Important News - 2025-07-19
19 July 2025
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Politics (4)
Somireddy Criticizes Jagan’s Victim Card, Adopts Families Under ‘Bangaru Kutumbalu’
Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, former Minister and Sarvepalli MLA, criticized former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for portraying himself as a victim by alleging harassment from the current government. He accused the previous YSRCP regime of committing crimes without facing consequences and highlighted alleged scams and money laundering during their tenure. Additionally, on Saturday, Mr. Reddy adopted families in Vedayapalem under the ‘Bangaru Kutumbalu’ initiative, part of the P4 concept, providing them with utensils, essential goods, books, and clothes. He also pledged support for the higher education of the beneficiaries' children.
CID Files Chargesheet in Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam Involving 40 Accused
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh has filed a chargesheet in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Special Court regarding the multi-crore liquor scam. The investigation has led to the arrest of 11 individuals, including Kessireddy Rajashekar Reddy, former IT Adviser to ex-Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and K. Dhanunjaya Reddy, Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office. The chargesheet highlights key issues such as the seizure of cash from the accused's bank accounts, evidence collected, confessional statements, witness details, and remand reports. The scam involves 40 accused, including officials from the A.P. State Beverages Corporation Limited, Prohibition and Excise departments, YSR Congress Party leaders, and public representatives. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also initiated a probe under the Money Laundering Act and conducted searches in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Additionally, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has summoned former Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister K. Narayana Swamy to appear for questioning on July 21.
Minister Sivankutty Addresses School Safety Concerns Following Student’s Tragic Death
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty addressed concerns regarding school safety following the tragic death of Midhun, a 13-year-old student at Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam district. Midhun was electrocuted while attempting to retrieve footwear from the roof of a bicycle shed on the school premises. Sivankutty condemned attempts to politicize the incident and criticized the blocking of people’s representatives and the waving of black flags at officials visiting the school. The government had initiated extensive preparations for school reopening, including cleanliness and maintenance work in approximately 14,000 schools. A circular on reopening arrangements was issued on May 13, and safety audits were conducted by the General Education Department before the academic year began. The Director of General Education also convened an online meeting of education officers to recheck safety measures in schools, emphasizing efforts to prevent such incidents in the future.
CPI MP Demands NIA Probe into Decades-Long Crimes in Dharmasthala
Rajya Sabha member P. Sandosh Kumar of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into a series of alleged crimes in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, spanning several decades. In his letter to Shah, Kumar highlighted a pattern of unsolved crimes primarily targeting women, which have been concealed with apparent administrative complicity. Notable cases include the murder of schoolteacher Vedavalli in 1979, the abduction and death of Padmalatha in 1986, the disappearance of medical student Ananya Bhat in 2004, and the brutal murder of siblings Narayan and Yamuna in 2012. Kumar emphasized that these incidents point to an organized criminal enterprise operating under administrative silence. He also criticized the Karnataka State government for failing to establish a credible Special Investigation Team (SIT) and urged the central government to ensure justice and transparency in Dharmasthala, a town of significant spiritual importance.
Heritage (1)
Restoration of Srinagar’s Vachar Nag Temple Begins to Preserve Cultural Heritage
On July 19, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Secretary Atal Dullu and Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo inaugurated the restoration and rebuilding work of the historically significant Vachar Nag Temple in Srinagar. The temple, abandoned in the 1990s due to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits amid rising militancy, is being restored to its former glory. The project, executed by R&B Srinagar at a cost of ₹4.58 crore, includes conservation of the main temple structure, earth filling to restore the original topography, construction of an entry gate, a toilet block, and desilting of the egress channel up to Gilsar Lake. Chief Secretary Dullu emphasized the temple's historical, cultural, and religious significance, stating that the restoration aims to preserve Kashmir’s diverse cultural heritage. The Zaara Foundation and Vishwa Hindu Samaj welcomed the initiative, highlighting its importance in reviving a spiritual and cultural landmark. Former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya played a key role in initiating the restoration efforts in 2024, and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha facilitated the necessary grants for the project.
Ranks & Reports (1)
NIRF Introduces Penalties for Retracted Papers in Institutional Rankings
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has introduced a new policy to penalize higher educational institutions for retracted research papers and their citations. Starting this year, institutions will receive negative scores for retractions from the last three calendar years, with the penalty set to become harsher in subsequent years. According to Anil Sahashrabudhe, Chairperson of the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), this move aims to promote ethical research practices. The NIRF will consider both the number of retractions and citations from these papers in its ranking calculations. Sahashrabudhe emphasized that while some retractions are due to genuine errors, the majority result from unethical practices such as data fabrication and improper use of large language models (LLMs). He also highlighted that international ranking bodies are increasingly considering retractions in their assessments. The NIRF’s 'Research and Professional Practices' parameter, which evaluates publication quality and citations, will now include this negative scoring system. Sahashrabudhe warned that institutions with continued high retraction rates could face severe penalties, including possible blacklisting.
Schemes (1)
Shareefa Kalathingal’s Journey from Unniyappam to Cafe Kudumbashree under Kudumbashree Scheme
In August 2010, Shareefa Kalathingal, a resident of Malappuram, Kerala, started her entrepreneurial journey with a small loan of ₹100 from a neighbor to make unniyappam, a traditional sweet. Her initial success led to more orders for pathiri and chapati, marking the beginning of her culinary career. In 2018, she launched Muthu’s Catering under the Kudumbashree movement, a women empowerment initiative by the Kerala government. With a ₹2 lakh loan from Kudumbashree, she expanded her business and introduced a ‘dabba’ scheme, delivering lunches to staff at the Civil Station, Malappuram. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shareefa started a food delivery service to the Government Medical College Hospital in Manjeri, serving breakfast and rice gruel to 2,000 people daily while employing 15 women. Her catering services expanded to Kottakkal Ayurveda College and Central School, Malappuram. In 2021, she opened Cafe Kudumbashree in Kottakkal, offering Kerala, Arabic, and Chinese cuisines. The cafe provides various amenities, including parcel service, catering, and online ordering. Shareefa’s venture now employs 30 staff members, and her success has transformed her family’s life, enabling her to own a home and provide quality education for her children.
Census (1)
Telangana Caste Survey Report Presented to CM A. Revanth Reddy
The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), appointed by the Telangana government to analyze the data of the caste survey, submitted its comprehensive report to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on July 19, 2025. The report, presented at the MCRHRD Institute, was prepared under the leadership of retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers and officials, attended the meeting. The Chief Minister termed the survey as ‘Telangana’s Mega Health Check-up’ and emphasized that the report would serve as a foundation for empowering marginalized communities and shaping future welfare policies. The survey, conducted in two phases, covered 96.9% of households in the first phase, involving 1,03,889 enumerators and supervisors. The second phase allowed those who missed the initial enumeration to register their details. The final data revealed that Telangana has 1,15,71,457 households and a population of 3,55,50,759, with SCs constituting 17.42%, STs 10.43%, BCs 56.36%, and other castes 15.89%. The IEWG praised the survey as scientific, authentic, and a potential model for other states, recommending the use of data to refine welfare schemes and address inequalities.
Books (1)
Ram Madhav’s Book 'The New World' Launched in Hyderabad
The Forum for Nationalist Thinkers, Hyderabad, in collaboration with BEST Innovation University, is organizing the launch of BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav’s new book, 'The New World: 21st Century Global Order and India,' on Sunday at Hotel Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. The book provides a detailed analysis of the global developments in the 21st century and India’s evolving role in shaping the world order. It explores India’s potential in the coming years as a key player in international affairs. The event will feature former Ambassador to Russia, Venkatesh Varma, IFS (Retd.), as the chief guest, along with Prof. Krishna Deva Rao, Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR, and Dr. Rupa Vasudevan, Vice-Chancellor of BEST Innovation University, as guests of honor. Senior journalist Uma Sudhir will engage in a conversation with the author, Ram Madhav, during the event. For further details, individuals can contact D. Veera Babu at 9848559297 or Ch. Krishna Reddy at 9182552078.
Miscellaneous (3)
Hyderabad Flooding Sparks Blame Game Between Residents and HYDRAA
Heavy rainfall in Hyderabad on Friday led to severe flooding in areas near the Rasoolpura stormwater drain, prompting a blame game between residents and the Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). Residents of Patny Colony and nearby areas accused HYDRAA’s actions, including the demolition of encroachments on the drain a month prior, as the cause of the inundation. Over 100 people were rescued using boats, and significant property damage was reported, including submerged vehicles and businesses. HYDRAA chief A.V. Ranganath defended the agency’s actions, stating that the demolition was necessary to prevent larger disasters in other flood-prone areas. The drain, which carries water from Boin Cheruvu and Jubilee Bus Station, lacks a retaining wall in some sections, exacerbating the flooding. HYDRAA has since used sandbags to block floodwater from entering the colonies.
Hyderabad Traffic Police Enhance Monsoon Preparedness Amid Waterlogging Challenges
Following heavy rainfall on Friday, the Cyberabad and Hyderabad traffic police identified gaps in monsoon preparedness and assured better response measures. On Saturday, areas like Kukatpally, particularly the Balanagar to BHEL stretch, experienced significant congestion, with commuters reporting waiting times of 15 minutes to over an hour. Cyberabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Gajrao Bhupal acknowledged lapses in coordination among civic bodies and highlighted issues like waterlogging on flyovers due to clogged pipes and gradient problems. A meeting was held with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to address these concerns. Efforts to clear clogged drains on the Kothaguda-Kondapur flyover began early on Saturday, anticipating more rain. Out of 107 identified waterlogging spots, 70% of the proposed engineering modifications have been completed, though not all have yielded desired results. Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D. Joel Davis emphasized strategic deployment of emergency traffic teams and Disaster Response Forces based on historic flooding patterns. Areas like Chikoti Gardens, KCP Junction, and Secretariat have seen improvements, but new issues, such as the stretch from Masab Tank to Ayodhya Nagar Colony, require immediate attention. The police plan to work closely with GHMC on drainage design and maintenance, focusing on 64 chronic waterlogging points and mobilizing Armed Reserve police personnel for diversions and vehicle removals.
Heavy Rainfall Causes Severe Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions in Hyderabad
On July 19, 2024, Hyderabad experienced an unexpected heavy downpour that severely disrupted daily life and traffic across the city. The intense rainfall, which occurred between 3 and 5 p.m., led to widespread waterlogging in areas such as Chandrayangutta, Tarnaka, Balamrai, Chilkalguda, JBS Junction, Kondapur, Gachibowli, SP Road, Bowenpally, Karkhana, Chilkalguda X roads, Malakpet, and Alugadda Bavi. Commuters faced significant challenges, with many stranded on flooded roads and forced to seek shelter under Metro pillars. The Hyderabad Traffic Police and Disaster Response Force (DRF) were deployed to manage the situation, clearing fallen tree branches and directing traffic through submerged areas. Key locations like the Alugadda Bavi underpass and the Chandrayangutta to Aramghar stretch were particularly affected, with water levels reaching up to three feet in some places. Real-time updates were provided by Hyderabad police on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting delays and congestion in various parts of the city.
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