President Droupadi Murmu has signed into law the VB-G Ram-G scheme, a replacement for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation’s new council members were also sworn in today, followed by BJP members singing the national anthem. Additionally, the Kerala High Court overturned a notification regarding land acquisition for the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield Airport. A shooting near Johannesburg in Bekkersdal left 10 people dead. The funeral for actor Sreenivasan was held at his residence in Kandanad, near Udayamperoor. And the family of Ram Narayanan, a victim of a mob lynching in Walayar, is demanding justice and 2.5 million rupees in compensation.

The VB-G Ram-G (Vikasit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin) scheme, intended to replace MGNREGA, received presidential assent despite significant protests.

The swearing-in ceremony of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation’s council members has concluded. All members except for one in Vizhinjam division took the oath of office. Fifty members of the BJP, 29 from the LDF, and 19 from the UDF, along with two independents, were sworn in.

The Kerala High Court has dealt a setback to the state government regarding land acquisition for the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield Airport, overturning the related notification. The court noted that the government failed to determine the minimum land required for the project. The plan originally called for acquiring 2,570 acres of land.

A shooting in Bekkersdal, near Johannesburg, has left 10 people dead. Police reported that the attack was carried out by unidentified gunmen, and at least 10 others were injured. This marks the second mass shooting in South Africa this month.

The funeral for Sreenivasan, the actor and comedian who brought laughter to Malayalees for half a century, was held today. Sreenivasan passed away this morning at Thrippunithura Taluk Hospital at the age of 69. The funeral took place at his residence in Kandanad, near Udayamperoor.

The family of Ram Narayanan, a 31-year-old from Chhattisgarh who was killed in a mob lynching in Walayar, has arrived in Kerala. They are demanding that a case be registered under the SC/ST Act and that they receive 2.5 million rupees in compensation. The family has stated they will not take possession of the body until their demands are met.