Important News - 2025-05-17
17 May 2025
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Politics (2)
Experts and Activists Oppose Greater Bengaluru Governance Act 2024 for Centralizing Power
Citizen activists and urban governance experts have strongly criticized the Greater Bengaluru Governance (GBG) Act 2024, which came into effect on May 15, 2024. They argue that the Act centralizes power under the State government, undermining the principles of the 74th Constitutional Amendment that advocates for decentralized urban local governance. At a seminar organized by CIVIC (Citizen Voluntary Initiative for the City), former IAS officer T.R. Raghunandan condemned the Act for transferring authority to the Chief Minister instead of empowering elected urban local bodies. Civic activist Kathyayini Chamaraj highlighted that the Act further reduces the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to an advisory role, weakening grassroots governance and accountability. Satyajit Arikutharam, former Chief Technical Advisor at DULT, warned that infrastructure decisions under the new regime, such as a car-only underground tunnel, could lead to elite-centric planning and financial burdens for future generations. While Raghunandan suggested dividing Bengaluru into smaller administrative units for better decentralization, Chamaraj cautioned that this could exacerbate financial inequality between zones. CIVIC plans to legally challenge the Act to restore democratic governance.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Jaishankar’s Statement on Operation Sindoor Communication with Pakistan
On May 17, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for his reported statement that India had informed Pakistan about targeting terrorist infrastructure at the start of Operation Sindoor. Gandhi questioned who authorized this communication and how many aircraft India lost as a result. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded by stating that Gandhi's claims were a misrepresentation of facts, clarifying that the communication with Pakistan occurred in the early phase of the operation, not before it began. The Press Information Bureau Fact Check Unit also refuted the claim that Jaishankar had informed Pakistan before the operation commenced.
Schemes (3)
Karnataka Halts New Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Govt. Hospitals to Ensure Free Medicine Access
The Karnataka Health Department has decided to halt the opening of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras on the premises of government-run hospitals to ensure that patients receive free medicines directly from these facilities. A Government Order (GO) issued on May 14 directed the Health Commissionerate to reject 31 pending applications for new Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Additionally, the department has been instructed to terminate agreements with existing kendras on hospital premises based on the timelines specified in their memoranda of understanding. This decision follows complaints that patients were being prescribed medicines to purchase from external sources, despite the government's provision of free medicines. Hospitals have now been directed to procure generic medicines from the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Units of India (BPPI) and dispense them at no cost to patients. The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. has been tasked with fixing special rates for these generic drugs. While the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras outside government hospitals will continue, the government has paused the opening of new kendras within hospital premises pending a comprehensive review of the policy. Notably, 207 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have already been approved for primary health centres.
DGP Highlights ‘Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra’ Drive for Clean and Green Andhra Pradesh
Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta emphasized the importance of clean and green practices for a healthy life during his participation in the ‘Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra’ cleanliness drive at the Andhra Pradesh Police Headquarters in Mangalagiri. The initiative, which took place on Saturday, saw the involvement of officers from various wings. DGP Gupta highlighted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has prioritized ‘Clean and Green’ programmes, with a vision to make India the top country in cleanliness by 2047. He also mentioned that Amaravati, the state capital, is being developed with 30% green cover and urged the public to plant saplings and protect the environment. As part of the drive, 18,298 files were saved in the record room, and waste material was removed from all wings of the police headquarters. Following the Chief Minister's call to participate in the ‘Swarnandhra - Swachh Andhra’ programme every third Saturday, Eluru district Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore, along with other officers, conducted a clean-up drive and planted saplings at the Eluru District Headquarters. Similar activities were carried out in the DCP, ACP offices, and all police stations under the NTR Police Commissionerate, where police personnel cleaned premises, removed garbage, and planted saplings.
Andhra Pradesh Announces Free Bus Travel for Women from August 15
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrabatim Naidu, announced that women in the state will be able to travel for free on state-run APSRTC buses starting from August 15. This initiative is part of the TDP's 'Super Six' promises made during the 2024 election campaign. The scheme aims to provide free bus travel for women, along with other welfare measures such as financial assistance to mothers of school-going children and financial aid for farmers. The announcement was made during the Chief Minister's visit to Kurnool for the Swarna Andhra - Swachch Andhra program. The government has also committed to implementing other welfare schemes, including the Thalliki Vandanam and Annadata Sukhibhava programs, to support mothers and farmers respectively. Additionally, the government has announced plans to invest in various projects, including the establishment of a Drone City in Orvakal and the completion of the Polavaram-Banakacherla project, which is expected to significantly benefit the Rayalaseema region.
Elections (1)
YSRCP Prepares for Local Body Elections and Strengthens Party Structure
Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, the State Coordinator of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has urged the party's Parliamentary constituency observers to ensure victory in the upcoming local body elections scheduled for May 19. During a meeting with party leaders on Saturday, Reddy emphasized the need for effective coordination with district presidents and grassroots-level leaders. He highlighted that YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has clearly defined roles for all levels of the party, and leaders are expected to work diligently to strengthen the party's position and ensure a strong comeback in the next general elections. To achieve this, mandal committees are to be formed by the end of May, village committees by July, and booth committees by October, with the goal of enrolling 18 lakh members and issuing them ID cards by the end of the year. Reddy also called on YSRCP leaders to effectively counter the coalition government's failures and promised full party support in their efforts. Meanwhile, former Minister Sake Sailajanath criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for promoting quality liquor at low prices while allegedly fostering corruption and mismanagement in the liquor trade. Sailajanath accused the coalition government of using the liquor trade as a diversionary tactic and challenged it to prove Jagan Mohan Reddy's alleged involvement in a liquor scam.
Defence (2)
Mulugu Police Arrest 20 Maoists, Seize Arms in Major Operation
In a significant crackdown, the Mulugu district police in Telangana arrested 20 Maoists and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition over the last 48 hours, as reported on May 17, 2025. The operation, conducted across various locations under the Venkatapuram, Wazeedu, and Kannaigudem police station limits, led to the recovery of three 5.56 mm INSAS rifles, four 7.62 mm SLR rifles, one .303 rifle, four 8mm rifles, 16 12-bore weapon cartridges, and two live grenades. Additionally, ₹58,155 in cash, four walkie-talkies, six radios, nine rechargeable batteries, six pen drives, and six memory cards were confiscated. Among those arrested were one division committee member, five area committee members, 14 party members, and 20 militia members of the banned CPI (Maoist). The majority of the arrested individuals, 19 in total, are from Chhattisgarh’s South Bastar division, with one from Odisha’s Malkangiri district. The police have heightened surveillance along the Chhattisgarh border to prevent further infiltration of Maoists from the Karregutta hillocks.
J&K Approves Deployment of Ex-Servicemen for Critical Infrastructure Security
On May 14, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Government approved a proposal to employ Ex-Servicemen (ESM) through the Sainik Welfare Board of Jammu & Kashmir for safeguarding critical infrastructure across the Union Territory. A total of 4,000 ESM volunteers have been identified for this initiative, with 435 of them possessing licensed personal weapons to enhance localised security responses. These ESM will be deployed across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, protecting vital installations such as power stations, bridges, and government buildings. The initiative builds on the success of a similar program during the Covid-19 pandemic, where 2,500 ESM supported the administration. The ESM will function under the coordination of District Sainik Welfare Officers (DSWOs) and work closely with district administrations and local police. Their roles will be non-combatant, focusing on static guard duties, presence-based deterrence, and local coordination. Uniforms and basic equipment will be provided by the Sainik Welfare Board, with administrative support from district authorities. Training and orientation programs are also being planned to ensure standardized conduct and efficiency.
Economy (2)
Tamil Nadu Records Lower Power Demand Amid Summer Rainfall and Increased Wind Energy Generation
Electricity Minister S.S. Sivasankar announced that Tamil Nadu's power demand during the current summer season has been lower compared to the previous year, primarily due to rainfall in certain parts of the state. Speaking in Chennai, he highlighted that wind energy generation has also increased significantly. Tamil Nadu achieved a record peak power demand of 20,830 MW on May 2, 2024, and a record daily consumption of 454.32 million units on April 30, 2024. According to data from the Central Electricity Authority, the state's peak demand in April 2025 was 19,864 MW, with an overall energy requirement of 11,705 million units. The Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre reported a maximum demand of 18,868 MW on May 16, 2024. In response to public complaints about extreme summer heat and severe weather conditions, Minister Sivasankar reviewed the operations of 'Minnagam,' the 24/7 consumer grievance redressal center at TANGEDCO headquarters. He noted that the staff strength at Minnagam has been increased to 94 from 65 to handle complaints more efficiently. The minister instructed officials to address frequent power disruptions promptly and ensure uninterrupted power supply. He emphasized that there is no gap between power demand and supply in the state, and all necessary measures have been taken to manage the current summer and upcoming monsoon season.
Rajasthan Unveils M-Sand Plot Auction Plan to Combat Illegal Mining
The Rajasthan government has taken a significant step to streamline the construction material supply chain and curb illegal mining by finalizing an action plan for the auction of plots designated for manufactured sand (M-sand) units. This move follows the State’s decision to recognize M-sand units as an industry, granting them official status to attract investment and foster development. On May 17, 2025, Principal Secretary (Mines) T. Ravikanth announced that 109 plots have been identified, with 77 plots spanning 158 hectares allocated for M-sand units and 32 overburden dumping plots covering 131 hectares prepared for e-auction. Notably, 26 plots have already been auctioned successfully, aiming to enhance M-sand supply for the construction sector. This initiative is a strategic response to the 2017 Supreme Court ban on riverbed sand (bajri) mining in Rajasthan, which led to a decline in legally mined sand, price hikes, and the rise of illegal mining activities. Although environmental clearance was granted to 60 mining zones in 2022, the supply lag had already impacted infrastructure projects. The new M-sand policy is expected to reduce reliance on riverbed resources, ease supply bottlenecks, and strengthen environmental safeguards. It also offers State-backed incentives and infrastructural support to investors. During a departmental review meeting at Khanij Bhawan, Mr. Ravikanth emphasized the importance of promoting legal mining to curb illegal activities and directed the Mines Department to expedite the auction of mineral plots. Additionally, efforts are underway to identify new revenue sources and plug existing leakages, with the auction process for 22 major mineral blocks already commenced at the start of the current financial year.
Miscellaneous (2)
Family Demands Probe into Tourist's Death at Wayanad Resort
The family of a woman tourist who died in a hut collapse at a resort in Wayanad, Kerala, has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The incident occurred on May 15, 2024, at a resort in Meppadi panchayat. The woman, along with her friends, was staying in a hut made of wooden poles and thatched grass when the collapse happened around 2 a.m. While the woman sustained fatal internal injuries, including broken bones, her friends remained unharmed. The family has raised concerns over the safety of the hut and questioned how the resort obtained permission for such a structure. The manager and supervisor of the resort were arrested on May 16, 2024, and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Search for Killer Tiger in Kalikavu Intensifies Amid Forest Officer Transfer
The search for the tiger responsible for the fatal attack on Gafoor Ali, a 44-year-old rubber tapper, continued for the second day on Saturday in Kalikavu. The incident occurred on Thursday morning at a private rubber plantation in Adakkakundu, Kalikavu. Despite evading the forest search team, the tiger was captured on a camera trap set by forest staff on Friday night. The tiger, estimated to be 8 to 10 years old, was identified within the database of the Silent Valley National Park. The Kalikavu forest range, where the attack took place, is contiguous to the buffer zone of Silent Valley National Park. The dense undergrowth in the private plantations facilitated the tiger's entry into the area. The search operation, involving over 50 personnel divided into three teams and aided by Kumki elephants, will continue on Sunday. The plan is to tranquilize and capture the tiger, but the team is prepared for extreme measures if necessary. Meanwhile, Nilambur South Divisional Forest Officer Dhanik Lal was transferred to the forest headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram amid allegations of political interference, despite leading the tiger hunt.
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