Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced drinking water schemes worth ₹4,800 crore and said cases against farmers and teachers will be withdrawn as part of a series of measures aimed at addressing public and sectoral concerns.

 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced drinking water projects worth ₹4,800 crore along with the withdrawal of cases registered against farmers and teachers.

The announcements were made as part of a series of decisions by the Tamil Nadu government, with the drinking water projects aimed at strengthening water supply infrastructure across the state.

The government has also announced the withdrawal of cases against farmers and teachers, signalling an effort to address long-standing grievances involving the two groups.

₹4,800 crore for drinking water schemes

The proposed ₹4,800-crore drinking water schemes are expected to focus on improving access to drinking water and strengthening related infrastructure.

Water supply remains a major governance issue in several parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly during periods of water stress. The new investment is expected to support projects designed to improve the availability and distribution of drinking water.

Cases against farmers, teachers to be withdrawn

Alongside the water projects, the Chief Minister announced the withdrawal of cases against farmers and teachers.

The decision is significant as both groups have been involved in protests and negotiations with governments over various demands in recent years.

The move is being positioned as part of the government's broader approach to resolving issues through administrative and political intervention rather than allowing cases related to protests to continue.

The government is expected to provide further details on the cases covered by the decision and the implementation of the withdrawal.

Focus on public welfare and grievances

The announcements bring together two major areas of governance—basic infrastructure and resolution of stakeholder grievances.

The ₹4,800-crore water programme represents a significant proposed public investment, while the withdrawal of cases against farmers and teachers could provide relief to individuals facing legal proceedings linked to earlier protests.

Further details regarding the individual drinking water projects, funding arrangements and the specific cases eligible for withdrawal will determine the broader impact of the announcements

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that women government employees will now be entitled to 365 days of maternity leave for the birth of a third child, increasing the existing benefit from 12 weeks. The decision was announced by Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar in the state Assembly during the discussion on demands for grants. The revised benefit will bring maternity leave for the third child on par with the one-year leave already available to eligible women government employees for their first two children. 

Under the existing rules, married women government employees with fewer than two surviving children are eligible for 365 days of maternity leave, while women with two or more surviving children were entitled to 12 weeks, or 84 days, of leave with full pay. Sarathkumar said the government had decided to increase the leave available for a third child to 365 days as part of its focus on social welfare and women’s empowerment. A detailed government order is expected to be issued to implement the announcement. 

The decision also comes after a recent legal and policy debate over maternity benefits for women having a third child. Tamil Nadu had amended its rules earlier this year, limiting maternity leave for women government employees with two or more surviving children to 12 weeks. The amended provision followed a Supreme Court-related legal position and was upheld by the Madras High Court in June in a case involving a woman government employee seeking a longer leave period. The latest announcement reverses that position for the third child and restores the 365-day benefit. 

The move comes at a time when Tamil Nadu is also discussing concerns over its changing demographic profile. State Health Minister K G Arunraj recently pointed to the state’s declining fertility rate and ageing population, saying Tamil Nadu’s total fertility rate has fallen below 1.4, compared with the replacement level of 2.1. Nearly 16 per cent of the state’s population is above the age of 60, according to figures cited in recent discussions. The government has separately indicated that it could examine measures aimed at encouraging couples to have more children, although the maternity leave announcement itself has been presented in terms of social welfare and women’s empowerment. 

Tamil Nadu has progressively increased maternity leave for its government employees over the years. The original 90-day provision was raised to six months in 2011, then to nine months in 2016, before being extended to one year, or 365 days, in July 2021. The latest decision changes the position for women employees having a third child, who had previously been covered by the shorter 12-week provision. For eligible government employees, the practical difference is substantial, with the new entitlement adding several months of paid leave compared with the earlier arrangement. 

The detailed rules, including the precise implementation process, will become clearer once the government issues its formal order. For now, the announcement represents a significant change in Tamil Nadu’s maternity leave policy for women government employees and removes the previous distinction in leave duration for the third child.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of measures covering milk procurement, health insurance, healthcare infrastructure and medical education, with the decisions aimed at supporting dairy producers while expanding access to treatment and increasing the number of seats in medical and allied health courses. The announcements were made in the state Assembly on Wednesday and include an increase in the milk procurement price from Rs 38 to Rs 41 per litre, along with a higher government incentive for procurement. The changes are expected to benefit more than 3.16 lakh milk producers, while the increase in procurement expenditure is estimated to cost the government an additional Rs 30 crore every month, or about Rs 360 crore a year. 

On the healthcare side, the government has proposed a major increase in the annual treatment limit under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. The cover is set to rise from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, potentially providing greater financial protection to beneficiaries facing costly medical treatment. The package also includes additional medical and surgical services for transgender persons through government facilities in Chennai and several districts. At the same time, the state plans to strengthen healthcare infrastructure with the construction of a 400-bed multi-speciality hospital in Perambalur at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore. The hospital is expected to provide advanced treatment facilities and reduce the need for patients in the region to travel elsewhere for specialised care. 

Medical education is another major part of the announcement. The government has earmarked Rs 351 crore to increase admission capacity in government medical and related institutions, with a total of 6,098 additional seats planned across medical, nursing and paramedical courses. The expansion includes 660 B.Sc Nursing seats, 1,925 seats in nursing colleges and schools, 2,778 seats across 12 paramedical courses and another 735 seats in medical courses. Seven new government nursing colleges are also planned. The move comes as demand for trained healthcare professionals continues to grow, while expanding government institutions could provide more students with opportunities to enter medical and allied health professions. 

The milk procurement decision comes amid concerns over supplies to Aavin, the state-run dairy cooperative. Recent reports had indicated a decline in daily procurement, putting pressure on the cooperative to encourage farmers to supply more milk. The higher procurement rate is intended to improve returns for producers and strengthen the supply chain. The government incentive for procurement is also being increased from Rs 3 to Rs 5 per litre, adding another layer of support for dairy producers. The decision is significant because Aavin’s procurement network directly affects both farmers and the availability of milk through the cooperative system. 

Taken together, the announcements cover several areas of public policy rather than a single sector. Higher milk procurement prices are aimed at producers, while the proposed health insurance expansion targets patients facing major medical expenses. The additional medical and nursing seats focus on building the state’s healthcare workforce, and the new hospital is expected to strengthen treatment capacity. The scale of the measures will now depend on implementation, including the rollout of the insurance changes, creation of the additional seats and construction of the Perambalur hospital. For now, the announcements mark a broad welfare and healthcare push by the Tamil Nadu government, alongside steps to address concerns in the state’s dairy procurement system.

Chennai: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government on Wednesday presented its first State Budget in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, outlining a roadmap centred on welfare, transparency, education and fiscal reforms. Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson praised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for introducing administrative reforms aimed at improving transparency in governance, particularly in the tendering process.

During his Budget speech, Wilson said the government had taken significant steps to eliminate alleged irregularities in public contracts and ensure that government revenue reaches the state treasury without leakages. He described transparency in tender allocation as one of the major administrative reforms initiated by the new government.

The Finance Minister also acknowledged the financial challenges inherited by the administration and said the government is working towards strengthening the state's economy. Earlier, the TVK government had released a white paper stating that Tamil Nadu's outstanding debt stood at nearly ₹10 lakh crore. According to Wilson, the Budget has been prepared with an emphasis on financial discipline while continuing welfare programmes.

One of the major announcements was the allocation of more than ₹1,300 crore for two flagship gold assistance schemes promised by the TVK during the Assembly elections. The government has earmarked ₹812 crore for the Gold Coin and Silk Saree Scheme, under which eligible brides will receive eight grams of gold along with a silk saree during marriage.

Another ₹560 crore has been allocated for the Gold Ring Scheme, which will provide gold rings to newborn babies delivered in government hospitals. Both programmes were among the key election commitments made by the ruling party.

The government has also announced ₹2,000 crore for the Vettri Madikanini Thittam, under which laptops will be distributed to college students. The scheme aims to improve digital access and strengthen higher education by ensuring students have access to modern learning tools.

Reiterating the government's long-standing opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Finance Minister urged the Central Government to abolish the entrance examination and restore admissions to medical colleges based on Class 12 board examination marks. The Budget speech stated that the government remains committed to protecting students' interests and ensuring equal educational opportunities.

Several measures related to minority welfare were also announced. The subsidy for first-time Haj pilgrims travelling through the Haj Committee has been increased from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000, providing additional financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries.

The education sector also received significant attention in the Budget. The government has allocated ₹300 crore for the modernisation of government schools, focusing on infrastructure improvements and better learning facilities. An additional ₹125 crore has been earmarked for establishing ultra-modern residential schools named after former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, with the objective of expanding access to quality education.

To strengthen anti-drug initiatives, the government has provided ₹7 crore under the Drug-Free Tamil Nadu programme. The initiative aims to enhance awareness campaigns, prevention measures and enforcement efforts against drug abuse, particularly among young people.

Highlighting achievements of the government since assuming office, the Finance Minister said 717 liquor outlets had already been shut down. He also referred to the continuation of 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers as part of the government's welfare commitments.

The Budget outlined several broader development priorities, including women's empowerment, social justice, housing for all, and improvements in public welfare schemes. Wilson said these initiatives reflect the government's long-term vision of inclusive development while balancing economic recovery with social welfare.

The presentation of the Budget marks the first comprehensive financial roadmap of the Vijay-led administration, outlining its priorities across welfare, education, governance reforms and fiscal management for the current financial year.

The Tamil Nadu government has launched a major initiative aimed at supporting educated unemployed youth by providing free coaching for competitive examinations. The programme, announced in May 2026, is designed to help candidates prepare for key government job examinations without facing financial barriers. The initiative is being seen as a significant step toward improving employment opportunities in the state.

The scheme focuses on providing structured coaching and guidance to aspirants preparing for major recruitment examinations such as TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission), SSC (Staff Selection Commission), IBPS (banking exams), RRB (Railway Recruitment Board), and several other central and state government recruitment tests.

Objective of the Initiative

The primary goal of this free coaching programme is to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Many educated youth in Tamil Nadu struggle to afford expensive private coaching centres, which often play a crucial role in clearing competitive exams. By offering free training, the state government aims to ensure equal access to quality preparation resources.

Officials stated that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce educated unemployment and improve the success rate of candidates appearing for public sector examinations. The programme also aims to build confidence among rural and economically weaker students who often lack access to structured preparation facilities.

Selection and Training Centres

Under the initial phase of the programme, approximately 200 candidates will be selected for intensive coaching. These candidates will be chosen based on eligibility criteria and academic background. The selected aspirants will receive training at dedicated centres set up across multiple locations in the state.

The coaching centres will be located in major cities and educational hubs including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Ooty, Kanchipuram, and Virudhunagar. These centres will provide classroom instruction, study materials, mock tests, and interview preparation sessions. Each centre will be equipped with experienced faculty members who specialize in different competitive exams. The training will focus not only on academic knowledge but also on exam strategy, time management, and problem-solving techniques.

Exams Covered Under the Scheme

The free coaching programme will cover a wide range of competitive examinations, including:

• TNPSC Group Exams
• SSC CGL, CHSL and other central government exams
• IBPS Bank PO and Clerk exams
• Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams
• Other state and central government recruitment tests

This wide coverage ensures that candidates from different academic backgrounds and career interests can benefit from the initiative.

Focus on Equal Opportunity

One of the key highlights of the programme is its emphasis on equal opportunity. The government aims to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent deserving candidates from achieving their career goals. By offering free coaching, study materials, and guidance, the initiative seeks to level the playing field between students who can afford private coaching and those who cannot. This approach is expected to increase participation from rural areas and underprivileged communities.

Importance of Competitive Exam Preparation

In India, competitive examinations for government jobs are highly competitive, with millions of candidates applying for limited positions. Success in these exams often requires structured preparation, regular practice, and expert guidance.

Many aspirants rely on private coaching institutes, which can be expensive. The Tamil Nadu government’s initiative addresses this challenge by providing institutional support directly through government-run centres. Experts believe that such programmes can significantly improve success rates in competitive exams, especially for first-generation learners.

Implementation Strategy

The state government is expected to implement a well-structured training model for the selected candidates. This includes:

• Daily classroom sessions
• Weekly mock tests
• Performance tracking systems
• Individual mentoring support
• Interview preparation workshops

The programme will also incorporate digital learning tools to supplement classroom teaching, allowing students to access additional resources online.

Expected Impact

The free coaching initiative is expected to have a long-term impact on employment trends in Tamil Nadu. By improving the quality of preparation, the programme may increase the number of successful candidates in government exams. It is also expected to reduce dependency on private coaching centres and make competitive exam preparation more inclusive. Economists and education experts believe that such initiatives can play a key role in improving social mobility and reducing unemployment among educated youth.

The Tamil Nadu government’s free coaching programme represents a significant step toward empowering unemployed educated youth. By offering structured preparation for major competitive exams such as TNPSC, SSC, IBPS, and RRB, the initiative aims to create equal opportunities for all aspirants.

With training centres across major cities and a focus on quality education, the scheme is expected to benefit hundreds of candidates in its initial phase and potentially expand further in the future. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to education, skill development, and employment generation in the state.

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Vijay Sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in Simple Attire

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay took oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking a striking shift in the state's political landscape. The Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief chose a modern, understated look and delivered an unconventional oath-taking moment that quickly became the talk of the day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The ceremony drew thousands of supporters, turning the venue into a sea of enthusiasm rarely seen during routine swearing-ins. Vijay, known for his massive fan following, opted for a white shirt and black pants instead of the traditional veshti and shirt that leaders like M.G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi favoured in the past. His choice was widely interpreted as a deliberate signal to connect with younger voters and project a fresh image.

Modern Look Sparks Discussion

Vijay’s decision to skip conventional Tamil political attire stood out immediately. Past Chief Ministers often appeared in white dhoti, shirts, and symbolic accessories like caps or shawls. Political observers noted that the actor’s crisp, formal outfit aligned with his long-standing appeal among urban and youth demographics. The move is being seen as part of his broader effort to reshape political symbolism in the state.

Governor Interrupts During Oath

In a departure from protocol, Vijay began speaking beyond the prescribed text after saying “I, Joseph Vijay...” The Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, politely intervened and asked him to stick to the written oath. Vijay then completed the formal recitation, which included commitments to the Constitution, upholding India’s unity and integrity, performing duties according to his conscience, and ensuring justice for all without fear or favour.

The brief exchange added an element of spontaneity to the otherwise solemn proceedings. Officials later clarified that the Governor had guided the process both before and after the moment.

Emotional Moment for Vijay’s Parents

One of the most touching scenes was Vijay’s parents listening to the oath with folded hands. Veteran filmmaker S.A. Chandrashekhar and noted singer-writer Shobha Chandrasekhar appeared visibly moved as their son assumed the state’s top post. The family moment resonated widely among those present and viewers following the live coverage.

Historic Stadium Ceremony and Applause

For the first time in Tamil Nadu’s history, the oath-taking was held inside a stadium rather than an open ground. Vijay’s long association with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium — from film launches to fan club meetings — influenced the choice of venue. As soon as he uttered “I am C. Joseph Vijay,” the crowd erupted in prolonged applause lasting nearly three minutes, forcing a brief pause before he could continue.

Rahul Gandhi’s Presence and Selfie

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was the only prominent national leader on stage. In an informal moment, Vijay took a selfie with him. Sources recalled that Vijay had explored joining the Congress around 2009 and had met Rahul, who was then the party’s general secretary. Though those plans did not materialise, the cordial presence on Sunday underscored lingering political warmth.

Immediate Governance Actions

Within an hour of taking charge, the new Chief Minister issued key orders. He cleared a file providing 200 units of free electricity to domestic consumers — a move expected to bring relief to middle-class and lower-income households. Vijay also sanctioned the creation of a special force dedicated to women’s safety, signalling early focus on public security and welfare.

Public Reactions and Expectations

Crowds outside the stadium and across Chennai expressed both excitement and high expectations. Many supporters, especially from Vijay’s fan base turned political cadre, saw the swearing-in as the beginning of a new chapter. Critics, however, wondered how the former actor would translate star power into effective administration amid the state’s complex challenges.

Political analysts pointed out that Vijay’s rise reflects changing voter preferences, particularly among younger and aspirational sections seeking alternatives to traditional Dravidian party dominance. His emphasis on simplicity, direct communication, and swift decisions in the first hours has already set a distinct tone.

The coming weeks will test the new government’s ability to deliver on promises while managing coalition realities and administrative transitions. For now, the stadium ceremony and its memorable moments have given Tamil Nadu politics a fresh, cinematic flavour.