Important News - 2025-05-01
01 May 2025
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Appointments (1)
V.B. Kamalasan Reddy Reappointed as OSD to Telangana Intelligence Wing
The Government of Telangana has officially reappointed senior IPS officer V.B. Kamalasan Reddy as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Intelligence Security Wing in the Intelligence Department, Hyderabad. This reappointment is effective from April 30, following his superannuation, and will remain valid for a period of two years from the date he assumes charge. In addition to his primary role, Mr. Reddy will also hold the full additional charge of the post of Director, Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TICCC), Hyderabad. The government order, dated April 30, specifies that the detailed terms and conditions of the reappointment will be communicated separately. The Director of the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre will report to the Chief Secretary through the Special Chief Secretary, Home Department. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Reddy served as the Director General of Drug Control Administration and Director of Telangana Prohibition and Excise.
Schemes (2)
Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme to be Completed by December 2027
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the completion of the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme by December 2027, addressing years of delays and injustice to farmers. Accompanied by Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Telangana Planning Board Vice Chairman Dr. G. Chinna Reddy, and MP Dr. Mallu Ravi, the minister conducted an extensive inspection of major irrigation sites across Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy districts. The inspection included the Stage I pumping station and Narlapur reservoir, with a capacity of 6.4 TMC, and the open canal between Narlapur and Yedula, part of the Palamuru-Rangareddy project. The minister reviewed the progress of Package 3, setting a six-month deadline for its completion. The inspection extended to the Yedula reservoir and Stage II pumping station at Teegalapally, which features 10 pumps with 145 MW capacity each and a discharge capacity of 23,000 cusecs, feeding into a 6.5 TMC reservoir. They also examined India's largest underground cavern, measuring 30m in width, 415m in length, and 90m in depth. The Stage III pumping station and Vattem reservoir in Bijinepally were also inspected, featuring 10 pumps with similar specifications. The minister set a timeline to fill 50 TMC of water in the Narlapur, Yedula, Vattem, and Karivena reservoirs by March 2026, along with the Udandapur reservoir. Additionally, the Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bheema, and Koilsagar projects were directed to be completed by March 2026. The minister assured the repair of two non-functional motors at Lift I of the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme within two to three months.
Manakondur MLA Launches 'MLA on Wheels' for Efficient Grievance Redressal
Manakondur MLA Kavvampally Satyanarayana has introduced a novel initiative called 'MLA on Wheels' to address public grievances promptly and transparently. The initiative involves a specially designed vehicle that tours the Manakondur Assembly Constituency thrice a week, allowing the MLA to meet people at their doorsteps. Dr. Satyanarayana, a qualified doctor, launched the initiative at Nustulapur village in Thimmapur mandal, Karimnagar district, with the support of the Satavahana Urban Development Authority (SUDA) chairman Komatireddy Narender Reddy and other mandal-level officials. The MLA emphasized that the initiative aims to resolve public grievances efficiently by involving mandal-level officials and a newly launched mobile app for grievance submission. This effort seeks to eliminate the inconvenience faced by villagers who cannot travel to the MLA’s camp office in Manakondur.
Economy (1)
Hyderabad-based EVRE Launches EV Charger Manufacturing Facility with 70% Localization
EVRE, an EV charging infrastructure firm, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art electric vehicle charger manufacturing facility in the Patancheru Industrial Development Area, Hyderabad. The facility, which began operations recently, is capable of producing a diverse range of EV chargers, from 3.3 kW AC to 360 kW DC, with an initial production capacity of 5,000 chargers per month. Over the upcoming months, the unit aims to manufacture 20,000 chargers to meet existing orders. By 2026, the facility plans to expand its production capacity to 10,000 chargers per month. Additionally, the unit is expected to create over 50 local jobs. The company, headquartered in Hyderabad, aims to address the lack of EV charging infrastructure in large residential complexes across India and position India as a global leader in EV charger manufacturing with up to 70% localization of its proprietary technology.
Heritage (3)
Annual Tiger Census Begins in Gualdalur Forest Division
The first phase of the annual tiger census in the Gualdalur forest division, part of the Nilgiris, has commenced. This phase will run from April 28 to May 5, following the successful completion of the third phase of tiger estimation training using camera traps in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. The census involves 90 field staff, including forest rangers, foresters, and anti-poaching watchers, who will monitor 27 transects across six forest ranges to track the tiger population and their movement patterns. Additionally, the Forest Department has already completed the census for the Nilgiri tahr, the state animal of Tamil Nadu, in the Mukurthi National Park from April 24 to April 26. Researchers from the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation and volunteers from the Worldwide Fund for Nature participated in this effort.
Lakkundi Temples Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
The Lakkundi temples and other historical monuments from the 10th to 12th century, built during the Kalyana Chaluykas or Western Chalukya period, are being finalized for inclusion in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is collaborating with the state of India to prepare the proposal. The focus is on key temples and step wells constructed during the Kalyana Chalukya period, including the Doddabasappa Temple, Trikuteshwara Temple, and Mahadeva Temple, among others. These monuments are significant for their architectural style, which combines elements of the Nagara, Dravida, and Bhumija styles, creating a unique hybrid temple form. Additionally, the large step wells, which are integral to the temple complexes, are noted for their size and importance. Once finalized, these sites will be eligible for full World Heritage inscription after a year on the tentative list. Other heritage sites under the tentative list include monuments and forts of the Deccan Sultanate and the Badami and Aihole group of monuments.
Maharashtra Celebrates 65th Foundation Day with Focus on Heritage and Development
Maharashtra celebrated its 65th Foundation Day on Thursday, May 1, 2025, with grand events across the state, highlighting its cultural, historical, and social legacy. The occasion commemorates the formation of the state in 1960 following the bifurcation of the erstwhile Bombay state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat, praising their contributions to India's progress. Chief Minister Devuty Minister Ajit Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde participated in flag-hoisting ceremonies in Pune and Thane, respectively. The celebrations also included tributes to historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, B.G. Tilak, V.D. Savarkar, and Jyotirao Phule. Additionally, the Maharashtra government announced a new 100-day development initiative aimed at boosting infrastructure and the state's economy. The cabinet approved a policy to develop the shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and ship repair industries, expected to create significant employment opportunities. The state also announced compensation of ₹50 lakh and a government job for the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
World Affairs (1)
Cyberabad Mobility Meeting Focuses on Urban Infrastructure and Pedestrian Safety
The Cyberabad Police, in collaboration with the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), held a meeting to discuss strategies for enhancing urban mobility in the Cyberabad region. Key topics included infrastructure redesign, pedestrian safety, and reducing vehicular congestion. The meeting brought together senior police officials, urban planners, infrastructure experts, and representatives from the real estate and corporate sectors to deliberate on sustainable solutions for traffic and pedestrian challenges in areas such as the Financial District, Knowledge City, T-Hub, and surrounding regions. Proposals included redesigning major intersections with 45-degree free-left turns, constructing underpasses and foot-over-bridges (FOBs) at high-density junctions, and optimizing footpaths in key commercial corridors. Additionally, the meeting addressed parking and congestion issues, with plans to designate parking spaces for buses and taxis, create temporary bus bays, and develop skywalks with dedicated parking. Road-widening initiatives and the relocation of vendor streets were also discussed.
Census (1)
Veerashaiva-Lingayats to Demand Separate Religion Code in 2026 Census
The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is preparing to seek a separate religion code in the upcoming 2026 national census. This demand is being spearheaded by the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which plans to petition the Central government for the same. The community has contested the population data from the 2015 Socio-Economic and Educational Survey conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, which estimated their population at 11% of Karnataka’s total population. The Veerashaiva mahasabha claims the actual figure is between 18% and 22%. Historically, the community has sought a separate religion status since the 1940s, with similar demands made before the 1971 census. The issue gained political traction during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, with leaders like M.B. Patil and Vinay Kulkarni supporting the cause. The 2026 census will serve as a crucial measure for the community’s population, which is politically influential and dominant in north and central Karnataka. The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also has significant populations in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Politics (2)
U.S.-Based Kashmiri Activist Declared 'Proclaimed Offender' Under UAPA
Dr. Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, a 76-year-old Kashmiri activist based in Washington and head of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, was declared a 'proclaimed offender' by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Budgam, Central Kashmir, on May 1, 2025. The declaration came in response to a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The FIR, registered in 2020 at Budgam Police Station under Sections 10, 13, and 39 of the UAPA, accused Mr. Fai of unlawful activities. The court granted him 30 days from the date of proclamation to surrender to the Jammu and Kashmir Police. According to authorities, Mr. Fai, a resident of Wadwan, Budgam, has been evading arrest and is reportedly hiding in the U.S. He is a close associate of separatist leaders in Kashmir and is affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Mr. Fai, an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, moved to the U.S. in 1977 for higher studies and is now a U.S. citizen. He founded the Kashmiri American Council, which lobbied for separatist causes in the U.S., maintaining connections with top Republican and Democratic leaders.
NHRC Directs 11 States to Implement Heat Wave Protection Measures for Vulnerable Populations
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on May 1, 2025, issued directives to 11 States—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan—to implement urgent measures to protect vulnerable populations from the ongoing heat wave. Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which reported 3,798 deaths due to heat and sun strokes between 2018 and 2022, the NHRC emphasized the need for inclusive measures to safeguard outdoor workers, elderly citizens, children, and the homeless. The Commission urged the States to provide shelters, relief materials, and hydration support, adjust working hours, and establish treatment protocols for heat-related illnesses in line with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines. Additionally, public spaces such as schools, anganwadi centres, and community halls were advised to be equipped with adequate ventilation, fans, drinking water, and medical supplies. The States were also instructed to submit action-taken reports on the measures implemented.
Miscellaneous (1)
Bengaluru Fire Tragedy: Two Dead, Three Injured Due to LPG Cylinder Leak
A tragic incident occurred in Bengaluru on April 28, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to three others due to a fire caused by an LPG cylinder leak. The victims were identified as Nagaraju Gowda, aged 50, and Srinivasa, aged 50, who had come to assist. The fire broke out when Abhishek Gowda, Nagaraju's son, attempted to replace the cylinder, leading to a gas leak. The fire quickly spread in the small rented accommodation, engulfing the entire space. The victims were rushed to the hospital, where Nagaraju and Srinivasa succumbed to their injuries. Abhishek and another individual, Shivashankar, remain critically injured. The police have filed an FIR under sections 287 and 125(a) for negligence and endangering human life. The incident has caused partial damage to the residence.
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