The present batch of Class 12 students had been declared all pass when they were in class 10 due to the COVID-imposed lockdown. CHENNAI: The shocking absence of about 50,000 students in the Plus Two language exam echoed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday, prompting School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to assure the House that steps would be taken to identify the potential dropouts and encourage them to write the supplementary exam. Sufficient awareness will be created among the st

Cities, municipal corporations, towns and villages will be guided to prepare the DM plans annually, with action plans with outcome indicators and monitored. CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin today released the updated Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Policy and Disaster Management Plan 2023. The policy aims at reducing the negative impact of disasters with the help of strong disaster management machinery, minimising loss of life, property, and damage to critical infrastructure, and sustainin

Quoting the plea for a ban made by one victim, he said, This bill has not been drafted using only intelligence but also compassion. CHENNAI:TheTamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday re-adopted the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 without any changes. It will be sent to Governor RN Ravi for his assent. Since the DMK came to power, this is the second bill to be re-adopted by the House due to the governor returning them. The bill to dispense with NEET for

The court warned that it would summon the secretary and commissioner of the department if the direction is not implemented. CHENNAI:Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department to constitute district-level committees to select and appoint trustees to temples by the end of May. The court warned that it would summon the secretary and commissioner of the department if the direction is not implemented.A division bench of Justices R Mahad

Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old P Sivakumar. The victim Kavitha (32), hails from Kovilpatti village in Madurai district. COIMBATORE:Tensiongripped the Coimbatore Combined Court Complex on Thursday morning, after a man threw acid on his wife as she was waiting in front of a court hall. The woman was rushed to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital where doctors said shed sustained 80% burns and is fighting for her life. Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old P Sivakumar. The victi

Evidence shows unit had 500 kg explosives although the license only permitted 15 kg CHENNAI:On March 22, a massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit near Kuruvimalai in Kancheepuram resulted in the death of 11 people and injured many others, who are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai and Vellore. Blatant violation of rules was allegedly taking place in the unit and this could have led to the accident, said officials. Naren Fireworks, where the un

The protest, organised by the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA), was backed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), CHENNAI:Over 300 government doctors staged a one-day hunger strike near Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, demanding the implementation of GO 293, which ensures speciality allowance for doctors in various categories and was issued in 2021. While the protest was on, the Director of Medical Education conducted a virtual meeting with deans of all medical col

Three women from Kurivimalai and a couple from Valathottam were among those who died in the blast on Wednesday, said the villagers. CHENNAI: Despite the fear of explosions, workers continue to toil at firecracker manufacturing units for the sake of their families. The firecracker unit near Kuruvimalai was the source of employment for the villagers after agricultural work decreased. The workers were paid around `350 per day and worked between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. Three women from Kurivimalai and

As per information TNIE sourced from Tangedco, both high tension (HT) lines (33 kV, 22 kV and 11 kV) and low tension (LT) lines (3 phase and 1 phase) measure roughly 1,173 km. CHENNAI:After four elephants were electrocuted in Dharmapuri district within a fortnight, the Madras High Court on Thursday summoned the Tangedco (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation) chairman and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) on April 19 to explain why low-lying power lines had not been

The juvenile located in Chavady is under the aegis of the Social Welfare Department. It serves as a detention centre for minor offenders arrested on different charges. CUDDALORE:Six boys escaped from a juvenile facility in Cuddalore on Wednesday night, out of whom two were caught by the police patrolling in the area and a search is on to find the other four. It is alleged that the boys made off with the key from the night watchman. The juvenile located in Chavady is under the aegis of the Social

The report stated that there were instances of water wastage due to poor secondary use as there is no sewage treatment plant. PUDUCHERRY: A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) found deficiencies in the urban water supply by PWD in Puducherry for the year ending on March 31 2023. It also revealed that the quality of water supplied to the public is poor due to non-chlorination, direct supply from borewells, lack of overhead tank cleaning, and high levels of TDS/chloride pr

Once approved, it will be placed in the current assembly session or in a special session. Otherwise the ban will be made through an ordinance. PUDUCHERRY:The Puducherry government will soon bring in a legislation banning online gaming in the union territory, Information Technology and Law minister K Lakshminarayanan announced in the assembly on Thursday. Replying to a calling attention motion by leader of opposition R Siva, the minister said a draft of Puducherry Prohibition of Online Gaming and

A 22-year-old youth vandalised the Joint Commissioner's office at Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple allegedly under the influence of alcohol on Wednesday. TIRUVANNAMALAI: A 22-year-old youth vandalised the Joint Commissioner's office at Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple allegedly under the influence of alcohol on Wednesday. He was arrested the same day, while further probe into the matter is on. The accused was identified as Appu of RT Nagar, in Bengaluru. On Wednesday afternoon, Appu entered the temple

The students and the parents, boycotting classes on Thursday, petitioned Superintendent of Police L Balaji Saravanan, urging detention of the accused under the Goondas Act. THOOTHUKUDI:The parents of students going to Keezhanambipuram Hindu primary school expressed fear to send their wards to school again, following an assault upon teachers by the family of a boy student on Wednesday. The students and the parents, boycotting classes on Thursday, petitioned Superintendent of Police L Balaji Sarav

R Prasanth, a farmer said, The dam irrigates over 6000 acres of cultivable land. This is only under suitable conditions where we have surplus rainfall. DHARMAPURI: Residents of Harur, Morappur and Karimangalam have reiterated their demand to the district administration to implement the Echambadi lift irrigation project. In 2019, the government had proposed the project to pump water from Thenpennai which was stored in the Echambadi dam and divert it to 66 lakes. The project has not taken off yet.

She enrolled her two sons, aged 10 and 8, in the home in January 2023. Later, she was transferred to the Pongalur branch of the institution. TIRUPPUR:A supervisor of a destitute home for children in Udumalaipet was arrested for assaulting a minor boy on Wednesday. According to police, Abhirami (30), a native of Thanjavur, has been working in a destitute home at Universal Peace Foundation. She enrolled her two sons, aged 10 and 8, in the home in January 2023. Later, she was transferred to the Pon

President of the association T Venugopal said, The budget for farmers did not give any solution to the man-animal conflict. COIMBATORE:The Tamilaga Vivasayikal Sangam expressed disappointment as the agriculture budget did not feature any schemes or initiatives to prevent or control the intrusion of wild elephants and boars into the farmland. President of the association T Venugopal said, The budget for farmers did not give any solution to the man-animal conflict. The conflict happens not only in

The litigant, the district youth wing secretary of Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam, A Nagarajan said that they have been conducting public meetings on important issues affecting the public. MADURAI:The Madurai Bench ofMadras High Court sought a response from the Pudukkottai police department in a petition seeking to grant permission for conducting a public meeting on the Vengaivayal issue. The litigant, the district youth wing secretary of Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam, A Nagarajan said that they have been co

After inquiry, he was released by the Sri Lanka court on December 13, 2022. However, his mechanised boat was still under the custody of the Lankan Navy. RAMANATHAPURAM:After a long battle, fisherman Christober Singam from Thangachimadam recovered his mechanised boat from Sri Lanka with the support of both the state and central governments. In a press statement, District Collector Johny Tom Varghese said that on November 5, 2022, fisherman Christober Singam was arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy bes

Sudalaimadan attempted suicide on March 16 allegedly after Ayesha and Babu hurled caste names at him. Though an FIR was registered against the two, they were not arrested yet. THOOTHUKUDI:Conservancy staff of Udangudi town panchayat intensified their protests on Thursday following the death of a fellow worker, Sudalaimadan (56), who attempted suicide. The family refused to accept the body, demanding the immediate arrest of former panchayat president Ayesha Kallasi, incumbent Hemera and panchayat

Members of the TNMPWA commenced an indefinite strike on March 17 across Tamil Nadu, demanding an increase in the milk procurement price. MADURAI:On the seventh day of the dairy farmers' indefinite strike, members of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Welfare Association (TNMPWA) staged a demonstration by pouring nearly 100 litres of milk on the road near Thirumangalam in Madurai on Thursday. Members of the TNMPWA commenced an indefinite strike on March 17 across Tamil Nadu, demanding an increase in t

A six- day old female baby died of choking allegedly while being breast-fed by her mother in the Bargur government hospital in the wee hours of Wednesday. KRISHNAGIRI:A six-day-old female baby allegedly died of choking while being breastfed by her mother in the Bargur government hospital in the wee hours of Wednesday. Health officials, however, suspect it could be a case of female infanticide. This is the third such incident in a government hospital in the district since August last year. Accord

Two persons surrendered before the Judicial Magistrate Court IV in Salem on Thursday in connection with the murder of a youth in Krishnagiri recently. COIMBATORE:Two persons surrendered before the Judicial Magistrate Court IV in Salem on Thursday in connection with the murder of a youth in Krishnagiri recently. G Nagaraj (21) of Rayakottai and M Murali (20) of Gurumaraipalli are wanted in connection with the murder of Jagan who was hacked to death. Magistrate Yuvaraj remanded them in judicial cu

OPS backs online gambling bill on behalf of AIADMK; his aide says he is still dy leader of party CHENNAI: The state Assembly on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges between the MLAs supporting AIADMK Interim General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and deposed leader O Panneerselvam. There were noisy scenes for about 10 minutes, and in the end, EPS led his party colleagues in a walkout. It all began during the discussion on the bill to ban online gambling. When OPS said, I welcome the bill on beh

Viswanathan charged the state government does not deserve praise for the decrease in revenue deficit as it is because all the business activities have become normal after the lockdown. CHENNAI:Replying to the charges levelled by AIADMK member Natham R Viswanathan, Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said for the first time, the state government managed to decrease the revenue deficit and fiscal deficit in the last two years. Viswanathan charged the state government does not deserve prais

BJP state president K Annamalai on Thursday held detailed discussions with Union Home Minister and the election strategist of BJP, Amit Shah, in New Delhi. CHENNAI:BJP state president K Annamalai on Thursday held detailed discussions with Union Home Minister and the election strategist of BJP, Amit Shah, in New Delhi.The meeting assumes significance as it took place after he spoke against the BJPs continuance of alliance with AIADMK. Answering a query about his wish on BJP contesting alone in T

Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday appealed to all political parties to come together to protect social harmony to avoid tragic incidents like the murder of Jagan (28) of Kittampatti. CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday appealed to all political parties to come together to protect social harmony to avoid tragic incidents like the murder of Jagan (28) of Kittampatti. He was murdered for marrying Saranya, a second-year college student from her parents in the Krishnagiri district. Respo

The event includes over 250 speakers across 130 plus sessions, and an exhibition featuring more than 150 exhibitors. CHENNAI:Umagine, one of the largest IT platform in the world and one of its kind in Asia, was inaugurated on Thursday with Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister Mano Thangaraj vowing to generate 25 lakh jobs in the IT sector by 2030. Speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the three-day event, the minister said the state is in talks with various multinational companies, inc

On Thursday evening, hundreds of Congress cadre led by A Jothi, a PCC member and Gandeepan, state general secretary staged a rail roko at Mambalam railway station. CHENNAI:Following the verdict of the magistrate court of Surat against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sentencing him for two years in jail on charges of defamation for a 2019 speech, Congress MLAs blocked road in front of the secretariat complex. Soon after the new broke out, the Congress MLAs gathered outside of the assembly under the

Stalin said that the BJP government at the Centre was targeting opposition leaders. He said that this was highly deplorable. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that he spoke to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the latter was convicted by a Surat court for two years imprisonment in a case related to speaking ill of Modi surname. The court convicted him under Section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC. As per the prosecution, Rahul while a

There was no direct reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhi's election campaign. He had made a passing reference to those having a common surname, Alagiri added. CHENNAI: The Congress staged a rail roko in Kumbakonam and Virudhachalam in Tamil Nadu while party lawmakers resorted to a lack band protest in front of the State Assembly here on Thursday condemning the sentencing of party leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case. TNCC chief K S Alagiri, on a personal visit to Kumbakon

Bringing the latest instance of the arrest of TN fishermen to the attention of Modi, Stalin said 12 of them were arrested on Thursday and two mechanised fishing boats were seized by the Lankan Navy. CHENNAI:Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday expressed concern over the alarming frequency with which Indian fishermen from the state were being harassed allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, and urged that the Centre intervene to ensure the release of 28 such fisherfolk from Lankan custody.

Siva who had followed his wife to the Judicial Magistrate II got into a heated argument with her while she was waiting in the court corridor. COMBATORE: Tension prevailed at the Coimbatore court complex after a man poured acid on his wife on Thursday when she was waiting to appear for a case hearing. 33-year-old Kavitha from Kaveri Nagar in Coimbatore's Ramanathapuram was arrested in 2016 in a case of chain theft from a bus passenger and was out on bail. She used to come to the court for hearing

AIADMK MLAs including Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami walked out after staging a protest over O Panneerselvam speaking on behalf of the AIADMK. CHENNAI:The Tamil Nadu Assembly today re-adopted the Bill to ban online gambling and it will be re-sent to the Governor for his assent. This comes weeks after state Governor RN Ravi had returned it to the government for its reconsideration. This is the second Bill to be re-adopted by the State Assembly after the Governor returned it. Earl

The video showed Muniyasamy, Sivalingam and Selvi assaulting Guruvammal, and Bharath, who was chased down. THOOTHUKUDI: Following a viral video, in which school teachers at Keezhanambipuram Hindu primary school are seen getting assaulted, three persons were arrested on Tuesday. The suspects were identified as Muniyasamy (53) of Keezhanambipuram, M Sivalingam (34) and S Selvi (28) of South Kalmedu. Sources said R Bharath (38), a teacher at the school rebuked the son of Sivalingam and Selvi, Prade

The court cancelled the appointments of two non-brahmins, Prabhu and Jeyapaul, against the Indian constitution, he opined. MADURAI: Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Movement Honourary President SK Mahendran has urged the state government to file an appeal against the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's judgement on cancelling appointments of non-brahmins at Tiruchy Kumara Vayalur Subramania Swamy Temple. The court cancelled the appointments of two non-brahmins, Prabhu and Jeyapaul, aga

According to the police, the firecracker unit, owned by S Kumar of Vellalapuram, was operating in Muniyampatti village in Vellalapuram. SALEM: A 45-year-old woman died and a man was injured in an explosion at a firecracker unit near Edappadi in Salem on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as M Amutha (45), a widow and resident of Vellalapuram near Edappadi. The injured person, M Vedappan (75), also belongs to the same area. According to the police, the firecracker unit, owned by S Kumar of Ve

Agriculture officials said the acreage for cotton cultivation soared this year owing to the high prices the crop fetched last year. RAMANATHAPURAM: With the cotton harvest picking up pace in the district, the farmers hope that the crop price will surge in the coming weeks. At present, cotton is sold for an average of Rs 65 per kg, while the same season last year witnessed the price rise up to Rs 103 per kg. Being the most widely cultivated crop in the district after paddy and chilli, cotton was

Several acres of land were acquired from a number of farmers, but compensation has allegedly not been paid to them yet. TIRUPPUR: A section of farmers in Iduvai claim they have been waiting for more than three decades to get compensation for land acquired for the PAP branch canal. As part of the branch canal extension project of the PAP canal, a canal was extended from Chinnakalipalayam to Iduvai and Veerapandi villages 30 years ago. Several acres of land were acquired from a number of farmers,

Though the accused was arrested, some people are using her death to stir trouble. NAMAKKAL: Petrol bombs were hurled at the houses of three former panchayat presidents in the district on Wednesday. Security has been beefed up across the district in the wake of the incidents. A huge posse of police personnel was posted in Jedarpalayam after a mob burnt down three tractors and hurled petrol bombs at the house of the former panchayat president. According to police, Duraisamy (57) owns a jaggery pro

The civic body has been carrying out bio-mining at the Vellalore dump yard under the Coimbatore Smart City Project. COIMBATORE: With the deadline for completing bio-mining works at the Vellalore dump yard in Coimbatore nearing, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) has planned to deploy additional machinery to clear the legacy waste soon. On an average, around 900 to 1,100 tonnes of garbage is collected on a daily basis from the 100 wards in five zones of the city and dumped in Vellal

The TNSDC has taken the decision to hold campus interviews with the aim of securing jobs for students. COIMBATORE: Bharathiar University and affiliated colleges is organising campus interviews for final year students who underwent skill training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, as a pilot project of the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC). A senior officer from the university told TNIE, Around 20 skill courses are being taught in the universitys affiliated colleges. The TNSDC has ta

Justice Chandrasekharan rejected Maheshwaris plea for returning her jewellery and other valuables as she failed to prove the valuables were with her husband. CHENNAI: Declaring an ex parte divorce decree issued by a US court to an Indian couple void as the court lacked jurisdiction since the marriage took place in India, the Madras High Court has ordered a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the woman, who fled the US due to alleged torture by her husband, who is employed with the World Bank. Justice

As there are not much head of cattle in villages now, the straw is being sold to other districts where it is mostly used as fodder, he reasoned. THANJAVUR: With samba paddy harvesting almost complete in the district, its a rush for traders mostly from other districts to procure available paddy straw (hay), a byproduct, from farmers, which, in turn, is fetching the latter higher profits. S Sivakumar, a farmer from Manathidal, said, Paddy straw is being procured by traders from other districts i

The bridge, constructed in 1866, got the local body's attention only when it developed cracks during the rain in 2020. TIRUCHY: Finally, the wheels of the administration started turning and the city corporation on Monday floated a tender for the reconstruction of the 157-year-old railway over bridge near Maris theatre in Tiruchy. The bridge, constructed in 1866, got the local body's attention only when it developed cracks during the rain in 2020. Though the corporation team conducted strengt

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his condolences and announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh. CHENNAI: At least seven people sustained less than 10% burns, while others sustained between 30-60% burn injuries. Police are trying to identify three of the deceased, including a woman who was seated outside arranging crackers when the blast occurred. The injured are being treated at Kancheepuram Government Hospital, Chengalpattu Government Hospital, Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital and Christian Medic

According to the police, the group from a minority religious outfit which arrived in a bus was stopped by police personnel around a kilometre before Vengaivayal. PUDUKKOTTAI: Tense moments prevailed at Vengaivayal in the district on Wednesday night after a group of around 50 youngsters from Nagercoil, who visited the village to express solidarity with the residents over their struggle to bring to book those accused of dumping excrement in the overhead tank in December last year, was confronted b

Police on Tuesday booked a case against a farmer and his friend in Anthiyur who allegedly shot dead their neighbours dog. ERODE: Police on Tuesday booked a case against a farmer and his friend in Anthiyur who allegedly shot dead their neighbours dog. The accused are D Annadurai and his friend S Mohanraj. Police said the duo entered K Manickams grove and shot his pet dog with an air gun on Tuesday. Later, Manickam lodged a complaint with Anthiyur police. The duo was booked under IPC section 429 a

The girl informed a 30-year-old transwoman near her house about the assault, and she informed the district childline. COIMBATORE: Coimbatore Rural Police on Tuesday arrested three persons, including a 15-year-old boy, in Perur on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl. Police said, the 12-year-old girls father is an alcoholic and her mother has intellectual disability. While the girl was playing near her house on February 12, a 27-year-old man from the neighbourhood, lured her into his home

Acting on govt recommendation, TNPSC increased Group IV vacancies from 7K to 10K CHENNAI: Acting on the recommendations made by the state government to fill vacancies in government departments which burgeoned over the past four years, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) added a total of 2,816 vacancies in Group IV, increasing the number of posts from 7,301 to 10,117.This was revealed in a revised vacancy list released by the TNPSC on Wednesday. In a first, a record 18.5 lakh candida