Important News - 2025-07-02
02 July 2025
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Schemes (4)
CPI(M) Opposes Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, Calls It a Corporate Favor
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) has strongly opposed the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, announced by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025, claiming it is a maneuver to transfer public funds to corporates. The scheme, with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore, aims to incentivize the private sector to hire new employees. However, the CPI(M) criticized it as a deceptive move that benefits large corporations while promoting precarious jobs. The party highlighted that the government simultaneously reduced funding for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and ignored demands for an urban employment guarantee law. Instead of subsidizing corporates, the CPI(M) urged the government to expand public services and fill government sector vacancies. The All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) also criticized the scheme, pointing out that similar initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and Capital Expenditure Incentive Scheme disproportionately favored employers without providing transparent data on job creation or fair wages.
Telangana Launches TGDeX: First State-Led Digital Public Infrastructure for AI Innovation
On Wednesday, the Telangana government launched the Telangana Data Exchange (TGDeX), a pioneering State-led digital public infrastructure aimed at fostering AI innovation. Developed by the Emerging Technologies Wing of the State’s IT department, TGDeX addresses key challenges such as the lack of access to clean datasets, subsidized compute infrastructure, and pathways to scale AI projects beyond the proof-of-concept stage. The initiative received strategic support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), JICA DXLab, Boston Consulting Group, and the Center of Data for Public Good at IISc Bangalore. Ecosystem enablers like T-Hub and Telangana AI Mission (T-AIM) are also involved, offering mentorship and access to markets and funding through ‘Grand Challenges.’ IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu described TGDeX as a ‘digital bridge connecting data to decision making and talent to opportunity,’ emphasizing its role as a national blueprint for inclusive AI infrastructure. IT and Industries Secretary Sanjay Kumar highlighted that TGDeX ensures equal access to AI-building resources for startups across Telangana, from Adilabad to Hyderabad. A joint White Paper by the Telangana government and JICA was also released, detailing the TGDeX journey and serving as a guide for other States and countries in the Global South. The platform, accessible at https://tgdex.telangana.gov.in, currently hosts over 500 datasets from various State departments and aims to include contributions from private enterprises and academic institutions in the future. Additionally, six winners of the Telangana AI Rising Grand Challenge, which received over 420 proposals from 240 startups nationwide, were felicitated at the launch event.
Karnataka Government Aims to Complete Yettinahole Project for Drinking Water Supply in Two Years
The Karnataka government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has announced the completion of the Yettinahole project within the next two years, aimed at supplying drinking water to 75 lakh people across nine districts. The project, which began in 2014, has seen its cost escalate by ₹2,000 crore due to increased land acquisition expenses, bringing the revised estimate to ₹23,251 crore. Of this, ₹17,147 crore has already been spent, with an additional ₹8,000 crore required to finalize the project. The project prioritizes drinking water supply, with 14 tmcft of the total 24.1 tmcft allocated for this purpose. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the augmentation of the Yettinahole project's capacity by proposing 3.08 tmcft from the Lakkavalli and Vadeyarahalli reservoirs. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted discussions on increasing the balancing reservoir's capacity from 1.89 tmcft to 3 tmcft, to be built on the Tumakuru and Chickballapur border. The Cabinet also approved the filling of 164 lakes in Sidalghatta and Chintamani taluks with secondary treated water from the Hebbal-Nagawara valley at a cost of ₹237 crore.
Kerala Launches Gothrabheri Initiative to Mitigate Tribal-Wildlife Conflicts
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran expressed deep concern over the rising number of tribal fatalities due to wildlife attacks and emphasized the need for immediate action. Speaking at the inauguration of the State-level workshop on 'Gothrabheri,' an initiative aimed at integrating indigenous knowledge into wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, he revealed that 67 people lost their lives in wildlife-related incidents during 2024-25, with 34 deaths caused by snakebites and 19 by elephant attacks. Notably, 13 of the elephant attack victims were from tribal communities. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan highlighted the unusual nature of this trend, as tribespeople have historically coexisted harmoniously with wildlife. The Gothrabheri program, a collaborative effort involving the Scheduled Tribes Development department, the Kerala Forest Research Institute, and other agencies, seeks to document and incorporate tribal ecological knowledge into official conservation policies. As part of this initiative, 18 regional seminars were conducted across Kerala, engaging 1,016 tribal representatives from 360 tribal hamlets. The government is also investing in modern technologies and fostering inter-departmental coordination to address this issue effectively.
Politics (3)
Kerala Political Leadership Reacts to Doctor’s Critique of Public Healthcare System
The political leadership in Kerala has expressed dissatisfaction over a Facebook post by Dr. Harris Chirackal, Head of the Department of Urology at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital. Dr. Chirackal highlighted systemic issues affecting patient care, particularly delays in procurement processes for medical equipment. He argued that the swift resolution of these issues in his department demonstrated wilful neglect at higher administrative levels. The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) supported Dr. Chirackal but refrained from endorsing claims of an impending collapse of public hospitals. Instead, they urged the government to address infrastructural, administrative, and human resource deficiencies. Former neurosurgeon and ex-Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, Dr. B. Ekbal, also commented on the issue, emphasizing the need for modernizing administrative processes in public hospitals. He suggested increasing the financial powers of medical college Principals and Superintendents and introducing specialized hospital administration courses to improve efficiency. The government has formed a four-member committee to investigate the issues raised.
AP State Women’s Commission Chairperson to Inspect Key Facilities in Eluru District
Dr. Rayapati Shailaja, the chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission, is set to visit Eluru district on July 3 as part of her official tour. Her visit will commence at Hanuman Junction at 11 a.m., where she will inspect Shakti Sadan. Following this, she will proceed to Musunuru at 11:30 a.m. to visit the local Gurukula School. Post-lunch, at 1 p.m., she will travel to Eluru to inspect the One Stop Centre located at the Government General Hospital and later visit the Working Women’s Hostel in the city. At 3:30 p.m., she will head to Denduluru to inspect Bala Sadan, a children’s home. Her tour will conclude with her departure from Denduluru at 4:30 p.m. for Tadepalli.
Karnataka Cabinet Renames Bengaluru City University After Manmohan Singh, Approves Major Projects
The Karnataka Cabinet, on Wednesday, made several significant decisions, including renaming Bengaluru City University after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away in December 2024. The Cabinet also approved renaming Bengaluru Rural district as Bengaluru North and the border town of Bagepalli as Bhagya Nagar. These decisions followed the earlier renaming of Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South, which had sparked criticism from the Janata Dal (Secular). Additionally, the Cabinet approved multiple projects for Chickballapur, including the establishment of the second campus of Bengaluru North University in Amaravati village, an international flower auction centre, and the construction of a reservoir in Chintamani taluk, with a total project cost of ₹3,400 crore. Other decisions included the approval of 14 residential schools across the state and community health centres in areas lacking primary health centres. The BJP opposed the decision to name the university after Manmohan Singh. The Cabinet also formed a sub-committee led by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil to investigate illegal mining cases handled by the Lokayukta and submit a report within a month.
Economy (1)
Indian Bank and PNB Waive Minimum Balance Charges to Promote Financial Inclusion
Indian Bank has announced a complete waiver of minimum balance charges across all savings bank accounts, effective July 7, 2023. This initiative aims to promote financial inclusion, making banking services more accessible and affordable for various sections of society, including students, senior citizens, small business owners, and rural customers. Additionally, Indian Bank has reduced its one-year Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) by 5 basis points, bringing it down to 9%, effective July 3, 2025. This reduction is expected to benefit borrowers by lowering interest rates on loans. Similarly, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has waived penal charges for non-maintenance of the Minimum Average Balance (MAB) in all savings accounts, effective July 1, 2023. PNB’s decision is particularly aimed at supporting priority segments such as women, farmers, and low-income households, ensuring easier access to banking services without the burden of balance maintenance penalties. Both banks emphasized that these measures will encourage greater participation in the formal banking ecosystem and ease financial pressure on customers.
Ranks & Reports (1)
KEAM 2025 Standardisation Formula Change Sparks Protests and Legal Challenges
The Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance examination for 2025 has sparked widespread protests due to a last-minute change in the standardisation formula, which significantly impacted students' expected ranks. The new normalisation method, introduced by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), has been criticised as unfair and illogical. Last year, state higher secondary students faced issues with the standardisation process, but this year, CBSE and ICSE students are the most affected. The Unaided Schools Protection Council (USPC), representing private schools, has filed a petition in the High Court against the new method, arguing that using the subject topper's mark as a benchmark is discriminatory. Affected students, including T. Fida from Kozhikode and Devanarayanan from Alappuzha, have also joined the legal challenge. The change in weightage for higher secondary marks in mathematics, physics, and chemistry from a 1:1:1 ratio to 5:3:2 has further added to the controversy. Higher education expert C. Mohammed Ajmal criticised the government for implementing the new rule after the examination, stating that students should have been informed in advance to adjust their preparation strategies. The delay in KEAM admissions, caused by the standardisation issue, contrasts with other entrance exams like JEE, which have already progressed with their admission processes.
Miscellaneous (3)
MITT Recognized as Top Performer at PALS Annual Conclave 2024-25
The Maharaja Institute of Technology, Thandavapura (MITT), was recognized as one of the top performers in Karnataka at the annual conclave of the Pan IIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS), held recently. PALS is an educational initiative by IIT Madras aimed at improving engineering education across India. During the academic year 2024-25, over 50 students from MITT participated in various competitions and programs organized under PALS, showcasing their skills and contributing to the institute's success.
Heavy Rains Prompt School Holiday in Chikkamagaluru District on July 3
In response to heavy rainfall, Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner C.N. Meena Nagaraj declared a holiday for schools and anganwadis in several taluks and hoblis of Chikkamagaluru district on July 3, 2023. The affected areas include Mudigere, Kalasa, Sringeri, Koppa, N.R. Pura taluks, and Jagara, Khandya, Aldur, and Vastare hoblis of Chikkamagaluru taluk. The holiday applies to all primary schools, high schools, and anganwadis in these regions. The district has been experiencing moderate to heavy rains since July 1, 2023, with Sringeri taluk recording 42 mm, Koppa 31.4 mm, and Kalasa 30.9 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on July 2, 2023.
Chemical Leak Averted at Andhra Paper Mill in Rajamahendravaram
A significant industrial accident was narrowly avoided on Wednesday at the Andhra Paper Limited campus in Rajamahendravaram City, Andhra Pradesh. The incident involved a chemical leak from a tanker carrying hydrogen peroxide, a chemical used in the mill’s pulp recycling unit for bleaching purposes. The leak was detected after the tanker, which had arrived from Gujarat on June 30 with 26.8 tonnes of hydrogen peroxide, began to release the chemical due to contamination inside the tank. District Collector P. Prasanthi promptly dispatched a team to address the leak and dilute the spilled chemical. Deputy Inspector of Factories K. Krishna Murthy confirmed that the entire chemical compound was safely released into the mill’s drainage system to prevent any adverse effects on air or groundwater. Sub-collector R. Krishna Naik and other officials served notices to the mill management and the chemical supplier for further investigation into the incident.
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