Page 9 - Tamil Nadu

PM to inaugurate farming summit, release PM-Kisan aid in Coimbatore today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit here on Wednesday and also release over Rs 18,000 crore monetary support to farmers on the occasion. The 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN, which will be released, will support 9 crore farmers across the country. Each eligible farmer will receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments credited directly into the bank accounts. Ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, the Tamil Nadu BJP launched "#VanakkamModi" hailing him as "a true friend of every farmer. "The Prime Minister will arrive in Coimbatore today for a power-packed schedule. Roadshow planned at 1.05 pm a grand display of Tamil Nadu's unwavering support," BJP Coimbatore South legislator and Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan said in a post on 'X.' "Coimbatore is all set to welcome a new wave of inspiration and development," she added. The prime minister will arrive at the Textile Capital of South India at 1.30 pm from And

Bihar verdict is turning point in country's political history: Annamalai

Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai on Saturday termed Bihar Assembly election result as a turning point in the country's political history. Speaking to reporters here on the side lines of a training programme organised for the party's booth level agents in the context of the Special intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Annamalai said, "The Bihar poll verdict is historic and shows people's massive support to register a landslide win for the NDA. It is a turning point in the country's political history and a overwhelming pro incumbency vote". He said that the Bihar electorate have smashed all lies, baseless allegations and empty charges made by the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi against the BJP in particular and the NDA in general during the poll campaign as the people were fully convinced that the development centric policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and governance model of the JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. Bihar Assembly poll results would have its impact in the

SC rejects TN's plea against construction of Mekedatu reservoir project

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea by the Tamil Nadu government against construction of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project across the Cauvery river by Karnataka, terming it "premature" . A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria said the plan would be approved only after considering the objections of the State as well as the opinion of the expert bodies, Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). "At this stage, what is being done by the order passed by the CWC is only permitting the preparation of the DPR, that too after taking into consideration the objections of the State of Tamil Nadu, the experts of the CWMA and CWRC. "It is further to be noted that the CWC had further directed that the prior approval of the CWMA and CWRC would be a prerequisite for the consideration of the DPR. In that view of the matter, we find the present application is at a prematur

Ace art director Thota Tharrani to receive France's Chevalier honour

Ace art director Thota Tharrani has been selected for the prestigious French honour -- the Chevalier de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters), the Alliance Francaise Madras announced. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed pleasure, saying the joy of the announcement has doubled by a personal connection. The CM recalled that he unveiled a portrait of renowned social reformer Thanthai Periyar (E V Ramaswamy) painted by Tharrani, at Oxford University's St Antony's College, on September 4, during his visit to the UK. In a social media post on Wednesday, Stalin said, "It is an honour to see Thotta Tharrani, who studied at the Government College of Arts, joining the ranks of great personalities from India to receive this award. Congratulations on your remarkable achievement." Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou would confer one of France's most prestigious distinctions on Tharrani on November 13, a press release from Alliance Francaise

Kovalam beach near Chennai earns Blue Flag certification for fifth year

The famous Kovalam beach, one of the popular tourist spots near Chennai, has secured the prestigious International Blue Flag Certification for the fifth consecutive year 2025-26. In a social media post on Tuesday night, State Minister for Finance and Environmental Climate Change, Thangam Thennarasu expressed pride in the achievement and highlighted the commitment of the state government and the local community in maintaining the beach's global eco-standards. He also congratulated the Chengalpattu district administration and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests. Building on this success, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Supriya Sahu said the state government has selected 10 other beaches in Tamil Nadu to pursue global certification. These include four beaches in Chennai, two in Cuddalore, and one each in Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin. She noted that Kovalam's recognition is the fruit of

Nine states raise ₹15,560 cr at weekly auction, lower than notified amount

After Maharashtra last week, Tamil Nadu rejects bids for 15-year paper

SC seeks EC reply on pleas challenging SIR in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal

The Supreme Court asked high courts in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry and Bihar to pause hearings on voter list pleas till it decides the matter; next hearing is on November 26

AIADMK flags lack of wheat in ration shops; TN govt to supply by mid-Nov

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami flagged the lack of wheat stock at the fair price shops across Tamil Nadu, prompting the state government to respond by assuring the supplies by November 15. State Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani, in reply to Palaniswami's claim that wheat was not available in 12,573 ration shops, has said that the state government has been continuously requesting the Centre to allocate more wheat to Tamil Nadu. From January 2024 to September 2024, only 8,576 metric tons of wheat was allotted by the union government on a monthly basis. Following Chief Minister M K Stalin's insistence, wheat allocation to the state was increased to 17,100.38 metric tons from October 2024 to February 2025, Sakkarapani said. This was being distributed to the general public in fair price shops without any hindrance. Currently, the Centre has reduced the wheat quota to the previous quantum of allotment, he said in a statement here on November 9. The average

No protection for women in TN, crimes against them increases: AIADMK chief

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday claimed there was no protection to women and girls in Tamil Nadu, as crimes against them continued to "increase." Targeting the state government on women's safety, Palaniswami said it was very disheartening that women and girls lacked safety under the present DMK rule. The DMK government appeared to take pride in compensating 6,999 victims of sexual violence, as per the provisions of the POCSO Act, by providing them Rs 104 crore during its rule, he said. "The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister has said that the government provided a relief of about Rs 104 crore to 6,999 girl victims. Is it a matter of pride to compensate girl victims, or is it wise to reduce crimes against them," Palaniswami asked while addressing the party's 54th foundation day meeting at Omalur in the district. The state government had disbursed the sum under the Women Victims Compensation Fund. Stating that party leaders and former Chief ...

Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat launched, first to link 3 southern states

The Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat, one of the four trains that Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off on Saturday, is the first inter-state semi-high-speed premium train service linking Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the Southern Railways said. Since it links three states, the train will boost business and tourism, officials said. The eight-coach train traverses major cities of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, before reaching Krishnarajapuram and KSR Bengaluru. It is the third Vande Bharat train that originates from Kerala. "KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express will provide seamless connectivity between Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala and the cosmopolitan city of Bengaluru," a press note from Southern Railway said. "The existing two Vande Bharat services, between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram (via Kottayam), and Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru Central (via Alappuzha) intertwine the southern

Bomb threat at Tamil actor Arun Vijay's Chennai residence, probe underway

The teams were alerted after the DGP office received an email threat from a mysterious individual, as stated by officials of the Ekkattuthangal Police Station

SC to hear on Nov 11 plea of DMK against EC's decision to conduct SIR in TN

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on November 11 the plea of DMK challenging the decision of the Election Commission to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was urged by lawyer Vivek Singh, appearing for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), to accord an urgent hearing to the petition. List it on Tuesday, the CJI said. On November 3, R S Bharathi, organising secretary of the DMK, moved the top court against the SIR, calling the exercise "unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a threat to democratic rights". The petition, settled by senior advocate and MP N R Elango, was filed by lawyer Vivek Singh and has sought quashing of the EC's notification of October 27 for undertaking the exercise of SIR in the state. The plea termed the SIR as being violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 (right to equality, freedom of speech and right to life) and other provisions of the Constitut

TN govt holds all-party meet to draft safety norms for public events

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday held a meeting of political parties to formulate guidelines on holding public meetings in the wake of the September 27 stampede in Karur that claimed 41 lives and left over 60 injured. The consultative meeting was held following the Madras High Court directive asking the state government to frame the draft standard operating procedure (SOP) for regulating road shows and public meetings of political parties aimed at preventing the Karur stampede-like situation. The disastrous incident occurred during the meeting of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party addressed by its founder actor-politician Vijay. "We held a detailed consultation on various aspects, including avoiding stampede during meetings and preventing damage to public property," State Municipal Administration Minister K N Nehru said in a post on 'X.' According to a source, among the suggestions was to collect a deposit amount from the political parties depending on the size of the turnout,

Vedanta's power business secures 500 MW power purchase deal from Tamil Nadu

Meenakshi Energy will supply 300 MW and VLCTPP will supply 200 MW of power to Tamil Nadu under a five-year contract

Vijay's party authorises actor to decide on alliance for 2026 polls

A special general council meeting of Vijay-led TVK on Wednesday authorised the actor-politician to take a call on the party's alliance for next year's Assembly polls and announced him as its Chief Ministerial candidate. The special meeting of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam was held at a private hotel in Mahabalipuram near here under the leadership of the actor, who turned up in his trademark white shirt and stubbled look. A total of 12 resolutions on issues including the recurring arrests of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan navy, women's safety in the state--the latest sexual assault of a woman in Coimbatore was highlighted, and the SIR of electoral rolls was adopted. The resolution authorising the party founder to decide on alliance for the Assembly polls was unanimously adopted at the general council, the party's decision-making body. Vijay is "the CM candidate loved by all sections of people. Under his leadership, will face the 2026 polls and authorise him to take a

SIR starts in TN amid staunch opposition from ruling DMK, its allies

Amid staunch opposition from the ruling DMK, the exercise of SIR of electoral rolls commenced on Tuesday in Tamil Nadu and authorities said Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will guide people in filling up the requisite enumeration form. As part of the exercise, house-to-house enumeration will be carried out from 04.11.2025 to 04.12.2025, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu said. Meanwhile, the DMK, in its plea before the Supreme Court against the SIR, has dubbed it a "de facto NRC" and has challenged its constitutional validity. The ruling party has sought the quashing of the Election Commission's notification on SIR dated October 27, 2025. The main opposition, AIADMK, an ally of the BJP supports the exercise. According to CEO office, the Booth Level Officers will visit every household to distribute partially pre-filled enumeration forms in duplicate to all existing electors and guide them in filling up the form. "If BLO finds that any house is locked or closed, she/

Cough syrup tragedy: SIT arrests wife of accused Dr Praveen Soni

The SIT investigating the cough syrup tragedy that claimed the lives of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh has arrested the wife of accused Dr Praveen Soni, an official said on Tuesday. Chhindwara-based Dr Soni, who allegedly prescribed the contaminated cough syrup 'Coldrif' to most of the ailing kids, was arrested last month for alleged negligence in connection with the child deaths due to kidney failure. His wife Jyoti Soni, another accused in the case, was arrested from her residence in Parasia town of Chhindwara district on Monday night, Sub Divisional Office of Police and Special Investigation Team (SIT) in-charge Jitendra Jaat said. She is the proprietor of a medical shop from where the cough syrup was sold to several victims, the official said. So far, seven persons have been arrested in connection with the cough syrup tragedy, he added. Following the child deaths, the Tamil Nadu government revoked the licence of the cough syrup manufacturing company, Sresan Pharma. Those arres

Ford to invest ₹3,250 cr in Chennai plant for 'next-gen' engine production

Ford signed an MoU with Tamil Nadu to manufacture next-generation engines at its Chennai plant with a ₹3,250 crore investment, creating over 600 jobs and boosting state's auto sector

PM Modi, Vice prez pay tributes to spiritual leader Muthuramalinga Thevar

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to freedom fighter and spiritual leader Pasumpon Thiru. Muthuramalinga Thevar on his birth anniversary, recalling his contributions to the freedom struggle. Radhakrishnan said Thevar was a great warrior, fearless fighter, and revered saint. "Pasumpon Thiru. Muthuramalinga Thevar was a true Desa Bhakt (patriot) who dedicated his life to the nation and its people. A devoted follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, he embodied courage, sacrifice, and patriotism in thought and action," he said on X. He was a leader for all communities and faiths, who even gave away his own lands for the welfare of others, Radhakrishnan recalled. "A voracious reader and a powerful orator, he inspired the masses through his words and deeds. He fought against British atrocities, endured imprisonment for the nation, and remained undefeated in every election he contested - earning the unwavering love and faith of the

Tamil Nadu leads with ₹4,271 crore under electronics component scheme

State secures five of seven projects cleared under the Centre's Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme and aims for 30 per cent of total investments