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Vijay has announced drinking water schemes worth ₹4,800 crore and said cases against farmers and teachers will be withdrawn as part of a series of measures aimed at addressing public and sectoral concerns.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Cases against farmers, teachers to be withdrawn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 Chhattisgarh government's decision to implement a digital attendance system through the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) app for school teachers has triggered strong opposition from teacher organisations across the state. The new system, which links attendance records with salary payments, has drawn criticism over alleged technical glitches, inaccurate location tracking and poor network connectivity, particularly in remote areas.

Teacher associations have warned of a statewide protest on August 7 if the government proceeds with salary deductions based solely on the app's attendance records.

Attendance Now Linked to Salary

Under the new arrangement introduced by the School Education Department, teachers are required to punch in upon reaching school and punch out at the end of the working day using the VSK mobile application.

The department has clarified that salary payments will be processed based on the digital attendance recorded through the app. Failure to register attendance or complete check-in and check-out on time could affect salary disbursement.

Teachers Raise Technical Concerns

The digital attendance system has come under scrutiny after teachers alleged that the application frequently records incorrect GPS locations and inaccurate timings.

According to teacher organisations, many schools, especially those located in rural and forested regions, continue to face weak internet connectivity, making it difficult to mark attendance consistently.

A video circulating on social media reportedly shows teachers in Koylibeda block of Kanker district crossing a flooded river by boat to reach school, highlighting the practical challenges faced in remote areas.

Organisations Question Reliability of App

The Chhattisgarh Teachers Association and the Chhattisgarh School Teachers' Union have jointly questioned the reliability of the VSK application.

State President Sanjay Sharma of the Chhattisgarh Teachers Association and State President Virendra Dubey of the Chhattisgarh School Teachers' Union said teachers are regularly attending schools and conducting classes, but technical issues prevent their attendance from being properly recorded.

They argued that teachers should not be penalised for faults in the digital system.

GPS and Network Issues Reported

Teacher groups have highlighted several technical problems with the application, including:

• Incorrect GPS location tracking.

• Poor mobile network connectivity in rural schools.

• Server-related issues.

• Login failures.

• App crashes and hanging.

• Incorrect check-in and check-out timings.

• Operational difficulties in schools functioning in two shifts.

Teachers also shared screenshots alleging that the application displayed check-in status even during scheduled check-out hours.

Attendance Figures Questioned

The School Education Department has claimed that around 83 percent of teachers are successfully recording attendance through the VSK app.

However, teacher organisations questioned the claim, arguing that recording attendance occasionally is different from maintaining complete attendance records throughout the month without interruptions.

They have asked the department whether it can certify that attendance for the entire working day—from morning reporting to evening departure—was successfully captured for 83 percent of teachers during July.

Demand for Manual Attendance Recognition

Teacher unions have demanded that the traditional attendance registers maintained by school principals and headmasters continue to be recognised until the VSK application functions reliably.

According to the organisations, if a teacher is physically present in school and has signed the attendance register, salary should not be withheld merely because the mobile application failed to record attendance due to technical reasons.

Call for Biometric System

The organisations have also suggested that if the government intends to implement a fully digital attendance mechanism, it should install biometric attendance machines in all schools instead of relying exclusively on a smartphone application.

They argue that biometric systems would be more reliable, particularly in areas with unstable internet connectivity.

Protest Planned on August 7

The Chhattisgarh Teachers Association has warned that it will stage demonstrations outside Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) offices across the state on August 7 if salaries are affected due to app-related issues.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh School Teachers' Union has stated that any punitive action against teachers could lead to larger protests, including demonstrations outside the Chief Minister's residence.

With teacher organisations demanding technical improvements and recognition of manual attendance records, the issue now rests with the School Education Department, which will have to balance administrative reforms with concerns raised by educators across the state.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will participate in a series of programmes in Ujjain on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Wednesday, including the inauguration of the newly constructed Gita Bhavan, built at a cost of ₹34 crore, and the state-level Guru Purnima Mahotsav and Maharshi Sandipani Alankaran Ceremony.

During the event, the Chief Minister will also symbolically distribute appointment letters to newly selected primary teachers and launch the state's Mission Buniyad, aimed at strengthening foundational learning in schools.

₹34-Crore Gita Bhavan to Be Inaugurated

The Chief Minister is scheduled to arrive in Ujjain at around 11 am, where he will inaugurate the newly built Gita Bhavan located on Dewas Road.

The modern facility has been developed at a cost of ₹34 crore and is expected to host major educational, cultural and spiritual events in the city.

Visits to Sant Ravidas and Sandipani Temples

During his visit, Dr. Mohan Yadav will participate in a virtual conference before offering prayers at the Sant Ravidas Temple and the Maharshi Sandipani Temple, both of which hold significant religious and historical importance.

Guru Purnima State-Level Function at Gita Bhavan

The School Education Department will organise the Guru Purnima Mahotsav, including the Maharshi Sandipani Shraddha Parv and Samman Ceremony, at Gita Bhavan from 2 pm under the Chief Minister's chief guestship.

Nearly 1,000 newly selected eligible primary teachers from 17 districts are expected to participate in the programme.

Mission Buniyad to Be Launched

The Chief Minister will formally launch Mission Buniyad, a state initiative focused on improving foundational literacy and numeracy among school students.

As part of the programme, appointment letters will be symbolically handed over to 10 newly recruited primary teachers, representing the 7,500 teachers recently selected by the School Education Department.

Teachers, Principals and Students to Be Honoured

The state government will also felicitate six school principals whose institutions have achieved 100% pass results in the Madhya Pradesh Board examinations for three consecutive years.

Additionally, two principals from Ujjain district will be honoured for their achievements in different categories.

A student who secured the top position in the Ujjain district merit list of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Examination will also receive recognition during the ceremony.

Retired Professors, Development Projects Also on Agenda

The programme will include the felicitation of five retired assistant professors from the Higher Education Department.

The Chief Minister will also perform the foundation stone laying and inauguration of several development projects during his visit.

The Guru Purnima celebrations in Ujjain are expected to witness participation from educationists, teachers, students, public representatives and spiritual leaders, highlighting the state's emphasis on education, cultural heritage and teacher recognition.

Kondagaon Police have uncovered an alleged inter-district financial fraud in which at least 43 teachers were reportedly cheated of ₹10–12 crore through a network that promised quick personal loans and high financial returns. Following a nearly three-month technical and financial investigation, police arrested five accused from Ambikapur, Jashpur and Sarangarh.

Investigators believe the fraud may have affected more victims than those identified so far, and the probe has now been expanded to trace additional suspects and possible accomplices.

43 Cases Confirmed, More Victims Suspected

According to police, 43 teachers have so far been identified as victims of the alleged scam. However, some teachers have claimed that many others have not approached authorities due to concerns over social stigma and reputational damage.

While police have officially confirmed fraud involving 43 complainants, local estimates suggest that 150 to 200 teachers across the district may have fallen prey to the scheme. These claims are yet to be independently verified.

How the Alleged Fraud Worked

Investigators said the accused approached teachers with promises of arranging multiple personal loans from different banks within a short period.

After securing loan approvals, the victims allegedly received only 40% of the sanctioned amount, while the remaining 60% was transferred into bank accounts controlled by the accused and their associates.

To gain the teachers' confidence, the accused allegedly assured them that the entire loan liability, including instalments and housing-related benefits, would be settled within two to three years. Believing these assurances, the victims signed loan-related documents.

Police said the accused later disappeared with the money, leaving the teachers responsible for repaying the full loan amount and monthly EMIs.

Fake Documents and Identity Manipulation

The investigation also revealed the alleged use of forged identity documents.

According to police, fake Aadhaar cards and other fabricated records were prepared in several cases. Investigators allege that victims' residential addresses were altered on official documents, enabling the accused to obtain loans from multiple banks using manipulated records.

Authorities are examining whether additional forged documents were used to facilitate the fraud.

Complaints Triggered Investigation

The case came to light after several teachers approached police with complaints of financial fraud.

Farasgaon resident Sanjay Kodopi alleged that he and his associates were cheated of nearly ₹2 crore on the pretext of securing personal loans.

Similarly, Anant Kumar Nirmalkar from Bade Dongar reported an alleged fraud of around ₹4 crore. Teachers including Devendra Kishore Khawas, Yogeshwar Baidya and others from the Keshkal area also filed complaints regarding similar transactions.

Based on these complaints, police registered four criminal cases at the Farasgaon and Keshkal police stations and launched a detailed investigation.

Five Arrested After Three-Month Probe

Under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra (IPS) and Additional SP Kapil Chandra, a special investigation team analysed bank records, mobile phone data, digital transactions and financial documents over three months.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of:

• Shivshankar Das (Ambikapur)

• Dilip Kumar Soni (Ambikapur)

• Virendra Tirkey (Jashpur)

• Shyamsundar Jangde (Sarangarh)

• Anshuman Singh (Ambikapur)

Police have seized mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, bank passbooks, cheque books, ATM cards, diaries, registers and other financial documents from the accused. These materials are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Banking System Loophole Under Examination

Investigators also found that the accused allegedly exploited delays in the banking system's credit reporting mechanism.

Officials said that loans obtained from one bank often take several days to appear in the central credit database. During this gap, the accused allegedly secured multiple loans from different banks in the names of the same individuals before previous borrowings were reflected in the system.

Financial experts say stronger real-time coordination among banks and faster verification of borrowers' credit records could help prevent such frauds in the future.

Investigation Continues

Police said questioning of the arrested accused is continuing and the investigation has now widened to examine the possible involvement of bank agents, intermediaries and other members of the alleged network.

Authorities suspect that the group may have carried out similar operations in other districts of Chhattisgarh, and further arrests are not being ruled out.

Two major alleged financial fraud cases have surfaced in Chhattisgarh, with police launching investigations into investment schemes that allegedly duped thousands of people across the state. In one case, a Bhilai-based investment company is accused of cheating investors of more than ₹1,000 crore through promises of high returns from share trading and Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). In another case, police have arrested five people for allegedly defrauding 43 teachers of nearly ₹12 crore through fraudulent personal loan schemes.

Bhilai Investment Firm Under Scanner

The first case emerged from the Supela area of Bhilai, where police registered a case against Arena Capital and its promoters after multiple investors alleged that they were lured into investing with promises of 10% monthly returns and claims that their money would double within a short period.

According to the complaint, the company initially paid returns for a few months, helping build investor confidence. However, payments reportedly stopped nearly ten months ago, prompting investors to suspect fraud.

The main accused, Yogesh Sahu, was allegedly apprehended by aggrieved investors when he appeared at a local court in connection with another case. The investors handed him over to the police, following which the Supela police registered an FIR.

The case has been filed against Yogesh Sahu and several others, including Megha Sahu, Govind Sahu, Rajendra Sahu, Padma Sahu, Lomash Sahu and Gyan Prakash Sahu, along with their associates, on charges of cheating.

Investors Claim Massive Losses

Retired BSP employee Raju Namdev, one of the complainants, alleged that he invested ₹15 lakh in March 2025 after being assured of attractive returns through share trading and investment plans.

According to the complaint, several other investors also deposited substantial amounts. Police documents mention alleged investments of ₹1.61 crore by Shadab Siddiqui, ₹1.12 crore by Indresh Kumar Bangre, ₹23 lakh by Vidyanand Chandra Dutta and Ankit Dutta, and ₹63 lakh by Arun Kumar and Pragya Dubey.

Another complainant, Vivek Singh, claimed that he and his family invested nearly ₹1.5 crore, including funds mobilised through relatives and acquaintances. He alleged that between 1,000 and 1,500 investors across Chhattisgarh may have been affected, with the total amount involved potentially exceeding ₹1,000 crore. These figures are based on complainants' claims and are yet to be independently verified by investigating agencies.

Police said they are examining bank transactions, investment documents and the financial network linked to the accused to determine the actual scale of the alleged fraud.

Previous Cases Against Main Accused

Investigators said Yogesh Sahu had previously faced criminal cases registered at Supela and Smriti Nagar police stations and had secured bail in those matters.

Following fresh complaints, police have initiated a detailed investigation to identify additional victims, trace financial transactions and determine whether the alleged investment scheme operated across multiple districts.

Separate Loan Fraud Targets Teachers

In a separate operation, Kondagaon police uncovered an alleged loan fraud involving 43 teachers, resulting in losses estimated at around ₹12 crore.

Police arrested five accused after a three-month financial and technical investigation.

According to investigators, the accused promised teachers quick personal loans and assured them that only 40% of the loan amount would need to be repaid, while claiming they would manage the remaining liability.

Instead, police allege that nearly 60% of the sanctioned loan amount was transferred into the accused persons' bank accounts, leaving the teachers responsible for repaying the entire loan along with monthly instalments.

Investigators said the accused also assured victims that the loans would be cleared within two to three years, including housing-related benefits, persuading them to sign loan documents.

Probe Underway

Police are continuing investigations in both cases by examining financial records, bank accounts, digital evidence and the role of all individuals connected to the alleged frauds.

Authorities have urged anyone who may have invested through the Bhilai-based company or fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and assist the investigation.

At Tilak Dhari Post Graduate College (TD College) in Jaunpur, many teachers arriving for the exam described the test as more than just an eligibility assessment. For them, it has become a matter of professional credibility and self-respect.

Speaking to media persons outside the examination centre, teachers said the requirement to clear the exam has created an uncomfortable situation both at work and at home.

“One phase of life was when children respected their parents and teachers without question. Parents would tell their children to study hard and listen to their teachers. Now our own children tell us, ‘First pass the exam yourself, then teach us,’” a teacher who travelled from Gorakhpur to appear for the examination said.

His remarks reflected the sentiments of several candidates who believe the policy has placed experienced educators in a difficult position. According to them, being asked to prove their competence through another examination after years of teaching has affected their confidence and public perception.

The UPTET 2026 examination began on July 2 and concluded on Saturday. Thousands of candidates, including serving teachers and aspiring educators, appeared across centres in the state.

Many teachers at the Jaunpur centre argued that while they support quality education and professional accountability, the process should also acknowledge practical teaching experience accumulated over the years. Some said the examination has led to questions from family members, students and even neighbours about their professional standing.

Several candidates described the psychological pressure associated with the test. They said preparing for a competitive examination while continuing regular teaching responsibilities has not been easy, particularly for those who have spent years in classrooms guiding students through similar assessments.

For many, the challenge is not merely academic but emotional.

“After teaching children for years, sitting in an examination hall again at this stage of life feels very different. It becomes a question of honour and reputation,” another candidate said.

The issue has sparked debate in educational circles, with supporters of the examination arguing that periodic assessments help maintain teaching standards. Others believe that experience and classroom performance should carry greater weight in evaluating educators.

The Uttar Pradesh government has maintained that teacher eligibility examinations are aimed at ensuring quality and uniform standards in the education system. However, concerns raised by serving teachers have brought attention to the human side of the policy and the pressures faced by educators balancing professional responsibilities with certification requirements.

As the examination process concludes, attention will now shift to the results and the broader discussion surrounding teacher assessment, professional development and educational reforms in the state.

For many of the teachers who appeared this week, the outcome will represent more than a qualification. It will be seen as validation of years spent in classrooms shaping young minds.

Commissioner Sheelendra Singh says mere enrollment won't work; warns of strict action against negligence; vows to conduct surprise inspections

In a strong message to the education department, Rewa Commissioner Sheelendra Singh has issued strict directives regarding the quality of school education, making it clear that if any student in Class 4 or 5 is found unable to read or write during inspections, it will be treated as gross negligence.

The Commissioner said that the principal and concerned teachers of the school would face strict action in such cases. He emphasized that merely enrolling children in schools is not enough — the real goal is to provide basic education and make every child capable of reading and writing.

"Admission alone is not sufficient. The true purpose is to ensure every child learns. The government's intention is to provide modern and effective education to children. Their future depends on this, and no negligence will be tolerated," Singh said.

Improvement through ground-level work, not paperwork

Delivering a clear message to officials and teachers, the Commissioner said improvement in the education system cannot be achieved through paperwork alone. "Real improvement will come from ground-level work. Teachers must ensure that every child learns. Special attention should be given to weak students, and extra classes should be arranged for them," he said.

Commissioner to conduct surprise inspections

Commissioner Singh said the system of regular monitoring and evaluation of schools would be further strengthened. He also announced that he would personally conduct surprise inspections of schools to assess the ground reality of education.

"If the quality of education is found weak anywhere, or if children's learning abilities are not up to the mark, strict action will be taken against those responsible," he warned.

The Commissioner's directive comes amid growing concerns over the learning outcomes in government schools across the region. Officials have been instructed to ensure that basic literacy and numeracy skills are imparted to all students by the time they reach Class 5.

The Rewa division administration has made it clear that accountability for learning outcomes will now rest squarely with school heads and teachers. Regular monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to track progress and identify schools that are lagging behind.