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Chief Minister of Keralam V D Satheesan on Tuesday flagged off two containers from Vizhinjam, marking the commencement of EXIM operations from the international seaport here. Satheesan was accompanied by state Minister for Industries, Information Technology, and Commerce P K Kunhalikutty and Congress MLA M Vincent. In an X post, the CM said that the state government held strategic discussions with diverse investor groups to explore key opportunities for scaling EXIM operations at Vizhinjam to the next level. "To ensure seamless commercial expansion, the government is committing comprehensive support, regulatory facilitation, and infrastructure backing to help investors expand global export activities through the port," he said. "The same Arabian Sea, which has shaped our nation for centuries and welcomed travelers from all over the world with open arms, is today opening the historic door to the development of a new era Keralam. Let us move forward together into the new era of ...
Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Thursday said serious irregularities had come to light in Kerala PSC and necessary action would be taken after the investigation is completed. Addressing a press conference here, Satheesan said "shocking information" had been received regarding the alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) and that a serious investigation was underway. The state government has ordered a Crime Branch probe into examinations conducted by the PSC and appointments made to government services under the previous CPI (M)-led LDF regime. "A serious investigation is taking place in the PSC based on reports that widespread irregularities are happening there. I cannot say much; all the information we have received is shocking. Isn't that why we are conducting an investigation," he said. "It is not right for me to comment on it while the investigation is ongoing. A very serious investigation is taking place based on very serious allegations that came up
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said the amendment to the MMDR Act passed by the Lok Sabha is against federal principles as it seeks to take away the rights and ownership of the states over their lands, and therefore, the legislation will be strongly opposed. Satheesan, addressing a press conference here after a cabinet meeting, said that the state government's opposition to the legislation will be communicated to the central government. The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The CM said that the legislation seriously affects Kerala. He claimed that by way of the amendment, the states' rights and ownership over land -- which is item 18 in the state list of the 7th schedule under the Constitution -- is sought to be brought under the control of the central government. He said that without exempting coastal areas and forests, through a provision of 'mineral bearing land' in the amendment bill, the Ce
The UDF government in Kerala is likely to order a probe into alleged irregularities and procedural lapses in the previous LDF government's efforts to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state. Indicating the possibility of an investigation, state Sports Minister O J Janeesh on Wednesday rejected former minister V Abdurahiman's defence of the proposal and alleged that government machinery was misused to facilitate financial gains for a private individual. Janeesh said there was no substance in Abdurahiman's claim that the government had not suffered any financial loss in connection with the proposed event. He alleged that official procedures were not followed from the beginning and that there was a lack of transparency in selecting the sponsor and dealing with the proposal. "The government machinery was misused for a private event management company. From the Chief Secretary to the district collector, police and Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA
The Kerala government on Saturday ordered constitution of a five-member expert panel to enquire into the reasons for the landslide at the Wayanad tunnel project site. The panel will enquire whether the contractor has violated the contract conditions and will also look into the environment and forest clearances given to the project by the state and the Centre. The panel comprises Dr C P Rajendran (geologist), Dr Vishnudas (ecologist), Dr P Pugazhendi (Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala), Secretary of Public Works Department (PWD) and Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department who will also be the convenor, the order said. It said that the convenor may co-opt experts as members if deemed necessary. The terms of reference of the panel are to identify the causes of the accident, examine whether the contractor has violated the contract conditions and look into the environment and forest clearances given by the state and the Centre and to submit a report within a month, the .
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Tuesday said that since January this year, 146 cases of Shigella were reported in the state and of those 70 were in June. Speaking to reporters here after chairing a review meeting, Muraleedharan said that of the five Shigella deaths, one was in March and the remaining four were in June. The highest number of cases -- 74 -- of the bacterial infection from January to June were reported from Kozhikode, followed by Malappuram -- 25, including two deaths -- and then Thiruvananthapuram -- also 25 cases of infection, according to the figures given by the minister. No Shigella cases were reported from Pathanamthitta, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts of the state till now this year, he said. Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water and through contact with infected persons.
For thousands of women who travel daily for work, education, and household needs, travel expenses will no longer be a concern from Monday as Kerala launches 'Priyadarshini', a free travel scheme in ordinary KSRTC buses for women and transgender persons. The scheme, which forms part of the Congress-led government's five 'Indira Guarantees' announced during the Assembly election campaign, will initially be available on all ordinary KSRTC services across the state from June 15. As part of the first phase, women of all ages and transgender persons will be eligible for free travel irrespective of income, social status or any other criteria. No prior registration, documentation or application process will be required, official sources said. Passengers will only need to obtain a zero-value 'Priyadarshini' ticket from conductors through the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) while travelling. The ticketing system will digitally record every journey, enabling transparent accounting and ...
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that his government has decided to scrap the Silverline high-speed rail project, an ambitious initiative of the previous LDF administration. Satheesan said at a press conference here that the notifications with regard to acquiring land for the project will be revoked. Besides that, the government will also recommend withdrawal of the criminal cases lodged against those who opposed the Silverline project, and it will be subject to the court's decision, the CM said after a Cabinet meeting chaired by him. The cabinet also decided to extend the validity of the public service commission's rank lists till November 30, as hardly any appointments were made during the election period, Satheesan said.
V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as Kerala's Chief Minister, and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the Congress Legislature Party leader here. Satheesan took oath in the name of God. Besides Satheesan, his 20-member Cabinet will also be sworn in by the Governor. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders, and BJP representatives also attended the ceremony. Thousands of Congress workers arrived in the state capital from across Kerala for the event. The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with the results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats, while the LDF secured 35 and the BJP won three.
Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, is a lawyer-turned-politician from Kochi who rose through the ranks of the Congress party with a reputation for sharp speeches and organisational discipline. Known for his calm public style and aggressive attacks on the Left government inside the Assembly, V D Satheesan--called VD or VDS by his supporters--became the face of the Congress revival in Kerala after he was made Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly five years ago. As Leader of the Opposition, Satheesan put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government on defensive mode on various issues, including alleged nepotism and financial irregularities, pushed the Congress towards younger leadership and a more energetic campaign. He led the Congress-led UDF to power in the April 9 polls, marking the alliance's return to power in Kerala after a decade. Supporters see him as practical and accessible, while critics say his biggest
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday slammed the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of being the "B-team of BJP". Vijayan made the accusation during an interview with PTI videos. In response to a query regarding Rahul's recent remark that central agencies have arrested or called for questioning other opposition leaders in the country, except the Kerala CM, the Marxist veteran accused the Congress leader and his party of acting as the "B-team" of the BJP. "Some people don't learn even if they see or experience something. They are not normal people. They are a rare phenomenon. That is something that happens to those who are normally incapable of grasping things. Rahul Gandhi falls into that category," the CM alleged. He said that Rahul had made serious allegations against former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, but the court rejected all those accusations and gave the AAP leader a clean chit. "It was a heavy blow to the face of the Congress leadership, includ
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said the state government has issued an order approving the implementation of Universal Health Coverage to ensure health protection for all sections of society. In a Facebook post, the minister said the scheme was formulated to provide health coverage to people who are not included in existing programmes such as the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), Karunya Benevolent Fund, MEDISEP and other insurance schemes. The decision to launch the "Health Protection for All" project was taken following discussions and studies held at various levels over the past one year, based on the direction of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, she said. The matter was also discussed during the Vision 2031 review meetings, and the scheme is expected to bring relief to lakhs of families who are not members of any treatment assistance programme, the minister added. George said around 10 years ago, the treatment assistance provided by the government was only
The Kerala Cabinet has approved a 50 per cent amnesty on pending traffic fines as part of a special scheme aimed at clearing a massive backlog of e-challan cases and reducing the burden on courts. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to a statement issued by Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Sunday. Under the amnesty scheme, motorists will get a 50 per cent concession on fines imposed for all traffic violations committed up to December 31, 2024. The concession will be applicable if the pending fines are cleared on or before April 30, 2026, it said. Officials said the government accepted the recommendation of the Transport Commissioner to introduce the scheme as many vehicle owners were reluctant to settle e-challan cases due to multiple pending violations against a single vehicle and the high penalty amounts involved. The accumulation of e-challan cases has also led to a significant rise in the number of traffic-related c
In a landmark move to address the complexities of the Artificial Intelligence era, the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has published the 'Cyber Safety Protocol 2026'. KITE is the technology wing of the General Education Department of the state government. This comprehensive framework is designed to ensure a secure digital learning environment and robust cyber defences for students across Kerala's public school system, an official statement said here on Sunday. Developed through a meticulous analysis of emerging AI-driven challenges and cybercrimes, the protocol aligns with existing legal standards to provide targeted directives for institutional heads, teachers, parents, and students, it said. KITE CEO K Anvar Sadath said the initiative encompasses 13 core objectives, including fostering awareness regarding the risks of sharing confidential data with Generative AI, cultivating critical thinking toward digital content, identifying misinformation, and nurtur