Page 6 - Kerala Government

Gen AI conclave will help Kerala become leading hub of AI: CM Vijayan

The country's first international Gen AI conclave will be held in Kerala next week and it will give an impetus to the state's efforts to become India's leading hub in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday. In a Facebook post, Vijayan said over a thousand delegates will take part in the two-day conclave being organised at Kochi by global technology company IBM in collaboration with the state government on July 11 and 12. In conjunction with the conclave, IBM is also organising the WatsonX Challenge, he said. The WatsonX challenge is the connecting of academic knowledge and real-life use cases using generative AI. The CM said that the team that wins the challenge, in which over 50 startups working in the field of artificial intelligence will take part, will not only get an award, it will also get an opportunity to present their ideas in front of investors from the global level. Vijayan, in his post, also said that besides IBM, vari

Private company booked for polluting Periyar river near Kochi in Kerala

A case has been registered against a private company for allegedly polluting Periyar river near Kochi weeks after protests by environmental activists and locals against the alleged illegal discharge of chemical effluents into the waterbody, which posed a threat to the biodeiversity in it. The state Pollution Control Board also reportedly slapped a notice on the institution, one among the several companies located on the banks of Periyar river here, after the violation was detected during their recent patrolling, sources said. Police and the PCB adopted the tough stand against the firm amidst a raging row over the recent mass death of fish in Periyar river. Kochi had witnessed widespread protests by fish farmers, local people, environmental activists and political parties after dead fish were found floating in large numbers in fish farms across panchayats such as Varapuzha, Kadamakkudy, and Cheranalloor near here last month A police officer said a case was registered against the ...

Air Arabia flight from Kerala to Sharjah receives hoax bomb threat

A hoax bomb threat was made with regard to an Air Arabia flight scheduled to leave for Sharjah from the Calicut International airport on Saturday morning, leading to the aircraft being grounded while the bomb detection squad of the police inspected it, airport sources said. One of the passengers who arrived on the aircraft from Sharjah to Calicut had left a note saying 'bomb' on one of the seats and it was found by the ground staff before boarding commenced, a senior airport official said. Subsequently, the police were alerted, the aircraft was grounded and the bomb detection squad carried out a thorough inspection of the plane, the official said. "It was later found that the note was a hoax bomb threat. The inspection and security drills have just been concluded. We are awaiting a report from the bomb detection squad before the flight is cleared for take off," the official said around 11 am. He also said that the flight, which was scheduled to depart around 8.30 am, will now leave

Over 300 residents in Kerala society seek treatment for food poisoning

Over 300 people, including children, living in an apartment complex in Kakkanad near here sought treatment for food poisoning in the last couple of days, prompting municipal and health authorities to inspect the water sources used by the residents of the flats. Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said that she was informed a day ago by some residents of the apartment complex in Thrikkakara municipality that over the last few days, several hundred people have fallen sick there. "I immediately ordered an inspection of the area by health officials and a medical team from Ernakulam visited the apartment complex and examined all their water sources. They also spoke to residents and took a list of the people who fell sick and sought treatment in private hospitals," she said. The minister said that it appears to be a serious issue as there have been instances of water contamination in the recent past in the city and thousands of families are living in the apartment complex. The

Kerala health min denied permission to visit Kuwait for fire relief efforts

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has claimed she was denied permission by the Union Government to travel to Kuwait. The purpose of the visit was to coordinate relief efforts for Keralites affected by a tragic fire incident in the Gulf nation, she said. "What we just sought from the central government was the permission to travel to Kuwait to stand with our people affected by the tragedy and coordinate activities there. That permission is denied," George told reporters on Thursday night. The fire incident has claimed the lives of 49 people, with 40 of them being Indians. Out of these, 23 are from Kerala. The state government had decided to send George to Kuwait to help with the relief efforts, including treatment for the injured and the repatriation of the deceased. George reportedly waited for hours at the airport, hoping for permission from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Kuwait fire: Kerala govt to provide Rs 5L to kin of those from state

The Kerala government on Thursday said it will provide Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to the families of the people from the state who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy that claimed 49 lives and left 50 others injured. The decision was taken at an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the morning, a statement issued by his office said. According to information received by the government, 19 people from Kerala died in the incident, the statement said. The cabinet also decided to provide Rs one lakh financial assistance to those injured in the incident, it said. A decision was taken to immediately send state Health Minister Veena George to Kuwait to coordinate the efforts to provide treatment to those injured and bring back the bodies of those who died in the tragedy, it further said. The statement also said prominent businessmen M A Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai have informed the CM that they will provide Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, to each o

Kerala rejects Oppn's plea for corruption case in liquor policy row

The Left government in Kerala on Monday rejected the opposition Congress-led UDF's demand to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act into the allegations with regard to the "amendment" of the state's liquor policy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the opposition's demand in the state Assembly which met here for the first time after the Lok Sabha polls. An agitated opposition later raised slogans against the LDF government and showed placards as a mark of protest by standing in front of the podium of Speaker A N Shamseer. Though the UDF, under Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, urged the CPI (M)-led regime to register a corruption case in connection with the issue, Vijayan said a police probe was already underway. He accused the opposition of raising a fabricated argument and trying to create the impression that something (illegal) was happening in the state. "The State Excise Minister himself had lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police as

Kerala's revenue soars to Rs 77K cr easing strain from centre: Minister

The Left government in Kerala has achieved a record revenue increase from Rs 47,000 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 77,000 crore in 2023-24, helping to mitigate financial challenges posed by the BJP-ruled Centre, according to state Finance Minister K N Balagopal. "We've managed a record increase in the state's own revenue even as the Centre financially squeezes us. The state's own tax revenue rose from Rs 47,000 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 77,000 crore in 2023-24," Balagopal said. He pointed out that this represents a 60 per cent increase in the state's own tax revenue over just three years. "Without this increase, Kerala's economy would have collapsed due to the central government's anti-state policies." The minister also noted that the state government is doing everything it can to handle the crisis caused by the Centre's reduction in tax allocations and debt limits. Balagopal, who is also a senior CPI(M) leader, said that Kerala successfully brought national attention to the Centre's alleged

Kerala govt's borrowing lawsuit to be listed before constitution bench: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday assured the Kerala government that its lawsuit against the Centre raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing will be considered for listing before a five-judge Constitution bench. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, that the matter is urgent and be listed after the summer vacation. "We will see and take a call on listing," Justice Khanna told Sibal. A bench of justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan, on April 1, had referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the lawsuit filed by the Kerala government raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing. The apex court, however, had refused to grant any interim injunction to Kerala saying the state has secured "substantial relief" during the pendency of the interim application. The Kerala government has accused the Centre of interfering in the exercise of its "exclusive, autonomous and

Kerala CM's foreign trip: Governor Khan 'thanks' media for information

Days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan embarked on a three-week-long foreign tour, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday expressed his displeasure over not being informed about the trip and "thanked" the media for letting him know about it. When the media sought his reaction about the foreign trip of the CM and his family, Khan sarcastically thanked the media and said at least they had informed him about it. "I am not aware...Thank you very much for informing me...At least you have informed me," the Governor told reporters in nearby Aluva. Khan said he had earlier written to the President of India that the Raj Bhavan was "kept in the dark" about such foreign visits. "Earlier I have written..not this time..honestly I am not aware about it," the Governor added. The CM and his close family members left for various foreign destinations on May 6. While the opposition Congress and BJP had accused the CM of keeping the details of the foreign trip a "secret" and sought to kn

Kerala saved 200 MW power on May 3 due to self control: State govt

In the wake of the Kerala government coming out with certain proposals to control power consumption during peak hours, the southern state saved around 200 megawatts of electricity on May 3. The achievement was highlighted by state Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty who on Saturday said the power saving was thanks to the cooperation of the consumers, especially the big industries, in Kerala. "It is a big change. It happened thanks to the cooperation of the consumers," he said. The minister also said that the government was trying to ensure that restrictions proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) do not affect the domestic power consumers. "Everyone has to cooperate and self-impose restrictions on their consumption. You (media) too should take it up as a campaign (to urge people to reduce power consumption). Otherwise, all of us will have to suffer," he told reporters. At the same time, he said there was no load shedding or power cuts. "If a transformer trips due t

One person dead, 13 injured in tourist bus accident in Kerala: Police

One person was killed and 13 others injured when a tourist bus lost control and turned turtle in this district early on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred when the bus was proceeding to Udupi in neighbouring Karnataka from Thiruvananthapuram. "The driver might have dozed off at the wheel. It was a slope and the bus went down after losing control," a police officer said. The deceased man got trapped beneath the vehicle and his life could not be saved though he was rushed to a nearby hospital, they added.

Kerala Oppn leader complains to EC against Delhi LG for MCC violation

On the eve of polling day in Kerala, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan on Thursday urged the Election Commission to take action against Delhi's Lt Governor for allegedly visiting heads of churches in the southern state to "lure" them to take a stand in favour of BJP in the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. Satheesan, in a letter to the Commission, alleged "blatant violation of the model code of conduct" by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena through his meeting of church heads in Kerala. "I am writing to invite your attention to the blatant violation of the model code of conduct by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena by visiting various church heads in Kerala to lure them to take a stance in favour of BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," the opposition leader said in his complaint. Satheesan claimed that Saxena, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, requested an audience with the heads of the Syro Malabar Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, ...

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Rahul Gandhi seeks another term from Wayanad

Kerala is one of the few states where the Congress still has a strong presence

UDF MPs unable to stand for state's interest in Parl: Kerala CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday attacked the Congress leadership including Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi, and alleged that for the past five years, the 18 UDF MPs from the state stood against the interest of Kerala in the Parliament and refused to speak up for the rights of the people of the southern state. Addressing an election rally at Vatakara, where the Left party has fielded former health minister and MLA, K K Shailaja, the chief minister hit out at the Congress leadership over various matters including its stand on the CAA and the electoral bonds scam. Reacting sharply to the Congress allegation that there was some understanding between the Left party and the BJP, Vijayan raked up the DLF-Robert Vadra connection and targeted AICC leader Priyanka Gandhi who was campaigning in the state. "In 2019, 18 UDF members were elected. We would like to ask whether any one of these members stood for the interest of Kerala? They stood with the RSS agenda. They didn't even car

Congress in Kerala demands probe by central agency into Kannur blast

The Congress in Kerala on Friday demanded a probe by a central agency into the recent blast in Kannur district that claimed one life and injured three others, alleging that the state police cannot be trusted to safeguard the evidence in the case. Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil, while talking to reporters in this district, said that a probe by a central agency was necessary to ensure that the police do not destroy the evidence in the case. "Bomb making is a serious issue," he added. Similar views were aired by P K Firos, the general secretary of the Muslim Youth League's Kerala State Committee. Firos claimed that the police were hiding details about the case as well as the health condition of those injured in the blast. Therefore, there is an apprehension that the police might not carry out a proper probe, he alleged. A country-made bomb, while being made, had exploded on April 5 at Panur in Kannur and had stirred the political waters in the state which is headi

Kerala Govt initiates legal action over fake narrative against state

The Kerala government on Thursday initiated legal action against an allegedly fake communal narrative on social media against the state. The General Education Department in Kerala on Thursday said that it has filed a complaint against a social media handle on X identified as 'Mr. Sinha'. The department contended that a page of a book was posted on that handle falsely claiming that its communal contents were taught in Kerala schools and that was "how commies (communists) brainwash the little kids". General Education Minister V Sivankutty said a complaint has been filed with the state police chief regarding the "dissemination of false propaganda" aimed at the Kerala Government. "This book is not published by the Kerala Govt's Education Department. Merely another endeavor to incite animosity towards the state. Those acquainted with us understand the camaraderie & unity among the people of the state. No room for hatred - precisely why communal agenda fails to take root here," ...

Media freedom has disappeared under BJP regime, says Kerala CM Vijayan

Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting those outlets that do not sing praises for the regime, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged on Monday. He was reacting to news reports that the BBC's Indian newsroom has ceased operations. The UK-based BBC had recently restructured its operations in India to comply with the country's foreign investment rules. Addressing the media here , Vijayan said reports claimed that BBC was compelled to make this decision due to persistent vindictive actions by the Income Tax Department. "Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting media outlets that do not sing praises for the regime. The BBC's ordeal serves as a stark reminder that this election is an opportunity to address and resolve such issues," Vijayan said. He further said authoritarian regimes always try to control the media and the reminiscent symptoms of India's Emergency era a

Won't allow BJP's communal politics to take root in Kerala: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the Left will not allow the communal politics of the BJP to take root in the state and ensure that the saffron party does not win a single seat in the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing the media here, Vijayan said the Left will overcome the challenges posed by the Sangh Parivar to the nation and its people and will work towards ousting them from power. "We are contesting this election with an aim to bring down the BJP from power and that's why we have actively joined the anti-BJP front at the national level. We would like to make one thing clear. The BJP will not only face defeat in all 20 seats, they will even fail to secure the second position in any constituency this time," Vijayan said. He noted that this election will decide the future of the country and there is no point in voting for the Congress party. "People have understood that there is no point in voting for the Congress party from their experience in the last five years

Kerala CM slams Cong over absence of their and IUML flags in Rahul's rally

A day after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi kicked off his poll campaign for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by holding a roadshow, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday alleged the grand old party did not show its and ally IUML's flags during the event as it was scared of BJP. The CM also hit out at the Congress MP alleging that Gandhi "lacked the courage" to publicly display his own party's flag. Vijayan contended the stand taken by the Congress indicates it wants the votes of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) but it is not acknowledging the flag important to the IUML. "The Congress has fallen to a level where it is afraid of communal forces," he claimed during a press conference here. Vijayan further alleged the grand old party was forgetting itself in front of the Sangh Parivar and was scared to show its own flag and "which is not expected from a party going to the Lok Sabha as the representatives of the people". "They (Congress) need clarity of thought and a firm stand as th