Important News - 2025-08-16
16 August 2025
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Schemes (3)
Kerala Launches Housing Scheme for Transgender Persons on August 21
The Kerala Social Justice Department will launch a new housing scheme for transgender persons this week, with applications opening shortly. The initiative, designed to combat discrimination and stigma in housing access, will provide financial aid for land acquisition and house construction. Beneficiaries under the LIFE Mission scheme who received ₹4 lakh will get an additional ₹2 lakh as gap funding. Those with land but ineligible for LIFE Mission will receive ₹6 lakh. A subsequent phase will offer interest subvention on loans up to ₹15 lakh, requiring repayment of only the principal. Priority will be given to homeless individuals, those in temporary shelters, differently-abled transgender persons, and the elderly. Minister for Social Justice R. Bindu launched the scheme at the 'Varnapakittu' transgender arts festival in Kozhikode on August 21, with ₹50 lakh allocated for the initial phase and plans for increased funding next year based on success.
Medisep Phase 2 Premium Increased to ₹750 with Enhanced ₹5 Lakh Insurance Coverage
The State Government has issued a government order for Phase 2 of the Medical Insurance Scheme for State Employees and Pensioners (Medisep), increasing the monthly premium to ₹750, inclusive of taxes, from ₹500 in Phase 1. This scheme covers over 30 lakh beneficiaries, including 5.45 lakh government employees, 5.89 lakh pensioners, and their dependents. The State Cabinet recently approved Medisep Phase 2, which provides enhanced basic insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per individual, incorporates over 2,100 medical procedures for specialized treatments, and offers expanded coverage for catastrophic illnesses. Based on the Health Benefits Package (HBP) 2022 formulated by the National Health Authority, the policy will run for two years with a provision for a 5% increase in premium and package rates during the second year. Additionally, the government order approves in principle the extension of Medisep to employees and pensioners in public sector undertakings, corporations, autonomous bodies, statutory bodies, and the cooperative sector who lack Employees' State Insurance (ESI) benefits. These institutions must directly approach the insurer with beneficiary data and ensure premium payment. The scheme also includes recommendations for empanelment of specialized institutions like the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, with provisions for reimbursement if empanelment is unfeasible.
Kerala LDF Government Builds 150 Bridges in 4.5 Years, Surpassing Target
Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas announced that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has constructed 150 new bridges in its four-and-a-half-year tenure, exceeding the initial target of 100 bridges. He made this statement during the inauguration of a bridge at Chembukadavu in Kodenchery grama panchayat, Kozhikode district. Riyas attributed this achievement to a special committee formed to accelerate bridge projects, which are critical for the state's development. Additionally, he addressed the collapse of an under-construction bridge at Thorayikadavu near Koyilandy, stating that the Kerala Road Fund Board's report will guide actions against those responsible. The Minister also highlighted the proposed tunnel road project connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode, expected to enhance agricultural and tourism sectors. The newly opened Chembukadavu bridge spans the Chalippuzha river, measuring 55 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width.
Heritage (1)
Vadavannur Commemorates Independence Day with Historic Banyan Tree Planted in 1947
On August 15, during India's 79th Independence Day celebrations, Vadavannur village at Vaidyasala in Kollengode, Palakkad district, Kerala, held a unique event honoring both national freedom and the legacy of a banyan tree planted at midnight on August 15, 1947. The Vaidyasala Arayal Samrakshana Samiti, led by P. Gopinatha Menon (also known as Santhakumar), organized the tribute, highlighting it as a rare national-heritage convergence. Vadakkepattu Narayanan Nair, a prominent Sanskrit scholar and Ayurveda physician, planted the tree to commemorate India's independence. To protect the tree, the Samiti collaborated with Vadavannur panchayat president Zakeer Hussain, who constructed a sturdy base, later tiled by Narayanan Nair's son, Madhusudhanan Nair, creating a public space for relaxation and reflection. This annual celebration, observed for the past decade, underscores the tree's significance as a symbol of foresight. Additionally, Vadavannur is recognized as the native village of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamil cinema icon M.G. Ramachandran.
Elections (2)
ECI Attributes Voter List Errors to Parties' Lapses During Claims and Objections Period
On August 16, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) responded to opposition allegations of voter data discrepancies by asserting that some political parties failed to scrutinize electoral rolls during the statutory 'Claims and Objections' period. The ECI clarified that this period, following the release of draft voter lists, is the designated timeframe for parties and their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to identify and report errors. The commission noted that delayed objections hinder Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) from correcting genuine flaws before elections. Reiterating its commitment to electoral integrity, the ECI welcomed ongoing scrutiny of voter lists to ensure accuracy and transparency in the democratic process.
CPI(ML) Challenges PM Modi on Infiltrators After No Illegal Migrants Found in Bihar SIR Voter Deletions
On August 16, 2025, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya held a press conference in New Delhi, countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion on infiltrators made during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025. Bhattacharya stated that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has not identified any foreign nationals among the 65 lakh voters deleted in its first phase. He criticized the Prime Minister for reviving an 'unsubstantiated bogey of illegal immigration' and linked it to an anti-immigrant agenda by the RSS and BJP, warning of potential social division and disenfranchisement. Bhattacharya questioned the government's basis for estimating illegal immigrants without a Census since 2011 and disputed the ECI's claim of no objections to the SIR process, citing the lack of appeal provisions for booth level agents (BLAs) and referencing cases like Mintoo Paswan, who was incorrectly declared dead. Ahead of the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance's Vote Adhikar Yatra launch on August 17, 2025, Bhattacharya announced plans for public meetings and nukkad sabhas across Bihar's nine divisions to address voter grievances in the SIR exercise.
Politics (1)
CM Revanth Reddy Critiques Political Opponents, Highlights Telangana Welfare Schemes and Activism
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asserted that genuine activists do not seek political positions, indirectly targeting former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his family. He made these remarks during the release of the book 'Hasita Bhashpalu', authored by Sriram and published by poet Andesri. Reddy clarified that he does not view political opponents as enemies, highlighting his rapid rise from the 2006 Telangana statehood movement to Chief Minister in just 17 years, during which he served as Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) member, Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), and Member of Parliament (MP). He committed to using his mandate for public welfare, citing initiatives like the distribution of four lakh Indiramma houses, ration cards, and subsidized rice to empower the poor with dignity. Reddy also expressed pride in an event where women from 109 countries sang 'Jaya Jayahe Telangana', a song penned by Andesri, symbolizing state pride.
Appointments (1)
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Francis Serrao as New Bishop of Mysuru Diocese
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Francis Serrao as the new Bishop of the Mysuru Diocese. Serrao, who currently serves as the Bishop of Shivamogga Diocese, is expected to assume his new role within the next month and a half after transitioning from his current responsibilities. This appointment ends the tenure of Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Moras as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. Serrao becomes the ninth Bishop of the Mysuru Diocese, which had been vacant since 2024. The diocese encompasses the districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar, with a Catholic population of approximately 134,000, supported by 93 parishes, 140 diocesan priests, 108 religious priests, and 893 religious sisters. Born in Moodbidri in 1959, Serrao joined the Society of Jesus in 1979, was ordained a priest in 1992, and has extensive experience in pastoral, social, and academic roles, including serving as Bishop of Shimoga since 2014.
Defence (1)
Cybercrime Police Register FIR Over Ransom Hack Targeting Sports Management Firm
On Thursday, the cybercrime police registered an FIR against unidentified individuals for hacking the website of a Bengaluru-based sports event management company and demanding ransom. The complaint revealed that the company received three emails from a person identifying as Alex Varma, who claimed unauthorized access to the company's confidential data. The hacker threatened to publicly release fabricated details and website access credentials unless a ransom was paid. Invoking sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, authorities are actively tracing the perpetrator through IP addresses to prevent misuse of stolen data.
Miscellaneous (1)
Man Swept Away in Kaddam River Following Water Release from Kaddam Narayana Reddy Project in Telangana
In Nirmal district, Telangana, a man identified as T. Gangadhar from Kannapur village went missing on Saturday after being swept away by the swollen Kaddam River. The incident occurred due to the release of surplus water from the Kaddam Narayana Reddy irrigation project, despite prior warnings from irrigation officials advising against venturing into the river because of heavy discharge. Gangadhar was reportedly fishing when he became stranded on a rock amidst strong currents and was seen calling for help; he attempted to swim to safety but was overwhelmed by the river's force, as captured in a viral video. The District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) team reached the spot after a delay, but Gangadhar had already been washed away, and his body remained unrecovered by evening. Local residents alleged that rescue efforts were hampered as onlookers focused on filming the incident instead of promptly alerting the police, leading to criticism of the response. Authorities have intensified search operations and reiterated warnings for people to avoid the river amid ongoing heavy inflows.
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