Tamil Nadu to Withdraw Protest Cases Against Farmers, Teachers

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Tamil Nadu will withdraw cases filed against farmers and teachers during protests held between 2021 and 2026.
The state will introduce digital driving licences and chip-enabled digital registration certificates from September 15.
The government has announced drinking water projects worth Rs 4,800 crore across the state.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to withdraw cases filed against farmers and teachers who participated in various protests between 2021 and 2026. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the decision in a suo motu statement in the state Assembly on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said the protests were conducted to present demands to the then government through democratic and peaceful means. He said his government would withdraw the cases registered against the protesters.

The announcement was welcomed by all parties in the Assembly. Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, however, said the cases had been registered to maintain law and order and questioned the need to refer to the previous government in the suo motu statement.

Tamil Nadu Protest Cases to Be Withdrawn

The government’s decision covers cases registered in connection with various protests by farmers and teachers during the period from 2021 to 2026.

Vijay said the protesters had sought to communicate their demands through democratic means. The government has therefore decided to withdraw the cases filed against them.

The move received support across party lines in the Assembly, although the opposition raised its own position on the circumstances under which the cases had originally been registered.

Digital Driving Licence to Start in Tamil Nadu

The Chief Minister also announced changes to the state’s driving licence and vehicle registration system.

From September 15, Tamil Nadu will introduce digital driving licences and digital registration certificates with a chip. According to Vijay, a QR code will be usable for registration and licensing services by paying Rs 250.

Another key change is the proposed same-day issuance of driving licences. The Chief Minister said applicants would receive their licence on the day they complete the driving test.

The government expects the digital system to improve transparency and reduce the waiting period. Vijay said vehicle registration procedures that previously took between one week and one month would become more efficient.

Tamil Nadu Announces Rs 4,800 Crore Drinking Water Projects

The Tamil Nadu government has also announced drinking water projects with a combined value of Rs 4,800 crore.

A major component will be a 400 MLD desalination plant at Minjur near Chennai. The facility is intended to meet drinking water requirements in North Chennai.

The government has also announced a Rs 500 crore project for Avadi Municipal Corporation to provide 24-hour drinking water supply to all households.

Another Rs 100 crore has been allocated to improve drinking water facilities in Madurai and Cuddalore municipal corporations, along with nine municipalities and 20 town panchayats.

More Funds for Water Supply Infrastructure

The government has decided to renovate all combined drinking water supply schemes. An initial allocation of Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for this work.

In addition, a Rs 410 crore project will be implemented to increase the capacity of the Chennai-Kilpauk drinking water supply plant.