tirunelveli l thursday l july 02, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Indigo launches ‘lite fare’ for flyers with only cabin baggage IndiGo has introduced an entry level lite fare for passengers traveling on both domestic and international flights with only cabin baggage Available when booking directly with airline weeks after Air India’s ‘basic fare’ launch Lite fare can be availed when booking tickets directly with the airline including the website, mobile application and contact centre. The low fare option will be applicable across both domestic and international, non-stop routes for both adult and child passengers, the airline said in a statement. It will be available only for economy class passengers ■ ■ “Customers will enjoy a lower base price with an auto-assigned seat at no additional cost, and a cabin bag allowance of up to 7 kgs,” the airline, operated by InterGlobe Aviation, said in a statement It comes weeks after Tata Group’s Air India introduced its own basic fare, where it gave the option to opt out from complementary meal 2,100 Flights operated daily by Indigo, which is India’s largest airline CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Mexico break knockout curse Mbappe show in NYNJ At the rate Les Bleus are going, the others may as well stop bothering right now. Against Sweden, they dazzled with Kylian Mbappe adding two more goals to his tally. He’s now level with Lionel Messi with six. Michael Olise also sparkled with two more assists In front of a heaving Azteca, Mexico were all over Ecuador like a rash and scored the goals to take them to the last 16. It was their first knockout win at the World Cup in 40 years and the residents emptied out on to the streets to celebrate the landmark. With them playing the last 16 game also at the Azteca, there’s promise of more glory Bleus is the warmest colour Bill to axe arrested CM may be back Controversial Constitution Amendment Bill may figure in the Monsoon session Mbappe embraces coach Didier Deschamps following France’s progress | AFP R a j e s h K u m a r T h a k u r @ New Delhi Today’s matches: Spain vs Austria: 12.30 AM*, Portugal vs Croatia 4.30 AM*, Switzerland vs Algeria 8.30 AM* ( IST Friday) TVK, friendly parties to roll out a formal alliance soon P r a b h a k a r Ta m i l a r a s u @ Chennai The r uling TVK and its friendly parties have officially transitioned their informal bloc into a formal electoral alliance to contest the state’s upcoming elections. Led by Chief Minister and TVK leader C Joseph Vijay, the significant decision was finalised during a high-level coordination meeting held on Wednesday at a private resort in Mamallapuram. This strategic unification is aimed at solidifying their political presence and streamline campaign efforts ahead of the next polls. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, IUML chief K M Kader Mohideen, MDMK leader Vaiko, and MPs and MLAs of the friendly parties participated in the meeting. After listening to the opinion of the alliance leaders, Vijay assured all friendly parties that TVK would be fir m on secularism, social justice, and corruption-free governance. “We have taken three important decisions. Form a coordination committee, frame a common minimum programme for the alliance parties to work on common principles, and coin a new name for the alliance,” Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and MP Manickam Tagore told re por ters soon after the meeting. Answering questions on whether the TVK would be part of INDIA bloc, Manickam Tagore said, “As of now, the INDIA bloc has parties that have MPs in Parliament. Once TVK enters Parliament, their stand (on joining the INDIA bloc) will be discussed. For now, we are working to build a front at the state level.”  P5 Express Read TNEA rank list released; cut-offs expected to dip Chennai: S Akshitha from Dharmapuri secured the first rank in the TN Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2026 rank list released on Wednesday. With the number of perfect scorers dropping sharply, and colleges set to offer 19,657 more seats this year, engineering cut-offs may dip in TN | P2 State moves SC against ban on cow slaughter New Delhi: The TN government has moved the apex court against a Madras HC order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter. In its plea, the state said the order violated the Animal Preservation Act, which permits slaughter of cows aged over 10 years and unfit for work/breeding | P5 3 held in `35-cr bribe plot to lure TVK MLA; Balaji in dock Ex p r e s s n e w s s e r vi c e @ Chennai Former DMK minister and Coimbatore South MLA V Senthil Balaji has come under police scanner after the Chennai police named him and his brother V Ashok Kumar in connection with an alleged `35-crore bribery and intimidation bid targeting Uthangarai MLA N Ilaiyaraja of the ruling TVK. While three persons have been arrested and remanded for allegedly pressuring MLA Ilaiyaraja to vote against Speaker J C D Prabhakar in a proposed no-confidence motion in the Assembly four more per, sons are being quizzed. Police claimed the accused acted at the behest of Ashok Kumar. The case was registered after the MLA submitted a complaint to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj on Monday. In the complaint, the MLA stated that Thirunavukkarasu representing Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS), a political V Senthil Balaji DMK goes to governor Chennai: The DMK has filed written complaints with Governor R V Arlekar and director of the Directorate of Vigilance and AntiCorruption (DVAC) seeking registration of an FIR and a thorough probe into alleged ‘horse-trading’ attempts by CM Vijay to secure a majority by making opposition MLAs quit posts and join TVK | P4 opinion polling firm, had first contacted him a few days ago, reaching out on behalf of leaders of a major political party and sought a personal meeting, which the MLA declined citing prior commitments. Road accident cases SC firms up ITR yardstick for compensation SUCH I TRA K ALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi In an attempt to bring uniformity in motor accident compensation cases, the Supreme Court on Wednesday framed guidelines for determining annual income of the deceased or injured claimants based on their income tax returns (ITR). “ITRs are statutory records and carry a presumption of correctness. In case of salaried individuals, income does not fluctuate significantly making the latest ITR the most accu, rate reflection. For self-employed persons, earnings vary so , a three-year average ensures a realistic assessment,” said a two-judge bench of justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh. The bench observed that while no straitjacket formula can be fixed for computing income under the Motor Vehicles Act, a distinction must be drawn — in these accidental claims cases — between the salaried employees and self-employed Factoring in persons when relying on ITRs for promotion compensation. The verdict came on an appeal by an In cases where a insurance firm challenging a high court promotion or pay order that had fixed the deceased’s in- revision had come by picking the highest ITR from the taken place last five years. Disapproving the method, shortly before the the bench said selecting the highest re- accident and was turn in isolation would result in inflated not reflected in awards and unfairly burden insurers. the ITR, courts The court further said tribunals could could consider deviate from ITRs if a particular year re- promotion letters flected exceptional income due to one- and other records time gains or abnormal losses. Where ITRs are not filed, it said, courts may rely on Form 26AS, bank statements or salary slips, but must record reasons for doing so. The bench also said fluctuation in income of selfemployed victims needs to be factored in. It could arise from the nature of the business, growth pattern and impact of death on the business and its potential growth. The court directed its registry to circulate the guidelines to all Motor Accident Claims Tribunals and high courts across the country to ensure uniform application in pending and future matters. Police alleged that Thirunavukkarasu contacted Ilaiyaraja again and offered him `35 crore to vote against the Speaker in the proposed Assembly resolution. When Ilaiyaraja rejected the offer and warned him not to contact him again, Thirunavukkarasu allegedly threatened him and his family of dire consequences if he disclosed the conversation to anyone. Police said that they found that Thirunavukkarasu (45) of Arumbakkam was acting in coordination with Naresh (40) of Tiruchy and Thyagarajan (40) of Medavakkam. The Triplicane Police booked the trio under provisions relating to bribery criminal intimidation and , obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties, and arrested them. “Inquiry further revealed that Thirunavukkarasu contacted and threatened the MLA on the instructions of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar. Ashok Kumar had also met Naresh in Chennai,” a senior police officer said.  P5 Re-NEET had 2 lakh fewer candidates than first exam Legislative priority Apart from the bill to disqualify PMs, CMs and ministers, the govt is expected to accord priority to a limited number of other bills during the Monsoon Session, including the Women’s Reservation Bill, indicating a focused legislative agenda on major policy initiatives Opposition boycott Members of main Opposition parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, SP, DMK and the Left boycotted the panel. However, the NCP (Sharad Pawar), AIMIM and other fencesitters such as the BJD, YSRCP and SAD participated in the committee S L a l i t h a @ New Delhi The contentious 130th Constitution Amendment Bill on disqualifying prime ministers and chief ministers could be back in Parliament as its vetting by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) ios about to be over. The government is said to be keen on piloting the bill that was first introduced last year, for possible passage in the forthcoming Monsoon Session. The session is expected from July 20 but not later than July 27. As per the proposed amendment, offices of the PM and CMs would automatically fall vacant if the incumbent remains in judicial custody for more than 30 days without bail. The government maintains that the measure is intended to strengthen accountability and reinforce public confidence in the holders of high constitutional offices. Opposition parties, however, have expressed serious reservations, arguing that the proposal could have far-reaching constitutional and political consequences, particularly in cases where judicial proceedings remain unresolved. They have also questioned its compatibility with established constitutional principles, particularly the presumption of innocence till proved guilty . The bill was referred to a 31-member JPC chaired by former IAS officer-turnedpolitician and BJP MP Aprajita Sarangi. The panel is expected to finalise its report before the Monsoon Session. Led by the Congress, the Opposition boycotted the JPC, contending that participation would serve no meaningful purpose. The ruling NDA, however, rejected those objections and defended the JPC’s functioning, arguing that the bill was the need of hour. The bill is now expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha. Sources indicated that it figures prominently in the legislative agenda for the upcoming session. More than two lakh students who took the May 3 NEET-UG did not appear for the subsequent retest held on June 21, according to the National Testing Agency’s initial estimates. A total of 22,05,035 candidates appeared for the first exam, while the retest had about 20 lakh candidates, a 9% dip. The National Testing Agency (NTA) officials said the exact figures are being compiled. Meanwhile, as many as 21 students took their lives in the period between the first test and the retest. Experts in the field of education pointed to the mental trauma of the paper leak and a lack of trust in the examination process owing to the leak. Sources at the NTA, however, cited changed circumstances or practical reasons. “A good number of aspirants also take up the JEE examination (decider for engineering colleges) and the JEE-Advanced exam for admission into IITs. If they did well in it, they could have decided to give up on the medical dreams,” an NTA source said. A few aspirants also apply to institutions abroad and could have decided to opt out, as studying abroad is viewed by most Indians as very prestigious, the source added. Another source said, after the answer keys of the original exam were released on May 6, some aspirants may have felt that they are just not cut out for this kind of strenuous exam. Horror at B’luru IT firm’s daycare centre as toddlers tortured, 5 booked E X PRESS NEWS SER V I CE @ Bengaluru IN a horrific incident, toddlers were allegedly subjected to physical abuse at a daycare centre located inside an IT company campus in HAL police limits. The caregivers allegedly placed children inside a washing machine, sprayed water into their mouths using toilet jet sprays, and locked them inside a washroom as punishment for crying. According to the FIR registered at HAL police station on June 29, based on a complaint filed by an official of the District Child Protection Unit, Bengaluru East, the incident occurred at Society General Staff being questioned, videos analysed: Police Police registered an FIR against the daycare in-charge and four caregivers under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Police are questioning the accused women and verifying the authenticity of the videos, when the incidents occurred, and how many children were subjected to similar abuse Baby Care, a daycare facility operating on the Capgemini Technology Services India campus in Brookefield, where employees of the IT company leave their children during working hours. The complaint stated that the Child Helpline received videos showing children being subjected to mental and physical abuse by daycare caregivers Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu and Bindu. It is alleged that whenever the children cried or created a disturbance, the caregivers intimidated them by placing them inside a front loading washing machine, making them sit inside a Western-style toilet commode, forcefully spraying water into their mouths using the health faucet, locking them inside bathrooms, and subjecting them to other forms of physical abuse. According to the videos, more than 15 toddlers aged between two and four years were present at the daycare. `1.95l CR HIGHER IMPORT REVENUE BUOYS JUNE GST NUMBERS GST collections rose 14% year-on-year to `1.95 lakh crore in June on the back of higher tax mop-up from imports as well as domestic supplies. GST revenues were over `1.94 lakh crore in May this year and `1.71 lakh crore in June 2025 | P10 licence expiry Boozers in soup as TN orders all Tasmac bars shut S GURU V ANM I K ANATHAN @ Chennai As a potential first step in cleaning up liquor retailing in the state, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) has ordered the immediate closure of all bars attached to its retail liquor outlets until further orders. The move comes after the extended licence period for around 2,700 bars attached to the state-run outlets expired on June 30. While the corporation ‘Govt holding `850 crore’ According to TN Tasmac Bar Owners’ Association president N Anbarasan, the government is holding around `850 crore collected as deposits from operators of the 2,700 bars. “We will raise the issue of refunding the deposit amount,” he said has ordered the closure of the bars, it is yet to announce whether the existing licences will be extended or fresh tenders will be floated. A senior Tasmac official told TNIE that the issue was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Prohibition and Excise Minister K Vignesh on Wednesday. Amid the uncertainty, senior Tasmac officials have orally invited representatives of bar owners for a meeting on Thursday morning at the office of the Tasmac managing director in Chennai. The discussions are expected to focus on the future of the bars, including the possibility of extending the present licences. Following the discussions with bar owners on Thursday morning, the Tasmac board is scheduled to meet later in the day  . P5