Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994
▪ The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994 allows organ donation to “near relatives” and in special cases with affection.
▪ Section 9(3) of THOTA is misused to justify unrelated donations through fake claims of “affection”.
▪ The Madras High Court (May 2024) ruled that committees must accept donor statements of affection at face value unless proven otherwise — a decision seen as controversial.
Central projects will create a ‘developed T.N
▪ Prime Minister announced that since 2014, the Centre has released ₹3 lakh crore for infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu.
▪ New Terminal: Prime Minister inaugurated a new terminal building at Thoothukudi Airport.
▪ VOC Port, Thoothukudi – development of the north cargo berth.
▪ Centre’s focused investment in energy, road, rail, and port sectors are part of the Centre’s vision to achieve a ‘Viksit Tamil Nadu’ (Developed Tamil Nadu).
▪ It aligning with the larger goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
T.N. Medical Services Corporation blacklists over 50 products
▪ Over 50 products (drugs and injections) have been blacklisted by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) since 2023 for failing to meet quality standards.
▪ TNMSC uses a centralised Drug Distribution Management System (DDMS) to monitor:
✓ Stock receipt
✓ Sampling and lab reports
✓ Drug distribution to medical institutions
✓ Fund management
▪ Expired drugs are disposed of once a year through biomedical waste management agencies
approved by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
Aadi Thiruvathirai festival
▪ Prime Minister attended the valediction of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I.
▪ Photo exhibition on Saiva Siddhanta and Chola Temple Arts, organized by the Union Ministry of Culture.
▪ A ₹1,000 commemorative coin was released to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Emperor Rajendra
Chola I’s naval expedition.
The coin features:
✓ Rajendra Chola on horseback
✓ A ship in the background
▪ Prime Minister paid tribute to the Shaivite tradition and quoted Tirumoolar’s philosophy: “Anbe Shivam”
(Love is God).
Legacy of the Cholas
▪ Gangaikonda Cholapuram built by Rajendra Chola I after his northern expeditions.
▪ Also constructed:
✓ Brihadisvara Temple
✓ Cholagangam lake
Cholas
▪ Built a powerful navy
▪ Strengthened local administration
▪ Established diplomatic and trade links with Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Southeast Asia
▪ The Cholas were pioneers of democracy through the Kudavolai system, used to elect local
representatives.
▪ Chola dynasty’s advanced water management systems as examples for modern ecological and
water conservation efforts.
▪ The Government of India is preserving this legacy through initiatives like:
✓ Kashi Tamil Sangamam
✓ Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam
Prime Minister Releases Tiruvasaka Compilation
▪ The Prime Minister released the Tiruvasaka compilation book.
▪ Beginning with “Vanakkam Chola Mandalam” (Greetings to the Chola region), the Prime Minister spoke in Tamil, quoting from Tiruvasaka: “Namasivaya vaazhga, naathan thaazh vaazhga, imaippozhuthum en nenjil neengaathaan thaal vaazhga” (May Namasivaya flourish, may the Lord’s feet flourish, may His feet that never leave my heart even for a moment flourish).
Projects to be launched for welfare of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees
▪ Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have formed a Partnership Forum.
Objective
▪ To launch pilot projects by September 2025 for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
▪ Focus on advancing self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion for refugees.
▪ Promote community-focused development.
Target Beneficiaries
▪ Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in:
✓ Rehabilitation camps.
✓ Host communities across Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu to reintegrate kids in institutions into families
▪ Launched by: Directorate of Children Welfare and Special Services (DCWSS)
▪ First-of-its-kind approach in Tamil Nadu focusing on child-centric, family-based care for healthy development.
▪ Aims for long-term sustainability of child welfare reforms.
▪ Objective: Promote adoption and foster care; shift from institutional to family-based alternative care.
▪ Implementation: In partnership with an NGO.
▪ Duration: 12-month pilot programme.
▪ Budget Allocation: ₹120 crore
▪ Stipend: ₹2,000/month for children orphaned and raised by relatives (until age 18), for educational suppor
New Assistive Device Scheme – Tamil Nadu Government
▪ Total Budget: ₹131 crore
▪ Breakup of Funds
✓ ₹16.87 crore: For electric wheelchairs and scooters
✓ Beneficiaries: Individuals with tetraplegia and quadriplegia.
✓ ₹125 crore: For smart vision glasses and other advanced assistive aids
✓ Target group: People with more than 80% disability in hands or legs.
▪ Expected Beneficiaries: Around 1.14 lakh people across Tamil Nadu.
Objective
▪ To empower persons with disabilities through high-tech assistive devices.
▪ Improve mobility, accessibility, and independence.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Health Scheme to Begin August 2nd
▪ The scheme called “Nalam Kaakkum Stalin” (Stalin Protecting Welfare) will be implemented as a comprehensive health checkup program that reaches out to people.
▪ This program includes general medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics, gynecology,
pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, ENT, psychiatry,
physiotherapy, pulmonology, and traditional Indian medicine.
▪ In the same camps, differently-abled individuals will be examined and certificates will be issued indicating the percentage of disability.
▪ Facilities will be provided in the camps to apply for enrollment in new insurance schemes.
▪ For this purpose, 1,256 camps will be conducted across the state.
▪ Various new special schemes are being implemented in the healthcare sector in Tamil Nadu.
✓ Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam
✓ Innuyir Kaappom Nammai Kaakkum 48
✓ Varumun Kaappom
✓ Idhayam Kaappom
✓ Nadappom Nalam Peruvom
✓ Makkalai Thedi Marutha Aayvagatthittam
✓ Thozhilaalargalai Thedi Maruthuvathittam
✓ Siruneeragam Paadhukaakkum Seermigu Thittam
✓ Putrunoy Kandariyum Parisodhanai Thittam