MADURAI l friday l june 19, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l LATE CITY EDITION Latest IMD data puts Monsoon rain deficit at whopping 41% With the southwest monsoon stalled over Maharashtra, India is facing a nationwide rainfall deficit of 41% between June 4-18, the IMD said central india has highest shortfall kharif crops will bear the brunt The country has received just 42.6 mm of rainfall against the normal of 72.2 mm between June 4 and June 18, the Met office said. IMD’s regionwise departure rainfall map shows that rainfall deficits in central India, east and northeast India, the southern peninsula, and northwest India stand at 67%, 42%, 22%, and 6%, respectively ■ ■ IMD said that “the absence of favourable large-scale meteorological conditions” was the key reason why the southwest monsoon has failed to advance into remaining parts of Maharashtra The southwest monsoon’s slow northward progress, coupled with El Nino, can have significant consequences for kharif crops 4-5 days more wait for maharashtra for rainfall to resume, predicts IMD 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 Guv spells out TVK agenda: Fund fight, social justice survey T M u r u g a n a n d h a m @ Chennai The TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday through the custom, ary address of Governor Rajendra Arlekar, outlined an ambitious governance agenda that mirrored the position of for mer Dravidian governments on education and economic sovereignty, while committing itself to transparent administration, economic revival, and eradication of corruption. The new government also promised to conduct a “social justice survey” soon after the Census and form a “special legal committee” to fight for the funds due from the union government. Reforms in education, industry, law and order, environment, tourism, temple administration, and poverty alleviation were the other focal areas of the address. After three years, the governor’s customary address was smooth, starting with the ‘Thamizhthai Vaazhthu’, followed by the National Anthem. The governor hailed the rendition of the National Anthem at both the beginning and end of the Assembly session as the dawn of a new era. The Vijay government, through the governor’s address, conveyed its strong opposition to the National Education Policy 2020, particularly the three-language formula, while promising to introduce structural reforms aimed at providing world-class education to students. It termed as unacceptable the centre’s position that the release of `3,458 crore due to TN under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was contingent upon the implementation of the three-language policy P7 . Highlights of guv’s address Legal committee to fight for funds due from centre Report on discriminatory financial devolution Formulation of Sustainable Tourism Policy Introduction of Industrial Policy Setting up of TN Investor Promotion Commission Crackdown on illegal mining and tax evasion Structural reforms in HR&CE dept Launch of a poverty-free TN initiative via targeted support for poor families Legal measures over Mullaiperiyar and Mekedatu Governor RV Arlekar delivers customary address to TN Assembly on Thursday | Express TN axes Parandur airport to save farms, waterbodies B ANBUS E LV AN @ Chennai The Tamil Nadu government has decided to shelve the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur in Kancheepuram district. Minister for Energy Resources and Law C T R Nirmal Kumar on Thursday announced that the state government will not proceed with the airport at Parandur and is currently identifying an alternative location. Speaking to reporters at the secretariat, Nirmal Kumar stated that while the government supports development, it cannot permit the destruction of vital waterbodies and fertile agricultural land that yield crops three times a year. “Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s first field protest was launched against the airport project. Our stand (against the airport) re- An aerial view of the proposed airport site in Parandur, Chennai | Express mains firm and, in consultation with the CM, we will be exploring an alternative site for the project,” he said. Official sources in the revenue department told TNIE that, as of June, a total of 1,700 acres of private land had been acquired from 12 villages in the Sriperumbudur and Kancheepuram taluks, excluding Ekanapuram, the village where residents have been protesting the project for over 1,000 days.  P7 Diaz Kane hero for Colombia sets stage alight Skipper Harry Kane, coming of a record-breaking domestic season with Bayern Munich, sparkled as his brace helped them overcome Croatia 4-2 in a thriller. The striker, who equalled England’s World Cup record of 10 strikes (Gary Linekar), will be key if they are to match the exploits of 1966 when they won it for the only time Luis Diaz, who has gone up a level over the last 12 months, was all-action as his country saw off Uzbekistan 3-1 in Wednesday’s final game in Mexico. The left-winger displayed all his typical traits as he contributed a goal and an assist to help them begin their campaign with a win Three Lions roar with four England got off their campaign to a rousing start while Colombia eased past the challenge of Uzbekistan as the World Cup’s first round comes to an end. A look... Today's matches USA vs Australia l 12:30 AM Scotland vs Morocco l 3:30 AM Brazil vs Haiti l 6AM Turkiye vs Paraguay l 8:30 AM Live on United8 Sports & ZEE5 (All IST Saturday) India-UK free trade pact to kickstart on July 15; bid to energise economy on fast track UK steel deal clears FTA rollout path P u s h p i ta De y @ New Delhi India has secured additional concessions under the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, resolving all outstanding issues that had delayed its implementation, setting the stage for its roll out on July 15. The gains include an extension of the social security contribution exemption for Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK from three years to five years and a resolution of concerns over Britain’s proposed steel safeguard measures. The Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said around 85% of India’s steel exports have been kept outside the UK’s new import restrictions. “The key issue which was holding us back was the new steel measures. Around 85% of our exports to the UK are outside the steel measures,” an official said. The UK had announced a 60% reduction in tariff-free steel import quotas from June and imposed a 50% duty on shipments exceeding those quotas to protect its domestic steel industry In its pushback, In. dia had warned that it could revisit the concessions under the FTA if the issue remained unresolved. Since nearly 85% of India’s steel exports to the UK fall outside the product categories covered by the British safeguard regime, it will ensure continued market access through a combination of countryspecific quotas, residual quotas and an authoriseduse mechanism. Of India’s nearly $900 million steel exports to the UK, only about $137 million will now be subject to the new safeguard measures. Sources said both countries spent the last two months negotiating the outstanding issues. Under the revised agreement, Indian professionals employed by Indian companies in the UK, as well as employees transferred to subsidiaries or affiliated entities, will be exempt from making social security contributions in the UK for up to five years, provided they continue contributing to India’s social security system and obtain a Certificate of Coverage (CoC). Earlier, the exemption was limited to three years. As for the UK’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), discussions will continue separately . Multiple areas have been negotiated. Course corrections in multiple areas have been discussed and finalised. We have resolved all issues Union commerce ministry official Deft balancing “Balancing has been done in a manner that does not impact FTA. Also, the proportionate benefits and market access to both sides under Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement have been preserved,” the official said Final FTA text by July 1 Prime ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that CETA will come into force on July 15. The final legal text and details of the agreement are expected by July 1 PM meets French CEOs The PM also met Benoit Bazin, Chairman and CEO of SaintGobain, Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, and Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI. The talks were part of the broader effort to draw investment Modi call to democratise technology J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday positioned India as a global hub for inclusive technology and innovation, telling business leaders and entrepreneurs at the VivaTech Summit 2026 in Paris that technology can drive progress only when it is accessible to everyone. He also met top French CEOs to discuss fresh investments and expansion plans across sectors including artificial intelligence, shipping, logistics, railways and construction. Speaking at VivaTech, Europe’s largest technology and startup event, where India is the Country Partner and has set up the largest national pavilion, Modi highlighted India’s technology-led transformation over the past decade and presented a vision of AI that prioritises inclusion and broad-based growth. “When it comes to technology along with , innovation, what matters is access. Technology can lead to progress only when it is democratised. India believes that in this era of disruption, technology must deliver for all,” Modi said. His comments assume significance amid growing global debates over access to advanced AI technologies and recent restrictions by the United States on the use of certain cutting-edge AI models by foreign nationals. Using a phrase that drew applause from the audience, Modi said: “For India, AI means ‘All Inclusive’.” He said artificial intelligence should be leveraged to improve lives, expand access to services, accelerate economic growth and support sustainability goals. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the PM’s discussions focused on strengthening collaboration across shipping, logistics, railways, construction and AI. Prominent among the key meetings was the one with Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, where discussions centred on maritime shipping, logistics and global supply chains. Saadé said: “I believe India has a major role to play in the supply chains of the world. The fact that we are now in a position to build container ships in India is definitely a good step forward. The future of India is happening now.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut during a press meet in New Delhi on Thursday | PTI Uddhav Sena on the verge of a split, again PR E E THA NAIR @ New Delhi As the Shiv Sena (UBT) appears to be headed for a second major split, six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped the parliamentary party meeting on Thursday signalling that a for, mal crossover to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is imminent. The MPs who skipped the meeting are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. The party issued a show cause notice to them to explain their absence within seven days. Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Sanjay Raut, the party’s lone Rajya Sabha MP . Raut said the MPs’ no-show will be considered a violation of the party whip and legal action will be initiated to disqualify them as lawmakers. He also claimed the rebel MPs had been given an additional `10 crore, over and above the `15 crore paid earlier, and moved to a safe location in Rajasthan. He warned the party would launch ‘Operation Tudwa’ (bash up) against the “traitors”. Sources said all six dissident MPs have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shindeled Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The process, however, is not complete as the Speaker’s office requires the physical appearance of some of the MPs for verification and that is “expected to happen in the coming days”, they said. HC’s poser on proportionality of Telegram ban Green nod for project near u d aya n k i s h o r e @ New Delhi Ebola scare in Kerala A woman who arrived from South Sudan was shifted to Kottayam Medical College for an Ebola test after she developed fever, Kerala health officials said Application of mind SOCIAL media App Telegram was banned “temporarily” to prevent misleading crores of students so that they do not come on the streets, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Thursday claiming that the app was the most preferred platform for terror activities. The Centre made the submission after Justice Tejas Karia questioned how can the rights of 150 million people just be stopped because one set of citizen are appearing in examinations. “The question is can you block somebody else’s rights to Telegram, through senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, questioned the logic behind the ban. “NEET will affect the sovereignty and integrity of India? What is the application of mind? On WhatsApp people are marketing,” Telegram’s counsel said. protect someone else’s rights,” the judge asked. The judge reserved verdict on Telegram’s plea challenging the government order banning the platform till June 22 in view of the NEET re-exam. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said Telegram, because of its architecture, was a “Frankenstein”. “If a country like ours cannot take preventive action, where do we go?” Solicitor Gen- eral Tushar Mehta, for the government, said Telegram operates through cloud, “even if we block something and someone does a mischief, law enforcement agency can’t reach the person... This is the most preferred platform for terrorist activities,” the SG submitted. To this, the bench asked, “How can we stop rights of 150 million people?” The law has been laid down in the Anuradha Bhasin judgment of the SC, the bench said. The Centre’s counsel said the Supreme Court judgment in Bhasin does not prohibit blocking in any sense. Pallikaranai marsh revoked R u d h r a n B a r a a s u @ Chennai In a major setback to Chennai-based builder Brigade Enterprises Limited, which is carrying out a huge residential project named ‘Brigade Morgan Heights’ near Pallikaranai, the Tamil Nadu State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has revoked the environmental clearance (EC) accorded to the company in January 2025. The decision to revoke the clearance was taken during a meeting of the authority on May 8. As per the minutes of meeting, the EC has been revoked based on a letter from Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority (TNSWA). In the letter to SEIAA on April 16, the TNSWA alleged that the company had commenced the construction works without obtaining permission from the wetland authority one , of the conditions imposed while according clearance for the project.  P7