Page 2 - Kerala Govt

Two more deaths in Kerala from amoebic meningoencephalitis, toll rises to 3

Two people, including a three-month-old infant, have died from amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection, while undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, health officials said on Monday. With these deaths, the toll from the amoebic brain fever in the state has risen to three within August, officials said. The deceased infant was the son of Abubacker Siddique from Omassery in this district and had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past month. His condition worsened on Sunday, leading to his death in the ICU, an official said. The other victim, Ramla (52) of Kappil in Malappuram district, developed symptoms on July 8. She was initially treated at a private hospital and later shifted to Kozhikode Medical College as her condition deteriorated. According to health officials, eight other patients from Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Earlier, on August 14, a ...

SC questions Kerala, TN on their objection to President seeking views

The Supreme Court has questioned Kerala and Tamil Nadu on their objection to President Murmu seeking views from the apex court under Article 143 regarding assent to state bills

Presidential reference hides binding rulings on Governors: Kerala tells SC

State of Kerala has urged the Supreme Court to reject Presidential reference on Governors' assent timelines, saying it suppresses key rulings and misuses Article 143 to reopen already settled issues

SC allows Kerala govt to withdraw pleas against guv over assent to bills

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Kerala government to withdraw its pleas against Governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar passed the order after senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Kerala government, sought withdrawal of the plea and said the issue had turned infructuous in view of the recent judgment passed in the Tamil Nadu Governor case. Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the submission and urged the court to await the top court's decision on the reference of President under Article 143 of the Constitution over the grant of assent to bills. On April 22, the top court said it would examine whether the recent judgement on a plea of Tamil Nadu, fixing timelines for the grant of assent to bills, covered the issues raised by the Kerala government in its pleas. Acting on a plea of Tamil Nadu government, an apex court bench on April 8 set asi

Kerala steps up surveillance after second Nipah death; 543 on contact list

Hospitals in six Kerala districts on alert as state steps up vigil; high-risk contacts under close watch to curb further spread of Nipah virus

Amit Shah accuses LDF, UDF of appeasement and shielding PFI in Kerala

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday slammed both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF alleging the regimes steered by them only created corruption, followed appeasement politics and made Kerala a safe haven for "anti-national forces", like the Popular Front of India (PFI). Addressing party workers here, Shah said only the BJP-led NDA can bring development to the state and not the LDF or the UDF. 'Viksit Bharat' is not possible without the development of strong southern states and the route to 'Viksit Bharat' is only through 'Viksit Keralam,' he said. "Therefore, from now, the basic aim of the BJP will be a 'Viksit Keralam'," he underlined. The top BJP leader said it was more important for the BJP to ensure that its state office here becomes the "centre of Viksit Keralam" than having a Chief Minister. He also unveiled the logo of the party's Viksit Keralam mission. During his speech, he hit out at the CPI(M)-headed LDF and the Congress-led UDF alleging

Kerala govt sues MSC over oil spill, seeks $1.1 billion in compensation

Earlier in May, a Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA3 ship travelling from Vizhinjam to Kochi capsized. The incident resulted in the leakage of fuel and the release of cargo

CPI slams reports linking Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra to Kerala govt event

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday strongly condemned reports that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has been arrested on espionage charges, was invited by the Kerala government for promoting tourism in the state. "The Communist Party of India strongly condemns the BJP's attempt to drag the Kerala government into the Jyoti Malhotra espionage case to cover up its own grave failures on national security," CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said in a statement. Kumar said it was outrageous to suggest that a state government was responsible for a YouTuber's travel to Pakistan when passport issuance, visa clearance, and intelligence monitoring are all under the control of the Union government. "Did the Kerala government approve her visits to Pakistan? Did it place her in contact with ISI handlers in Delhi? This is a desperate and politically motivated deflection," he said. He added that the BJP has a long list of embarrassments involving its members linked to "espionage and terrorism." "Dhruv

Centre gave no funds for Kerala's coastal protection: Minister Saji Cherian

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian on Saturday claimed that the central government has not given a single rupee for protecting the 600-km long coastal area of the state from getting flooded by sea water during the rainy season. According to Cherian, the Centre was requested to provide funds for coastal region protection, "but not a single rupee was given". Despite the lack of aid from the Centre, the Left government has implemented the most number of welfare projects for the people of the coastal region. He was speaking with reference to the recent protests in Chellanam here over coastal erosion and flooding of homes in the area by sea water. He also said the state government was carrying out work for protection of the coastline at various places, including Chellanam here and Chethy in Alappuzha district, but availability of raw materials, like rocks, is a problem. "So, we shifted to tetrapods from rocks. Now we are exploring the possibility of using geotubes and if it can be

India seeks tighter container safety, cargo disclosure norms in IMO meet

The development comes at the heels of IMO's ongoing session of the Maritime Safety Committee, where India brought up the recent sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3

Kerala to move court to recover ₹1,500 cr withheld by Centre over PH SHRI

The Kerala government on Tuesday said it would explore both legal and protest avenues to secure over Rs 1,500 crore in funds allegedly withheld by the Centre under various centrally sponsored schemes because Kerala has not signed the PM SHRI scheme memorandum. State General Education Minister V Sivankutty said that Kerala will join forces with Tamil Nadu to press for their rightful share. He accused the central government of discriminatory practices. "I have already spoken to the Tamil Nadu Education Minister twice and will be meeting him next week," Sivankutty told PTI Video, underlining a coordinated effort between the two southern states. The funds in question have allegedly been held back due to Kerala's refusal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) associated with the PM Sree scheme a central government initiative aimed at upgrading select schools across India. Minister Sivankutty further cited a Supreme Court judgement in a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government,

Centre in SC opposes Kerala's stand to withdraw plea against governor

The Centre in the Supreme Court on Tuesday opposed Kerala government's stand to withdraw its petition against Governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. The submission of senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Kerala government, before a bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi was opposed by solicitor general Tushar Mehta. These are constitutional issues. It cannot be filed lightly and withdrawn lightywe are working on the issues involved, Mehta said. Calling it strange, Venugopal asked how could his plea be opposed. When a person of your stature withdraws then even withdrawal has to be taken seriously, Mehta added. Venugopal said the petition, which was filed against the delay on the part of Governor in granting assent to bills, had become infructuous as the bills were sent to President later. He said the aspect was challenged in a subsequent plea of the state government. The bench acknowledged that the state had the r

From protest to prosperity: Vizhinjam port offers new hope for local youth

Just a few years ago, the name Vizhinjam was at the heart of fierce protests. Now, it is being spoken of as a symbol of opportunity and progress, especially among the youth in this coastal village. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, a project once met with strong resistance from the local fishermen community. Today, it stands as a source of pride and employment for many of those same residents. "Who wouldn't want a good job in their hometown?" asked Rahul, a young man from the fishermen community, stepping out of the port wearing his safety helmet and uniform. He is among the 35 per cent of port workers who are from Vizhinjam. Many more are hoping to follow his lead. The port has slowly changed public opinion in the area. Years of protests, supported by the local Church, brought life in Vizhinjam to a standstill for over four months. It was only after a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the ..

SC to hear Kerala's pleas against Governor over delay in approving bills

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on May 6 the pleas of the Kerala government against the governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the state government, that the verdict of another bench on the plea of Tamil Nadu covered the issues raised in the present petition. Venugopal said the judgement delivered by a bench headed by Justice J B Pardiwala framed guidelines and set timelines for governors and the President on granting assent to bills. What is the timeline for making a reference to the President by the governor and this issue is dealt with by that judgement, the senior lawyer said. We will look into that judgement and see whether issues raised here are covered, the bench said and fixed the pleas for further hearing on May 6. Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appeari

KEAM 2025: Admit card to be issued today at official website, details here

The office of the Commissioner for Entrance Exams (CEE), Kerala will issue the Kerala Engineering Agriculture and Medical (KEAM) admit card 2025 today, April 10 at cee.kerala.gov.in

Kerala Ezhava leader sparks row by calling Malappuram a 'separate nation'

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has made controversial remarks against Muslim-dominated Malappuram district in the state, describing it as a "separate nation" or an exclusive "state of certain people". SNDP is an organisation that represents the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala. While addressing a convention of community members at Chungathara here on Friday, Natesan said that people belonging to the backward community are living under constant fear in Malappuram. He charged that the community members could not even breathe freely here and were treated just as "voting machines". "I think, you (community members) cannot live here speaking your independent opinion. Malappuram is a separate nation...or a separate state of certain people." He further said that was the reason for the continuing backwardness of Ezhava people in Malappuram. He sought to know whether the community members in Malappuram have received any benef

Kerala raises age for class 1 admissions to 6 yrs: State Education Minister

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced on Thursday that the minimum age for admission to Class 1 in the state has been raised to six years. The minister made the announcement during a press conference held here. Sivankutty said that, until now, children could be admitted to Class 1 at the age of five, but scientific studies suggest that they are better prepared for formal education after turning six. "That is why all countries with well-developed education systems set the age of entry for formal education at six years or above," Sivankutty said. In Kerala, parents have traditionally enrolled children in Class 1 at the age of five, he noted. However, more than 50 per cent of students now begin school at age six, and this trend should be encouraged, he added. Sivankutty said the revised age requirement for Class 1 admissions would come into effect from the 202627 academic year. Apart from the age revision, the Minister also discussed the government's efforts to c

Kerala govt to urge Centre to regulate airfares for Haj pilgrims, expats

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that the state government would continue to pressurise the union government to regulate the exorbitant ticket charges imposed by airline companies on Haj pilgrims and expatriates. Airline companies are charging huge amounts as ticket fare from Haj pilgrims and expatriate Keralites who come to the home state during festival seasons and on vacation, the CM said while replying to a submission in the state Assembly. A letter has already been sent to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation seeking the intervention of the Centre in this regard, he said. The issue was also discussed during the recent meeting of Members of Parliament ahead of the monsoon session of the Parliament, he said. The Centre, however, adopted a stand that airlines are responsible for setting and revising airfares and, that the government does not interfere in their commercial and marketing activities, Vijayan further said. By removing the restrictions on fixing

ASHA workers begin indefinite hunger strike outside Kerala Secretariat

A section of ASHA workers, protesting outside the Secretariat here for 39 days, on Thursday intensified their agitation with three of their members starting an indefinite hunger strike as part of their demands for post retirement benefits and increased honorarium. The indefinite hunger strike was kicked off amidst slogans against the ruling Left government with the protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers accusing it of "corruption" and being "cruel" towards them. Prior to the start of the hunger strike, Congress leader and former state Health Minister V M Sudheeran met the protesting ASHA workers and extended his support to them. Thereafter, speaking to reporters here, he accused the ruling CPI(M) of adopting a "neo-fascist" stand against the protestors. "They appear to be attracted by neo-fascism," he said. When reporters told him that state Health Minister Veena George went to Delhi earlier in the day to raise the issue of the ASHA workers, he termed it as ...

ASHA workers intensify agitation in Kerala laying siege to Secretariat

Hundreds of ASHA workers, who have been staging a protest for over a month pressing various demands, on Monday intensified their agitation by laying a siege to the state's Secretariat here. A section of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers has been protesting here for the last 36 days seeking post-retirement benefits and a hike in their honorarium. As they are yet to get any assurance from the authorities on their demands, the agitators today laid a siege to the Secretariat by blocking its various gates, in the heart of the city. After gathering at the protest venue, they moved towards the state's administrative hub, squatted on the road and raised slogans. Police placed barricades on the premises to block the protesters. Security was intensified in and around the Secretariat and over 800 police personnel were deployed to prevent the protesters from entering Secretariat. Police said the agitation didn't create any hurdle to the normal functioning of the Secretariat.