<span style="color: #222222;">Tamil Nadu has intensified testing of people in major COVID-19 hotspots. Yesterday, more than 12-thousand 800 samples were lifted from people leading to the identification of 527 new cases, most of them asymptomatic to the disease.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Furthermore, the State Government has increased the VAT on petroleum products that would increase petrol price by 3.25 a litre and diesel 2.50 rupees per litre. To augment income, it has also announced reopening of the state-run liquor outlets from Thursday.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports that officials in Tamil Nadu have said all the people in the COVID-19 focus areas are being tested, even if they are not showing any signs of the disease. Focus areas are those from where a considerable number of patients have been reported.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">They say the approach proves to be fruitful as many asymptomatic patients have been identified and isolated.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">They say , this is the reason for the spike in the number of new cases for the past few days which is no cause of concern, as the number would decline after peaking. Meanwhile, the State Government decision to reopen liquor shops has come in for sharp criticism from almost the entire opposition and also the PMK, a major coalition partner of the ruling AIADMK. The Opposition has also demanded the roll back of the increase in the prices of fossil fuels.</span><br />