Important News - 2025-07-12
12 July 2025
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Politics (3)
Amit Shah Visits Sri Rajarajeswara Temple in Kannur Amid Tight Security
On July 12, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the historic Sri Rajarajeswara Temple in Taliparamba, Kannur, to offer prayers. The visit took place under heightened security measures, with Mr. Shah arriving at Kannur Airport via a special flight at 4:50 p.m. after attending an event in Thiruvananthapuram. He was warmly received by BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, along with other senior party leaders and local dignitaries. From the airport, Mr. Shah proceeded to the temple by car, arriving at 5:45 p.m. He was welcomed by temple authorities and BJP leaders, offered prayers, and departed for New Delhi at 7:15 p.m. The visit highlighted the political significance of the region, with large crowds gathering along the route of his convoy.
Centre Challenges Supreme Court Ruling on IPS Deputation in CAPFs
The Union Government has approached the Supreme Court with a review petition challenging its May 23 ruling, which mandated a 'progressive reduction' in the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The ruling, delivered by a Bench comprising Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, directed that IPS deputation posts in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG)—up to the rank of Inspector General—be reduced gradually within two years. Despite the judgment, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has continued to appoint IPS officers to senior positions, with at least eight appointments made since May 23. The Supreme Court had earlier recognized CAPF Group A officers as 'Organised Services,' addressing their long-standing demands for structured promotions within their cadre. The case, initiated in 2015, sought reforms such as Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU), cadre review, and changes to recruitment rules to reduce IPS deputation. Currently, 20% of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and 50% of Inspector General (IG) posts in CAPFs are reserved for IPS officers. The review petition, filed on July 11, could significantly impact service rules and cadre reviews across CAPFs, which include the Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The Centre had previously argued that IPS deputation is essential for maintaining operational readiness and Centre-State coordination.
Congress Faces Criticism Over OBC Strategy in Karnataka Ahead of Advisory Council Meeting
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has established the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Advisory Council, which is scheduled to meet in Bengaluru on July 15 to discuss strategies for attracting OBC communities to the party. However, community leaders and activists argue that the Congress’s efforts may be ineffective without demonstrating a genuine commitment to OBCs in Karnataka, one of the three states where the party is in power. Recently, the formation of the council itself sparked political controversy in Karnataka due to an ongoing leadership struggle to replace Siddaramaiah, the only OBC Chief Minister from the Congress in India. Critics highlight that the Siddaramaiah-led government has failed to implement concrete measures to benefit the most backward and more backward castes within the OBC category. The 24-member national panel includes prominent figures like Siddaramaiah, former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, and B.K. Hariprasad. The Congress government’s decision to set aside the 2015 Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (caste census) and the 2024 recommendations by the K. Jayaprakash Hegde commission, allegedly under pressure from dominant communities like the Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas, has been criticized as a failure in OBC politics. A new survey has been announced, but skepticism remains regarding its implementation. Critics argue that the Congress missed an opportunity to uplift the most marginalized backward castes, which lack political representation and influence, while catering to dominant communities. The BJP, on the other hand, has been recognized for organizing smaller backward castes and providing them political representation. In Karnataka, nearly 70% of the population is identified as OBCs, with dominant castes like Lingayats, Vokkaligas, and Kurubas comprising about 28% of the state’s population. Smaller and more oppressed castes within the OBC category remain underrepresented and marginalized.
Books (1)
Malayalam Magazine 'Innu' Celebrates 500th Issue After 44 Years of Publication
On July 12, 2025, the Malayalam magazine 'Innu' celebrated its 500th issue in Malappuram, marking 44 years of uninterrupted publication. Founded by Manambur Rajanbabu, the magazine has become a significant platform for Malayalam literature, featuring contributions from nearly every prominent writer in the language over the past four decades. The celebration included the release of the 500th issue, felicitation of Mr. Rajanbabu, and an exhibition showcasing 11 special issues and 10 books published by the magazine. 'Innu' holds the Limca Book of Records title for being the longest-running little magazine in India since 2017. Its unique capsule format and special issues like 'Kavitha Pathippu' and 'Kathakkudanna' have made it highly sought after among readers and collectors. The event featured poet Alankode Leelakrishnan, who praised the magazine's role in fostering resilience and literary excellence, and writer-psychiatrist T.M. Raghuram, who performed Malayalam songs on the flute. Mr. Rajanbabu attributed the magazine's success to its roots in Malappuram.
Schemes (2)
Sankalp India Foundation’s Hemoglobinopathy Prevention Programme Averts 201 Affected Births Across Five States
A Bengaluru-based NGO, Sankalp India Foundation, has successfully implemented a hemoglobinopathy prevention programme, averting 201 affected births across five Indian states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease, which cause lifelong suffering, were targeted through proactive measures like genetic counseling and prenatal screening. Over the last four years, the NGO screened 1.9 lakh pregnant women in 81 districts, enabling families to make informed decisions about continuing or terminating pregnancies based on fetal test results. The programme, supported by the National Health Missions and other stakeholders, is a scalable model of national importance. India aims to eliminate sickle cell disease by 2047, and this initiative provides a working blueprint for achieving that goal. The programme’s success is attributed to strong public-private collaboration, involving 87 center coordinators and 6 regional coordinators embedded in district hospitals. Accurate and timely diagnostics, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), played a crucial role in the programme’s effectiveness.
Karnataka Information Commission Proposes RTI Act Inclusion in Education and Training Programs
The Karnataka State Information Commission has proposed the inclusion of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the curriculum of pre-university and degree courses to enhance transparency in administration and combat corruption. This recommendation was made to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh for discussion at a high-level meeting on July 14, presided over by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta. The Commission also suggested incorporating RTI lessons in university syllabi through boards of studies and syllabus revision committees. Additionally, the Commission highlighted the need for awareness among government employees and proposed including RTI as a subject in competitive exams conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission and the Karnataka Examinations Authority. Training on the RTI Act for government officials was also recommended, similar to existing training programs. The Commission further emphasized improving the RTI dashboard on the DPAR website and requested the construction of an additional floor at the Karnataka Mahiti Soudha to accommodate the Information Commission's court halls, currently housed in rented buildings. Security measures, such as posting gunmen at the court halls, were also suggested.
Economy (1)
ED Attaches ₹681.54 Crore Assets in Ramprastha Promoters & Developers Fraud Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable properties worth ₹681.54 crore linked to Ramprastha Promoters & Developers Private Limited (RPDPL) and its group companies. The action follows allegations that RPDPL and its promoters, Arvind Walia, Balwant Chaudhry Singh, and Sandeep Yadav, cheated homebuyers by failing to deliver flats and plots within promised timeframes. The attached assets include two plotted colonies of Ramprastha City, spanning approximately 226 acres in Sectors 37D, 92, and 95, Gurugram, as well as land parcels covering about 1,700 acres in Basai, Gadoli Kalan, Hayatpur, and Wazipur, Gurugram. The ED's investigation, based on cases filed by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Haryana Police, revealed that RPDPL launched projects like Project Edge, Project Skyz, Project Rise, and Ramprastha City between 2008 and 2011. Despite collecting around ₹1,100 crore from over 2,000 homebuyers, possession of the properties remains undelivered even after 14 to 17 years. The funds were allegedly diverted for other purposes.
Appointments (1)
Sanjay Kumar Srivastava Appointed as General Manager of South Central Railway
Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, an Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) officer from the 1988 batch of Indian Railway Engineering Service (IRSE), has assumed the role of General Manager of South Central Railway (SCR) in Hyderabad. Prior to this appointment, he served as the General Manager of the Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE), where he played a key role in implementing technological advancements and policies in Civil Engineering. With a distinguished career spanning organizations like RDSO, RITES, and the Railway Board, he has significantly contributed to railway infrastructure, metro projects, and advanced rail technologies. During his tenure as Executive Director (Infra-1) at RDSO, he was instrumental in developing technologies such as 60kg R350HT grade rails, SRT/DRT with nine probes, B-Scan facilities, and Phased Array USFD for Flash Butt joints. His collaborations with the M&C Directorate and Bhilai Steel Plant were crucial to these advancements. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi, Mr. Srivastava also holds an MBA from the University of Maryland, USA. His extensive experience includes roles such as Divisional Railway Manager, Bikaner, showcasing his expertise in engineering, project management, and general administration.
Heritage (1)
Maratha Military Landscapes Forts Added to UNESCO World Heritage List
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on July 12, 2025, encouraged all Indians to visit the forts of the Maratha Military Landscapes, which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recognition was granted during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee on July 11, 2025, making it India’s 44th World Heritage property. The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ comprise 12 forts, 11 located in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. These forts, including Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort, showcase the strategic military vision and architectural brilliance of the Maratha Empire from the 17th to 19th centuries. The nomination, submitted in January 2024, underwent an 18-month evaluation process, including technical reviews and site inspections by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). India currently has 62 sites on the Tentative List of World Heritage, a prerequisite for future nominations. Each year, countries can propose only one site for UNESCO’s consideration.
Miscellaneous (3)
CGM and New Diabetes Projects Highlighted at JPEF 2025 Conference
Dr. Purvi Chawla, a consultant diabetologist with the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, emphasized the importance of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for pregnant women with diabetes during her address at the annual Jothydev’s Professional Education Forum Diabetes Update 2025 (JPEF 2025) on Saturday. She highlighted that even a 5% hourly glucose relapse could lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal complications. The event, inaugurated by K.R. Jyothilal, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Government of Kerala, also saw the launch of two projects for Type 1 diabetes patients: 'Dreams Practicals 2.0' for children and 'Dreams Guru Project' for teachers. The conference delved into strategies to combat obesity and diabetes, focusing on improving quality of life and preventing cardiovascular issues. Dr. Mahendra Narwaria, President of the All India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity (AIAARO), critiqued the over-reliance on BMI in clinical decision-making, advocating for the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) instead. The conference, attended by over 1,500 delegates from eight countries, concluded on Sunday.
Kalaburagi Police Launches ‘Mane Manege Police’ Campaign for Enhanced Public Security
The Kalaburagi city police have initiated a door-to-door campaign named ‘Mane Manege Police’ to strengthen grassroots-level policing and enhance public security. Led by Police Commissioner Sharanappa S. Dhage, the campaign involves police officials visiting households within their jurisdictions to gather firsthand information on law-and-order issues. The initiative aims to compile detailed data on residents and suspicious activities in each ward, creating a database for monitoring individuals with criminal backgrounds. Dr. Dhage emphasized the importance of building trust and fostering positive relationships between the police and the public, rather than instilling fear. Additionally, Assistant Commissioner of Police Madivalappa highlighted the growing threat of cybercrimes, advising citizens to adopt measures like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to safeguard their accounts. During public interactions, residents stressed the need for police personnel to adopt a more people-friendly approach and avoid improper language to build cooperation and trust.
KSRTC Reinstates Suspended Woman Conductor Following Minister's Intervention
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has reversed the suspension of a woman conductor employed on a temporary basis at the Kulathupuzha unit. The suspension was initially ordered by the executive director (vigilance) of the public utility following allegations of misconduct, supported by video footage and chat screenshots provided by the wife of another temporary driver. However, on Saturday, the corporation revoked the suspension following the intervention of Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. The minister emphasized that such measures should only be implemented after a thorough and proper investigation.
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