Kerala

RN Ravi appointed West Bengal Guv in major reshuffle of gubernatorial posts

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi was on Thursday appointed as the new governor of West Bengal, replacing C V Ananda Bose, who resigned abruptly earlier in the day, a move that has sparked a fresh confrontation between the BJP and its rivals here and in the state. The appointment was a part of a major reshuffle of gubernatorial posts effected in several states and Union territories by President Droupadi Murmu late on Thursday night. Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retired) was appointed as the new Bihar governor, while Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been made the governor of Himachal Pradesh. Hasnain succeeds Arif Mohammed Khan, who took oath as Bihar Governor on January 2 last year. However, the political circles were abuzz with the unexpected resignation of Bose as the West Bengal governor just weeks before the Assembly polls there. In a communique, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said that President Murmu has accepted Bose's resignation. Talking to PTI over the phone from Delhi, Bo

Private hospital nurses in Kerala on strike demanding ₹40,000 minimum wage

A section of nurses working in private hospitals in Kerala began a strike on Wednesday, demanding a minimum monthly salary of Rs 40,000 and implementation of various pending assurances without further delay. The strike was called by the United Nurses Association (UNA), which also organised a march to the secretariat here as part of the protest. According to the protesting nurses, their salary was last revised in 2018 and has since become inadequate in view of the rising cost of living. Though the state government had issued orders for a salary hike in 2023 following a protest under the aegis of the UNA, it has not been effectively implemented so far, they alleged. One of the protesting nurses said they want the government to implement a clear wage system for private hospital nurses, as mentioned in the Nursing Council's regulations. "The condition of nurses in the private sector is pathetic in the state. They are getting different salaries in accordance with the decision of respec

KP Unnikrishnan, former union minister and Congress leader dies at 89

Former Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan, who was regarded as one of the prominent figures in Indian politics during the 1980s and 1990s, died in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said. He was 89. He died while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital here, they said. Having been elected to the Lok Sabha six consecutive times from Vadakara, he served as a Union Minister in the V P Singh Cabinet, holding the portfolios of Surface Transport and Communications during 198990. During his tenure as Minister, he oversaw the evacuation of Indians during the Gulf War. Beginning his professional life as a journalist, Unnikrishnan was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara in 1971 as a Congress candidate. He subsequently represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991. Between 1981 and 1984, he served as the leader of Congress (Secular) in Parliament, and from 1980 to 1982 he was a member of the Public Accounts Committee.

Crosscurrents in 'Keralam': Are vote shares signalling flux in politics?

Civic poll results have complicated the state's binary politics and narrowed the Left's margin for error. Are vote shares signalling flux?

Gulf flight operations from Kerala hit for third day amid West Asia crisis

Flight operations to Gulf countries from Kerala were affected for the third consecutive day on Monday following the conflict in West Asia, with authorities indicating that the disruption may last a few more days. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) listed around 45 departing flights from Kochi as cancelled for Monday on its official website. However, an Oman Air flight to Muscat departed at 8.10 am. Similarly, Saudia flights to Jeddah and Riyadh, an Oman Air flight to Muscat, an Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi and a SpiceJet flight to Dubai were listed as scheduled. Around a similar number of arrival flights were also shown as cancelled at Kochi. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) said that 20 flights to the Gulf region remained cancelled on Monday. Over the past three days, a total of 65 flight services to and from the Thiruvananthapuram airport have been cancelled. An Oman Air flight from Muscat arrived at 7.20 am and departed around 8.30 am, ai

Mounting rice stocks raise questions over subsidy-fuelled paddy expansion

As Odisha battles procurement protests and Kerala defends bonuses, mounting rice stocks intensify questions over subsidy-fuelled paddy expansion

Kerala CM writes to PM Modi, urges him to ensure safety of Indians in Gulf

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed concern over the situation in the Gulf region following the US-Israel attack on Iran and urged the Centre to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indians there. In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan said the developments after the attack on Iran were causing anxiety among families of expatriates and civil society at large, particularly in Kerala, which has a significant diaspora in the Gulf region. He requested the Centre to ensure preparedness to safeguard Indian nationals in the region and to take necessary steps, including arrangements to bring them back safely if the situation demands so. "I write this letter to share our apprehension on the situation consequent to the attack on Iran, which is now having its adverse impact on all the countries of the Gulf region," the chief minister said. He noted that a large number of Indians, including many from Kerala, are living in Gulf countries, and their

Kerala government doctors to intensify strike; announce march to DME office

A section of government doctors in Kerala have announced to take out a march to the DME office on Monday, alleging attempts from authorities to suppress their ongoing indefinite agitation. The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA), in a statement, said it decided to intensify its strike, alleging continued apathy on the part of the state government in resolving issues related to service conditions and pay anomalies of medical college faculty. A march would be organised to the office of the Director of Medical Education (DME) on Monday, protesting against alleged attempts to suppress the agitation instead of initiating steps for a settlement, KGMCTA state President Dr Rosnara Begum said in the statement issued on Friday. The association alleged that despite being fully aware of the grievances of medical college teachers, the DME was exerting pressure on principals, heads of departments and doctors as part of efforts to curb the strike, rather than taking th

Court grants statutory bail to former TDB official in Sabarimala gold case

A court here on Friday granted statutory bail to a former TDB official in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss case. Kollam Vigilance Court Judge Mohit CS granted bail to former Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornament) Commissioner K S Baiju in the case related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days of his arrest. Baiju is the seventh accused in the Dwarapalaka case. Earlier, on February 12, the same court had granted the former Travancore Devaswom Board official bail in a second case related to the alleged loss of gold from the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), in which he is the fourth accused. With bail granted in both cases, Baiju is expected to be released from jail soon. He is the seventh person to be released on bail in connection with the case, police said. The SIT had alleged that gold artefacts were handed over to the prime accused, Unnikri

Union Cabinet approves move to rename Kerala as Keralam: Vaishnaw

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal of Kerala government to change the name of the state to Keralam, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new PMO complex. The Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the proposal for alterating the name of state of Kerala as 'Keralam', Vaishnaw said. After approval of Union Cabinet, the president of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receipt of the views of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the government of India will obtain the recommendation of the president for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to alter the name of Kerala as 'Keralam' in Parliament, an official release said. The Legislative

Union Cabinet likely to approve change of name of Kerala to Keralam

The Union Cabinet is understood to have approved on Tuesday the Kerala government's proposal to change the name of the state to Keralam, sources privy to the development said. The move came ahead of the Kerala assembly elections expected to be held in April-May. The Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, had unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to officially change the state's name to Keralam. Following the assembly resolution, the Union cabinet, in a meeting held on Tuesday, is believed to have approved the state's name change from Kerala to Keralam, sources said. It was the first cabinet meeting held at the recently inaugurated Seva Teerth, the new PMO building. The Kerala Assembly had passed the resolution for the second time because the Ministry of Home Affairs, which reviewed the first resolution, suggested some technical changes. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had moved the resolution, wanted the union government to change the southern state's name fr

Kerala govt sets up 12th Pay Revision Commission for state employees

The Kerala government on Monday set up the 12th Pay Revision Commission to study the revision of salaries of state government employees. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal said former Chief Secretary V P Joy has been appointed as the chairman of the commission. The other members are advocate M Rajagopalan Nair and retired Additional Secretary Sreelatha Sukumaran. V R Sobha, Additional Secretary in the Finance Department, will serve as the commission's secretary, Balagopal said in a statement here. The decision follows an announcement made in the state budget to appoint a new pay revision commission for government employees. Balagopal said the commission has been asked to submit its report within three months. He added that the government will ensure the process is completed on time. A separate government order outlining the terms of reference of the commission will be issued soon, the minister said.

Kerala signs MoUs with central PSUs for ₹2,000 cr Vizhinjam logistics plan

The Kerala government on Monday signed memoranda of understanding with three central public sector companies to roll out a Rs 2,000 crore logistics master plan at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, in a move aimed at reshaping the state's maritime sector. The agreements were executed on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Legislative Assembly Building, a CMO release said here. This initiative marks a strategic shift to transform the port into a comprehensive economic development hub, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains under public sector oversight even as the port operates on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The partnership involves the state-owned Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) and three central giants-- IOCL, CONCOR, and CWC, the release said. By integrating these entities, the government aims to prevent monopolisation in cargo handling, guarantee fair pricing for traders, and safeguard national maritime ...

How 9 states and UTs have fared after SIR culling: A reading of key figures

Final electoral rolls show sharp voter deletions across states, with Gujarat seeing the biggest cut and Kerala the lowest after the Special Intensive Revision

Kerala final electoral roll out following SIR; voter count at 26.9 million

The ECI on Saturday published the final electoral roll in Kerala after the SIR exercise, with the total number of voters in the state standing over 2.69 crore. The Election Commission of India (ECI) shared a link - http://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in - that enables the public to check their names on the updated list. According to data released by the ECI at a press meet here on Friday, the fresh electoral roll has 2,69,53,644 voters, compared to 2,78,50,855 prior to the commencement of the SIR in October last year. As many as 8,97,211 voters have been removed following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the ECI said. In the revised list, the total number of male voters is 1,31,26,048, female voters 1,38,27,319, and transgender voters - 277, officials said. The number of overseas voters in the updated roll is 2,23,558, while service voters stand at 54,110. ECI officials said that 36.88 lakh voters were issued notices for hearing as part of the SIR proceedings, and 53,229

Weather today: Heavy rain likely over South India; mercury to rise in North

IMD forecasts heavy rain over Kerala and Tamil Nadu on February 21 and 22, thunderstorms in several states and a gradual rise in maximum temperatures across northwest and central India

Kerala's youngest organ donor, 10-month-old Aalin, to receive state honours

Kerala's youngest organ donor, a 10-month-old girl who gave a new lease of life to five children, will be accorded a farewell with state honours, the government said on Saturday, a day after she was declared brain dead and donated her vital organs. Aalin Sherin Abraham, who was critically injured in a road accident near Pallam in Kottayam on February 5, was declared brain dead on Thursday at a private hospital in Kochi. With her parents' consent, six of her organs were donated, making her the youngest organ donor in the state, officials said. In a post on 'X', Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the passing of the child in the road accident had deeply saddened everyone and that she would be bid farewell with official honours at her funeral, scheduled for Sunday. Later in the day, an order was issued directing the district authorities in Pathanamthitta to make arrangements to place wreaths on the infant's mortal remains on behalf of the chief minister and the state government. The

Kerala to launch India's first graphene policy to become global tech hub

State unveils incentives, ₹200 cr innovation hub to attract investors

Kerala 1st state to frame urban policy, expects 80% urbanisation by 2050

Kerala on Friday became the first state in the country to frame a comprehensive Urban Policy, laying out a long-term development roadmap as it moves rapidly towards an urban future. The policy envisions Kerala in 2050 as "a continuous network of climate-smart cities and towns, ensuring scientific planning and good governance." The state cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, approved the draft Urban Policy prepared by the Local Self Government Department, marking the culmination of nearly two years of sustained work, a CMO release said here. The initiative was first announced in the 202324 state budget. In December 2023, the government constituted the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, bringing together national and international experts. The commission submitted the Nava Kerala Urban Policy report to the Chief Minister in March 2025. To hold wider discussions on the report, the government organised a global conference in Kochi in September. Ministers, mayors,

Congress names Tharoor co-chairman of campaign committee for Kerala polls

The Congress on Thursday set up two key panels for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls, with Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor appointed chairman and co-chairman, respectively, of the party's campaign committee. Tharoor's appointment assumes significance as it comes days after he met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi for redressal of his grievances, after which he said "all is good" and "we are all on the same page". Since then, Tharoor has been seen speaking prominently for the Congress, and also initiated the discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Congress president Kharge has approved the proposal for the constitution of the campaign committee and the manifesto committee of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee for the upcoming Assembly elections, a party statement said. While Chennithala has been named the chairman of the campaign committee, Tharoor has been appointed its co-chairman. Congress MP Shafi Parambil will be the