Important News - 2025-08-23
23 August 2025
Stay Updated. Stay Ahead!
📂 Categories & Latest Updates
Politics (4)
Kerala Women's Commission Launches Suo Motu Probe Against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil
The Kerala Women's Commission has initiated a suo motu investigation into allegations of misconduct by Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, following media reports of serious offences against women. Acting under Section 17 of the Kerala Women's Commission Act, the commission directed its director, Shaji Sugunan, to register a case, conduct a preliminary inquiry, and submit a report. Sugunan will examine whether police complaints have been filed or cases registered regarding accusations from multiple women of improper behaviour. If evidence confirms the offences, the commission will instruct the State Police Chief to formally register a criminal case, as stated by chairperson P. Satheedevi.
Tribal Council Challenges A&N Administration's FRA Compliance Claims Over Great Nicobar Mega Project
On August 23, 2025, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised serious concerns about the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project, labeling it a potential 'maha ecological disaster'. He cited a report revealing the Tribal Council of Nicobar Islands had formally complained to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, alleging the Andaman and Nicobar administration falsely claimed to have settled tribal land rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to facilitate the project. The administration reportedly asserted in 2022 that all FRA rights were resolved and consent obtained for diverting forest land for the project—which includes a transhipment port, airport, township, and power plant. However, the Tribal Council clarified that no FRA processes were initiated nor was legal consent secured. Additionally, the administration justified bypassing FRA by citing monthly progress reports claiming forests were protected under the 1956 Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act.
Harish Rao Criticizes Telangana and Central Governments Over Urea Scarcity and Farmer Distress
In Hyderabad, T. Harish Rao, a senior leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former minister, criticized the Congress-led Telangana state government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for mishandling the urea fertilizer scarcity. On a recent Saturday, Rao accused both governments of engaging in a blame game with contradictory statements instead of addressing the shortage. He highlighted that farmers are enduring long queues to obtain urea, while the Centre claims no national shortage exists, citing 183 lakh tonnes available against a requirement of 143 lakh tonnes. In contrast, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy alleges inadequate supply from the Centre. Rao urged immediate action to ensure timely urea distribution for agricultural productivity.
Telangana Congress to Allocate 42% Local Body Seats to BCs, Amplifies Rahul Gandhi's Vote Theft Campaign
The Telangana Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) has resolved to intensify Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Theft Campaign' across rural Telangana, aiming to raise public awareness about alleged electoral malpractices. During the meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and attended by key figures including TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, and Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, a dedicated campaign logo was unveiled. The PAC applauded the INDIA bloc's nomination of Telangana's constitutional expert Justice B.Sudarshan Reddy for Vice-Presidential elections. It also addressed the High Court's stance on Backward Classes (BC) reservations, committing to allocate 42% of tickets in local body polls to BC candidates if legal hurdles prevent enhanced reservations. The committee highlighted the positive public response to state schemes like Rythu Bharosa, farm loan waivers, ration cards, Indiramma housing, and fine rice distribution. Additionally, it denounced the BRS party's claims about urea shortages as disinformation and emphasized the importance of the upcoming Jubilee Hills Assembly byelection.
Sports (1)
Lionel Messi's Argentina Football Team Confirmed to Visit Kerala in November
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman confirmed on Saturday that Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup-winning team will visit Kerala in November 2023. This announcement came as a reversal after Abdurahiman had previously stated in August that the tour was unlikely due to payment disputes with the Argentina Football Federation (AFA). Initial plans, announced in November 2022, involved exhibition matches against Japan and Qatar in Kerala in 2025, but the May 2023 AFA itinerary omitted Kerala, causing confusion. Football fans in Malappuram, coordinated through groups like the Malappuram Argentina WhatsApp Koottayma and Penya del Barça supporters' club, plan celebrations and viewing events. Former Indian footballer I.M. Vijayan highlighted the visit's significance in inspiring youth and acknowledged Kerala's fan support, evidenced by the state receiving an Argentine jersey post-World Cup.
Heritage (1)
Desi Rice Fair in Hubballi Promotes Conservation of 100 Traditional Varieties
A two-day 'Desi Rice Fair' organized by the non-profit Sahaja Samruddha commenced at Urban Oasis Mall in Hubballi, Karnataka, to promote the conservation and consumption of traditional rice varieties. Inaugurating the event, Vibha Varshini from the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi, emphasized that indigenous crops are vital for family food security, noting a resurgence among farmers in cultivating these heritage strains. She praised local farmer groups for conserving, growing, and directly marketing native rice, asserting that these varieties, integral to India's food culture for centuries, must be preserved for future health benefits. Deepak S. Lulla, Director of Urban Oasis Mall, highlighted the nutrient richness of traditional rice and urged consumers to adopt them. Prema Lokkundi, representing the Renuka Mahila Sangha's 'Desi Rice Growers Collective' from Kundagol and Shiggaon taluks, detailed challenges like low local demand for red rice varieties such as Dodyaga and Navilu Sali, which are often exported to Goa and Kerala. G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha, stressed that Karnataka, a hub of rice diversity, has lost many indigenous varieties due to neglect and called for government support in establishing rice mills for processing, especially in North Karnataka's semi-Malenadu region where dryland rice is still cultivated. Over 100 traditional rice varieties from multiple states are on display and available for purchase at the fair, which runs until 8 p.m.
Appointments (1)
BBMP Terminates 72 Guest Faculty Over Qualification Gaps and Poor Academic Performance
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has cancelled the appointments of 72 guest teachers and lecturers across its schools and pre-university colleges. This decision, formalized in an order dated August 22, 2025, was driven by two key factors: 35 appointees lacked mandatory qualifications, and 37 were associated with institutions recording below 50% pass rates in Class 10 and II Pre-University Certificate (PUC) exams over three consecutive years. BBMP has temporarily withheld their remuneration pending review. In 2025, BBMP schools achieved a 55.78% pass rate in Class 10 exams, while pre-university colleges recorded 68.88% in II PUC. Following these results, BBMP reviewed all 804 guest faculty members, revealing that 35 appointed in June 2025 did not meet eligibility criteria—such as engineering postgraduates teaching Economics or Commerce without a B.Ed degree, violating the requirement of a postgraduate degree with B.Ed for PU college faculty. BBMP Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao attributed the move to declining SSLC and II PUC results over three years and confirmed pending salaries would be released. Opposing the decision, the BBMP Officers’ and Employees’ Welfare Association, represented by treasurer N.S. Somashekar, argued that most dismissed faculty had over a decade of service, constituted 80% of teaching staff, and faced undue blame for results influenced by student absenteeism and socioeconomic factors.
Defence (1)
Rajasthan Advances Defence Indigenisation with Aerospace Policy and MSME Support
On a recent weekend, the Department of Defence Production held a meeting with stakeholders and entrepreneurs at Udyog Bhawan in Jaipur to discuss strategies for enhancing indigenisation in defence manufacturing in Rajasthan. Key discussions emphasized leveraging Rajasthan's strategic location and land availability to boost the defence industry, with the private sector currently holding a 22.5% share in production. Sushil Satpute, Deputy Director General, highlighted that India's defence sector produces goods worth ₹1.50 lakh crore annually, including exports of ₹23,600 crore to allied countries, and noted a rise in private defence production licences from 246 to 742 over the last decade. The Rajasthan government's proposed defence aerospace policy was a focal point, alongside Union government initiatives to assist MSMEs and grant private firms access to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) technologies. RIICO officials detailed incentives under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme-2024, while entrepreneurs raised concerns about licensing challenges and requested a defence exhibition to spur investments. Attendees included Alok Gupta, Principal Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Rohit Gupta, Commissioner of Industries, and other key figures.
Schemes (1)
Kerala's KARE Scheme for Rare Diseases Highlighted at SMArt Con 2025 Inauguration
On Saturday, Health Minister Veena George inaugurated the national Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research and Therapeutic conference (SMArt Con 2025) in Thiruvananthapuram. Organized by the Cure SMA Foundation of India, National Health Mission, and various stakeholders, the conference addressed challenges in rare disease management. Minister George emphasized the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure equitable care, access, and justice for children with rare diseases. She highlighted Kerala's model approach, integrating science, policy, and compassion through initiatives like Kerala United against Rare Diseases (KARE). This scheme coordinates government agencies, medical institutions, and patient groups to provide timely diagnosis, counselling, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation. Additionally, Kerala is expanding its newborn screening program to cover more genetic disorders with treatment options. For affected children, multidisciplinary care—involving neurology, physiotherapy, pulmonology, nutrition, and genetic counselling—is available at medical colleges and district early intervention centers. The state collaborates with national and global partners to secure funding and access to life-saving therapies, making expensive treatments affordable. V.K. Paul, a NITI Aayog member, participated online, reaffirming the commitment of the Ministries of Health and Science and Technology to develop permanent solutions for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He noted progress in bringing innovative therapies to India through industrial R&D and stressed the importance of family support systems and nutrition. The two-day event attracted hundreds of delegates, including neurologists, paediatricians, genetic experts, and SMA advocacy groups.
Miscellaneous (1)
Malappuram Fire Team Rescues Student Trapped in Bus Window Guard
On August 23, Fatima Haniya, a Class VII student at Al Hidayath English Medium School in Thurakkal, faced a critical situation during her bus journey home when her left ring finger became trapped in a small hole of the window guard while disembarking at Kodangadu near Kondotty in Malappuram district. After the bus staff's attempts to free her failed, the bus was redirected to the Malappuram Fire and Rescue station. Under the leadership of Fire Officer E.K. Abdul Saleem, the rescue team used a metal sheet grinder to carefully cut through the metal guard, a process that lasted approximately one hour. Throughout the operation, Haniya received constant support from her parents, teachers, and school principal. The successful rescue ensured her finger was freed without any injuries, providing immense relief to all parties involved.
Comments
Post a Comment