Important News - 2025-06-04
04 June 2025
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Politics (4)
Kerala Education Minister Criticizes Lakshadweep’s Removal of Arabic and Mahal from School Curriculum
Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty criticized the Lakshadweep administration on December 13, 2023, for removing Arabic and Mahal languages from the school curriculum. He termed the decision as deeply disturbing and deserving of the strongest condemnation. Sivankutty argued that this move, allegedly under the National Education Policy (NEP), contradicts the Union government’s commitment to promoting mother tongues and regional diversity in education. He emphasized that denying children the opportunity to learn their native languages violates the constitutional rights of linguistic minorities and undermines India’s pluralism and inclusiveness. The Minister also highlighted that education is a subject in the Concurrent List, meaning both the Centre and States have a role in its governance. He urged democratic forces, educators, and civil society organizations to oppose this decision and demand its immediate reversal. Sivankutty recalled Kerala’s earlier opposition to the PM SHRI project and the NEP framework, citing concerns about centralised policies overriding regional and cultural realities.
Congress Demands CBI Probe into NH 66 Damage in Kerala Amid Corruption Allegations
The Opposition Congress has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recent collapse and widespread damage of sections of National Highway 66 (NH 66) in Kerala following heavy rainfall. The party criticized the Left government for not seeking an investigation into the incident, alleging corruption and engineering lapses in the construction of the highway. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesh highlighted the need for a comprehensive investigation into the technical and financial aspects of the project, suggesting that a large-scale probe be conducted to uncover alleged corruption amounting to thousands of crores. The Congress also accused certain individuals within the state government of favoring the contract company responsible for the highway's construction. The controversy has escalated as the Pinarai Vijayan-led government faces criticism for its silence on the issue, with the Opposition linking the incident to the broader context of governance and accountability in the state.
CM Stalin Accuses BJP of Delaying Census to Reduce Tamil Nadu’s Parliamentary Representation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on June 4, 2025, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union Government of deliberately delaying the Census to 2027, which he claimed was a tactic to reduce Tamil Nadu's representation in Parliament. Stalin emphasized that the Constitution mandates delimitation based on the first Census conducted after 2026, and the postponement signals an attempt to curtail Tamil Nadu's voice. He criticized AIADMK General Secretary Palaniswami for his alleged complicity in this matter, stating that Palaniswami had surrendered to the BJP’s dominance. Stalin reiterated Tamil Nadu’s united demand for fair delimitation and called for clear answers from the Union Government.
Bar Council Approves Government Law College in Chamarajanagar with MPLADS Support
The Bar Council of India has approved the establishment of a Government Law College in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, addressing the long-standing need for legal education in the district. The approval, granted on June 2, 2024, allows the college to admit 60 students to the three-year LLB course starting from the academic year 2025–26. The initiative was spearheaded by Chamarajanagar MP Sunil Bose, who highlighted the challenges faced by local students in accessing legal education due to financial and logistical constraints. The temporary campus is situated on the Silk Cocoon Market premises in Chamarajanagar town and is affiliated with the Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi. Additionally, Mr. Bose has allocated ₹5 lakh from his MPLADS fund for the purchase of books for the college library, further supporting the institution's development.
Appointments (1)
India Elected President of International Institute of Administrative Sciences for 2025-28
India has been elected as the President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term, as announced by the government on May 4, 2025. The IIAS, a global federation focused on scientific research in public administration, includes 31 Member Countries, 20 National Sections, and 15 Academic Research Centres. India, a member since 1998, was represented by V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, who was nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2024. The election, held on June 3, 2025, saw India secure 87 out of 141 votes (61.7%) in the final round against Austria, which received 54 votes (38.3%). The IIAS, though not formally affiliated with the United Nations, collaborates closely with the UN in public administration. Key member countries include India, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, and South Africa.
Economy (2)
Chennai Hotels Association Threatens Exit from Food Delivery Apps Over High Charges
The Chennai Hotels Association has issued a warning to withdraw its member restaurants from food delivery apps due to excessive charges levied by these platforms. Over a thousand branded restaurants affiliated with the association may exit the apps. Association President M. Ravi highlighted that both customers and restaurants are adversely affected by these fees. K. Rajkumar, Vice-President of the association, emphasized that restaurants have no control over the charges imposed by the apps. He stated that 40%-45% of the total bill goes to the aggregators, who claim to be operating at a loss, while delivery partners also report insufficient earnings. This move could significantly impact the food delivery ecosystem in Chennai.
IRCTC Deactivates 2.5 Crore Suspicious IDs to Combat Fraudulent Ticket Bookings
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has deactivated 2.5 crore suspicious user IDs as part of a digital overhaul of its ticketing infrastructure, announced on June 4, 2025. This measure aims to curb unauthorized automated bookings by fraudulent agents using anti-bot systems and integration with a leading Content Delivery Network (CDN). In the last four months, 131 complaints of suspicious users have been lodged with the cyber crime cell. Additionally, IRCTC has initiated revalidation of 20 lakh user IDs in the past 15 days by verifying mobile numbers and email addresses. The Railways also introduced new user protocols, allowing Aadhaar-authenticated users to book tickets without delay, while non-Aadhaar users must wait three days after registration. The upgraded system has increased daily user logins by 19.5% and ticket bookings by 11.85% in the 2024–25 financial year compared to the previous year. E-ticketing now accounts for 86.38% of total reserved ticket bookings. Furthermore, the Railways has implemented restrictions on agent bookings during peak hours and limited overseas IP addresses during ARP and Tatkal booking periods.
Schemes (2)
Kallakurichi Launches Control Room for Higher Education Queries
The Kallakurichi district administration in Tamil Nadu has established a dedicated control room at the Collectorate to assist students with queries related to higher education opportunities. Spearheaded by Collector M.S. Prasanth, the initiative aims to ensure that all students in the district have access to accurate information about pursuing higher education. The control room, staffed by eight experienced teachers, will provide guidance and clarification on academic pathways. Students can reach out by calling the helpline number 81223 09830 for assistance. The control room will remain operational until October 31, 2025, offering sustained support to students over the next few years.
AIMPLB Challenges UMEED Portal Launch Amid Waqf Act Controversy
The Union government’s UMEED portal, aimed at digitizing the registration process for Waqf properties across India, has sparked controversy. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has criticized the move, claiming it amounts to contempt of court since petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 are still under consideration in the Supreme Court. The portal, which mandates the registration of Waqf properties within six months of its launch on June 6, is based on the provisions of the disputed Act. AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani has urged Muslim citizens and State Waqf Boards to refrain from registering properties on the portal until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict. The Board fears the portal could lead to the loss of ownership of unregistered Waqf properties, citing the controversial Waqf-by-User clause in the Act. The Minority Affairs Ministry, overseeing the portal, has provided technical assistance and guidelines for property registration.
Heritage (1)
Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s Vision Paved the Way for Bengaluru’s Global Tech Hub Status
On the 141st birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, celebrated on Wednesday, historians and officials highlighted his pivotal role in shaping modern Karnataka and Bengaluru’s emergence as a global tech hub. Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who ruled the princely state of Mysuru from 1902 to 1940, was lauded for his visionary initiatives in industry, agriculture, education, health, and administration. His contributions laid the foundation for Bengaluru’s current status as India’s Silicon Valley, a hub for IT and startups. Dr. M.S. Anita, a history professor, emphasized that the maharaja’s foresight in decentralizing governance and promoting inclusive education for Dalits, backward communities, and women remains impactful. District-in-Charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa noted that Mysuru was the first state in Asia to produce hydroelectric power and introduce street lighting, crediting Krishnaraja Wadiyar for understanding electricity’s transformative potential for agriculture and industry. The maharaja also established key institutions like the University of Mysore, Maharaja’s College, and Maharani’s College, and prioritized public health by setting up a sanatorium after losing his sister to tuberculosis. The event aimed to educate the youth about his enduring legacy.
Miscellaneous (2)
Andhra Pradesh Universities Directed to Enhance Curriculum, Employability, and Global Reach
On Wednesday, Kona Sashidhar, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, instructed Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of all State Universities in Andhra Pradesh to enhance academic and administrative standards. During a meeting organized by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), Sashidhar emphasized the need for curriculum reorientation to improve graduate employability in line with market and social needs. He also called for universities to mentor institutions like ITIs, polytechnics, and professional colleges for cohesive development. Universities were urged to function as skill clusters to address the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) levels, provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities, and maintain comprehensive databases of affiliated colleges. APSCHE Chairman K. Madhu Murthy stressed collaboration among universities to raise academic standards, strengthen governance, and improve global competitiveness. He highlighted the need to resolve faculty recruitment-related court cases promptly and transparently. Murthy also shared a framework for implementing four-year UG Honours programs with dual majors, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to foster interdisciplinary learning. Universities were advised to adopt a uniform curriculum for technical programs, implement Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) focusing on digital pedagogy, and establish dynamic Research Boards to enhance the research ecosystem. Emphasis was placed on strengthening international outreach, designing foreign-student-friendly policies, and leveraging platforms like ‘Study in India’ to attract global students. Additionally, short-term internship programs were highlighted for effective industry engagement and experiential learning. Vice-Chairpersons of APSCHE, K. Rama Mohana Rao and P. Uma Maheswari Devi, along with Secretary T.V. Sri Krishna Murthy and other university officials, attended the meeting.
Ernakulam Consumer Panel Orders ₹70,000 Compensation for Defective Phone Sale
The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed an online retailer to compensate a Kacheripady, Ernakulam resident with ₹70,000 for delivering a defective and old mobile phone instead of a brand-new one as promised. The compensation includes ₹55,000 for the cost of the phone, ₹10,000 for misrepresentation and mental agony, and ₹5,000 for legal proceedings. The order, dated April 30, 2025, was issued by D.B. Binu, the panel's president. The retailer had advertised the phone as a new device with a warranty but delivered a used 2021 model without accessories. The authorized service center confirmed the device had no valid warranty, and the retailer later admitted to selling refurbished units without disclosure. Despite returning the phone and sending reminders, the consumer did not receive a refund. The panel ruled that the retailer's actions constituted a deficiency in service under Section 2(11) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The retailer failed to respond to the notice, leaving the allegations unchallenged.
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