Important News - 2025-05-03
03 May 2025
Stay Updated. Stay Ahead!
📂 Categories & Latest Updates
Politics (3)
CPI(M)-Backed Kerala Secretariat Employees Association Faces Internal Conflict Over Leadership Removal
Internal conflicts within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-backed Kerala Secretariat Employees Association (KSEA) have surfaced, leading to the removal of its general secretary, K.N. Ashok Kumar. The decision to remove Mr. Kumar was taken during an executive committee meeting held a week prior and was formally reported in the KSEA general council meeting on Saturday. In response, Mr. Kumar and three other committee members walked out in protest. According to KSEA president P. Honey, Mr. Kumar had not been attending official events for several months, which prompted the decision. Following the protest, all four members were removed from both the executive committee and the general council. Mr. Kumar was unavailable for comment on the matter.
KPCC Chief Sudhakaran Denies Knowledge of Plans to Replace Him as State President
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran addressed rumors regarding his potential replacement as the state chief. On Saturday, Sudhakaran clarified that he was unaware of any move by the party high command to replace him but stated he would accept any such decision without question. He mentioned that he had recently held detailed discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi about Kerala politics, but no talks of his removal had taken place. Sudhakaran emphasized his readiness to abide by the party’s decisions, stating, 'I cannot question it.' This comes amid reports suggesting that Congress MP Anto Antony might replace him as KPCC chief. Similar rumors had surfaced a few months ago, during which senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had strongly supported Sudhakaran’s continuation, praising his leadership in securing electoral victories for the party.
AIADMK-BJP Alliance Frustrates CM Stalin Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Elections
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami stated that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is feeling frustrated due to the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP for the 2026 Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections. Speaking at a party meeting in Chennai, Palaniswami criticized the ruling DMK for its lack of principles and focus on power. He highlighted that the DMK had previously allied with the BJP in 1999 and later with the Congress in 2004, solely for political gain. Palaniswami also accused the DMK of failing to deliver significant schemes for the people of Tamil Nadu during its four years in power, emphasizing the deteriorating law and order situation and the increasing financial burden on citizens. He predicted that more like-minded parties would join the AIADMK-BJP alliance in the coming year to strengthen their position against the DMK.
Schemes (2)
Ramadoss Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Expedite RTE Admissions in Private Schools
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to issue an immediate notification for the admission of children from underprivileged backgrounds into private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The RTE Act mandates a 25% reservation for such students, with the government covering their tuition fees. Ramadoss highlighted that the admission process for private schools usually begins in March, with applications collected in April and the selection process completed by May, ensuring admissions are finalized before schools reopen in June. However, the notification for this year has been delayed, raising concerns about the continuation of free education under the RTE Act. Ramadoss emphasized the need for the government to clarify its stance and expedite the process. The admission process under the RTE quota in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools has already been completed, and Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to follow suit in private schools across the state.
Odisha Governor Leads Green Initiative with EV Fleet and Solar Power at Raj Bhawan
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has taken a significant step towards reducing fossil fuel consumption by converting most of his official fleet to electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative is part of a broader plan to transform Raj Bhawan into a net-zero energy campus. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the Governor emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on petrol and diesel to minimize pollution and promote environmental sustainability. He also encouraged Raj Bhawan employees to adopt EVs through a special drive. Additionally, a 150-kilowatt solar power plant is already operational at Raj Bhawan, with plans to install an additional 400-kilowatt plant soon. The Governor highlighted the benefits of the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which provides subsidies for solar energy adoption, and urged citizens to take advantage of such initiatives to reduce pollution and save foreign exchange by cutting crude oil imports. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who holds the energy portfolio, also announced the State government’s policy to source power for all government buildings from solar energy, with plans to install solar panels in all government residential quarters.
Festivals (1)
Thrissur Pooram 2024: Comprehensive Preparations Announced by Minister Vasavan
With the Thrissur Pooram festival approaching, Minister for Devaswom V.N. Vasavan confirmed that all preparations have been finalized by the government, district administration, Thrissur Corporation, and Devaswoms to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. A review meeting was held at Ramanilayam, attended by key officials including Revenue Minister K. Rajan, Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R. Bindu, Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi, Mayor M.K. Varghese, and District Collector Arjun Pandiyan. Around 4,000 police personnel, including women officers, will be deployed for law and order, while joint operations by the Excise and Police departments aim to prevent narcotics use. Additional transportation arrangements have been made by KSRTC and private bus operators, and the Railways have been requested to ensure scheduled stops for trains on May 6. Safety measures include completed safety checks on Corporation buildings, removal of dangerous tree branches, and post-Pooram sanitation plans in collaboration with the Suchitwa Mission. A dedicated elephant care team and veterinary doctors are in place for the elephants participating in the festival. Minister Vasavan emphasized the prohibition of communal, political, or provocative symbols during the event. Fire and Rescue Services, medical teams, and ambulances are fully prepared, with crowd control measures planned for the fireworks display. Special viewing galleries have been arranged for tourists, and registered visitors can access the Kudamattam ceremony on May 6.
Economy (2)
Bengaluru Restaurants Turn to Self-Delivery Systems Amid High Aggregator Commissions
Restaurants in Bengaluru are adopting self-delivery systems and WhatsApp-based delivery channels as alternatives to food aggregator apps, which charge high commissions. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is also being explored, though logistical challenges like last-mile connectivity remain. Restaurateurs highlight that aggregators impose steep commissions, force discounts, and withhold customer data, pushing many establishments to the brink of closure. For instance, Just Fresh Point, a vegetarian restaurant chain in Bellandur and Electronics City, now offers free home delivery up to 3 km via WhatsApp. Experts like Girish Pai, CEO of GrowthFalcons, note that self-delivery and ONDC can help restaurants retain customers without hefty commissions. This shift aligns with a broader trend of adopting sustainable, community-driven approaches in the food industry.
KSEB Seeks Approval for Long-Term Power Procurement Under SHAKTI Scheme
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has sought approval from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission for its long-term power procurement plan using coal allocation under the Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India (SHAKTI). The commission is set to hold a hearing on KSEB's proposal on Tuesday. Under the scheme, KSEB aims to secure 500 megawatts (MW) of round-the-clock (RTC) power for 25 years. The central government, responding to a request from the Kerala government, had allocated long-term coal linkage for 500 MW under Part B (iv) of the SHAKTI scheme last year. This provision allows states to allocate coal linkages for new power purchase agreements and transfer them to distribution companies (discoms), such as KSEB in Kerala. Additionally, KSEB has requested approval to involve the Central Public Sector Undertaking, Power Finance Corporation (PFC), as a transaction advisor for the long-term procurement. The state-run power utility expects the power supply to commence in August this year.
Defence (1)
Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: 26 Killed in Baisaran Meadow
On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack occurred at the Baisaran meadow in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam, resulting in the death of 25 tourists and a local pony operator. The attack was carried out by four terrorists, two of whom mingled with the crowd before herding them towards two armed accomplices, who then segregated and killed individuals based on religion. The area, which is accessible only by foot or ponies, was unsecured at the time of the incident. Security agencies had received intelligence about potential attacks on hotels in Srinagar and Dachigham on April 19, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to inaugurate the Katra-Sangaldan stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link. However, due to inclement weather, the visit was canceled, and the terrorists shifted their focus to Baisaran. Post-attack investigations revealed that two locals from South Kashmir, who had travelled to Pakistan in 2017-18, were suspected to be involved. The incident has raised concerns about local support for terrorists and the need for improved security measures in tourist areas.
Elections (1)
Elections Key to India’s Democratic Future, Says Karnataka State Election Commissioner
Karnataka State Election Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi emphasized the pivotal role of elections in shaping India’s future during a special talk titled “Indian Democracy and the Role of Elections in Shaping its Future” at Faran Auditorium, Karnataka Arts College, on Saturday. He highlighted that elections are the cornerstone of democracy but expressed concern over the declining participation of urban voters compared to their rural counterparts. Sangreshi urged citizens to participate ethically and responsibly in the electoral process, particularly calling on youth to avoid technological distractions and focus on education and language proficiency. During the event, Karnataka University Registrar A. Chennappa released the annual college magazine and stressed the importance of students understanding the Constitution, democracy, and the electoral process. The program, presided over by Principal D.B. Karadoni, also featured the unveiling of a plaque displaying the preamble of the Constitution at the Department of Political Science.
Miscellaneous (2)
Social Activist Mano Bakthavatsalam Passes Away at 95
Mano Bakthavatsalam, a prominent social activist, Carnatic music enthusiast, and long-time resident of Chennai, passed away at the age of 95 in a city hospital on Friday. Born in 1929, she completed her education at St. Rafael’s School in Santhome and Queen Mary’s College in Chennai. Influenced by her father, Seshachalam, a notable businessman and citizen of Madras, she dedicated her life to voluntary work. She held significant roles in various organizations, including being a committee member of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, honorary secretary of the Women’s Voluntary Service of Tamil Nadu, and correspondent and secretary at the NKT National Girls Higher Secondary School. Additionally, she served as vice-president of the Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam and the University Women’s Association of Madras. She was honored with The Margarette Golding Award by the International Inner Wheel for her exceptional personal service. Historian V. Sriram, who knew her for many years, highlighted her active involvement in service organizations and her passion for driving even in her 80s. She is survived by her two sons and their families.
Nicholson Syrian Girls High School Alumni Meet Scheduled for May 17
The alumni meet of Nicholson Syrian Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvalla, established in 1910, will be held on May 17 at 9 a.m. in the school auditorium. The event, led by the school's chairman and patron, Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, will honor alumni who attended before 1975. Key details can be obtained by contacting the numbers 9947555890 or 9054902401.
Comments
Post a Comment