As of Monday (15 May 2023) evening, the death toll from the consumption of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu had risen to 17. The alleged incident occurred in Ekkiyarkuppam, a small fishing hamlet in the Vizhuppuram district. A significant number of fatalities were also reported in Sithamur, Chengalpattu district.

Following this incident, Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu directed all district SPs, city police commissioners, and Prohibition Division officers to step up anti-liquor operations. Consequently, police in Tamil Nadu are actively investigating and making arrests in this regard.

So far, 410 people have been arrested in 10 districts, including Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Nagai, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore, in connection with the sale of illegal liquor. 150 people have been remanded in custody. Around 260 criminals are out on bail and ten people have gone missing. According to the DGP office, 8,748 liters of spurious liquor and 4,720 bottles of spirits have been confiscated thus far, and action is being taken against spurious liquor in various districts.

Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami personally met and inquired about the well-being of the people who are being treated at the Mundyambakkam government hospital for consumption of spurious liquor.

Addressing the press after his meeting, he stated “The government has failed to control the sale of bootleg liquor. The DMK government is notorious for allowing the sale of alcohol in sports stadiums and shopping malls. They said that milk and honey would flood the streets if DMK comes to power. But the reality is that only spurious liquor is flowing. Drugs like ganja are easily available in Tamil Nadu. No social activist or actor has spoken out against the deaths caused by illegal liquor. During the AIADMK rule, many people sang songs against alcoholism. But I’m wondering where they all went now. Common people were killed after consuming illicit alcohol sold by members of the ruling party and people with political backgrounds. Those responsible for these crimes should be punished without regard for political affiliation.

It should be noted that actors such as Surya, Karthi, Siddharth, and Kamal Haasan, who were making political statements during the AIADMK regime, have gone silent, and it is these people who Edappadi Palaniswami refers to in his speech. TASMAC Kovan, May 17 Thirumurugan Gandhi, Poovulagin Nanbar G Sundarrajan and other activists who had been protesting for everything during the AIADMK regime went into hibernation mode as well.

Meanwhile, old tweets from actors Surya, Karthi, and Kamal Haasan are going viral, calling their silence into question. On July 29, 2020, actor Surya took to social media to express his opposition to the draft Environmental Impact Assessment 2020 (EIA draft 2020).

On July 29, 2020, actor Surya took to social media to express his opposition to the draft Environmental Impact Assessment 2020 (EIA draft 2020). He backed his brother, actor Karthi, in his statement against EIA 2020. In a tweet, Suriya Sivakumar said, “More than the words we utter, the unuttered silence is very dangerous. Save… Save.. Save the environment.. Let us dispel the silence.” Quoting this tweet netizen asked actor Surya Sivakumar to dispel his silence.

பேசிய வார்த்தைகளை விட, பேசாத மௌனம் மிக ஆபத்தானது. காக்க.. காக்க.. சுற்றுச்சூழல் காக்க.. நம் மௌனம் கலைப்போம்.. #EIA2020 https://t.co/le0hgpzHPX

— Suriya Sivakumar (@Suriya_offl) July 29, 2020

On June 13, 2021, Kamal Hasan, a small screen anchor, tweeted, ” Alcohol is essential for those who are used to drinking and those who are used to selling. The new Chief Minister must ensure that the same scene does not occur following a regime change.” Social media users wondered where the actor’s rage against liquor had gone.

குடித்துப் பழகியவர்களுக்கும், விற்றுப் பழகியவர்களுக்குமே மது அத்தியாவசியம். ஆட்சி மாறினாலும் காட்சிகள் மாறவில்லை எனும் அவச்சொல் எழாமல் புதிய முதல்வர் பார்த்துக்கொள்ளவேண்டும்.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 13, 2021

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The post TN Hooch Tragedy: EPS Questions Silence Of Actors And Activists Who Were Vocal During AIADMK Regime appeared first on The Commune.

Netizens exposed News 18 Tamil Nadu Editor Karthigaichelvan and DMK spokesperson Constantine Raveendran who in a debate tried to protect Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin who peddled a fake news regarding Sterlite protest firing.

On October 28, News18 Tamil Chief Editor Karthigaichelvan hosted a debate titled “Are political parties addressing the Coimbatore car blast incident responsibly?”.

While pointing out that DMK has long history of speaking irresponsibly in sensitive matter, State Spokesperson of Hindu Munnani A.T. Elangovan who participated in the debate pointed out the instance when DMK chief MK Stalin who was then the Leader of Opposition peddled fake news in a public meeting saying it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who asked the then Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami to order firing and killing several people.

The anti-Sterlite protests instigated by fringe groups like Makkal Adhigaram and supported by political parties like the DMK reached its climax on 24 March 2018 when thousands of protestors went on a rampage leading to a break down in law and order. As the protest went out of control, the Tamil Nadu police opened fire that killed 13 people.

When Elangovan mentioned about Stalin’s lies, Constantine Raveendran became enraged and yelled, “show me the proof or I won’t allow the debate continue.”

Though Elangovan was certain of the incident in which CM MK Stalin had lied about the Thoothukudi firing, he was not given sufficient time during the debate to furnish the video proof available on public domain.

Karthigaichelvan who was expected to know of the incident of MK Stalin lying, eluded by saying that he was unaware of the incident and declined Elangovan’s request to express his opinion.

Unfortunately Illango from the Hindu Munnani was not able to get the clip so here it is……. pic.twitter.com/BFwxhXqDlu

— Vishwatma ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) October 28, 2022

Later, Elangovan in a social media post shared the video of MK Stalin’s brazen lies about Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordering then-CM Edappadi Palanisamy to issue firing orders.

Netizens have called out News18 Tamil Nadu editor Karthigaichelvan’s bias alleging that he is trying to protect MK Stalin by acting unaware of MK Stalin’s lies.

@karthickselvaa here is the proof what are going to do now you also was telling that you didnot recollect anything like that.. will you correct that in today’s debate???

— Alone Mussk (@actualycitizen1) October 28, 2022

Karthigaichelvan, who was formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Tamil mainstream news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai, has been roped in by News 18 Tamil Nadu as its Editor.

In the past, Karthigaichelvan had peddled hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times.

Back in 2015, he had shared a disparaging cartoon implying that the Union Government under Narendra Modi is being controlled by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Dear @CNNnews18 , your latest selection is a rabid anti Modi and anti RSS person.He is a dmk leaning jurno. Having him as ur editorial head will certainly take away your “neutrality”. Why this choice ? Wondering what is the compulsion! pic.twitter.com/ChfydyFNQi

— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) September 18, 2022

In another instance, he shared another cartoon with the caption and the “Oscar goes to Mr. Narendra Modi”. In this cartoon there are two images of PM Modi – one sporting Hindu symbols is shown angry while another image of PM Modi shows him a secular, implying that PM Modi is an ‘actor’.

Against the backdrop of PM Modi paying a courtesy visit to the late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, Karthigaichelvan shared a cartoon by the same artist in which PM Modi is shown hitch-hiking on Karunanidhi’s wheelchair.

He had also shared a cartoon mocking Digital India with a euphoric “Hahahaha”.

Once he was called out by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for deliberately trying to peddle anti-Modi propaganda saying that the Centre was waiving off loans taken by corporates.

India’s FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji is confronting the Anti-BJP propaganda of this journalist.

Upon exposing he is diverting it, as a clarification

Such Agenda driven people are joining @News18TamilNadu @News18India

Should we boycott your news channel ? pic.twitter.com/nhn1JcxhAY

— Tinku Venkatesh | ಟಿಂಕು ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ್ (@tweets_tinku) September 18, 2022

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The post DMK Spokie Lies About Stalin’s Lies on Thoothukudi Firings, Dravidian Stockist Journo Plays Along appeared first on The Commune.

The DMK government headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin has decided to discontinue the Amma Mini Clinic scheme which was launched by the AIADMK government.

Citing lack of performance, the State Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that it was a temporary scheme that was meant for a year and it would be discontinued.

He added that the tenure of the doctors who were working in these clinics have been extended till March 2022 and alternate jobs would be provided for them.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched “Amma Mini Clinics” on December 14, 2020 in Chennai at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. Around 2000 such mini clinics were set up across the state to strengthen the public health infrastructure. Chennai alone was to have 200 Amma Mini Clinics and more were slated to be set up in densely populated areas.

Each mini clinic would have have a doctor, a nurse and an assistant to help with public consultation along with facilities for checking body temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen,  haemoglobin, blood sugar, urine samples, etc.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had lauded the Tamil Nadu government’s move for launching the scheme in the middle of a pandemic that will provide for better and accessible medical facilities for the public.

The DMK government’s move to shut the doors of Amma Mini Clinic has attracted criticism from the AIADMK, BJP and the AMMK.

Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the DMK government’s move and said that the it is shutting down these clinic out of political vendetta as it bears the name ‘Amma’ (late J. Jayalalithaa).

“The DMK government has reaffirmed that it is a government that does not care about the welfare of the poor and common people.”, Palaniswami said in a social media post.

Pointing out the double of Health Minister Ma. Subrmanian, BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai said that it is a government’s duty to continue schemes meant for the welfare of people.

T.T.V. Dhinakaran, chief of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam too condemned the DMK government for closing down Amma Mini Clinics.

தமிழகம் முழுவதும் அம்மா மினி கிளினிக்குகள் மூடப்பட்டிருப்பதாக மக்கள் நல்வாழ்வுத் துறை அமைச்சர் கூறியிருப்பது கண்டனத்திற்குரியது. அரசியல் காழ்ப்புணர்ச்சியால் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் இத்தகைய நடவடிக்கைகள் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள முடியாதவை. (1/4)

— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) January 4, 2022

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami launched the AIADMK’s campaign for the Assembly Elections to be held in May 2021.

The Chief Minister starting the campaign from his hometown Edappadi in Salem announced that the government would give a cash dole of ₹2500 for Pongal to all rice cardholders from January 4.

“Pongal is arriving, the festival of Tamil people. Due to the pandemic and the cyclones, many have lost jobs and their livelihood has been affected, especially of those living in delta regions. Considering all their plight with an aim to make all Tamil people celebrate the Pongal festival in the best possible way, the government has decided to disburse ₹2500 to all the 2.06 crore rice cardholders in the state,” Palanisami said.

Apart from the cash dole, people will also get a Pongal kit comprising of 1 kg of raw rice, 1 kg of sugar, a piece of sugarcane, 20 grams of dry grapes, 20 grams of cashews and five grams of cardamom. People will be given tokens at the doorstep by the authorities and can collect the money and the kit on the date allotted.

During the campaign, CM Palaniswami highlighted the various welfare programmes and schemes rolled out by the government. He also spoke about the investments that the state has pulled and the resulting jobs it would be creating.

“The election will happen in another four months and I need to visit all the 234 constituencies. I could have started my campaign a few days later, but 15 days before, DMK MP Kanimozhi started her campaign in this constituency and placed many false allegations against our government. To give her a befitting reply and to prove her allegations wrong, many AIADMK volunteers requested me to start the election campaign from here early. Edappadi is AIADMK’s fort. From 1977, ever since Puratchithalaivar MGR left the DMK and launched the AIADMK, DMK has never won in this constituency. From being an MLA of this constituency, I have been selected as the Chief Minister. Your affection will always be with us. Not just Kanimozhi, even if all the DMK leaders campaign, they won’t be able to win. In the 2021 assembly election, the AIADMK–led alliance will win the majority of the seats and retain power,” the Chief Minister said.

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The Tamil Nadu government has launched a special assistance scheme called “COVID19 Assistance Package” for rejuvenation of rural enterprises worth ₹300 crores.

The scheme covers a wide range of rural enterprise activities that includes production of soap, sanitizers, masks, hand wash, garments, dairy production, fisheries, poultry and other raw materials along with home appliances repairing. Both existing and new enterprises will be given financial assistance under the scheme.

The scheme entails

• a working capital assistance of ₹76 crores (as long term loan) through panchayat level federations to 31,952 individual enterprises,
• a one-time capital grant worth ₹97 crores to 31,960 members of 1598 existing producers’ groups,
• another one-time capital grant of ₹6 crores to 1200 members of 120 existing enterprise groups,
• start-up grant support of ₹50.19 crores to 5010 skilled migrant youth returnees for opening enterprises
• ₹7.5 crores to 75 producer collectives
• ₹49.92 crores as individual loan assistance soft loan for identified livelihood/enterprise activities of 31,952 differently ables and vulnerable persons.

The scheme is a part of the World Bank assisted Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project (TNRTP). The project is being implemented in 30 districts across the state covering 120 blocks and 3994 villages.

More than 1.39 lakh people are set to be beneficiaries of this special assistance scheme.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched the scheme and gave away assistance to five beneficiaries.

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