Page 17 - Kerala

All views will be considered before final UGC guidelines come: Kerala Guv

Downplaying the Kerala government's criticism and opposition to the draft UGC guidelines, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday said everyone's views will be considered before a final version is released. Arlekar also said that India being a democracy, "everybody has the right to say anything over anything in this country and there was nothing wrong with it". The Kerala assembly had on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the draft UGC guidelines and issue a revised version. Arlekar said that all the views about the UGC draft guidelines should go to the proper person or proper platform" and they will discuss it. "It is still a draft, not the final version. So, considering everybody's different views, they will come out with the final document," the Governor told reporters here after he called on former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at his residence. Arlekar inquired Achuthanandan's family members about his health. He said

Wayanad rehabilitation: No assistance from the Centre yet, says Kerala CM

The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that while no assistance has come from the Centre till date for rehabilitation of survivors of Wayanad landslide, Rs 712.98 received in the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund will be used for helping the survivors. Vijayan said that the state had initially demanded a sum of Rs 2,221 crore for the landslide rehabilitation from the Centre, but as per the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report, more is expected. "As the Union Government declared Wayanad landslide as a 'disaster of severe nature' MPs from across the country can contribute up to a sum of Rs 1 crore and I have already written to all MPs in the country seeking help," he added. The CM was replying to a query raised by UDF MLA Kurukkoli Moideen during the question hour in the Legislative Assembly, on the amount received for the Wayanad package. Vijayan assured that the funds received in the CMDRF will be utilised for the benefit of the disaster survivors a

Additional expense of Rs 10.2 cr by Kerala to buy PPE kit during Covid: CAG

Despite having prescribed unit rates for PPE kits at Rs 545 to control prices, the government procured kits at much higher rates, up to 300 per cent above the unit rate, in March and April 2020

Kerala Assembly passes resolution seeking withdrawal of UGC guidelines 2025

The Kerala assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the draft UGC guidelines and issue a revised version. The resolution was moved in the House by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who said that the assembly was of the clear opinion that the draft UGC norms do not reflect the spirit of the Constitution. The CM said that universities in the various states function according to the laws passed by the respective state legislatures as they have the power to establish and supervise the universities. The central government only has the power to coordinate and fix standards for higher education and research institutions, he said. By ignoring these facts and without holding discussions with all the stakeholders, the Centre issued the draft guidelines which completely exclude the opinions of the state governments, including on the appointment of Vice Chancellors, and therefore, they are "incompatible with the federal system and democracy",

Maharashtra to UP, states draw battle lines to woo investors in Davos

Not only that, CMs like Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrababu Naidu, and Revanth Reddy are also expected to hard-sell their states at the grand venue

Kerala's liquidity stress due to decline in union fiscal transfers: Guv

The budget session of the Kerala assembly commenced on Friday with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reading out the Left government's policy which claimed that the state was facing a liquidity stress due to declining share of union fiscal transfers. In his policy address marking the commencement of the 13th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, Arlekar said the state "has been facing stress on government finances" despite taking "earnest measures" for revenue mobilisation and rationalising expenses. The reason for this was the "tapering of revenue deficit grants and cessation of GST compensation", he said while reading out the policy address prepared by the state government. Arlekar said that the state government has highlighted problems faced by it and the ameliorative measures to the 16th Finance Commission in a detailed memo. Besides this, the Governor said the state government was also committed to rehabilitation of all those affected by the devastating landslide

Students going abroad for studies a reflection of globalisation: Kerala FM

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Tuesday said students going abroad for higher studies is not a cause of concern for the state, but a reflection of globalisation and the accessibility of foreign education. However, the ambition of the state is to ensure that the youth of Kerala need not look beyond our borders to access world-class education, he said. The minister was speaking during an international higher education conclave organised by the state Department of Higher Education here. Education has always been a cornerstone of the southern state's identity, he said. During his address, Balagopal said in recent years, the state has witnessed a significant rise in the number of students pursuing education abroad. In 2022, 13.2 lakh Indian students ventured overseas for their studies, with approximately four per cent from Kerala, he said, quoting figures. "This trend is not a cause for concern, but a reflection of globalisation and the accessibility of foreign education. How

News Highlights: SKM advances meeting with Punjab's protesting farmers to Jan 13

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14 arrested, 5 cases registered in connection with Kerala sexual abuse case

Seven more people were arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping a Dalit girl, who is an athlete, at various locations when she was a minor, taking the total number of those apprehended so far to 13, police said here as the case sparked outrage. The girl, who is now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13. The police said that they received evidence indicating that the girl was exploited by her sports trainers, fellow athletes and classmates. Calling for immediate arrest of all the accused, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a detailed action-taken report from authorities within three days and emphasised on a fair and time-bound investigation to deliver justice. The Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) has registered a case on its own and its chairperson P Sathi Devi has directed the Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police to immediately submit a report in this regard, the Commission said in a ...

9 held in connection with minor's rape in Kerala, NCW demands action

Nine more people were taken into custody for allegedly raping a Dalit girl, who is an athlete, at various locations when she was a minor, police said on Saturday. According to police, 15 people, including a minor have been held in connection with the case so far. The Kerala police have tightened the investigation by invoking more stringent charges under the relevant section of IPC and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) against the accused. Six people were arrested on Friday after registration of five FIRs, with more expected to follow, in two police stations in the Pathanamthitta district. The arrests were made based on the statement of an 18-year-old girl, who alleged she had been subjected to rape multiple times since the age of 16. The police said that they received evidence indicating that the girl was exploited by individuals including her sports trainers, fellow athle

'Rs 6,000 cr worth of projects implemented in Kerala's higher education'

Development projects worth Rs 6,000 crore have been implemented in the higher education sector over the past four years, Kerala Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R Bindu said on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference, the minister said the state's higher education sector is being elevated to international standards. "A total of Rs 2,000 crore was allocated for infrastructure expansion. Significant advancements have been made in this sector through initiatives funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Plan Fund, and the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)," she said. She also stated that the laboratory complexes established at Kerala University and MG University have become the largest facilities of their kind in South India. "Over the past few years, Rs 250 crore has been spent to upgrade the laboratory facilities at CUSAT to high standards," she added. The two-day conclave on higher education, organised by the Department of Higher

Efforts on to replicate Kochi water metro in 18 locations nationwide: KMRL

With the success of the Kochi Water Metro, efforts are on to replicate the eco-friendly and innovative water transport model in 18 locations nationwide, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd said. KMRL, which operates and maintains the water metro, said that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has assigned it the task of conducting a feasibility study to assess the potential for similar water metro systems in diverse regions. "With the recent approval of its Board of Directors to form a consultancy wing, KMRL has formed an in-house committee to lead the initial work. If needed, external experts will be brought in to strengthen the process," it said in a release on Saturday. This new initiative is a proud recognition for Kerala, KMRL innovation and expertise, it added. KMRL also said that with its modern facilities, comparable to metro rail systems, and environmentally sustainable design, the Kochi Water Metro "has set a new benchmark for urban water transport". Feasibility study will f

Kerala BJP leader booked for 'hate speech' against minority community

Kerala BJP leader P C George has been booked for allegedly making remarks that could incite religious hatred, police said on Saturday. George was accused of hate speech against a minority community during a TV discussion held early this week, sources said. The Erattupetta Police here registered a case against the senior leader on Friday based on a complaint filed by the Muslim Youth League Municipal Committee. He was booked under various sections of the BNS, police said adding that further proceedings would be initiated soon. "The case was registered after the statements of the complainants were recorded," a police officer said. Meanwhile, BJP strongly condemned the police case against George and alleged that it was a "political vendetta by the LDF government." Senior BJP leader and the party's Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar accused the CPI(M)-led Left government of not saying a word against Hamas and admitting PDF followers into their fold. Justifying George, Javadekar said

Tension in Angamaly-Ernakulam archdiocese in Kerala after police action

A tense atmosphere prevailed outside the Bishop House of the Angamaly-Ernakulam archdiocese here, after the police on Saturday evacuated from there several priests who were on an indefinite fast demanding withdrawal of certain documents issued by an Apostolic Administrator. Believers and priests strongly criticise the police action. They claimed before TV channels that the protesting priests were forcibly evacuated by the police from the Bishop House in the wee hours of Saturday. Visuals on TV channels also show that some of the protesting priests were injured in the police action. Several believers and priests, thereafter, began arriving in numbers at the St Mary's Basilica where the protesting priests were relocated and police were also seen in large numbers. The believers also got into a heated argument with police outside the Angamaly-Ernakulam archdiocese headquarters. They also accused Ernakulam ACP C Jayakumar of saying that the government was against the Angamaly-Ernakula

Kerala state agency app to help parents monitor their children's academics

A state-run agency in Kerala has developed an innovative mobile application that empowers parents to actively monitor the academic journey of the their children, an official said. The 'Sampoorna Plus' Mobile App, developed by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), is expected to help parents of 36.44 Lakh students in 12,943 schools in the state. KITE is the technology arm of the Kerala General Education Department. A recent government order that mandates the use of Sampoorna online management software in all schools, directs to take measures for the enhancement of the software as well, an official statement said here on Saturday. This app has details like student attendance, their academic performance, and evaluation of extracurricular activities which will benefit the teachers, students and parents. The Sampoorna Plus Mobile App, recently launched by state General Education Minister V Sivankutty also has these features, said K Anvar Sadath, CEO of the KITE. T

Centre clears Rs 120 crore for immediate Wayanad rehabilitation: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court on Friday said the Centre has agreed to the freeing up of Rs 120 crore for immediate use by the Kerala state government in connection with the rehabilitation proceedings ongoing at Wayanad, where a massive landslide occurred on July 30 last year. While hearing a case taken on its own for prevention and management of natural disasters in the state in the wake of the landslides that devastated three villages in Wayanad district and claimed over 200 lives, a Division Bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Easwaran S recorded the Central government's consent to free up Rs 120 crore of arrears owed by the state to the Centre in airlift charges over the years. "The said amount can accordingly be used in relaxation of the SDRF/NDRF norms of the Central Government," an order of High Court stated. Additional Solicitor General of India A R L Sundaresan placed before the High Court a letter, dated January 2, of the Assistant Director (DM), Ministry of Home Affairs

Eminent playback singer P Jayachandran passes away at 80 in Kerala

P Jayachandran, the celebrated playback singer who recorded over 16,000 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, died at the age of 80. The singer died on Thursday evening while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here, hospital sources said. Jayachandran was widely recognised for his contribution to Indian music, having won several awards for best playback singer. He was also honoured with the Kerala government's prestigious J C Daniel Award.

Kerala GST taxpayers get relief from multiple show-cause notices

Taxpayers who have been issued multiple notices for the same GST issue, albeit for different periods or jurisdictions, stand to benefit the most from this move

Kerala, Telangana monitoring reports of China flu outbreak with Centre

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday said the state government is closely monitoring the news reports about the massive outbreak of viral fever and respiratory infection in China and said there is no need to panic as of now. In a Facebook post, George said there have been no reports so far about any virus found in China that could become pandemic or spread rapidly to other regions. As Malayalees are there in all parts of the world and expatriates frequently come to the state, including from China, extra caution should be exercised, she said. "We are monitoring the situation in China. If an outbreak is detected that has the potential to spread to other areas, we can check its spread very quickly," she said. The minister also urged people, especially pregnant women, children and elderly people, to take extra vigil and asked them to wear masks. An official source said on Friday that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring respiratory and season

Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya’s Case: What Happened?

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kollengode, Kerala has recently made it to the news for her death sentencing in Yemen. What is the case all about and what is the Indian government doing about it.