Important News - 2025-08-15
15 August 2025
Stay Updated. Stay Ahead!
📂 Categories & Latest Updates
Politics (2)
Kerala UDF Cites Court's 'Superpower Authority' Remark Against CMO Over VACB Interference
On Friday, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala cited a special court's criticism of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) as evidence of undue influence from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The court, led by Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge A. Manoj, rejected the VACB's report exonerating former Additional Director General of Police M.R. Ajith Kumar in a disproportionate assets case. It specifically noted a 'superpower authority' controlled the VACB, violating Supreme Court guidelines. UDF leader V.D. Satheesan alleged this proved a CMO-based group manipulated law enforcement to protect Mr. Kumar, who was accused of acting as a covert liaison between the CPI(M) and the RSS. The court also highlighted procedural breaches of the Vigilance Manual and referenced the Lalithakumari case precedent.
Anbumani Ramadoss Criticizes TN CM Stalin Over Conservancy Workers' Protest and Privatization
On Friday, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his response to the conservancy workers' protest, which had persisted for 12 days. Ramadoss accused Stalin of neglecting the workers' demands while permitting police to use a heavy-handed approach during the eviction of protesters outside Rippon Buildings in Chennai on Wednesday night. The conservancy workers are demanding permanent employment for those with over 10 years of service, an end to the privatization of garbage clearance, and direct oversight by the Chennai Corporation. Ramadoss asserted that these demands are reasonable and feasible, contrasting them with the state's ₹2,300 crore contract awarded to a private company. He dismissed the CM's recent announcements of welfare schemes as a diversion from the police action, referencing similar tactics from the era of former CM M. Karunanidhi. Separately, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan defended his party's engagement with the protesters, alleging that opposition parties like AIADMK and BJP are exploiting the issue for political gain. Thirumavalavan highlighted that AIADMK initiated privatization through Government Order 152 and questioned their silence on the workers' plight.
Appointments (1)
CJI Gavai Asserts High Courts' Primacy in Judge Appointments, Highlights Federal Structure
Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, on August 15, 2025, emphasized during the Supreme Court Bar Association's Independence Day function that the Supreme Court Collegium does not possess the authority to dictate names to High Court Collegiums for judicial appointments. CJI Gavai clarified that High Court Collegiums hold the primary responsibility (the 'first call') in selecting judges for their respective benches. While the Supreme Court Collegium may suggest names, it cannot impose them, reflecting a relationship of mutual respect within India's federal judiciary structure, where neither court is superior to the other. This statement addressed SCBA President Vikas Singh's call to consider Supreme Court lawyers for High Court positions. CJI Gavai noted ongoing efforts to recommend such candidates amidst significant vacancies, with High Courts facing 345 vacancies against a sanctioned strength of 1,122 judges as of August 1, 2025. Delays in government approvals of Collegium recommendations were also highlighted as exacerbating the vacancy crisis.
Schemes (5)
Andhra Pradesh Launches Stree Shakti: Free Bus Travel for Women on Independence Day
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu officially launched the 'Stree Shakti' scheme on Independence Day at the Vijayawada City Bus Depot, Pandit Nehru Bus Station. This initiative provides women across Andhra Pradesh with free travel on five categories of APSRTC buses: Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express services. Covering 8,458 buses (74% of the total 11,449 APSRTC fleet), the scheme aims to foster women's financial independence by saving them commuting costs. Naidu described it as 'a brother’s gift to his sisters' and highlighted the TDP's historical commitment to women's welfare, citing past initiatives like property rights, reservations, DWCRA, and appointing women conductors. To manage increased demand, APSRTC has enhanced infrastructure and cleanliness across its 129 depots and 423 bus stations in four zones. Future plans include adding 1,050 electric buses to the fleet, installing GPS for real-time tracking, expanding parcel services, and providing auto-rickshaw drivers support to offset potential income loss. Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan emphasized the scheme's focus on women's safety, announcing CCTV cameras in buses and pocket cameras for women conductors. Minister N. Lokesh stressed the goal of empowering women for economic independence. The event was attended by key dignitaries including BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, and APSRTC officials.
CESC Launches POS Payment Facility and Honors Employees on Independence Day in Mysuru
On August 15, 2023, the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) celebrated the 79th Independence Day at its head office in Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, Mysuru. During the event, CESC Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju hoisted the national flag and honored employees for their significant contributions. Awards included silver medals and certificates for junior engineers and powermen who maintained power lines across CESC's five districts, engineers who effectively implemented the Kusum-C scheme, and tax division officers who prevented excess GST collections through legal efforts. Notably, CESC launched a Point-of-Sale (POS) facility to simplify electricity bill payments. This initiative, introduced by the Managing Director, enables customers to pay bills using debit cards, credit cards, UPI QR codes, or cash, either at their doorstep or CESC counters. Developed in partnership with Canara Bank, which provided 500 POS machines free of cost and offered training, the scheme aims to enhance operational efficiency, streamline bill collection, and support the Digital India mission through diverse payment options. Key attendees included CESC officials such as Technical Director D.J. Divakar and Chief Financial Officer G. Renuka, alongside Canara Bank representatives like Chief Manager Chandan Kumar and Zonal General Manager S. Rajashekhar.
Telangana Ranks First in Food Security with Free Rice Distribution via PDS
N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister of Telangana, stated that the state has secured the top position in food security in India. He made this announcement while hoisting the National Flag at the Suryapet District Collector’s office on a recent occasion, dressed in traditional Lambada tribal attire. Reddy emphasized the Congress government's commitment to ensuring food security, providing housing for the underprivileged, and promoting inclusive growth to enable all citizens to live with dignity and progress. He highlighted that Telangana is the only state in India distributing free fine rice to over 80% of its population through the Public Distribution System (PDS), benefiting more than three crore families and ensuring nutritional security. Additionally, the government is focused on completing all pending irrigation projects to support agricultural development and broader welfare initiatives.
Palaniswami Questions Transparency of Tamil Nadu's Thayumanavar Ration Delivery Scheme
AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Friday, raised significant concerns regarding the implementation of the DMK government's 'Thayumanavar' programme. This scheme aims to deliver ration goods directly to the doorsteps of elderly citizens and persons with disabilities. Palaniswami questioned the clarity of the programme, asking specifically about the vehicles to be used for delivery, citing reports of private vehicles being involved. He demanded transparency on funding, asking how payments for these vehicles would be made, whether agreements with owners were in place, and if tender details would be released. He further challenged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's statement about an additional expenditure of ₹30 crore, questioning who the beneficiaries of this sum would be – private vehicle owners, DMK members, or for advertisement purposes. Palaniswami also pointed out that the State Finance Minister mentioned the 'Thayumanavar' programme in the 2024-25 Budget speech in the context of education, employment, and skills training, questioning if the ration delivery scheme was distinct. He highlighted that during the AIADMK government in 2020, approximately 3,500 mobile ration shops were operational across 37 districts for similar doorstep delivery and accused the DMK of copying this initiative.
Thrissur Stray Dog Attacks Surge to 29,363 Cases in 2024 as Animal Birth Control Scheme Expansion Stalls
In Thrissur, Kerala, the escalating stray dog menace has become a critical public health issue, with a sharp rise in attacks causing widespread alarm. Official data reveals that the district recorded 29,363 dog bite cases in 2024. A recent incident near the KSEB office at Kootala involved a stray dog attacking 72-year-old Nirmala, resulting in a severed finger and two fractures; she received initial treatment at Cherpu Family Health Centre before being referred to Thrissur General Hospital and a private facility for surgery. Shortly after, the same dog assaulted a 15-year-old boy at the health centre, injuring a nurse. Efforts to mitigate the crisis through the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program are stalled due to public resistance, with planned centres in Chalakudy, Vellangallur, and Wadakkanchery cancelled over community concerns about noise and odor. Currently, only one ABC centre operates at Paravattani under Thrissur Corporation, while new constructions at Mala and Chavakkad are underway, the latter being complete. Public health experts warn that urgent intervention is needed to prevent a full-blown safety emergency.
Heritage (1)
Rare Moth Genus Antitrisuloides Discovered in Kerala's Western Ghats for First Time
Scientists have made a significant biodiversity discovery in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, recording the rare nocturnal moth genus *Antitrisuloides* for the first time in this region. The discovery occurred at Kerala's Choolannur Peafowl Sanctuary in Palakkad district. Identified as *Antitrisuloides catocalina cyclica*, this subspecies was previously known only from North-East India and represents one of only two species in its genus globally, which belongs to the Noctuidae family. The research, led by Joslin Treesa Jacob, a scholar at Christ College's Entomo Taxonomy Lab in Irinjalakuda, and her guide Assistant Professor Abhilash Peter, includes detailed taxonomic descriptions of the male moth's distinctive features and genitalia to aid future identification. Their findings were published in the July 2024 edition of the international journal *Ecology, Environment & Conservation*, highlighting the ecological significance of the Western Ghats.
Miscellaneous (1)
Cylinder Blast Injures Nine; Child Critical, Elderly Woman's Arm Amputated
A cylinder blast incident on Friday resulted in injuries to nine individuals, with one victim in critical condition. The most severely affected is an eight-year-old child who sustained 45% burns and respiratory burns, currently under treatment at the Mahabodhi Burns Care Centre within the state-run Victoria Hospital. The child's mother, Kasturiamma, suffered 35% burns along with inhalation burns, and both are under intensive monitoring in the ICU. Dr. Yogeshwarappa C.N., Head of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Victoria Hospital, confirmed that the child is also being evaluated for a head injury. Separately, three patients are receiving care at the Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics. Among them, Sarasamma, aged 60, underwent amputation of her right arm above the elbow due to irreparable crush injuries and contaminated blood vessels, as stated by institute director Dr. Madan Ballal. The other two patients at this facility, a 40-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, sustained minor ear injuries and a head concussion and are expected to be discharged shortly. The remaining four injured individuals had minor injuries; one was treated at NIMHANS emergency department but not admitted, according to Resident Medical Officer H.N. Shashidhara.
Comments
Post a Comment