Kerala

West Asia war a blow to Kerala's remittance-backed economy: CM Satheesan

Satheesan speaks about the impact of the West Asia war, a proposed high-speed rail project in the state and the Adani group's stake sale plan in the Vizhinjam port project

Bihar succeeds, and slips, in closing school education gap with Kerala

Bihar is retaining teachers and reducing dropout rates but needs to improve school enrolment

Tatas to foray into shipbuilding biz, eye $1 billion Kerala project

The Tata Group is planning a Rs 10,000 crore shipbuilding project in Kerala that could mark its entry into commercial shipbuilding, subject to the state government's approval.

Kerala CM backs Adani port expansion despite objecting to stake sale

The comments came days after Satheesan objected to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA's planned $1.4 billion investment in the project

Tata Group to invest $1 billion in shipbuilding in Kerala: CM Satheesan

The investment will add a new line of business for the $180-billion conglomerate that already makes coffee to luxury cars and steel products to smartphones

Kerala govt constitutes expert panel to probe Wayanad tunnel landslide

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 .

Wayanad landslide: Search for missing man continues as rescue enters Day 5

NDRF and Fire and Rescue teams have intensified search ops along the Meenachipuzha river as efforts entered fifth day to trace Vikram Rana, the lone person still missing after the Wayanad landslide

Southwest monsoon covers India, 36 days after touching Kerala coast

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the usual date for the monsoon to cover the entire country is July 8 and, therefore, this year it has been delayed by a day

Wayanad landslide: Death toll climbs to 6 as another body recovered

One more body was recovered from the Wayanad landslide site bringing the total number of persons killed in the disaster to four, Kerala Minister A P Anilkumar said. The minister told reporters here that the body was recovered from zone 1 of the search area in the morning. "Searches will be carried out in zone 1 and 2 of the area. Will be focusing search operations near the river also," he said. A landslide had occurred on July 7 at the site of the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project for connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. Now four persons remain missing. Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday had said that search operations will be given priority. He had also said that of the 10 persons injured in the incident, three were discharged, four were still hospitalised but stable and three others were in the ICU of whom two were critical.

Best of BS Opinion: Cybersecurity, ageing and women's financial freedom

Today's opinions examine cybersecurity in connected vehicles, India's ageing challenge, Karnataka's regional inequalities, women's entrepreneurship and the hidden world of trees

Kerala plans for a structural shift amid India's ageing challenge

Kerala's elderly welfare reforms highlight the economic impact of population ageing and offer a roadmap for states preparing for India's shrinking demographic dividend

3 dead, several missing after landslide in Wayanad, rescue ops continue

The landslide occurred after a large quantity of excavated earth, removed as part of the tunnel construction project, collapsed onto the site

CPI sticks to demand for Deputy Leader of Opposition post in Kerala: Rajan

CPI MLA K Rajan on Saturday said the party continues to stand by its demand for the post of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly. The CPI, the second-largest constituent of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), has been pressing for the post since the new Assembly session commenced following the recent elections. Speaking to reporters, the former minister said the party's stand on the issue remains unchanged. "You may not have heard my name being discussed for the post. But the party has raised the demand for the post. The party secretary has stated our position and we continue to stick to that stand," Rajan said. Asked about the delay in convening an LDF meeting after the alliance's electoral defeat, Rajan said it was for the LDF convener to convene the meeting. "It had been decided that the LDF meeting would be held in mid-June after discussions with the constituent parties. There could have been other engagements, including the Assembly session. The LDF

Kerala explores ₹60,000 crore high-speed rail, with partial public equity

The rail system may require about 1,000 MWh a day, which is equivalent to Rs 31.50 lakh worth of electricity being saved every day

The silver solvers: How Kerala is tackling the ageing population challenge

Kerala is attempting to tackle the fallout of a very southern trend: A growing elderly population. Others may want to take note

Govt nod mandatory for Adani stake transfer in Vizhinjam port: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said Adani Ports cannot transfer its shares in the Vizhinjam International Seaport here without the prior approval of the state government. Replying to a question in the Assembly, he said there have been media reports regarding the proposed stake transfer, but the company has not approached the government seeking approval. "As per the agreement, they cannot transfer these shares without the government's approval. The approval of the State Government is mandatory, and in certain matters, the approval of the Central Government is also required," Satheesan said. He said no request seeking such approval has been received by the government so far. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) on Tuesday said Switzerland-based MSC, the world's largest shipping transport and logistics conglomerate, will acquire a 49 per cent stake in its Vizhinjam port in Kerala for about USD 1.4 billion. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will make the

George Kurian exits Council of Ministers; reshuffle buzz gains traction

BJP did not renominate Kurian to the Rajya Sabha; his exit has renewed speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle ahead

A post-poll fiscal reality check: TN and Kerala face rising debt pressure

New governments in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have released white papers on state finances, but economists say debt figures alone do not capture the full fiscal picture

Kerala Budget boosts sports and culture with stadium, film city projects

The revised Kerala Budget for 2026-27 presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday gave a major push to the sports and cultural sectors, announcing projects, including an international-standard football stadium in Malabar, a film city in Kochi and a cultural park in Kozhikode. In a move likely to enthuse football fans, especially in north Kerala, Satheesan announced the construction of a world-class football stadium in the Malabar region and allocated Rs 50 crore for the project. Referring to the state's passion for football, he said a world-class stadium was essential to systematically identify and train football talent and host prestigious international matches. "Recognising the immense passion and profound love for the game among football fans in Kerala, an international standard football stadium equipped with ultra-modern facilities will be constructed in the Malabar region. An amount of Rs 50 crore is allocated for this project," he said. In the first ..

Revised Kerala Budget combines tax relief with fiscal consolidation efforts

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday announced a series of tax relief measures, amnesty schemes and revisions to vehicle taxes while presenting the revised state Budget in the Assembly, saying the steps are aimed at easing the burden on taxpayers, supporting businesses and improving revenue mobilisation. The revised Budget estimates for 2026-27 project revenue receipts of Rs 1,69,646.37 crore against revenue expenditure of Rs 2,05,001.67 crore, resulting in a revenue deficit of Rs 35,355.30 crore. The Budget estimates capital expenditure (Net) at Rs 19,651.41 crore, public debt (Net) at Rs 52,364.13 crore, and an overall deficit of Rs 41.23 crore. The government has also announced additional expenditure of Rs 1,080.95 crore, taking the cumulative deficit at the end of the year to Rs 1,504.63 crore. One of the key tax relief announcements was the Flood Cess Arrears Settlement Scheme, 2026. The chief minister, who holds finance portfolio, noted that although the one per cent