In his maiden Independence Day speech as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday (August 15, 2026), C. Joseph Vijay as soon as once more drove dwelling the message that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) mission is to offer a “corruption-free authorities” and appealed to officers and the folks to make the State corruption-free.
Delivering the speech after hoisting the nationwide flag on the ramparts of Fort St. George, Mr. Vijay thanked the folks for breaking away from “caste and non secular concerns” and rejecting “cash and muscle energy.” “We’re working in mission mode to attain a corruption-free authorities. We wish our folks to develop zero tolerance for corruption. We enchantment to the officers and the folks of Tamil Nadu to make our State corruption-free,” he stated.
‘Preserve standing with govt.’
Mr. Vijay additionally appealed to the folks of Tamil Nadu who supported him within the elections to not assume that they’d accomplished their responsibility by voting for him and making him the Chief Minister. “Don’t assume that your responsibility is completed after making your elder brother, youthful brother, your son the Chief Minister. It’s a must to stand with us, with the federal government, in order that we will implement all of the welfare measures. Individuals are the rulers; we’re all servants. Let’s do our responsibility collectively and struggle in opposition to forces and conspirators who’re working in opposition to our authorities. I’ve no worry since you are all with me,” he stated.
CM Vijay hoists the nationwide flag on the Independence Day celebrations in Chennai
| Photograph Credit score:
M. Srinath
The Chief Minister additionally stated that directions had been given to make sure that members of the general public looking for providers and assist from authorities officers had been handled with respect and dignity. “On the convention of IAS and IPS officers on June 29-30, strict orders got to take care of regulation and order and be certain that police stations function like service centres for folks. Not simply that, individuals who come to authorities places of work with queries and points, and people looking for authorities welfare schemes, needs to be handled with dignity and respect. Folks shouldn’t be made to run round in circles,” he stated.
‘Administrative cooperation with Centre’
Mr. Vijay stated that folks’s welfare was a very powerful, and that there needs to be no compromises. “On that foundation, we’re cooperating with the Central authorities administratively. On the identical time, the TVK authorities will oppose insurance policies that go in opposition to the State’s rights and insurance policies,” he stated.
“We’re persevering with the insurance policies [brought in by previous governments] which can be helpful for the folks. For instance, Amma Unavagam, introduced in by Jayalalithaa madam, we’re persevering with it by additional making it extra environment friendly. Equally, the morning breakfast scheme can also be persevering with, and we’re increasing it. The scheme will probably be prolonged from Courses 6 to eight and will probably be applied on Periyar’s beginning anniversary on September 17,” he stated.
CM thanks youth for assist
He additionally thanked his Gen Z supporters for his or her backing. “Saving Tamil Nadu from corruption and bribery can also be similar to the liberty motion. Our authorities is working in the direction of it. You all have ensured that I can converse on the eightieth Independence Day at this 386-year-old Fort St. George and hoist the flag. I thank Tamil folks internationally, the folks of Tamil Nadu and Gen Z youth,” he stated.
CM Vijay takes half within the Independence Day celebrations in Chennai
| Photograph Credit score:
M. Srinath
Mr. Vijay added, “As soon as we realise that we’re being stored as slaves, a unity would emerge amongst us. We’d assume alike and are available collectively. When folks come collectively, variations in caste, faith, and language break down. That’s once we get actual freedom. We obtained freedom on August 15, led by Mahatma Gandhi ji. We’re holding on tight to that freedom and growing step-by-step. We’ve got to take it to the following degree. It’s our responsibility.”
Hike in help
He additionally made a number of bulletins. In recognition of the contributions of former servicemen who made selfless sacrifices for the motherland and labored tirelessly for the defence of the nation, the wedding help supplied for every of their two daughters will probably be elevated from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000, he stated.
The month-to-month help for disabled ex-servicemen and their households will probably be elevated from ₹5,000 to ₹7,000. The pension for freedom fighters has been elevated to ₹23,000, and household pension has been elevated to ₹12,500/month. Month-to-month help to descendents of Veerapandia Kattabomman, Mutharamalinga Vijayaraghunatha Sethupathy, Marudhu Brothers, and V.O. Chidambaranar has been elevated to ₹11,500/month. G.Os concerning these have been printed, he introduced.
The Chief Minister introduced the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award, the Kalpana Chawla Award for Braveness and Daring Enterprise, and the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award, to former TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy, athlete Nausheen Banu Chand, and famend diabetologist Dr. V. Mohan, respectively.
The celebrations had been attended by senior Ministers, MLAs, households, Mr. Vijay’s mother and father, and actor Trisha Krishnan.
Revealed – August 15, 2026 04:12 pm IST
