Telangana

Sai Likhitha, a 14-year-old student of Telangana Social Welfare Residential School, Pochampad, died from suspected food poisoning. Recent incidents affected 60 students in Hyderabad. Repeated cases in state-run schools have raised serious food safety concerns, prompting NHRC scrutiny.

In a unique development in Sangareddy district, ward members of Jagannadhpur village elected the sarpanch’s wife as vice-sarpanch after failing to reach a consensus. Biradar Vijay Kumar was elected sarpanch in the third phase of gram panchayat elections.

The South Central Railway will dismantle the old Foot Over Bridge at Hyderabad’s Nampally Railway Station from December 20 to 23 due to safety concerns. The over-50-year-old structure poses risks over multiple yard lines, and public cooperation is requested.

Babu Rao, a 28-year-old factory worker, survived a life-threatening industrial accident at his workplace, suffering chemical burns and ARDS. Surgeons at Amor Hospitals provided intensive care, and he was successfully treated and discharged in stable condition.

Former Minister T Harish Rao demanded clarity on water release under the Ghanpur project and criticised the government for taking up Singur repair works during Yasangi. He sought a crop holiday, compensation and pending benefits for farmers across districts.

Actress Nidhhi Agarwal was mobbed by fans while leaving Lulu Mall during a promotional event for her upcoming film The Raja Saab. A viral video shows her struggling amid the crowd. Police have registered a case and are investigating.

Police booked eleven cases for violations of the model code of conduct during gram panchayat elections in Boath, Sonala and Bazarhathnoor mandals of Adilabad district. The cases include allegations of liquor distribution, cash inducement and unlawful rallies.

Hyderabad police arrested two men, Surya Prakash and Robert Raju, after seizing 1.12 kg of ganja and 4.2 g of hashish oil at Madhapur. The duo reportedly planned to sell the drugs. A case has been registered.

Telangana recorded deflation for the third consecutive month in November, remaining in the negative zone for five of the last six months. Economists warned that repeated deflation, while easing prices, may signal weak consumption and slowing economic activity.

An NRI who returned from Qatar after 16 years was elected sarpanch of his native village Sirikonda in Jagtial district. Dharmaraju Yadav Panchita won the gram panchayat election by just one vote in the final phase.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, providing up to Rs 1.50 lakh per person for the first seven days. The programme ensures timely care, especially benefiting daily wage earners and economically weaker families.

BRS Working President KT Rama Rao felicitated newly elected sarpanches, deputy sarpanches and ward members at the party’s Bhongir district office. He congratulated grassroots leaders and thanked voters for continuing to support the party at the village level.

A 38-year-old driver allegedly died by suicide in Papannapet mandal of Medak after being unable to resume work following a road accident. Police said the man consumed pesticide, reportedly distressed over his inability to support his family.

Family members of a man stabbed to death in Bhadrachalam staged a rasta-roko demanding severe punishment for the accused. Locals alleged police delay in response and raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the temple town.

The Union Health Ministry has clarified that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons trained under DCI rules can legally perform aesthetic surgeries and limited hair transplant procedures. The move aims to end confusion following conflicting guidelines from medical and dental regulators.

NIPER-Hyderabad will hold its 13th convocation on December 20, with degrees to be conferred on 222 students from the 2023–25 batch. Senior officials from the pharmaceuticals sector and academia will attend the ceremony.

A cold wave is expected to intensify across Telangana, including Hyderabad, over the next two days. The IMD has warned of temperatures falling 3–4°C below normal, with several districts likely to see minimums between 5°C and 10°C.

The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education has upgraded intermediate certificates with advanced security features such as UV fibres, QR codes, colour photographs and waterproof paper. The move aims to prevent forgery and make academic verification faster and easier.

Tension erupted in Paidipalli village of Jagtial district after clashes broke out over sarpanch election results. Police fired in the air and used lathis to disperse protesters, who later pelted stones, injuring a constable and damaging police vehicles.

India’s organ donation system is being overhauled under the ‘One Nation, One Policy’, with NOTTO centralising registrations, ending domicile rules and introducing a uniform allocation model to curb transplant tourism, improve transparency and ensure organs reach the most deserving patients nationwide.

Telangana’s finances show growing stress as borrowings exceed budget estimates while revenues lag. CAG data till November reveals heavy debt dependence, weak tax and non-tax mobilisation, a revenue deficit and shrinking fiscal headroom, raising concerns over long-term sustainability.

Mild tension prevailed in Karimnagar as Congress activists attempted to lay siege to the BJP MP’s office during a nationwide protest over the National Herald case. Police stopped the march, detained protesters and placed the district Congress chief under house arrest.

A second check dam across the Manair river in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district was found damaged, raising suspicions of deliberate sabotage. Locals blamed sand mafia, citing low water flow, while irrigation officials ruled out flooding and moved to lodge a police complaint.

The death toll in the blast at Agarwal Steel Company in Medak district rose to two after another injured worker succumbed, prompting families to demand compensation and jobs from the management.