Important News - 2025-07-17
17 July 2025
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Economy (1)
Rising Coconut Oil Prices Strain Kerala Households Ahead of Onam
The rising prices of coconut oil in Kerala have become a significant concern for households, especially with the upcoming Onam festival season. The average price of a litre of coconut oil is projected to range between ₹500 and ₹600 during this period. The demand for coconut is expected to remain high until December due to festivals in northern India and the Sabarimala pilgrimage. An officer from the Coconut Development Board (CDB) highlighted that coconut production has significantly declined due to reduced cultivation support and adverse climate change effects. The COVID-19 pandemic also led to a market glut in 2020 and 2021, causing a sharp decline in copra and coconut oil prices. However, post-pandemic, production dropped in equatorial countries, including India, due to climate change and farmers' reluctance to maintain trees, leading to increased prices. Talath Mahamood, president of the Cochin Oil Merchant’s Association, noted that the price surge has opened opportunities for adulterated coconut oil manufacturers, further affecting household budgets. The retail price of coconut oil reached ₹460 per litre, marking a 100% increase from January 2025. Although alternatives like palm oil and sunflower oil are available, coconut oil remains the preferred choice for cooking in Kerala. Mahamood urged the Centre to intervene by banning the export of coconut products and lifting import restrictions from countries like Indonesia and the Philippines to stabilize the market.
Schemes (4)
Telangana's 'Steel Bank' Initiative Promotes Eco-Friendly Practices and Women's Empowerment
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma praised the 'Steel Bank' initiative as a significant step towards building a greener future. The initiative, launched by Minister for Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar, aims to combat single-use plastic by distributing steel utensils to women self-help groups (SHGs) in Husnabad Assembly constituency. The program, organized under the Ponnam Sathaiah Goud Memorial Trust, saw the distribution of steel bank kits, including glasses, plates, and other utensils, to 38 Gramaikya Sanghams. The initiative encourages the use of steel utensils in community events like weddings and social gatherings, promoting eco-friendly practices. Governor Varma highlighted the initiative's potential to have a profound social impact, comparable to the automobile and IT revolutions, and emphasized its role in women's empowerment through SHGs. The event was also attended by Minister for Environment & Forests Konda Surekha and other dignitaries.
Union Minister Inaugurates Modernized Post Offices in Andhra Pradesh, Highlights Key Schemes
On Thursday, Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, inaugurated the newly constructed Head Post Office (HPO) building in Razole, Andhra Pradesh. The facility, developed at a cost of ₹2 crore, aims to enhance postal services for Razole and surrounding rural areas. Additionally, the Minister virtually inaugurated the Peddapuram post office building under the Kakinada Division, constructed at a cost of ₹1.78 crore. During a public meeting at Mangena Gangayya Kalyana Mandapam, Dr. Chandrasekhar emphasized the modernization of India Post, highlighting initiatives such as real-time SMS alerts, robust article tracking systems, and the distribution of mobile phones, biometric devices, and thermal printers to 1.4 lakh postmen. He stated that ₹5,000 crore has been invested in modernizing post offices over the past year, transforming them into multifunctional service points. The Minister also underscored the role of India Post in Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), mentioning that ₹1,500 crore of the ₹10,000 crore released under the ‘Thalliki Vandhanam’ scheme was distributed through post offices in Andhra Pradesh. He encouraged citizens to utilize postal savings and insurance services, including the ‘Sukanya Samriddhi’ scheme, which aims to secure the financial future of the girl child. Amalapuram MP Ganti Harish Madhur also attended the event, noting the expanded role of post offices beyond letter delivery.
Jayant Chaudhary Inaugurates Skill Development Centre Under PMJVK in Nilambur
Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, emphasized the importance of skill development for students to thrive in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). He made these remarks while inaugurating various skill development courses at the Skill Development Centre established at Amal College of Advanced Studies in Nilambur on July 17. The centre, set up under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, offers courses in accounting, hotel management, data analytics, interior designing, digital marketing, and content creation. Chaudhary highlighted that students and schools are crucial to a nation’s progress, particularly in an AI-driven world where practical skills are essential. The event was presided over by P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, with other dignitaries including Aryadan Shoukath, MLA, district panchayat vice president Ismail Moothedam, college manager P.V. Ali Mubarak, Principal K.P. Mohammed Basheer, P.V. Javed Abdul Wahab, Nalakath Mohammed, P.V. Muneer, and Nalakath Beerankutty in attendance. On July 18, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, inaugurated the Skill Development Centre and a girls’ hostel building, with State Minister for Sports, V. Abdurahiman, presiding over the function.
Kerala Cabinet Approves ₹43.65 Crore Seawall Project for Pozhiyoor-Kollemcode Erosion Stretch
The Kerala Cabinet, during its meeting on Thursday, granted in-principle approval for the construction of a protective seawall along the erosion-prone Pozhiyoor-Kollemcode stretch in Thiruvananthapuram. The project, costing ₹43.65 crore, will cover a 1.2-km stretch, with the design approved by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR). This initiative aims to safeguard the lives and properties of fisherfolk who have been severely affected by sea erosion and beach depletion. A Project Management Unit (PMU) or coordination committee, modeled after the Chellanam project in Ernakulam, will oversee the implementation. The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) has been appointed as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), with funding provided by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Additionally, the State government has approved ₹5 crore for the first phase of a new fishing harbor at Pozhiyoor, addressing long-standing demands from the fisherfolk. The region is among the 10 coastal erosion hotspots identified by the Irrigation Department.
Defence (2)
Southern Railway to Implement Kavach Safety System on Ernakulam-Shoranur Corridor
The Southern Railway is set to deploy Kavach, an indigenous train collision prevention and avoidance system, on the Ernakulam South to Shoranur Junction rail corridor in Kerala. This ₹105.8 crore project, awarded to the Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail)-SS Rail joint venture, is expected to be completed within 18 months across the 106.8 km stretch. Kavach, developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for Indian Railways, utilizes sensors, GPS, and a communication system to detect and prevent potential train collisions. The project includes the installation of telecom towers and optical fibre cables along the corridor. This initiative follows the recent introduction of an automatic signalling system between Ernakulam and Vallathol Nagar, implemented by the K-Rail-RVNL joint venture. The rollout of Kavach marks the first implementation of this safety system in Kerala, enhancing railway security and efficiency.
Defence Secretary Commends Successful Expeditions to Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro
On July 17, 2025, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh praised the successful mountaineering expeditions to Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. The Everest expedition commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The teams involved in these expeditions were from premier Ministry of Defence (MoD) institutes, including NIM, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling, the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM & WS), and the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS). Mr. Singh highlighted that these missions not only aimed to scale peaks but also showcased India’s excellence in mountaineering and adventure sports. He emphasized that these achievements inspire young mountaineers globally and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of youth empowerment, self-reliance, and building a resilient India.
Elections (1)
ECI Shares Voter Data with Political Parties for Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on July 17, 2025, that it has started sharing voter information with political parties in Bihar as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. This includes details of voters who have permanently shifted, are deceased, or are enrolled at multiple locations. The information is being provided to ground-level workers and district presidents of all political parties to verify the status of such voters before the July 25 deadline for submitting enumeration forms. According to the ECI, out of Bihar's 7,89,69,844 voters, 4.5% are untraceable at their addresses, 1.59% are deceased, 0.73% are enrolled at multiple places, and 2.2% have permanently relocated. Additionally, 5.8% of voters are yet to submit their enumeration forms, while 89.7% (7,08,18,162 voters) have already done so. The draft electoral roll is scheduled for publication on August 1. The ECI has also facilitated online submission of enumeration forms through the ECINet app or voters.eci.gov.in for temporarily migrated voters. Special camps are being organized across all 5,683 wards in Bihar's 261 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to ensure comprehensive voter inclusion.
Politics (1)
K.T. Rama Rao Warns CM Revanth Reddy of Legal Action Over Defamatory Allegations
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has demanded an apology from Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for making defamatory allegations against him. KTR accused the CM of damaging his reputation by falsely linking him to individuals involved in drug-related activities, particularly referencing the recent death of a person named Kedar in Dubai. KTR warned that he would not tolerate such accusations and stated that the CM’s informal media interactions have crossed acceptable limits. He further challenged the CM to provide evidence or any registered case to substantiate the claims. KTR emphasized that the CM’s comments were a form of character assassination and warned of legal consequences for these slanderous remarks.
Miscellaneous (3)
MRI and Mammogram Machine Breakdown at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Delays Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer patients visiting the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru are experiencing significant delays in diagnosis and treatment due to the breakdown of the hospital’s MRI and mammogram machines. The MRI scanner, essential for tumor diagnosis and monitoring, has been non-functional for ten days, while the mammogram machine, critical for breast cancer screening, has been out of order for over two weeks. Many patients, particularly those from rural areas who rely on the institute’s subsidized services, cannot afford the high costs of private diagnostic centers. The hospital has initiated repairs and made alternative arrangements, including referring patients to NIMHANS and Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics for MRI scans, based on a formal agreement. The State government has also approved the procurement of a new MRI machine and is working on repairing the existing mammogram machine.
NHRC Issues Notices to Haryana Police and Railway Ministry Over Panipat Gang Rape Case
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Haryana government and the Railway Ministry on July 17, 2025, regarding the gang rape of a woman in a stationary train in Panipat, Haryana. The victim was later pushed onto the railway tracks, where a train ran over her leg, and she is currently receiving medical treatment. No arrests have been made so far. The NHRC, deeming the incident a severe human rights violation, has demanded a detailed report from the Chairman of the Railway Board and the Director-General of Police, Haryana, within two weeks. The report is expected to include the victim's health status and any compensation provided. According to reports, the woman’s husband filed a missing complaint on June 26, 2025, after she disappeared following a marital dispute on June 24. She was found on the railway tracks near Hindu College in Sonepat on the same night. The victim disclosed that she had been battling depression since the death of her three-year-old son a month prior and was approached by a man at Panipat railway station, who took her into an empty train compartment and raped her. Two other men later joined in the assault, and she was subsequently thrown onto the tracks in Sonepat.
IMD Issues Orange Alert for Kozhikode Amid Heavy Rainfall Predictions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Kozhikode on July 18, 2024, predicting very heavy rainfall in the region. Earlier, isolated rainfall and strong winds were reported in various parts of the district on July 17. Despite a red alert being declared for Kozhikode on the same day, no significant rainfall-related incidents were recorded by 8 p.m. In response to rising water levels in the Kadantharapuzha, a tributary of the Kuttiyadi river, Revenue authorities relocated 49 individuals from 16 families in Maruthonkara village to safer locations on July 16. Unconfirmed reports also indicated a minor landslip in an uninhabited area near Pasukadavu. As a precaution, heavy vehicle movement on the Thamarassery and Kuttiyadi ghat roads has been restricted until further notice, and schools in the district were closed on July 17.
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