Important News - 2025-06-24
24 June 2025
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Politics (6)
Kerala CM Criticizes Media Bias and Central Government’s Financial Policies
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the right-wing media for portraying unionized labor as a hindrance to industrial development while glorifying corporate employers as symbols of progress. Speaking at the 15th State Conference of the Kerala State Headload and General Workers (CITU), Mr. Vijayan urged workers to resist such media narratives. He blamed neoliberalism and globalization, initiated by the Congress and pursued by the BJP, for increasing inequality, unemployment, and poverty in India, which ranks 105th in the Global Poverty Index. Mr. Vijayan accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar of promoting communalism to divert attention from pressing economic issues and criticized the Central government for financially strangulating Kerala by reducing its borrowing limit and delaying funds for joint projects. He highlighted Kerala’s secular and welfare-oriented development model as a contrast to BJP-ruled states and condemned the targeting of minorities under the BJP’s rule.
Nilambur MLA Aryadan Shoukath Supports Tribal Families' Land Protest in Malappuram
Aryadan Shoukath, the newly elected MLA of Nilambur, visited the striking tribal families in front of the Malappuram district collectorate on Tuesday, expressing solidarity with their cause. Approximately 60 tribal families from various hamlets in Nilambur have been protesting since May 20, 2024, against the district administration's failure to honor its promise of providing 50 cents of land to each family. Shoukath interacted with tribal leader Bindu Vailassery and GROW Vasu, the convener of the tribal agitation council, assuring them of his support and intervention as their MLA. He emphasized that the families were protesting for a genuine cause, accusing the government of neglecting their demands. This agitation follows a 314-day hunger strike in front of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) office in Nilambur during 2023-24, where the families demanded one acre of land per family as mandated by the Supreme Court in 2009. The hunger strike was called off on March 18, 2024, after District Collector V.R. Vinod promised written assurance of 50 cents of land per family within six months. However, the administration failed to fulfill this commitment, prompting the families to resume their protest on May 20, 2024.
VMC Council Meeting Highlights Civic Issues and Political Tensions in Vijayawada
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) general council meeting, held on Tuesday, witnessed intense discussions on critical civic issues. The meeting, originally scheduled for June 13, was postponed due to the Ahmedabad airplane crash on June 12. The session began with a two-minute silence to honor the victims of the airplane crash, the Pahalgam terror attack, and a former corporator who recently passed away. During the question hour, only five out of 19 questions were addressed. These included queries from CPI(M) Floor Leader B. Satya Babu regarding the delayed allocation of houses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the status of the Budameru retaining wall, and the stormwater drain project. TDP corporator Ummadi Venkateswara Rao raised concerns about the mixing of drainage and drinking pipelines. Corporators highlighted issues such as water discoloration, water-logging, and drainage water entering homes, demanding prompt action from officials. The Mayor directed the expedited completion of the Budameru retaining wall. A heated debate erupted over the provision of drinking water to the Jawahar Autonagar Mutually Aided Consumer (JAMAC) Cooperative Stores Ltd. Housing Complex, with TDP corporators staging a protest. Residents of the complex rely on borewells for drinking water, and many have reported health issues. The meeting also addressed water quality at the Head Water Works and property tax concerns. Despite lengthy discussions, many corporators expressed dissatisfaction with the officials' responses. Out of 156 agenda items, most were presented, with key issues being discussed. CPI(M) leader B. Satya Babu criticized the NDA government for not releasing funds for Vijayawada's development.
MLA Aryadan Shoukath Pledges to Revive Stalled UDF Projects in Nilambur
Aryadan Shoukath, the newly elected MLA from Nilambur, has pledged to prioritize the development of his constituency, earning the affectionate nickname 'Baputty' from the locals. During a public reception at Chandakunnu, Nilambur, Shoukath expressed gratitude to voters and vowed to revive stalled projects initiated by the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government, which have been inactive for nine years. However, he expressed concerns about the current government's cooperation during his nine-month term in the Assembly. Shoukath emphasized that Nilambur's development would only receive top priority if the UDF returns to power in 2026. He toured various panchayats, including Chungathara, Pothukal, Vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Moothedam, Karulai, and Amarambalam, as well as Nilambur municipality, accompanied by UDF leaders and hundreds of supporters.
Amit Shah Calls for Enhanced Gram Panchayat Revenue to Strengthen Panchayati Raj System
Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh to devise strategies and formulate rules to enhance the revenue of gram panchayats. This initiative aims to strengthen India’s three-tier Panchayati Raj system, making it more effective. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted that Mr. Shah chaired the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Varanasi on June 24, 2025. The meeting was attended by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai. Nineteen issues of national importance were discussed, including the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trials in rape cases involving women and children, ensuring brick-and-mortar banking facilities within a designated radius of every village, and the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112). Additionally, Mr. Shah emphasized the eradication of child malnutrition, reducing the school dropout rate to zero, and strengthening the cooperative sector. The Zonal Councils, established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, serve an advisory role, and the Home Minister chairs these councils. Over the past 11 years, 62 meetings of various Zonal Councils and their permanent committees have been held with the cooperation of state governments and central ministries.
Congress Leader Muraleedharan Criticizes Tharoor for Praising PM Modi
K. Muraleedharan, a senior Congress leader from Kerala, publicly criticized Shashi Tharoor, a member of the party’s working committee, for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muraleedharan described Tharoor’s remarks as “quite disgusting,” especially during the election season. Tharoor, in a recent newspaper article, had lauded Modi’s “energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage” as a “prime asset” for India on the global stage. This praise came amidst the Congress party’s ongoing criticism of the BJP-led government’s foreign policy, alleging that Indian diplomacy is being “shattered” and the country stands “isolated” globally. Muraleedharan suggested that the party’s high command should decide on any disciplinary action against Tharoor. Earlier, Tharoor had expressed his commitment to the Congress party and its values, despite having differences with some party leaders, particularly in the context of the Nilambur Assembly byelections.
Economy (1)
Siddaramaiah Urges Nirmala Sitharaman for Growth-Oriented Tax Devolution in 16th Finance Commission
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, urging the Centre to adopt a growth-oriented approach in tax devolution as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission. He highlighted developmental challenges in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Kalyana Karnataka, and Malnad regions, and emphasized the need for special grants. Bengaluru requires ₹1.15 lakh crore for capital works, while Malnad and Kalyana Karnataka regions also need financial support due to floods and special status under Article 371J, respectively. Siddaramaiah noted that Karnataka lost ₹80,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission’s award period, with its share in tax devolution dropping from 4.713% to 3.647%. He proposed reducing the weightage of the income distance criterion by 20% and reallocating it to fiscal contribution, reflecting the State’s 8.7% GDP share. Additionally, Karnataka requested discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants in their current format, advocating for redistribution using the horizontal devolution formula.
Schemes (1)
Kerala Police Launches College Protection Committees to Combat Campus Threats
The Kerala Police has introduced a new initiative to establish College Protection Committees (CPCs) across all higher education institutions in the state. This scheme aims to address critical issues such as drug abuse, violence, cyber threats, and anti-social activities on campuses. Each CPC will be chaired by the college principal and convened by the Station House Officer (SHO), with representation from student bodies, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), ward councillors, and prominent local figures. The Social Policing Directorate will oversee the coordination, management, and supervision of these committees. Additionally, a State-level monitoring committee, comprising the State Police Chief, Excise Commissioner, and directors of Collegiate Education, Technical Education, and Women and Child Development, will be formed. District-level subcommittees, supervised by District Police Chiefs, will also be set up, along with WhatsApp groups for seamless coordination. The CPCs will focus on empowering students and staff, preventing substance abuse, addressing safety concerns, and conducting awareness campaigns on cyber safety, mental health, and road safety. They will also organise disaster management training and self-defence programmes for women, while providing a platform for students to lodge complaints confidentially and ensure their timely resolution.
Miscellaneous (4)
Minister Orders Swift Distribution of Corrected Plus Two Certificates
V. Sivankutty, the Minister for General Education, has instructed the timely distribution of corrected Plus Two certificates to students who received certificates with errors in their continuous evaluation marks. The Minister has also ordered an inquiry into the incident, which will be conducted by a committee comprising the Higher Secondary Joint Director (Academic), a representative from the State IT cell, and a representative from the Government Press. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by the Minister on Tuesday. Approximately 4.5 lakh certificates were printed, with nearly 30,000 containing errors in the continuous evaluation marks for the fourth subject in Plus One and Plus Two. If erroneous certificates have already been distributed, they should be collected and replaced with the corrected ones once available. If not yet distributed, school principals are instructed to only issue the corrected certificates. The erroneous certificates must be safely stored in schools.
KSRTC Sees Decline in Service Cancellations Post Employee Redeployment
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has seen a notable reduction in service cancellations following the redeployment of employees, as stated by Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Speaking at a press conference on June 24, 2025, the Minister announced the addition of 100 more buses to the fleet. Employees with health issues will be reassigned to office duties based on medical advice. The KSRTC plans to organize an adalat to address minor offenses committed by employees. Inquiry counters at KSRTC depots will be discontinued, with passengers encouraged to use the KSRTC Chalo App for information. The KSRTC card has gained widespread acceptance, with 80,000 cards distributed so far. A new digital concession card for students, valid for 25 days a month on specific routes, will soon be launched for students from Classes I to XII. Additionally, landline phones at depots will be replaced with mobile phones, enabling complaint submissions via WhatsApp. The Minister also revealed plans to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to determine bus schedules in the future, with software development applications invited. Buses will not operate if there are no passengers.
Condition Assessment and Management Plan Launched for Six Major River Basins in India
The Department of Water Resources, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has initiated a study to develop a Condition Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) for six major river basins in India, including the Periyar, Godavari, Narmada, Mahanadi, Cauvery, and Krishna. This project, submitted to the National Green Tribunal on June 18, 2025, aims to create a comprehensive action plan for the conservation, rejuvenation, and ecological restoration of these river basins. The study is part of efforts to address issues such as industrial pollution and illegal encroachments, particularly in the Periyar river. Additionally, the Wildlife Institute of India is conducting a biodiversity study for these rivers to assess their ecological health. The Department has also sanctioned three pollution abatement projects worth ₹115.7 crore for the Pampa, Chitrapuzha, and Periyar rivers. The report emphasizes that water management is a state subject, and it is the responsibility of state governments and local urban bodies to ensure the treatment of sewage and industrial effluents before discharge into water bodies.
25-Year-Old Endosulfan Stock in Kasaragod Repacked for Neutralisation as per NGT Directive
After being stored for nearly 25 years, 1,105 litres of endosulfan pesticide in the Kerala Plantation Corporation (PCK) godowns in Kasaragod district has been repacked into new barrels as part of a neutralisation process ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The operation was supervised by J. Chandrababu, Southern Regional Director of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The toxic chemical, stored in four barrels at the Periye estate, was transferred into eight high-density polythene containers, and the remaining stock from the Rajapuram estate was similarly repacked. The endosulfan stock will be transported out of the district for scientific disposal once clearance is received. A detailed report will be submitted to the NGT in its upcoming session next month. Endosulfan, banned in 2000 for its health and environmental hazards, had remained unneutralised in the PCK godowns at Periye, Rajapuram, and Cheemeni estates despite multiple attempts since 2012. The latest intervention followed a complaint by Udupi Human Rights Protection Mission president Ravindranath Shanbhog, who raised concerns over the unscientific burial of endosulfan at Minichipadavu and its potential threat to nearby Karnataka villages. Companies specializing in hazardous waste management will now bid for the contract to neutralise the pesticide, with the lowest bidder tasked with transporting and scientifically disposing of the substance. This move is part of renewed efforts under Operation Blossom Spring, initiated by the district administration in 2021 and revived after NGT intervention in early 2024. Officials from the State Pollution Control Board and the Central Insecticide Board were also involved in the neutralisation efforts, ensuring scientific handling of the pesticide after decades of inaction.
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