Page 12 - Kerala

'Dangerous cargo' in sea off Kerala coast, govt warns people not to touch

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Saturday said that dangerous cargo, including oil, has fallen into the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast and cautioned the general public against touching the containers if they wash ashore. KSDMA member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose, in a voice note shared with reporters, said that the information about the dangerous cargo falling into the sea was received from the coast guard. "There is a chance the cargo, including containers and oil, will wash ashore. The public, if they see such cargo, should not go near it or touch it and should inform the police immediately," he said. He also said that there was a possibility of oil films appearing along the coast in some areas. Kuriakose also said that the coast guard has confirmed that the vessel was carrying Marine gasoil (MGO) and Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Monsoon arrives in Kerala, Indian mainland sees earliest onset since 2009

Southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala, marking the earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009; IMD forecasts above-normal rainfall and widespread showers ahead

Centre denying Kerala its rightful share in tax devolution: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday slammed the Centre, accusing it of denying the State its rightful entitlement in the tax devolution.

NTPC Green Energy wins 80MW battery storage project in Kerala auction

State-owned NTPC Green Energy on Thursday said it has bagged a battery energy storage project in Kerala in an auction conducted by NHPC. The 80MW/320MWh battery energy storage project will provide power back-up or supply of 80MW for four hours. NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) emerged as the winning bidder in the e-reverse auction conducted by NHPC on May 21, 2025, a regulatory filing said. The auction was part of NHPC's tender for the selection of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) developers for setting up of 125MW / 500MWh ISTS-connected standalone BESS in Kerala. NGEL has secured two key projects under the initiative. Letter of award from NHPC is awaited, it stated.

From Kerala to Uttar Pradesh, states step up vigil as Covid returns

Masks, tests and advisories return as states like Kerala, UP and Odisha increase vigilance amid rising Covid-19 cases driven by new Omicron sub-variants

NTPC Green Energy wins major battery energy storage project in Kerala

NTPC Green Energy secured the deal for total battery storage capacity of 80MW/320MWh through a competitive bidding process

Kerala reports 182 Covid cases in May; govt asks people to wear masks

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has advised vulnerable groups and symptomatic individuals to wear masks as Kerala tracks a surge in cases linked to JN.1 and new Omicron sub-variants

India logs 164 new Covid-19 cases in one week, active cases cross 250

India records 164 new Covid-19 cases between May 12 and 19, with Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra reporting most cases; officials say symptoms remain mild

Family demands proper probe into woman tourist's death in Wayanad resort

The family of a woman tourist who allegedly died in a hut collapse at a resort in this hill district, on Saturday expressed doubts over the cause of her death and demanded a proper probe into the incident. Speaking to reporters, the mother of the victim, Nimisha, said that her daughter and several of her friends were sleeping under the hut -- constructed using wooden poles and thatched with grass -- but nothing happened to others. Her brother said the reason for their suspicion is that there were no visible injuries or blood on Nimisha's body. "The postmortem report says that there were a lot of internal injuries, including broken bones. Moreover, the incident occurred around 2 am when everyone was sleeping in that big hut," he said. "Her friends said that four tents were set up inside the hut, and two people were sleeping in each of them. So, how come only our child suffered this fate? If something that big collapses, there would be injuries on the body. But, there was nothing lik

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,

Consumer court awards ₹1 L for farmer as banana plants fail to bear fruit

In a quiet corner of Kerala, a farmer's hopes for a bountiful banana harvest witherednot from drought or disease, but from a promise unfulfilled. Now, a local consumer court has stepped in, ordering a nursery to pay Rs 1 lakh in compensation after the banana plants it supplied failed to bear fruit as expected. The complaint was filed by a farmer from Karimpanthottiyil, Wandoor, in this district, who had taken land on lease for farming. He bought 150 banana saplings, including the 'Nendran' variety, from Chungathara Krishi Nursery, paying Rs 3,425. He was told the plants would bear fruit within 10 months, in time to sell during the Onam season. However, the plants did not bear fruit on time. Worse, instead of the 'Nendran' variety, he received a different type called 'Swarnamukhi'. Other saplings he received were also not the ones he ordered. The farmer filed a complaint with the Consumer Commission, asking for Rs 1.64 lakh in compensation. The local agriculture officer and an a

Kerala confirms another Nipah case in Malappuram's Valanchery district

A 42-year-old woman from Valanchery, Malappuram has tested positive for Nipah virus, marking Kerala's seventh reported case since the first outbreak in 2018

Nipah virus case confirmed in Kerala's Malappuram district: Officials

A case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in the Malappuram district of Kerala, health officials said on Wednesday. State Health Minister Veena George stated that a woman from Valanchery in the district has been diagnosed with Nipah virus infection. She is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Perinthalmanna, health officials said. They said the woman had been experiencing fever for the past week and developed symptoms such as cough and breathing difficulties. Suspecting a possible Nipah infection, her samples were sent to the virology laboratory in Pune. The lab later confirmed it to be a case of Nipah infection, officials said.

Kerala launches 'Jyothi' to ensure education for migrant workers' children

The Kerala government has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring access to education for the children of migrant workers. Titled "Jyothi", the programme seeks to bring all children of migrant workers aged 3 to 6 into the anganwadis while ensuring those aged 6 and above are fully integrated into public schools, a CMO statement said here on Wednesday. Migrant workers form an essential part of Kerala's workforce, with over 35 lakh workers contributing across various sectors, it said. Many live in the state with their families, making it imperative to extend Kerala's legacy of universal and free public education to their children as well. The initiative also focuses on fostering cultural and educational inclusion, it said. This project marks a crucial step in advancing the welfare and empowerment of migrant workers and reaffirms the Kerala Government's commitment to inclusive development, the CMO statement added.

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

Tharoor, Vijayan presence to give 'sleepless nights' to many: PM Modi

PM Modi said, 'I would also like to say to the Kerala chief minister, you are a very strong pillar of the INDI alliance'

NHRC notice to Kerala DG prisons over lack of help for inmates' education

The NHRC on Friday said it has issued a notice to Kerala's director general of prisons over reports alleging "non-availability" of infrastructure and manpower to help inmates in pursuing education online. "Another challenge is that some dangerous criminals are also now trying to apply for regular course as a devious tactic to get the interim release to facilitate travel outside the prison," the rights panel said in a statement quoting the reports. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken "suo motu cognisance of a media report highlighting the issue of non-availability of infrastructure and manpower to provide for the prisoners to pursue education in Kerala jails," it said. "Reportedly, the growing number of inmates, including those convicted of grave crimes, are choosing to turn their lives around by enrolling in regular or online educational courses, but the authorities are struggling to support their efforts," the statement said The Commission has observed that the .

PM Modi commissions Vizhinjam seaport, calls it key to economic growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, here, which was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore, and said the facility will bring economic stability to Kerala and India. Speaking after commissioning the port, Modi referred to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a "pillar" of the opposition INDIA bloc and told him and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, both of whom were on the dais, that the inauguration event will give "sleepless nights" to many. However, the person translating his speech did not translate it properly and it prompted the PM to say -- "the message has gone across to whom it was meant". Giving details of the development in the country, Modi said that India was among the top three nations globally on the number of seafarers and in the last 10 years, the capacity of our ports has doubled, their efficiency improved and the turnaround time there decreased by 30 per cent. Modi further said that the seaport has b

Malayalam actor Vishnu Prasad dies at 49 due to liver ailment, details here

Vishnu Prasad, a well-known Malayalam TV actor, died this morning at a private hospital in Kochi at the age of 49. He had been undergoing treatment for liver-related ailments for quite some time

Maharashtra leads in growth and governance; Gujarat and Karnataka follows

Gujarat topped the economic chart of the country, driven by strong performance in per capita Gross State Domestic Product, Foreign Direct Investment (% of GSDP) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation