Important News - 2025-05-06
06 May 2025
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Politics (3)
TTV Dhinakaran Criticizes DMK Government for Unfulfilled 2021 Poll Promises
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran criticized the DMK government on Tuesday for failing to fulfill several key promises made during the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Dhinakaran highlighted issues such as the exemption from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET), the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, and the filling of 3.5 lakh government vacancies as unfulfilled commitments. He also targeted the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation for halting paddy procurement in the Cauvery delta districts and for not releasing ₹250 crore to the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), which has adversely affected farmers. Dhinakaran urged the state government to intervene and address these concerns.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to Lead Zonal Review Meetings Across State
The State government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will commence zonal review meetings across Kerala starting Thursday. These meetings aim to enhance public awareness of the government’s administrative achievements and ensure the timely completion of development activities. Additionally, the meetings will address and resolve issues obstructing ongoing development projects in various districts. The sessions will be held in four regions: Palakkad (May 8), Thiruvananthapuram (May 15), Kannur (May 26), and Kottayam (May 29). The Palakkad region meeting, covering Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur districts, will be the first to take place. Key participants include the Chief Minister, other Ministers, the Chief Secretary, department secretaries, department heads, and district-level officials.
5th State Finance Commission Chairman Reviews Village Development in Kodagu
The Chairman of the 5th State Finance Commission, C. Narayanaswamy, visited several villages in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu, on Tuesday. During his visit, he interacted with elected representatives and reviewed the progress of various government schemes. He emphasized the importance of utilizing government initiatives for the development of the villages. Dr. Narayanaswamy also visited tribal settlements in K. Baadaga and Nalkeri, where he suggested improvements in living conditions. K. Baadaga Gram Panchayat President Ritesh Biddappa highlighted the effective use of funds for village development, while Assistant Director M.D. Srinivas mentioned that the Gram Panchayat had received an award from the Department of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development for its outstanding performance.
Defence (1)
Tamil Nadu to Conduct Civil Defence Exercise on May 7 at Key Installations
A civil defence exercise and rehearsal will be conducted in Tamil Nadu on May 7 following instructions from the Union Home Ministry. The exercise will focus on two critical installations: the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam and the Chennai Port Trust campus. The primary objective is to assess the preparedness of these facilities to handle potential air raid emergencies. The simulation will involve various departments, including the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), district disaster management authorities, civil defence officials, and fire department personnel. The drill is scheduled between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM. The state government has clarified that this is a routine mock exercise to evaluate preparedness and does not indicate any imminent threat, ensuring no public panic is necessary.
Economy (1)
VOC Port’s North Cargo Berth-III Enhances Bulk Cargo Handling Capacity
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Thoothukudi has achieved a significant milestone with the readiness of its North Cargo Berth–III (NCB-III) for interim commercial operations. Operated by JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal, this facility is equipped to handle dry-bulk cargo such as coal, limestone, gypsum, rock phosphate, and copper concentrate using two 120-tonne capacity harbour mobile cranes. The 306-metre-long berth, with a draft of 14.20 metres, can accommodate vessels of up to 95,000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT), 260 metres in length, and 48 metres in beam. A concession agreement between the Port and JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal aims to mechanize NCB-III by March 2027, enabling it to handle 7 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually. Recent dredging activities, completed in 26 days, have facilitated the berthing of fully loaded Panamax vessels. Additionally, ongoing dredging in the inner harbour’s turning circle and channel widening from 153 metres to 230 metres will enhance the port’s capacity to accommodate larger bulk carriers and container vessels. The Link Conveyor System, connecting the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station’s conveyor belt to the Port’s coal yard, can discharge over 1,500 tonnes of bulk cargo per hour, optimizing the capacity of TANGEDCO’s coal berth. Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit emphasized that this development marks a significant step in the port’s modernization and dry-bulk cargo capacity enhancement, urging stakeholders to utilize the facility to boost maritime trade.
Festivals (1)
INVICTUS-2025 National Technology Festival to Kick Off in Vijayapura
BLDE Association’s Dr. P.G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology is set to host INVICTUS-2025, a national-level technology festival, in Vijayapura on Thursday. The event aims to foster innovation and technical proficiency among young engineering students through a series of inter-college competitions. Over 500 students are expected to participate in more than 80 technical events, including technical essay presentations, quizzes, coding and debugging, design, and modelling. The festival will be inaugurated by BLDE University Registrar Raghavendra Kulkarni. The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering and CSE (Data Science) will coordinate the event, with faculty members Pushpa B. Patil and U. D. Dixit leading the organizing team. Winners will receive cash prizes, while all participants will be awarded certificates, as announced by Director V.G. Sangam.
Appointments (1)
Supreme Court Releases Details of 221 High Court Appointments Approved by Collegium
The Supreme Court has released the comprehensive details of 221 appointments approved by the Collegium to the State High Courts across India during the tenures of former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and the current Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The Collegium rigorously scrutinized the recommendations made by the State Governments and High Court Collegiums, approving only half of those proposed. During Justice Chandrachud's tenure from November 9, 2022, to November 10, 2024, a total of 303 names were recommended, with 170 receiving approval. Among these, 21 belonged to the Other Backward Classes, seven to Scheduled Castes, five to Scheduled Tribes, and 23 to minority communities. Currently, 17 recommendations are pending with the Union Government. Since Chief Justice Khanna assumed office on November 10, 2024, his Collegium has approved 51 out of 103 recommendations, with two being from Scheduled Castes and one from Scheduled Tribes. The Court has also provided an in-depth explanation of the judicial appointment process, including the roles of the High Court Collegium, State Governments, and the Union Government.
Heritage (1)
Kerala’s Extraweave Supplies Carpet for Met Gala 2024
A Kerala-based company, Neytt Homes by Extraweave, has once again showcased its craftsmanship by supplying the carpet for the prestigious Met Gala 2024, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The event, attended by global icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Kim Kardashian, and Zendaya, featured a striking blue carpet adorned with yellow and white daffodils. The carpet, made from high-quality natural sisal fibre sourced from Madagascar, was hand-woven by artisans in Cherthala, Alappuzha, and later hand-painted in New York. This marks the third consecutive year that Extraweave has provided carpets for the Met Gala, having previously supplied them in 2022 and 2023. The company sent 57 rolls of 4x30 meters (6,840 sqm) for the event, with 480 workers dedicating nearly 90 days to perfect the weave and finish. Extraweave, known for its rich heritage in carpeting, has also supplied rugs to the White House in 2012. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve congratulated the company for its achievement.
Schemes (1)
Andhra Pradesh Announces 50% Subsidy on Tarpaulins for Farmers via FCI
The Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar, has announced a significant initiative to supply tarpaulins to farmers at a 50% subsidy through the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This move aims to protect agricultural produce, especially during unexpected rains. The FCI will contribute ₹50 crore towards this scheme. Additionally, the government has committed to providing 30 lakh gunny bags to expedite paddy procurement in West Godavari district. In the Godavari region, the procurement target for the Rabi season has been increased by three lakh metric tonnes to address the damage caused by recent rains. As of now, 4.88 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured in West Godavari against a target of six lakh metric tonnes, while Eluru district has paid ₹487 crore for the procurement of 2.20 lakh metric tonnes. The Minister has assured farmers that payments will be made within 24 hours of procurement and that paddy with up to 24% moisture content will also be accepted. Rice millers have been directed to support the procurement drive, with key stakeholders including the West Godavari District Rice Millers Association and officials from the revenue and civil supplies departments.
Scheme (1)
State Considers Talks with Tamil Nadu Over Withheld Samagra Shiksha Funds
The government is considering initiating discussions with Tamil Nadu regarding the withholding of funds by the Union government under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty stated that the state is exploring collaboration with Tamil Nadu to address the issue. The Union government has withheld a total of ₹1,500.27 crore, including ₹514.54 crore due to the Samagra Shiksha scheme for the fiscal years 2024-25, 2023-24, and 2025-26, as well as ₹318 crore for the PM-SHRI scheme. The delay in releasing funds is attributed to the state's failure to sign the agreement for implementing the PM-SHRI scheme. The Union government has not communicated this decision in writing to the state. The minister mentioned that the opinion of the Advocate General will also be sought on this matter.
Census (1)
India Prepared for Caste Census, Says Prof. Sukhdeo Thorat
India is well-prepared to conduct a caste census as part of the upcoming national Census, according to Professor Sukhdeo Thorat, a noted economist and social justice scholar. Prof. Thorat highlighted India’s extensive experience in large-scale data collection and Census operations, emphasizing the need for expert deliberation and technical preparation. He suggested forming expert committees to design questionnaires and standardize caste and sub-caste nomenclature across states. Prof. Thorat also stressed the importance of learning from past exercises, such as the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census and caste surveys in Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka. He noted that the caste census should aim to identify group-specific economic, educational, and political issues, rather than focusing solely on reservations. Additionally, he called for systematic data collection on caste-based discrimination to inform more nuanced policymaking.
Miscellaneous (1)
Sub-Registrar Assaulted in Melaneelithanallur Over Land Registration Dispute
On Tuesday, the Sub-Registrar of Melaneelithanallur, Chelladurai, was assaulted by Munees Pandi of Aayaalpatti and his associates at the Melaneelithanallur Sub-Registrar’s Office. The incident occurred when Chelladurai refused to register a land without the necessary supporting documents. After the attack, the assailants fled the scene, and Chelladurai was admitted to Sankarankovil Government Hospital. The Panaivadalichathram police are currently investigating the case and searching for the suspects.
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