Important News - 2025-05-16
16 May 2025
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Schemes (5)
Karnataka Health Dept. Introduces Draft Rules to Fill Critical Vacancies and Mandate Rural Postings
The Karnataka State Health Department has introduced draft rules titled 'Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and Other Staff) Rules, 2025,' notified on May 14, 2025, to address critical vacancies and ensure equitable distribution of healthcare staff. The rules define 'critical vacancies' as positions where more than 50% of sanctioned posts are vacant in government hospitals, excluding primary health centres (PHCs) or sub-centres. Additionally, the absence of any one of the three essential specialists—obstetrics and gynaecology (OBG), paediatrician, and anaesthetist—in a government hospital is classified as a critical vacancy. The draft rules mandate compulsory rural postings for all medical officers and staff who have not served in rural areas for the specified minimum period and are below the age of 50. Transfers will be conducted through a transparent counselling process, prioritizing the filling of critical vacancies. Specialists working in non-sanctioned posts will be reassigned to areas requiring their expertise. The rules also allow for transfers of staff who have completed their minimum tenure in a government hospital. Objections to the draft rules can be submitted within seven days of their publication to the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Initiates Relocation of 27 Families from Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary with ₹10 Lakh Incentive
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre will visit Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday to facilitate the voluntary relocation of 27 families from Gawali village near Talewadi. As part of the relocation initiative, each family will receive an initial payment of ₹10 lakh, followed by an additional ₹5 lakh upon complete resettlement. The families, residing inside the sanctuary, have faced challenges such as isolation, lack of infrastructure, and threats from wild animals. During the winter session in Belagavi, the Minister met with the villagers, who expressed their desire to move out. Khandre has directed the Forest Department and Panchayat Raj officials to organize gram sabhas, pass resolutions for voluntary displacement, and approve the incentive payments. This initiative aims to integrate forest dwellers into mainstream society and ensure the conservation of wildlife sanctuaries. Similar efforts are planned for other forest settlements in the region.
State Government Inaugurates Five New Roads in Idukki as Part of Fourth Anniversary Celebrations
On Friday, Education Minister V. Sivankutty virtually inaugurated five new roads in Idukki district, along with 46 other roads across the state, as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the State government. The roads in Idukki include Perinchamkutty-Ezhukumavayal Road in Udumbanchola constituency, Arppamattam-Karimannoor Road, Karikkode-Velliyamattom-Poomala Road in Thodupuzha Assembly constituency, Kootikkal-Kokkayar-35th Mile Road, and 35th Mile-Thekkemala Road in Peerumade Assembly constituency. The construction of these roads was completed by the Idukki division of the Public Works Department (PWD). Udumbanchola MLA M.M. Mani inaugurated the Perinchamkutty-Ezhukumavayal road locally, highlighting the significant progress in road development in the district. The 5-km Perinchamkutty-Ezhukumavayal road, featuring a 4-meter carriageway, was built at a cost of ₹5 crore and includes protection walls, drainage facilities, and road security measures. Peerumade MLA Vazhoor Soman inaugurated the two roads in the Peerumade Assembly constituency, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the local residents.
NH-66 Widening and Smart Roads Inauguration to Boost Kerala's Infrastructure by December 2023
P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Public Works, announced on Friday that the widening of the National Highway (NH)-66 stretch from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram into a six-lane facility will be completed by December this year. The announcement was made during the inauguration of over 50 roads constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and 12 smart roads in Thiruvananthapuram city under the Smart City project. Mr. Riyas also highlighted the progress of the Hill Highway project, with 166 km of the proposed 1,166 km already completed, and 315 km currently under construction, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Additionally, three reaches of the 600-km Coastal Highway project have been completed. The inaugurated roads, including the smart roads, were constructed using Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete (BM and BC) technology. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has developed 15,000 km of PWD roads using this technology in three-and-a-half years, with plans to expand its use to 65% of Kerala's roads by 2026. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty formally inaugurated the roads, emphasizing their role in connecting people and accelerating development. The smart roads feature underground utility ducts, tiled footpaths, rebuilt sewerage lines, cycle tracks, and special chambers for repairs without road excavation. Other dignitaries present included Ministers G.R. Anil and A.K. Saseendran, Mayor Arya Rajendran, and MLAs Antony Raju, V.K. Prasanth, and V. Joy.
Telangana Prisons Showcase Eco-Friendly Products at Saraswati Pushkaralu Under ‘Waste to Wealth’ Initiative
The Telangana Prisons Department launched its ‘My Nation Prisons Stall’ during the Saraswati Pushkaralu festival in Kaleshwaram on Friday, November 3, 2023. The stall was inaugurated by Soumya Mishra, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Telangana, in the presence of Jayashankar Bhupalpally Collector Rahul Sharma, DIG of Prisons (Warangal Range) M. Sampath, and Central Prison Warangal Superintendent T. Kalasagar. The stall showcased eco-friendly products crafted by prison inmates, including incense sticks made from used flowers collected at the Vemulawada Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple, handmade soaps, woven items, and traditional durries. This initiative is part of the department’s ‘Waste to Wealth’ program, which focuses on promoting sustainability and aiding the rehabilitation of inmates.
Politics (3)
Congress Protests Renaming of Nehru Yuva Kendra to Mera Yuva Bharat
The Thrissur District Congress Committee (DCC) president, Joseph Tajet, criticized the Union government's decision to rename the Nehru Yuva Kendra to Mera Yuva Bharat, stating that it reflects an attempt to erase the legacy of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. Speaking at a protest organized by the DCC in association with Ayyanthole block committees at Thekke Gopura Nada, Tajet questioned the double standards in removing Nehru's name while promoting names like Vajpayee and Deen Dayal Upadhyay. He emphasized the need for citizens to remain vigilant to protect historical truths from being distorted by communal forces. The protest was a symbolic resistance against what he termed as a systematic rewriting of history, with many Congress leaders participating in the event.
Bihar Congress Alleges State Government Blocked Rahul Gandhi’s Shiksha Nyay Samvad Event
On May 16, 2025, the Bihar Congress accused the State government of attempting to obstruct Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, from interacting with students as part of the party’s Shiksha Nyay Samvad programme. Despite the denial of permission by the police, Gandhi walked 2.5 km to the Ambedkar Welfare Hostel in Darbhanga and addressed students, holding a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Two FIRs were subsequently lodged against Gandhi and over 100 party workers for organizing the event without permission. Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Congress in-charge, alleged that the police acted on the instructions of Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and accused the State government of conspiring to cancel the programme. The event, aimed at engaging with students from SC, ST, OBC, and EBC communities, was initially granted permission by the District Magistrate Office but was later denied. The Bihar Congress criticized the BJP-JD(U) government, claiming it sought to suppress the voices of marginalized communities.
CPI(M) Condemns RSS’s Casteism and Communal Hate, Supports Vedan and Colonel Sofia Qureshi
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has extended its support to Ambedkarite rapper Vedan and military spokesperson Colonel Sofia Qureshi, labeling them as targets of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) alleged 'casteism and communal hate.' CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan criticized the RSS mouthpiece, Kesari, for portraying Vedan as a 'caste terrorist,' calling it a reflection of the RSS’s feudal and revanchist agenda. He accused the RSS of attempting to revive the caste system, which progressive movements in Kerala had previously dismantled. Govindan also condemned Kerala University’s vice-chancellor in-charge, Mohanan Kunnumal, for allegedly siding with the RSS by accusing students and teachers of anti-national activities. Additionally, he criticized a BJP Minister for making communal remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi and questioned the Union government’s stance on third-party intervention in the India-Pakistan dispute.
Defence (1)
Telangana Forms Common Intelligence Team to Combat Drug Trafficking
A four-member common intelligence team is being established to enhance coordination between the Telangana Excise and Drug Control departments. The team aims to streamline information sharing and monitor drug trafficking patterns, both online and offline. This decision was made during a coordination meeting held at Abkari Bhavan in the city on Friday. Shahnawaz Qasim, Director of Prohibition and Excise, emphasized the need for special attention on industrial and forensic labs, joint training, raids, WhatsApp groups, and online drug trade. He also recommended creating a comprehensive action plan booklet to outline integrated enforcement strategies. Senior officers from both departments discussed the urgent need for joint operations and a structured approach to combat drug trafficking and abuse effectively.
Economy (1)
Bank of India Hosts Customer Outreach Program in Hubballi to Boost Retail, MSME, and Agri Loans
Bank of India’s Hubballi-Dharwad zone conducted a customer outreach program in Hubballi on Thursday, aiming to engage with both existing and potential customers. The event was inaugurated by Tarini Charan Sahu, the Zonal Manager of Hubballi-Dharwad, who emphasized the bank’s dedication to providing loans to the retail, MSME, and agricultural sectors. Manij Kumar Srivastav, the Field General Manager of FGMO Hyderabad, highlighted the bank’s offerings, including savings deposits, current deposits, term deposits, and various credit facilities. Over 70 customers attended the meeting, where senior bank officials detailed services such as savings accounts, current accounts, deposit products, retail loans, and MSME loans, tailored to meet customer needs.
Miscellaneous (2)
State Government Accelerates Pre-Monsoon Disaster Preparedness Measures
The State government has accelerated preparations for the upcoming southwest monsoon season during a meeting chaired by Revenue Minister K. Rajan on Friday. Regional-level action plans will be finalized by May 20, and training sessions will be conducted to activate Incident Response Systems at district and taluk levels. The government has also directed departments to implement measures from the Orange Book of Disaster Management, published by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), with an updated version expected by May 25. Relief camps will be established in identified buildings, and a Tribal Hamlet Disaster Management Plan will be drafted. Awareness programs will be conducted in landslide-prone areas, and warnings will be displayed at tourist spots. Water levels in reservoirs will be monitored, and dam shutters and spillways will be ensured operational. District-level reviews will be held monthly from June to September, chaired by the respective Minister or District Collector. Local bodies have been instructed to initiate pre-monsoon sanitation works, mosquito eradication measures, and clearing of drains and canals. Funds sanctioned for rescue equipment include ₹1 lakh for Grama Panchayats, ₹3 lakh for municipalities, and ₹5 lakh for Corporations.
TNSTC Bus Conductor’s Daughter Scores 499/500 in SSLC Exams
V. Sofia, the daughter of a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus conductor, achieved an outstanding score of 499 out of 500 in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations. A student of Gokilambal Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Kuzhavadayan, Jayamkondam, Sofia secured centum in English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Science, with a score of 99 in Tamil. Her father, Venkatesan, works as a conductor in TNSTC in Thanjavur district, while her mother, Sathya, is a homemaker. Sofia’s brother, Vignesh, is pursuing engineering at PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. Despite living in Kurichi, a village 7 km away from her school in Ariyalur district, Sofia traveled 14 km daily to attend school. Her achievement was celebrated by her school, and she was felicitated by R. Ponmudi, Managing Director of TNSTC (Kumbakonam), and N. Muthukumarasamy, General Manager. Sofia attributes her success to the support of her family and the guidance of her teachers, who motivated her throughout the academic year. Aspiring to become a doctor, Sofia’s dedication and hard work have made her a role model for many.
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