Centre, then NEET would have definitely been cancelled," Stalin said responding to a volley of

TTD board condoles stampede deaths, to give free education to victims' kids

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust board on Friday expressed condolences over the recent stampede here and decided to offer free education for the deceased victims' children at its institutions. It also decided to offer a 'contract' job to the kin of the six deceased devotees as decided by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Six devotees died and nearly 40 more were injured in the stampede at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School and Vishnu Nivasam counters in Tirupati on January 8 as hundreds of them jostled for tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills. Hundreds of devotees had turned up from across the country for the 10-day Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam commencing from January 10. "This (stampede) was a very unfortunate incident. This incident shouldn't have happened. Such a big incident happened due to the error of one or two persons. The board has profusely expressed condolences over this matter. I am requesting all the people t

No need to panic over HMPV: TN Health minister after 2 cases found

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday said there was no need to panic over the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), as it was not a new and potent one, and said the two individuals found infected with HMPV in the state were "doing well." One of them, who hails from Salem was a 69 year-old person suffering from cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes while the other, from here, was aged about 45 years, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian told a press conference here. "Both of them are doing well. There is no need for panic over HMPV and the Centre has also stressed this," he said. The virus has not created any big impact in India, and especially in the state, he added. Those with cold, cough and fever may get themselves tested for HMPV but there was no exclusive treatment for it, the minister said. He said safety measures like wearing mask, practicing social distancing and hand hygiene were encouraged, especially for the symptomatic. Chief Minister M K Stalin was constantly

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

Tamil Nadu detects two cases of HMPV, condition of patients stable

The prevention of HMPV is similar to any other respiratory infection such as covering your mouth and nose while sneezing/coughing, washing hands, wearing masks

HMPV outbreak: 5 children test positive, Nadda says 'no reason to worry'

Five infants tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in India. Union Health Minister J P Nadda sought to assuage fears, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry. HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups. While the Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra governments assured that there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses with former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urging the Centre to act swiftly to prevent a potential health crisis. Two cases were detected in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through routine surveillance for .

TN Guv leaving House without reading address 'childish,' says CM Stalin

Governor R N Ravi did not deliver his customary address during the first session of the state legislative assembly today, citing a serious issue concerning the national anthem

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.

Karur Vysya Bank now operates 475 branches, including 2 new ones in TN

Private sector Karur Vysya Bank has inaugurated two more branches, taking the overall branch network to 475 in Tamil Nadu, the bank said on Sunday. The Tamil Nadu-based bank inaugurated two branches, one each in Chennai and the other at Tiruchirappalli. According to a press release, during the current financial year, the company has added 28 new branches, taking the overall presence of the banking network to 866 across the country. The new branches would provide basic banking transactions and would also address the specific needs of customers. It would also provide banking and financial services covering retail, institutional and consumer lending. As on September 30, 2024, the bank's total business stood at Rs 1,76,138 crore with a deposit base of Rs 95,839 crore and advances at Rs 80,299 crore. In the last financial year, the bank recorded its highest net profit of Rs 1,605 crore, the release added.

6 killed in chemical blast at firecracker unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar

Tamil Nadu blast: The explosion is believed to have occurred during the chemical mixing process

TN's first Jallikattu for 2025 to start in Pudukkottai district today

Pudukkottai district is known for having the highest number of vadivasal (entry points for bulls) and hosting the most Jallikattu events

ED conducts raids in Bengal over Rs 1,000 cr 'cyber fraud' in Tamil Nadu

Sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) started conducting raids at eight locations across West Bengal on Thursday in connection with its probe into cyber frauds involving over Rs 1,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, a senior officer said. Raids are underway simultaneously at five places in Park Street, Salt Lake, and Baguihati areas in Kolkata and in three other locations in districts, he said. During the raid in Salt Lake area, the ED sleuths detained a person for questioning, the officer said. "Our officers are now conducting raids at a flat in a high-end residential complex in Baguihati," he told PTI. Several people based in states in eastern India have been found involved in the crime, he added.

Karur Vysya Bank's Q3 FY25 business rises 15% to Rs 1.82 trillion

The lender's advances increased by 13.96 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 82,842 crore, while deposits grew by 15.75 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 99,155 crore as of the end of December 2024

Chennai sexual assault case: NCW assessed security at Anna Univ, met SIT

The protesters demanded the resignation of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and demanded strict action against the university

Student assault: BJP to take out 'justice rally' from Madurai to Chennai

Stepping up heat on the ruling DMK over the student sexual assault case, the BJP's state unit on Monday announced that the party's women's wing will take out a rally from Madurai to Chennai, seeking justice for the victim. BJP state president K Annamalai, announcing the protest, alleged the accused belonged to the DMK and there were attempts to "conceal the truth," in the matter. Condemning this and the atrocity inflicted on the women, the BJP's state Mahila Morcha, under its chief Umarathi Rajan, will take out the "justice rally" from Madurai to Chennai and will set off from the southern city on January 3, he said in a post on 'X.' "It has been decided, that upon completion of the rally in Chennai, a memorandum will be presented to the Tamil Nadu Governor on demands by the women's wing," Annamalai added. Madurai is located about 450 km from here. A 19 year-old student was sexually assaulted inside the campus of Anna University, a premier technical varsity, prompting outrage from