Watch: CM Vijay honours Tamil Nadu board toppers with gold necklaces

Fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu are demanding transparency regarding the proposed ₹1,200-crore Assembly and Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam. The Public (Buildings) Department (PWD) has stated that no feasibility report exists for the project, while the Public Works Department (PWD) claims the relevant documents are not available in their office.

K. Bharathi, a coordinator of the Mylai Area All Fishing Village Panchayat Sabha, argues that the site selection was made without any basic study, thus questioning the transparency in the decision-making process.

The sabha has urged the withdrawal of the government order and the reallocation of the land for long-term fisher housing in a petition addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Public consultation on the new T.N. Secretariat at Pattinapakkam was originally planned for November 3 but has been postponed to November 5 due to residents threatening a boycott.

Minister Aadhav Arjuna stated that if the Chief Minister had to choose between the welfare of the fishermen and the secretariat, he would opt for the fishermen's wellbeing. This has led to criticisms from political leaders, including PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss and AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who oppose the choice of Pattinapakkam as the site for the new Secretariat.

The Tamil Nadu State government has floated a tender to demolish 96 houses in Foreshore Estate for the proposed complex, but the community leader questions the urgency of the tender and the clearance of Coastal Regulation Zone.