Important News - 2025-08-26
26 August 2025
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Politics (5)
Karnataka Establishes Greater Bengaluru Authority with Maheshwar Rao as Commissioner
The Karnataka State Government officially established the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) on Tuesday to oversee Bengaluru's governance. Chaired by the Chief Minister and co-chaired by the Bengaluru Development Minister, the GBA will coordinate among five newly formed corporations (effective September 2) and various parastatals. M. Maheshwar Rao, current Chief Commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), was appointed as GBA Commissioner and member secretary. The Authority includes 28 MLAs, 4 Lok Sabha MPs, 11 MLCs, 6 Rajya Sabha members (including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman), and heads of key agencies like BMTC, BMRCL, and city police. However, it excludes entities like the Rail Infrastructure Development Company and lacks a finance-specific role. The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, faced Public Interest Litigations challenging its constitutionality, prompting an amendment clarifying GBA's non-interference in corporation affairs.
Kerala HC Extends NH-544 Toll Suspension Till September 9, Orders Traffic Inspection
On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court extended the interim suspension of toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza on National Highway 544 (NH-544) until September 9, 2024, due to persistent traffic congestion issues in the Edapally-Paliyekkara corridor. This decision followed multiple petitions filed by political leaders—KPCC secretary Shaji Kodankandath, Thrissur DCC president Joseph Tajet, and Youth Congress leader O.J. Jenish—demanding that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) address severe traffic snarls, including a recent 12-hour gridlock. A Division Bench comprising Justice A. Muhammed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V. Menon also ordered a fresh inspection of the traffic conditions within two weeks, to be conducted jointly by the Thrissur District Collector and an interim traffic management committee, with NHAI officials present. The committee had earlier recommended systematic repair and widening of service roads as a permanent solution, while NHAI claimed it had implemented remedial measures at bottlenecks to improve traffic flow and sought the suspension's lifting during the court vacation. The Supreme Court had previously upheld the initial four-week suspension of toll collection.
Kerala NGO Association Protests 37-Month Delay in DA Payment for Government Employees
On August 26, the Kozhikode district committee of the Kerala NGO Association staged a protest outside the Additional Sub-Treasury office in Kozhikode city, condemning the state government's alleged anti-employee policies. Association district president Premnath Mangalassery, while addressing the demonstration, emphasized that the dearness allowance (DA)—a critical salary component adjusted for inflation—had remained unpaid for over 37 months, affecting government employees. This protest coincided with the state government's recent announcement of a marginal increase in festival allowance and bonus for the Onam celebration. Mangalassery called on pro-Left trade unions, which welcomed the festival incentives, to clarify their position on the unresolved DA arrears.
Telangana Monsoon Session to Address Kaleshwaram Irregularities and BC Reservation Delays
The monsoon session of Telangana's Legislative Assembly is set to begin on Saturday, following the budget session held in March. Key agenda items include tabling the inquiry report by retired Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. After a 15-month investigation involving over 110 witnesses, the 600-page report exposes irregularities such as unapproved cost escalations and the controversial decision to relocate the barrage site to Medigadda, which bypassed expert committee recommendations and State Cabinet approvals. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that future actions on these findings will be determined through comprehensive legislative debates and consultations with all political parties represented in the assembly. The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has rejected the report as a 'Congress Commission' and failed in legal attempts to challenge it. The session is expected to be contentious, with heated discussions on the Kaleshwaram project and proposed strategies for local body elections. Separately, the assembly had passed a bill increasing reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42%, based on a socio-economic, educational, employment, political, and caste census; however, implementation is delayed pending assent from President Draupadi Murmu. The Business Advisory Committee will meet on the session's opening day to decide the duration and agenda, with simultaneous proceedings in the Legislative Council.
Andhra Pradesh Government Probes Alleged Bribe and Threats to Approver in Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy Murder Case
The Andhra Pradesh State Government has initiated an investigation into allegations by Sheikh Dastagiri, an accused-turned-approver in the 2019 murder case of former Member of Parliament Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. A team led by Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil commenced the inquiry at Kadapa Central Prison. Dastagiri claimed that in 2023, Devireddy Chaitanya Reddy, the son of co-accused Devireddy Sivasankar Reddy, entered the prison under the pretext of a medical camp and offered him a bribe of ₹20 crore to protect the accused in the murder case, along with death threats if he refused. Following these allegations, the RIMS police registered a formal case. After the change in state government, the new NDA administration formed a dedicated four-member team to re-examine the claims and verify the facts. As part of this fresh probe, former jail Superintendent Prakash and other officials on duty during the incident have been summoned, and Dastagiri is expected to be questioned for additional evidence.
Heritage (1)
Jacobite Catholicos and Syro-Malabar Leader Advocate Unity and Heritage Preservation in Kerala Visit
Catholicos Baselios Joseph of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church recently visited Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad, Kerala, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church. During his interaction with Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the Catholicos emphasized the urgent need for fostering coexistence and unity, particularly between the Syro-Malabar and Jacobite Churches. The visit took place amid the synod meeting of Syro-Malabar bishops. In response, Major Archbishop Thattil affirmed the Syro-Malabar Church's readiness to extend brotherhood to the Jacobite Church and called for joint initiatives to preserve their shared religious heritage and traditions, including liturgical practices and historical customs.
Schemes (3)
Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project Protest in Karnataka Over Environmental and Economic Concerns
Residents of Sagar town in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, recently staged a protest against the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project (PSP), demanding the state government cancel it due to potential environmental damage to the Western Ghats and displacement concerns. Organized by the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project Struggle Committee, the protest included a march from Ganapati Temple to Gandhi Maidan, followed by a public meeting. Abhinava Channabasava Swamy of Mulegadde Math warned that the project could harm communities dependent on the Sharavathi river and might facilitate water diversion to Bengaluru. Former Karnataka Minister Hartal Halappa emphasized the need to address displacement from past reservoir projects, while environmentalist Akhilesh Chippali criticized the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the project proponent, for inadequate transparency and the project's inefficiency—requiring 2,500 MW to pump water from Gerusoppa reservoir to Talakalale reservoir but generating only 2,000 MW, resulting in a net energy loss. Raitha Sangha leader Shivanand Kugve condemned the lack of local consultation, and Sagar City Municipal Council president Maitri Patil and vice-president Savita Vasu participated in the event.
Shradha Scheme Launched in Pattambi to Create India's First Learning Constituency
P. Muhammed Muhsin, the MLA of Pattambi constituency in Kerala, recently launched the 'Shradha' scheme, a digital initiative designed to transform Pattambi into India's first 'learning constituency'. The project was inaugurated by Kerala's Higher Education Minister, R. Bindu. Shradha, an acronym for Supportive Holistic Reinforcement and Development for Human Advancement, emphasizes education, mental health, social development, skill enhancement, and employment opportunities. It integrates learning with governance and community participation through its online portal www.shradhaonline.org, implementing programs to educate and empower residents. Under the scheme, 53 libraries in the constituency will be converted into vocational skill-building and knowledge-sharing centers, rebranded as 'people’s universities'. Key components include 'Manasamithra' for mental health support to students, parents, and teachers; free entrance coaching for high school and higher-level students preparing for competitive exams; and 'Young Talent Search' to identify and nurture exceptional youth. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the scheme promotes health, education, economic growth, and equality, serving as a sustainable development model at the local level.
Dream11 and Gameskraft Accept Online Gaming Ban; Video Game Sector Forms New Association
On August 26, 2025, major real money gaming (RMG) companies Dream11 and Gameskraft announced they would not legally challenge the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans online money gaming activities. Both firms stated they would comply with the law and wind up operations involving games where users risk money for potential winnings, such as fantasy sports apps and card games. Gameskraft emphasized its commitment as a law-abiding entity, while Dream11 co-founder Harsh Jain indicated a focus on future ventures instead of contesting the government's decision. The RMG industry ceased operations preemptively, though the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has yet to formally notify the law, which allows up to one month for firms to facilitate user withdrawals and avoid criminalization. Concurrently, video game industry players like Nazara Technologies, Gametion (developers of Ludo King), SuperGames, and Dot9 Games formed the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association to represent their sector and address concerns about being conflated with RMG entities.
Economy (1)
Centre Reduces Wheat Stock Limits Until 2026 to Curb Hoarding and Ensure Food Security
The Union Food Ministry announced a reduction in wheat stock limits for traders, wholesalers, retailers, and processors on Tuesday to manage food security, prevent hoarding, and curb speculative activities. This measure, effective until March 31, 2026, aims to stabilize wheat prices ahead of the festive season, despite ample domestic wheat availability with production at 1175.07 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in the 2024-25 agricultural year. Under the revised limits, traders and wholesalers can now hold up to 2,000 metric tonnes (MT), down from 3,000 MT; retailers are capped at 8 MT per outlet, reduced from 10 MT; and big-chain retailers must adhere to 8 MT per outlet, with the total not exceeding the sum for all outlets. Processors face a limit of 60% of their monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, a decrease from 70%. All entities must declare or update their wheat stock positions every Friday on a dedicated government portal. Violators of these limits or registration requirements will face punitive actions under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and must comply with the new limits within 15 days of the notification.
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