Important News - 2025-08-18
18 August 2025
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Politics (4)
KPCC President Demands High-Level Probe into Recurring Bridge Collapses in Kerala
On August 18, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph demanded a high-level inquiry into the recurring incidents of bridge collapses across Kerala. Joseph made this call during a media interaction after visiting the site of the Thorayikadavu under-construction bridge in Kozhikode district, which collapsed on August 14, causing significant damage. He highlighted that just two weeks prior, a similar collapse at another under-construction bridge in Alappuzha district resulted in the deaths of two laborers. Joseph also referenced the collapse of the Koolimad bridge near Mukkom in Kozhikode approximately three years ago, noting that an earlier inquiry into that incident had not produced any actionable outcomes. Criticizing Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas for evading responsibility, he emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the Thorayikadavu collapse and the immediate start of reconstruction efforts. Kozhikode Member of Parliament Shafi Parambil and District Congress Committee president K. Praveenkumar were present at the site visit.
BJD Rally in Odisha Criticizes Paddy Procurement and Crop Insurance Policies
On August 18, 2025, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) conducted a large-scale rally in Bargarh, a key agricultural district in western Odisha, to address farmer grievances and critique the state government's policies. Senior BJD leaders spearheaded the event and submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu via the District Collector, focusing on flaws in the paddy procurement process for the 2025-26 Kharif season. They criticized the registration requirements, including the need for detailed family genealogy records, Aadhaar e-KYC for all family members, and consent letters, which have created significant hurdles for farmers. The BJD accused the BJP-led government of intentionally complicating procedures to limit farmer registrations and failing to provide adequate crop insurance support, where claims are often delayed after natural disasters like droughts, floods, or cyclones. The party also highlighted the 'katni-chhatni' practice, involving unfair price reductions based on grain quality, which the BJP had promised to abolish. This rally underscores the BJD's strategy to regain farmer support ahead of the 2027 panchayat elections, countering the BJP's influence after it raised the minimum support price for paddy to ₹3,100 per quintal.
MP M.K. Raghavan Calls for Legal Empowerment of Local Bodies to Combat Stray Dog Crisis
Kozhikode Member of Parliament M.K. Raghavan addressed the Lok Sabha, urging the Union government to grant enhanced legislative powers to local bodies for immediate action against the stray dog menace to ensure public safety. He presented data indicating that over 250,000 people were bitten by stray dogs in 2024, leading to widespread panic and recurring rabies deaths. Raghavan attributed the rising stray dog population to ineffective sterilization campaigns, unscientific waste management practices, and legal constraints that hinder prompt interventions by local authorities. Emphasizing the need to balance animal welfare with public concerns, he proposed intensifying sterilization and vaccination drives, improving waste disposal systems, and implementing targeted strategies to capture elusive dogs for effective control.
Kerala CM to Inaugurate Senior Journalists' National Conference on August 20 in Thiruvananthapuram
The national conference of the Senior Journalists' Forum is set to be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from August 19 to August 21. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will formally inaugurate the main event at the Government Rest House auditorium on August 20. As part of the conference, an international photo exhibition will be inaugurated by M.B. Rajesh, the Minister for Local Self-Government, and a solidarity conference will be inaugurated by V. Sivankutty, the General Education Minister, both on August 19.
Heritage (1)
National Seminar on Agama Heritage Inaugurated at NSU
A two-day national seminar on 'Agama' commenced at the National Sanskrit University (NSU) on Monday, organized by its Department of Agama, with participation from scholars across India. Y. Arunasundaram, Principal of Mylapore Sanskrit College in Chennai, served as chief guest and emphasized the need for authentic research on Agama scriptures, describing them as divine texts that define temple worship and idol consecration, distinct from the Vedas. In his presidential address, NSU Vice-Chancellor G.S.R. Krishnamurthi highlighted the university's founding objectives of preserving and propagating scriptures through publications and events, announcing plans for an Agama exhibition hall. Kuppa Siva Subrahmanya Avadhani, Principal of TTD Dharmagiri Vedapatashala in Tirumala, explained Agamas as the practical application of Vedas, covering rituals, meditation, yoga, and the pursuit of divine vision. Other participants included Dean Rajanikant Shukla and Department Head Vedantam Vishnu Bhattacharya.
Schemes (2)
Kerala Amends Order on Higher Secondary Principals' Clerical Duties After Teacher Protests
The Kerala government's General Education Department has amended a controversial directive that required Higher Secondary School (HSS) principals to perform clerical duties, following widespread objections from educators. Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty announced the revision via social media on a recent Monday, responding to concerns raised by teachers and principals. The original order, issued earlier, reduced principals' teaching hours to eight periods per week and assigned them clerical tasks, asserting that full-time clerk positions were unnecessary in HSS institutions. This stemmed from a High Court directive addressing a petition filed by the manager of Valayanchirangara Higher Secondary School in Ernakulam, which sought sanctioned posts for clerk, librarian, and menial staff. Teachers highlighted their excessive workload, including responsibilities like continuous assessments, laboratory activities, examination coordination, HSS admissions, UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) data collection, and scholarship processing, which extended beyond school hours and limited student engagement in extracurricular activities. The amended order now states that clerical work should be shared among principals and teachers with lighter teaching loads, as most schools lack sufficient tasks to warrant full-time clerical appointments. However, the government emphasized the high financial commitment in the HSS sector, cautioning that sanctioning additional posts could set a precedent and increase fiscal strain. In response, the Higher Secondary School Teachers’ Association disputed this financial rationale, arguing that public education should not be viewed through a profit-loss lens and questioning the basis of the government's assessment.
Andhra Pradesh Introduces New Bar Policy 2025-28 with 840 Bars and Extended Timings
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched the New Bar Policy 2025–28 to reform bar operations with a focus on transparency, social equity, and financial sustainability. Announced by Nishant Kumar, Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise, during a press meet in Mangalagiri on August 13, 2025, under G.O. Ms. No. 275, the policy fixes the total number of bars at 840. It reserves 10% of these bars (amounting to 84) exclusively for the Geetha Kulalu community, providing a 50% concession on licence fees to encourage social empowerment and broader participation. Licences will be allocated through a public draw of lots, requiring at least four valid applications per bar to foster competition and prevent speculative bids. The licence tenure spans three years, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028. Fees are structured in three population-based slabs: ₹35 lakh for towns under 50,000 people, ₹55 lakh for areas with 50,001 to 5 lakh residents, and ₹75 lakh for cities exceeding 5 lakh people, with a 10% annual increase applicable to all categories. Payments can be made in six instalments secured by a bank guarantee. Bars are permitted in urban local bodies and designated tourism centres, but excluded from religious sites like Tirupati, where strict restrictions apply near Alipiri and Tirumala routes. Officials highlighted that this fee framework aims to ensure long-term viability, drawing comparisons to Telangana's higher application rates to underscore Andhra Pradesh's balanced approach.
Appointments (1)
Kerala University Acting VC Boycotts Union Inaugural Over Registrar Appointment Dispute
The inaugural ceremony of the Kerala University Union for the academic year 2024-25, held on Monday, highlighted significant administrative tensions within the institution. Acting Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal boycotted the event to protest against the presence of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar, asserting that Dr. Kumar's recent suspension revocation is legally invalid. This decision excluded Director of Planning and Development Mini Dejo Kappen, who had been assigned additional charge as Registrar by the Vice-Chancellor. Office-bearers of the union, affiliated with the Students Federation of India (SFI), confirmed their recognition of Dr. Kumar as Registrar and stated that the Vice-Chancellor had initially agreed to participate. During the event, writer T.D. Ramakrishnan criticized the influence of vested interests on appointments in the education sector, warning that such interference disrupts academic activities. Chief guest P.R. Pushpavathy, vice-chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, reiterated her objections to filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's controversial remarks from the Kerala Film Policy Conclave. Union chairman Ashwin S. Nair presided, with contributions from syndicate members G. Muralidharan, J.S. Shijukhan, R. Rajesh, and S. Nazeeb.
Defence (1)
Kerala Governor Advocates Mandatory Military Training for Youth to Foster Discipline and Patriotism
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar proposed the implementation of compulsory military training for Indian youth to cultivate discipline and patriotism. He articulated this stance during the Veterans Felicitation Ceremony at the Military Station in Pangode, Kerala, on a recent Monday. Governor Arlekar highlighted that the armed forces, with their exemplary standards of motivation, selflessness, and sacrifice, serve as a model for society and their values should be preserved and transmitted to the next generation. The event, themed 'Shaurya, Shakthi and Samman' (Valour, Strength, and Honour), was presided over by Brigadier Anurag Upadhyaya, the Station Commander of Pangode Military Station, and underscored the armed forces' role in national security.
Miscellaneous (1)
High Alert in Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal and Kurnool Districts Amid Monsoon Rains and Major Dam Releases
Authorities in Nandyal and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh have been placed on high alert due to heavy monsoon rains and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the state and Rayalaseema region. On August 18, 2025, Minister for Roads and Buildings B.C. Janardhan Reddy directed officials to remain vigilant 24/7 to handle emergencies, including warning farmers through agriculture and horticulture departments about potential crop damage and advising precautionary measures. The electricity department was instructed to restore power immediately if disruptions occur, such as fallen poles or snapped wires, while roads and buildings officials were tasked with clearing uprooted trees to maintain traffic flow. Public advisories urged residents to stay indoors during severe weather, avoid dilapidated buildings, trees, and poles, and relocate from low-lying areas; officials were also mandated to prevent travel on weak culverts and bridges. In Kurnool, an alert was activated after 90,000 cusecs of water was released from Tungabhadra Dam, with District Collector P. Ranjith Basha monitoring expected rises in Sunkesula reservoir inflows by August 19, 2025. Simultaneously, Srisailam Dam officials lifted 10 out of 12 gates, releasing 3.04 lakh cusecs downstream due to heavy upstream inflows.
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