Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday (September 28, 2026) launched the Thaimaman Thanga MothiramThittam (maternal uncle gold ring scheme) for babies born in government healthcare institutions across the State, at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai .

The scheme, one of the poll promises of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), envisages gifting a one-gram gold ring to all newborn babies delivered in Tamil Nadu’s government hospitals on or after June 22, (Mr. Vijay’s birthday). The rings will be BIS hallmarked and will bear the logo of the Tamil Nadu government, an image of CM Vijay, and the name of the scheme.

After arriving at the Madurai airport through a chartered flight from Chennai on Monday morning, Mr Vijay went by road to the GRH premises.

Besides TVK volunteers, members of the public had gathered en route waving at Mr. Vijay. Traffic was diverted in some parts of Madurai city to ensure smooth passage for the Chief Minister and his convoy.

During the launch event of the scheme at GRH, three mothers, each belonging to Hindu, Muslim, and Christian religions were seated on the stage with their infants. Accordingly, Yalini, a baby girl born to Muthu and Muniyandi; Mohammed Sainsha, a baby boy born to Sikandar and Ramila Banu; and a baby girl born to Bose and Stella Mary were presented the gold rings. Overall, gold rings were presented to 27 infants at the inaugural function.

After launching the scheme, Mr. Vijay visited the maternity ward of the GRH and adorned 10 children admitted there with gold rings.

‘Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’, the scheme to provide one-gram gold ring for newborn babies delivered in government hospitals, was launched at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on September 28, 2026
| Photo Credit:
M. Periasamy

Durgadevi, a mother from Alwarpuram in Madurai, shared her joy after Chief Minister Mr. Vijay held her baby girl and whispered the name ‘Balathiyazhan’ into the infant’s ears. The mother expressed immense happiness over the Chief Minister naming the child by playing the role of her elder brother.

Earlier, speaking to reporters after inspecting the arrangements for the scheme’s launch event at the GRH, Minister for Law and Energy Resources C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said: “It is a matter of great joy that the Thaimaman Thanga MothiramThittam is being launched in Madurai. The Chief Minister, who has won the affection of the people of Madurai, is coming here as their brother. It was the Chief Minister’s personal wish to launch this scheme in Madurai.”

He added measures were taken to ensure there is no disruption to the hospital’s regular operations or to the patients.

Further, speaking about various projects for Madurai, he stated that ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for the underground drainage project, and funds have also been allocated for the long-pending cancer hospital project. Mr. Nirmal Kumar stated that the search for a location to establish a Law School of Excellence in an area of about 15 acres in Madurai is underway, and many more such projects are expected to come to Madurai.

Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh on Monday (September 14, 2026) said speaking “obscenely and derogatorily” is the core DNA of the opposition DMK and warned of strict legal action against those making disparaging remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Addressing reporters, the Minister acknowledged that staging protests and demonstrations is a fundamental democratic right, but strongly condemned the use of foul language during political events.

His comments came a day after senior DMK leader A. Raja made an alleged personal attack on state Law Minister R/ Nirmal Kumar during a DMK agitation.

“Speaking obscenely, derogatorily, and spreading lies is the DNA of the DMK. If they didn’t do this, it would be surprising. We are continuously opposing this culture,” the Minister said.

Also read: DMK stages protest against TVK government in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga

The Minister also hit out at former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating that he had nurtured the party with such a culture.

“The biggest example of this is his own son. He constantly makes double-meaning remarks, places cheap criticisms, and speaks derogatorily about ministers…” Mr. Ramesh charged.

Responding to a query about a former DMK HR&CE minister using disrespectful singular terms against the CM, Mr. Ramesh said the government would not tolerate it.

“Strict action will definitely be taken against anyone who speaks degradingly about the Chief Minister, women, or the public. When your speech lacks ‘Aram’ (morality), what qualification do you have to have managed the HR&CE department?” he questioned.

Mr. Ramesh also dismissed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s allegations regarding a spike in crimes against women over the last three months. Blaming previous administrations for the deteriorating law and order, Mr. Ramesh stated that the current government is actively fixing the systemic issues left behind.

“Did crimes suddenly spike in these three months? What we are witnessing is the continuation of the law and order deterioration from the past five years. Chief Minister Vijay is taking swift, concrete measures to ensure women’s safety by introducing the ‘Singappen’ special task force and a dedicated anti-drug wing,” he asserted.

Mr. Ramesh further lauded the CM’s administrative initiatives, noting his efforts to elevate Tamil Nadu’s sports to the global arena by encouraging local talent to achieve international recognition.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday (September 7, 2026) singled out the DMK, the main Opposition in the Assembly, and invoked the nearly 50-year old Sarkaria Commission inquiry into the DMK government headed by M. Karunanidhi, the Veeranam “scandal” and the report by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on the alleged collection of “party funds.”

“Fifty years have passed since the Sarkaria Commission is known to us. It is a golden jubilee achievement of a party that has celebrated its diamond jubilee,” he said while replying to the demands for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services departments.

Mr. Vijay said the Sarkaria Commission report was raised in the Assembly in 2001 by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her Cabinet colleague C. Ponnaiyan. He alleged late Murasoli Maran, the nephew of Karunanidhi, had demanded a 2.5% commission on ₹16 crore from the company ‘Sathyanarayana Brothers’ for taking part in the tender proceedings for the Veeranam water scheme.

Quoting the report, Mr. Vijay said the DMK had received ₹29 lakh in seven instalments between 1970 and 1974. “Besides, they received money to construct a building for Murasoli,” he said, recalling the report’s allegation that Karunanidhi had “abused his official position as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”

Mr. Vijay said, according to the report, Karunanidhi had pressured the Chief Engineer of the PWD, Hussain, to reduce the tender amount. “The following charges have been established by cogent, convincing and reliable evidence — oral, documentary and circumstantial,” he said, quoting the report.

The Chief Minister said he had respect and admiration for Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) and had previously apologised for referring to him by name (in the House). “These are not my allegations. They are part of the report and the allegations of the ED,” he said.

Mr. Vijay said he had no need to raise these issues, but was doing so in response to those who spoke about “legacy and seniority in politics.” “They may run away if we talk about these issues,” he added.

Mr. Vijay said the ED had accused the DMK of collecting between 7.5% and 10% as party funds.

“The bribe collected in the form of party fund from the departments — Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. Government works in the form of party fund. The bribe in the form of party fund is collected for the benefit of the party in Tamil Nadu government,” he charged, quoting the ED report.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off 250 new buses for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), procured at a cost of ₹290.8 crore, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).

According to an official release, with the objective of reducing environmental pollution in Chennai, 625 low-floor electric buses, procured at a cost of ₹697 crore, are currently being operated through five depots of the MTC. Further, the State government has planned to procure 750 new low-floor air-conditioned electric buses at a cost of ₹1,337 crore. As the first phase of the initiative, Mr. Vijay flagged off 130 new low-floor air-conditioned electric buses at a cost of ₹234.50 crore.

Similarly, the TNSTC has planned to introduce 1,614 new buses at an estimated cost of ₹756 crore. As the first phase of the initiative, 120 new buses at a cost of ₹55.58 crore were flagged off by the Chief Minister, the release said.

During the event, Mr. Vijay also boarded a low-floor air-conditioned electric bus and inspected the facilities in the vehicle. Minister for Transport A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, Transport Secretary L. Nirmal Raj, MTC Managing Director D. Mohan, and senior officials were present.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday (August 22, 2026) extended Madras Day greetings and said the city carries the imprints of history and moves forward with the pace of modernity.

In a post on X, Mr. Vijay said Chennai is a city where historical significance, cultural heritage, excellence in various fields including education, healthcare, and technology, hard work, and innovation come together. It embraces people of diverse languages, communities, and cultures, providing opportunities for all.

“Let us preserve Chennai’s historical legacy and cultural identity and further elevate it as a world-class, modern metropolis with advanced infrastructure. Let us resolve to ensure equal opportunities, a safe environment and a prosperous life for all,” he added.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will visit Karur on Friday (July 9, 2026) and meet the family members of the victims who died in the tragic stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally addressed by him on September 27 last year. He will also hand over appointment orders on compassionate grounds to 32 family members of the victims.

They will be appointed to various government departments based on their educational qualifications, official sources said.

Further, Mr. Vijay will lay the foundation stone for Evervan Kothari Footwear Private Limited, which will come up at Manavasi near Krishnarayapuram with an investment of ₹1,700 crore.

The new facility will be a non-leather footwear manufacturing unit and is expected to generate employment for about 13,500 people. The event is scheduled to take place on the Karur District Collectorate campus.

Mr. Vijay will travel from Chennai Airport to Tiruchi by flight on Friday morning and reach Karur by road at around 11 a.m. After assuming office as Chief Minister on May 10, this will be Mr. Vijay’s first visit to Karur.

Later, Mr. Vijay will address a public meeting organised by the party on the outskirts of the city.

With outstanding payments of around ₹2,000 crore for completed works yet to be cleared, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has tightened its belt in an attempt to cut down expenditure and increase revenue by intensifying property tax collection.

Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar said the ₹2,000 crore pending amount was for completed project works. Of this, about ₹450 crore was owed to Urbaser Sumeet, one of the private firms outsourced to handle solid waste management, he said. He urged GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran to request Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to consider releasing allocations under special funds to ease the pressure.

Standing Committee (Taxation and Finance) Chairperson Sarbajaya Das said that to clear the dues, the GCC would assess under-assessed commercial and other large properties, including those measuring over 2,000 sq.ft and 3,000 sq.ft, using GIS-based data to improve tax collection. But, many large-scale new projects are on hold, she added.

According to a senior official, the GCC has doubled its daily property tax collection target from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore to improve its own-source revenue. Against the current half-year demand of about ₹980 crore, roughly ₹500 crore has been collected as of July 1, 2026. Additional staff, extended collection hours and more point-of-sale devices have been deployed for door-to-door collection of arrears, he added.

“The current financial pressure is temporary. The GCC expects its financial position to improve by September, when further development projects could be considered,” the official said.

Salary of workers priority

“GCC’s priority now is to ensure no worker, including those in conservancy, sanitation, and NULM, loses a month’s salary. We have kept conservancy workers’ wages aside, so capital projects will proceed slowly,” the official told The Hindu.

The GCC decided to slow down spending on construction of new projects and make payments to contractors in stages with the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS). Contractors can obtain early advances through the Receivables Exchange of India Limited, the official stated.

The GCC has so far collected around ₹500 crore against its half-year property tax demand of about ₹980 crore.

“The GCC receives ₹80-82 crore every month through State Finance Commission devolution. Around ₹360 crore towards three quarters of stamp duty and surcharge is yet to be released by the State. We have requested the State government to release these dues. Beyond this, funds cannot be expected from the State,” he said.

When Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa arrived at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday (June 8, 2026) to meet Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, he did not expect what was in store for him: the Chief Minister immediately asked officials to bring a chessboard and played a game with him.

“I did not expect it. He [Chief Minister Vijay] asked officials to bring a board and started playing with me. I did not know he played chess. Though I won, he played well. He told me that he often plays with his friends,” said the Grandmaster.

Praggnanandhaa had emerged champion at the prestigious Norway Chess tournament recently.

Photos and videos of the Chief Minister playing chess with Praggnanandhaa have drawn widespread attention on social media and among chess enthusiasts.

The Chief Minister also presented a cheque for ₹50 lakh to him in light of his Norway win.

CM Vijay plays chess with Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa
| Video Credit:
Special Arrangement

Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar on Thursday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to ban the destructive bottom trawling fishing method, a practice prohibited in Sri Lanka since 2017. Expressing willingness to resolve the fisheries conflict through talks and diplomatic channels, he said he hoped to travel to Tamil Nadu to meet the newly elected leader.

Addressing a press conference in Kilinochchi in the island’s Northern Province, Minister Chandrasekar made mention of the long-festering fisheries conflict in the Palk Strait, which impacts Tamil fishermen in northern Sri Lanka and their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, in response to a question from the media.

Referring to Mr. Vijay as “an actor we all like”, Mr. Chandrasekar congratulated him on his recent election win. “There is new hope within the State, where the people have rejected family rule and corruption. They have opted for change and voted for Mr. Vijay,” he said. “Now that you have voted for a change, don’t stand with your hands tied, continue speaking up for the issues that matter to you and prompted you to vote for change,” he told Tamil Nadu’s voters.

Also read: The Palk Bay fisheries conflict: A tale of competing livelihoods and a depleted catch

Terming Mr. Vijay’s recent letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking New Delhi’s intervention on the release of six Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested recently,  a “good move”, Mr. Chandrasekar said that whilediplomatic channels must be pursued on the issue, it is important for Mr. Vijay to understand why the arrests are being made in the first place.