Important News - 2025-06-13
13 June 2025
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Heritage (1)
Historic Mala Synagogue Roof Collapses Amid Heavy Rains; Restoration Efforts Underway
The historic Mala Synagogue, a significant tourist destination and one of the oldest synagogues in the state, witnessed the collapse of its central roof during heavy rains on Wednesday night. The incident occurred despite prior reports of structural vulnerabilities and repeated appeals by locals to the authorities for urgent repairs. The synagogue, which was renovated at a cost of ₹75.5 lakh just 18 months ago, is under the care of the Muziris Heritage Project since 2017. The collapse was averted from becoming a major tragedy as it happened at night when the premises were empty. Emergency measures, including covering the damaged roof with tarpaulin sheets, have been initiated by the Muziris Heritage Project to prevent further water damage. Officials from the Archaeology department are expected to visit the site soon to assess the damage and plan restoration efforts. MLA V.R. Sunil Kumar, who inspected the site, has directed the authorities to take immediate action to restore the heritage structure.
Economy (2)
Karnataka Demands 50% Vertical Devolution and Fiscal Reforms in 16th Finance Commission
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the 16th Finance Commission (FC) to increase the vertical devolution of funds from the Centre to States to at least 50% and cap cess and surcharges at 5%. During a meeting with FC Chairman Arvind Panagariya in New Delhi, Siddaramaiah highlighted the need to bridge regional gaps in Kalyana Karnataka and Malnad, which suffer from low incomes and poor infrastructure. He also sought ₹1.15 lakh crore investment for Bengaluru’s infrastructure, citing its significant contribution to Karnataka’s economy. Karnataka proposed reforms in fiscal devolution, including reducing the weight of the income-distance criterion and increasing the weight of a State’s economic contribution to ensure high-performing States are not penalised. The State also recommended including Union non-tax revenues in the divisible pool and allocating 0.3% of gross Union receipts through a formula-based system. Karnataka’s share under the 15th FC dropped from 4.713% to 3.647%, resulting in a cumulative loss of over ₹80,000 crore. The Chief Minister emphasised the need for a balanced approach to devolution, ensuring growth and equity coexist. The FC’s award period begins on April 1, 2026.
AP Lorry Owners Protest IRDAI’s Proposed Hike in Third-Party Insurance Premiums
The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners’ Association (APLOA) has strongly opposed the proposed hike in third-party insurance premiums by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). In a letter dated June 13, APLOA’s general secretary, Y. V. Eswara Rao, expressed concerns over the potential 20-25% increase, emphasizing that it would impose a significant financial burden on small and medium transport operators. Rao highlighted that over 85% of vehicle owners in the transport sector are small operators already struggling with high maintenance costs, taxes, toll fees, fuel prices, and corruption. He argued that the risk of accidents involving trucks has reduced with the development of international-standard highways, and the contribution of heavy vehicles to road accidents is relatively low. Rao also pointed out the lack of transparency in third-party claims data and urged IRDAI to release detailed information on claims, premiums, and vehicle registrations from FY 2020 to FY 2025. Additionally, he called for the removal of the 12% GST on third-party insurance premiums, stating that it serves no direct benefit to payers but is a social obligation. APLOA requested that any decision on premium hikes be made only after consulting stakeholders, particularly the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).
Census (1)
Karnataka Announces New Caste Census Amid Mixed Reactions from Caste Groups
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a new socio-economic and educational survey, also known as a caste census, to determine reservation benefits for backward classes. The decision received mixed reactions from various caste groups. The Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha supported the move to discard the controversial 2015 survey report but questioned the necessity of a new census, citing the Union government's ongoing caste data collection. In contrast, the Karnataka State Backward Classes Federation criticized the government for setting aside the old report, calling it a contradictory policy. The federation emphasized the need for transparency and suggested linking Aadhaar or ration cards to ensure the survey's credibility. The Vokkaligara Sangha also proposed conducting an independent survey of the Vokkaliga community, focusing on landholding, education, occupation, and income. A committee meeting to discuss this matter is scheduled for June 18.
Politics (4)
ACB Summons KTR for Investigation into Formula E Financial Irregularities
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued a fresh notice to K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former IT Minister, directing him to appear for questioning on June 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. This is in connection with the alleged financial irregularities related to the Formula E race held in Hyderabad in February 2023. The case involves an alleged ₹54 crore payout, including ₹8 crore in taxes, to the race organizers, which reportedly bypassed Cabinet approval. KTR was previously summoned on May 26, 2024, but the questioning was postponed due to his pre-scheduled international trip. The ACB had registered an FIR against KTR on December 19, 2024, over these allegations. In response, KTR stated on social media platform ‘X’ that he would cooperate fully with the investigation, emphasizing that ₹44 crore was transferred bank-to-bank and remains in the account of Formula E.
Assam CM Issues Shoot-at-Sight Order Amid Communal Tensions in Dhubri
On June 13, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a shoot-at-sight order to address escalating communal tensions in Dhubri, a town located 290 km west of Guwahati. The unrest began on June 8 when a severed cow's head was discovered in front of a Hanuman Temple, a day after Id-ul-Azha (Bakrid). Despite initial efforts by community leaders to resolve the issue, the situation worsened when another cow's head was placed at the same location the following day. Sarma emphasized that the order would be enforced against any illegal activities, including stone-pelting, to maintain law and order. He also directed the immediate arrest of known criminals in the district, which has reportedly been targeted by fundamentalist forces from Bangladesh. Central security forces were deployed to sensitive areas to ensure peace. Sarma further highlighted an organized campaign by a group named 'Nabin Bangla', which called for Dhubri to become part of Bangladesh, and noted a rise in cattle smuggling activities from West Bengal. Dhubri district, where Muslims constitute 74% of the population according to the 2011 Census, remains a focal point of communal sensitivity.
Kerala HC Appoints Amicus Curiae in Ship Accident Compensation Case
The Kerala High Court has appointed Arjun Sreedhar as the amicus curiae to assist in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by T.N. Pratapan, former MP and chairman of the Kerala Fishermen Coordination Committee. The PIL seeks compensation for fishermen and others affected by the sinking of MSC Elsa 3, a Liberia-flagged container vessel carrying hazardous cargo, off the Alappuzha coast on May 25, 2024. The court has ruled that all expenses related to compensation, pollution mitigation, and other costs arising from the ship sinking and a massive fire on another vessel off the Beypore coast must be recovered from the owners of the vessels, ensuring no financial burden on the public exchequer.
Karnataka Forum Advocates for Two-Language Policy in Education System
The forum ‘Namma Naadu-Namma Aalvike (NNNA)’ has urged the Karnataka State government to adopt a two-language policy in the education system, eliminating the compulsory inclusion of Hindi as a third language. Kannada film lyricist Kaviraj, speaking at a press conference on Friday, highlighted the challenges faced by students burdened with an additional language that often lacks relevance to their academic and social environment. He noted that children, with limited study time after school, struggle to allocate sufficient focus to core subjects due to the demands of learning three languages. Over the past seven months, NNNA has conducted extensive awareness campaigns, including a large-scale bike rally in Bengaluru on November 1, 2024, gathering support from over 27,000 petition signatories. The campaign draws inspiration from Tamil Nadu, which has successfully maintained a high student pass rate despite opposing the three-language policy. Kaviraj also pointed out that in Karnataka, over 1,25,000 students have failed in Hindi, a language unfamiliar to many, which significantly impacts their overall academic performance.
Schemes (1)
Karnataka Transitions ‘108’ Arogya Kavacha Ambulance Service to Health Department, Approves ₹185 Crore for Gruha Arogya Scheme
The Karnataka State government has approved the proposal to bring the ‘108’ Arogya Kavacha ambulance service under the direct management of the Health Department, ending its operation under private partnership. A Government Order (GO) issued on June 12, 2024, aims to enhance the efficiency of the service and save nearly ₹250 crore for the State exchequer. A central command and control centre will be established at the State level to manage a fleet of 715 ambulances, powered by the 112 NG-ERSS software. District-level ‘108’ control centres will also be set up, with district health officers overseeing operations. Ambulance drivers and nursing staff will be recruited on an outsourced basis. The transition will begin in Chamarajanagar district, followed by phased implementation across all districts. Additionally, over 1,000 State-owned ambulances will be integrated under the unified ‘108 command centre. The State government has also approved ₹185 crore for the Statewide implementation of the Gruha Arogya scheme, which aims to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and provide free screenings and medicines at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). Furthermore, the Health Department has relieved 195 ASHA mentors, who were working on a contract basis under the National Health Mission (NHM), and their responsibilities will now be handled by other health workers.
Miscellaneous (3)
Left Parties Call for Thorough Probe and Enhanced Air Safety After Ahmedabad Plane Crash
On June 13, 2025, the Left parties expressed deep sorrow over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 265 lives. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) issued statements extending condolences to the families of the victims, including passengers, crew members, medical students, and doctors. Both parties urged the Government of India to conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent inquiry into the incident. They emphasized the necessity of reinforcing air safety regulations and implementing rigorous oversight of aviation operations to prevent such disasters in the future. The CPI also highlighted the importance of providing care and support to the families of the victims on the ground.
Air India Plane Crash: Family Struggles to Inform Anju Sharma’s Elderly Parents of Her Death
On June 12, 2025, relatives of Anju Sharma, a 55-year-old woman who tragically died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, were grappling with the difficult task of informing her elderly parents in Ramsaran Majra village, Kurukshetra district, Haryana. Anju, who had settled in Vadodara after her marriage in the 1990s, was traveling to London to visit her elder daughter, Nimmi. She is survived by two daughters, as her husband, an engineer in the oil industry, had passed away a few years earlier. Anju’s father, Jagdish Sharma, a retired government employee, and her mother, Santosh Sharma, are both in poor health, making the news even more devastating for the family. Anju’s uncle, Balkishan Sharma, expressed the family’s shock and the challenge of breaking the news to her parents. Anju was remembered by her extended family as a compassionate and caring individual who always supported her family. The tragedy has left the family shattered.
Salvage Operations and Coastal Vigil Continue After MV Wan Hai 503 Cargo Ship Fire
The Coastal police and Marine Enforcement Squad are maintaining heightened vigilance and patrolling along the Malabar coast as salvage operations continue for hazardous containers that fell into the sea from the Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503. The vessel caught fire approximately 88 nautical miles off Kerala’s Beypore coast on June 9, 2025. District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, also Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, has urged coastal residents to remain alert and report any suspicious wreckage by dialing the helpline 112, advising a safe distance of at least 200 meters from such objects. The Fisheries Department has enlisted the support of local fishermen and allied workers for surveillance. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board are analyzing marine water samples to assess the environmental impact. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) noted that the vessel remains afloat due to improved fire containment measures but is sensitive to weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department has forecast strong westerlies, heavy rainfall, and rough seas for Kerala, Mahe, and Lakshadweep from June 14 to June 16, 2025, with wind speeds reaching 50–60 kmph. The ship, carrying 1,754 containers, including 143 with hazardous chemicals, was en route from Colombo to Mumbai on June 7. Of the 24 containers that fell into the sea, 18 crew members were rescued, while four remain missing, with search operations ongoing.
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