Minister warns stringent action against paper mill over polluting Godavari river

The Deputy Minister of National Unity in the Government of Malaysia, Yuneswaran Ramaraj, on Tuesday met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat in Chennai and handed over to him a letter from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ramaraj said he had handed over a congratulatory letter from the Malaysian Prime Minister to Mr. Vijay on his becoming the Chief Minister. He also said he had informed Mr. Vijay that Mr. Ibrahim would be visiting India for the BRICS Summit in September, later this year, in New Delhi. In conjunction with that visit, Mr. Ibrahim also wanted to convey to Mr. Vijay that he was planning to visit Tamil Nadu.Mr. Ramaraj also recalled that nearly 40 years ago, Mahathir Mohamad, who was then the Prime Minister of Malaysia, met M.G. Ramachandran, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He said the proposed visit of Mr. Ibrahim to Tamil Nadu had several objectives, including strengthening diversity and bilateral relations, continuing cooperation in business, promoting cultural exchange, and supporting the Tamil language and schools.Mr. Ramaraj said meetings between Tamil Nadu industrialists and the Prime Minister of Malaysia during his visit to the State were also under consideration. He also said that after settling down in office, he expected Mr. Vijay to visit Malaysia. “I told him that he had visited Malaysia several times as a star. His next visit will be official. It will be a historic moment and mark a new journey of cooperation between the two governments,” he added. Published - May 26, 2026 05:55 pm IST

File picture of Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. He has been granted 30-day parole | The Dera chief will stay at his Sirsa-headquartered Dera during the parole period, said Dera spokesperson and advocate Jitender Khurana.His latest release comes months after he was granted a similar parole in January. Before that, he was out on a 40-day parole in August 2025, a 21-day furlough in April 2025 and a 30-day parole in January 2025 ahead of the February 5 Delhi assembly polls.He was also granted a 20-day parole on October 1, 2024, days before the October 5 Haryana assembly polls. a 21-day furlough in August 2024, and a three-week furlough in February 2022, barely two weeks before the Punjab assembly polls.Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, have previously criticised the repeated grant of parole and furlough to Ram Rahim.In March, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had acquitted Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of a journalist, seven years after he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the case by a special CBI court.In May 2024, the High Court had overturned another special CBI court order and acquitted Ram Rahim and four others in the 2002 murder of the sect's former manager, Ranjit Singh.The Sirsa-headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda has a number of followers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and other States. In Haryana, the Dera has a sizeable number of followers in many districts, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Hisar. Published - May 26, 2026 11:19 am IST

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addressing the MSME Growth Summit 2026 in Vijayawada on Monday. | Chandrababu Naidu on Monday (May 25, 2026) unveiled a development blueprint aimed at transforming the State into a global hub for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), advanced manufacturing and grassroots entrepreneurship.Addressing the MSME Growth Summit 2026 at the newly inaugurated Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Convention Centre, Mr. Naidu described small and medium businesses as the backbone of employment generation, second only to agriculture, and outlined a governance strategy to help small ideas grow into large-scale industrial operations.Naidu to Gen Z and Alpha: tell us your dreams, we will back youA.P. CM Chandrababu Naidu asked Gen Z and Gen Alpha to tell government the skills they wanted to learn, the fields that interested them and their aspirations, and said it would stand by them and use their talent. pic.twitter.com/zzEEFrXh7K— The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) May 25, 2026The Chief Minister drew a direct link between investment inflows and rapid job creation. He said that over the last 23 months, Andhra Pradesh had secured investment commitments totalling ₹23 lakh crore, averaging ₹1 lakh crore per month. He said the focus had been on delivery rather than mere paperwork, and that these inflows translated into 23 lakh jobs over the same period, averaging one lakh jobs each month.Mr. Naidu said the government’s operational policy followed a cycle of signing, grounding and opening projects, aligning the State’s industrial work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national “Chip to Ship” manufacturing initiative.To support this MSME-led growth, the State is providing targeted fiscal incentives and building decentralised infrastructure to lower entry barriers for local capital, he said, adding that the government had released ₹500 crore in industrial incentives and launched a ₹200-crore cluster development programme.On the infrastructure front, foundation stones have already been laid for nearly 100 industrial parks, including 38 parks inaugurated on Monday, as part of a policy goal of establishing at least one dedicated MSME industrial park in every Assembly constituency.ఏపీలో ఉన్న వనరులను వినియోగించుకునేలా ఎంఎస్‌ఎంఈలకు అందుబాటులోకి తీసుకొచ్చాం. ఎంఎస్‌ఎంఈ పాలసీతో పాటు ప్రైవేట్ పారిశ్రామిక పార్కుల పాలసీలను కూడా తీసుకువచ్చాం. #MSMEwaveInAP#IdhiManchiPrabhutvam#ChandrababuNaidu#AndhraPradeshpic.twitter.com/Cr9B8glsEb— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) May 25, 2026The strategy seeks to widen business ownership through the “One Family-One Entrepreneur” programme, aiming to spur industrial growth at the grassroots level. A key part of the empowerment plan relies on the State’s large DWCRA women’s self-help groups, which hold a corpus fund of ₹28,000 crore. The government has set a target to turn five lakh of these women into entrepreneurs within the year.He further said the government would support the growing startup ecosystem and work towards a target of 100 unicorn startups.While MSMEs are central to the policy, Mr. Naidu called for their integration into high-technology sectors like aerospace, defence and space industries.Moving away from traditional industrial models, the government is backing a transition towards a circular economy. Under the slogan “Village to Global Market,” the policy says waste from one industry should become the raw material for another, building environmental sustainability into the State’s industrial framework. MSMEs have a role to play in the circular economy.Backing youth aspirationsMr. Naidu said the aspirations and thinking of different generations were changing fast, and the government was ready to help young people reach their goals. There were now distinct groups such as teenagers, Gen Alpha and Gen Z, each with its own ideas and ambitions, and the younger generations were leaning more towards innovation and entrepreneur

Udhayanidhi Stalin; Edappadi K. Palaniswami | Venkatachalapathy; S. Siva Saravanan Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday (May 25, 2026) demanded that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay explain the steps taken by his government to prevent crimes against women and children in the State.“Is this Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh? Where is your Singapen Athiradi Padai (Women Task Force)? Why is the Chief Minister, who spoke dialogues of valour before the elections, refusing to open his mouth now?” Mr. Udhayanidhi asked in a social media post.He alleged Tamil Nadu had witnessed 25 murders, four cases of double murder, and 19 incidents of sexual assault in the past 15 days.“In the rule of those who spoke about change, Tamil Nadu’s law and order situation has deteriorated. After the murder of a girl in Sulur, there has now been a sexual assault on another girl in Villupuram district. The body of the Sulur girl was cremated without informing her mother. A boy was murdered near a temple in Madurai and a petrol bomb was hurled at the house of a woman in Coimbatore,” he alleged.Mr. Udhayanidhi also referred to an incident in Perambur, the constituency represented by the Chief Minister, where a gang of alleged drug peddlers allegedly vandalised cars. “We cannot accept eyewash statements issued after meetings of police officers when people are living in fear,” he said.Uphold law and order: EPSAIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, meanwhile, expressed shock over the criminal incidents reported from across the State. He urged Mr. Vijay to uphold law and order in Tamil Nadu.Mr. Palaniswami referred to a case of sexual harassment of a girl in Madurai allegedly involving a ruling TVK functionary, the alleged harassment of a college student by a TVK functionary in Chennai, and the alleged harassment of an electricity engineer by TVK functionaries in Tiruvottiyur, among other incidents.The AIADMK leader also referred to reports about the death of a couple who attempted to pass through a railway subway inundated by heavy rain in Omalur in Salem district. He pointed out that the failure to clear the inundated subway had led to the loss of two lives.“The Chief Minister claimed that he would deliver better governance and bring about change. But we are losing precious lives every other day. There is only disappointment with this government,” Mr. Palaniswami contended. “Besides, ruling party functionaries are threatening people, especially government employees,” he further alleged. He also criticised the Chief Minister for not addressing the media through a press conference.‘Vijay a mute spectator’AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran criticised the government over the recurring sexual assaults on minors reported from various parts of the State, referring to recent incidents in Coimbatore and Villupuram districts.Referring to Mr. Vijay’s statement when the sexual assault of a student at Anna University was reported during the previous DMK regime, Mr. Dhinakaran asked: “Why is Mr. Vijay remaining indifferent and acting as a mute spectator to offences against women after assuming office as Chief Minister?”BJP State unit president Nainar Nagenthran also slammed the TVK regime. “Only the government has changed, but the woes continue,” he contended.Mr. Nagenthran also strongly criticised Mr. Vijay for having “instigated” children to canvass their parents to vote for him and for having assured them that he was their “uncle”, but later remaining a mere “spectator” while children were being sexually assaulted.The BJP leader questioned whether Mr. Vijay had the competence to govern Tamil Nadu if he remained a “puppet Chief Minister” and was indifferent to issues under his government.‘How many more lives must be lost?’In another post, Mr. Nagenthran referred to the murder of a boy in Madurai and called for strict punishment for the culprits. He criticised the TVK and asked how many more lives must be lost

Actor Mammootty and Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at a public reception accorded to the CM in Kochi on May 24, 2026. | VIBHU Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Sunday (May 24, 2026) announced the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s plan to transform Kochi into a model city with seamless transport connectivity and world-class infrastructure.He said Kochi would be developed in a “twin city” model by expanding its current boundaries. “Urban planning is among the key priorities of our government. The benefits of such planning would extend not only to city residents but also to people in nearby villages,” Mr. Satheesan said while addressing a civic reception organised in the city.The Chief Minister said a detailed master plan for the city would be prepared within the next six months.Addressing his first major event in his home city after becoming the Chief Minister, Mr. Satheesan said the government was committed to implementing “dream projects” aimed at boosting Kerala’s economy and improving people’s quality of life. He reiterated plans to transform the State into a major port and aviation hub through large-scale development initiatives.“Development is not merely about constructing massive buildings and infrastructure. I too used to think that way, but later realised that development is about bringing progressive changes to the living standards of ordinary people,” Mr. Satheesan said. He added that despite financial challenges, the new government has a clear vision for transforming the State.Terming his decision to take charge of the finance portfolio a “challenge”, the Chief Minister said improving the State’s economy was among the government’s top priorities. He assured that the wealth generated through development would be distributed fairly among all sections of society.The Chief Minister said the government would take steps to prevent “brain drain” by improving higher education opportunities within the State and supporting young people to launch new ventures in Kerala. Mr. Satheesan asserted that he would not compromise on communalism.He also called for developing Kochi into the hub of Kerala’s film industry and tapping the immense potential of the tourism sector.District Collector G. Priyanka chaired the meeting held at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kadavanthra. Actor Mammootty was the chief guest.Mr. Mammootty said Mr. Satheesan had been handed a huge responsibility. “It’s a job that requires one to listen to and speak to all sections of society,” Mr. Mammootty added, wishing the Chief Minister success in carrying out his duties in a fair and just manner.Mohanlal hails CMLater in the day, Mr. Satheesan was accorded a grand public reception at Paravur, his Assembly constituency. Addressing the gathering, Mohanlal, who was the chief guest at the event, said it was rare in the State’s history for people across Kerala to make a clarion call for someone to become Chief Minister. “I was wondering what prompted people to think this person was needed not only for Paravur, but for the whole of Kerala. I think it’s his honesty and transparency,” Mohanlal said. Actor Mohanlal and the Chief Minister at a civic reception accorded to the CM at Paravur on May 24, 2026. | Published - May 24, 2026 09:45 pm IST

With seven of the 33 Ministers sworn into the new Cabinet on Thursday winning from Chennai constituencies, the State capital has secured one of its strongest representations in the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers in recent years.This includes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) head C. Joseph Vijay, the MLA from Perambur who holds the Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply portfolio in addition to other key sectors. Since many in the top leadership of the TVK decided to contest from Chennai, and leaders became ministers, the city’s contribution to the current cabinet is among the highest ever.TVK general secretary and T. Nagar MLA N. Anand is the Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources. TVK general secretary (election campaign management) and Villivakkam MLA Aadhav Arjuna is the Minister for Public Works and Sports Development. Similarly, Egmore (SC) MLA Rajmohan is the Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, and Mylapore MLA P. Venkataramanan is the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar MLA N. Marie Wilson holds the Finance, Planning, and Development portfolios while Velachery legislator R. Kumar has been assigned the portfolio of Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services.Past yearsThe current allocation marks a significant increase in representation for Chennai compared to the previous administrations.In the 2021 DMK Cabinet headed by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who represented Kolathur, only three MLAs from the city were present, including P.K. Sekarbabu (Harbour) and Ma. Subramanian (Saidapet). Later, Udhayanidhi Stalin was sworn in as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in December 2022.Before that, the 2016 AIADMK Cabinet featured just two Ministers from Chennai, including former CM J. Jayalalithaa (Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar) and D. Jayakumar (Royapuram). Similarly, the 2011 AIADMK government included only two city representatives, G. Senthamizhan (Saidapet) and Gokula Indira (Anna Nagar). Published - May 23, 2026 12:26 am IST