Page 20 - Kerala

ED conducts raids on 12 locations linked to SDPI across multiple states

The current raids underscore the ED's ongoing scrutiny of organizations suspected of involvement in activities contravening national laws

Centre, Kerala govt clash over pending ASHA workers' incentive funds

Talking to reporters in Kollam, Balagopal said that the Centre had yet to release Rs 100 crore in pending payments

Kerala govt to be blamed for ASHA workers' situation, not Centre: BJP

The Kerala unit of the BJP on Tuesday backed the ongoing protest by a section of ASHA workers by holding a march by the party's women's wing Mahila Morcha to the Secretariat here and claimed that the Centre was not responsible for the situation. Expressing solidarity with the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, who have been agitating outside the Secretariat for the last 23 days demanding a hike in their honorarium and post-retirement benefits, BJP state president K Surendran said the Centre is being unnecessarily blamed by the Kerala government. "It is the state government's failure and not the Centre's," he contended. Surendran said the union government has not held back any funds meant for Kerala and ASHA workers. He said that he fully supports the ASHA workers demand to hike their honorarium and termed their protest as justified. Along with him, senior BJP leaders Shobha Surendran and P K Krishnadas were also present outside the Secretariat expressing solidarity

Kerala Assembly urges Centre to withdraw deep-sea mining proposal

The Kerala assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw its move to allow deep-sea mineral mining off the coast of the state. The resolution moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was passed amidst the opposition UDF MLAs protesting in front of the Speaker's dais accusing him of acting as an "agent" of the ruling front. The UDF MLAs were protesting for not allowing the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan to complete his speech before walking out as their demand to adjourn the business of the house to discuss ASHA workers' protest was not accepted. Due to this protest, the deep-sea mining resolution was passed without discussion. The Kerala government has already made it clear that the Centre's move to initiate deep-sea mining along the state's coast cannot be allowed at any cost and the concern of the state's fishermen community in this regard has already been conveyed to the union government. Both the criteria in the

Man from Kerala shot dead while trying to cross Israeli border illegally

The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Thomas Gabriel, a resident of Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala

Check full list of Ranji Trophy winners and runners-up with their captains

The 66th edition of India's premier red ball domestic tournament, that is Ranji Trophy 2024-25 edition concludes with Vidharbha securing their third title after beating Kerala in the final.

Occurrence of crimes against women in Kerala is concerning: CM Vijayan

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said while crimes against women have come down in the state due to government interventions, their occurrence even now in a progressive society like that of Kerala was a matter of serious concern. Vijayan, after inaugurating the International Women's Day celebrations organised here by the Kerala Women's Commission (KWC), said that everyone needs to work together to ensure there are no crimes against women in the state. He further said that despite the southern state's history of empowering women, many of them were still not confident to come out in public spaces. "As a result, they are unable to make use of the various opportunities that are available to them nowadays. This needs to change," the CM said. He said that the KWC has been able to bring about notable changes in relation to women empowerment in society in the last three decades and expressed hope that its activities will continue to do so in future. The CM also said that Kerala

Higher level of job stress among youth in IT, media sectors: Study

Young employees working in IT sector (84.3 percent) and media (83.5 percent) are experiencing higher levels of work stress in Kerala, according to a survey conducted by the state Youth Commission. Kerala Youth Commission chairman M Shajar presented the survey report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday in the presence of state Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cheriyan. According to the survey, about 80.6 per cent employees from banking and insurance sector and 75.5 percent from gig economy have also reported work stress. Employees working in retail and industrial sector related comparatively lower level of work stress, said the report prepared based on a survey conducted among employees in the age group of 18-40 years. As many as 1,548 employees from five sectors-- IT, gig economy, media, retail/industrial, and banking/insurance participated in the survey. The study showed that highest level of work stress among the respondents in the age group 30-3

Ranji Trophy 2025 final: Vidarbha vs Kerala live match time and streaming

This is Vidarbha's fourth final appearance in the last seven years, having triumphed over Tamil Nadu and Mumbai in the knockout stages.

Preity Zinta's loan not in probe: Mumbai Police debunks write-off claim

Mumbai Police has confirmed that Preity Zinta's loan is not under probe and has dismissed loan write-off claims amid an online row with Kerala Congress over fake news allegations

Mass murder in Kerala: Man kills 5, including family, over mystery feud

A 23-year-old man in Kerala allegedly killed five people, including his family members, before confessing to the police. Critically injured mother of the perpetrator fights for her life

Kerala man admits to brutal killing of six, including brother, grandmother

Kerala Police on Monday launched an investigation after a 23-year-old man appeared at the Venjarammoodu police station in Thiruvananthapuram in the evening, confessing that he had killed six people, including his brother and grandmother. While the police confirmed three deaths, they are investigating the details of the other suspected deaths, as the incident allegedly occurred in different locations. More details are awaited.

Kerala exploring ways to generate revenues without burdening people: CM

Kerala is always exploring ways to improve its finances by generating revenues without burdening the people, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said and asserted that the state's journey is quite exciting. Against the backdrop of persisting differences with the BJP-led Centre on various issues, including lower devolution of central funds and inadequate relief measures for Wayanad rehabilitation works, Vijayan took a swipe at the central government saying "Kerala is being left in the lurch even during disasters". In an interview to PTI, the strongman of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) also said the state wants to attract more investments. The two-day Investor Kerala Global Summit (IKGS), which concluded on February 22, attracted expressions of interest for investments worth Rs 1.53 lakh crore, with the government emphasising that all steps are taken to ensure that there are no cobwebs of procedural delays and red tapism. "We are always exploring ways to improve our finances,

BJP leader PC George surrenders before Kerala court in hate speech case

BJP leader P C George surrendered before a court in Erattupetta in this district, on Monday in connection with a hate speech case. "We have received information that George has appeared before the court," a police officer told reporters here. George's move came as the police sought to take him into custody after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. On Saturday, George had requested the police for an extension until February 24 to appear before them for investigation in connection with the hate speech case. Dismissing his petition, the High Court observed that granting bail in such a case would send the wrong message to society. George, a former MLA, was accused of delivering a hate speech against a minority community during a TV channel discussion. He approached the High Court after the Kottayam District Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the case registered by the Erattupetta police. The case was based on a complaint by Muhamed Shihab, a

Kerala attracts proposals worth Rs 1.53 trn from firms in investors' summit

IKGS had a total of 30 special sessions, in addition to an engaging exhibition featuring over 100 enterprises reflecting the focus sectors

Shashi Tharoor flags 'leadership void' in Kerala Cong amid LDF praise row

Facing flak over his praise for LDF government, Shashi Tharoor rejected rumours about him switching parties ahead of 2026 Kerala Assembly polls

UAE eyes investment in tourism, healthcare sectors in Kerala: Minister

A 22-member delegation, led by UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, is in Kerala to attend the Invest Kerala Global Summit

Kerala CM assures all possible support to investors coming to state

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that all possible support will be ensured to investors coming to the southern state. The CM gave the assurance during a round table meeting attended by 31 prominent investors of the country to discuss the prospects of the IT sector at the Invest Kerala Global Summit, according to a government statement. At the meeting, Vijayan said that the government attaches great importance to investments in the IT sector which does not require land and natural resources and was, therefore, suitable for a densely populated state like Kerala. The CM, in a post on social media platform X, referred to his meeting with the IT leaders and said that he was looking forward to "fruitful partnerships that drive growth and progress". "Interacted with IT leaders at the Invest Kerala Global Summit's Roundtable, reaffirming our commitment to making Kerala a top destination for technology investments. "With a skilled workforce, world-class IT parks, and

UAE-based Sharaf group announces Rs 5,000 cr investment in Kerala

In a move that will create more job opportunities in Kerala, UAE-based shipping and logistics giant Sharaf Group on Saturday announced an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in the state over the next five years. Sharaf Group Vice Chairman, His Excellency General Sharafuddin Sharaf, made the announcement at the Invest Kerala Global Summit here. He said that the shipping and logistics giant, which has been operating in India for the past 28 years and has a presence in more than seven major cities across the country, chose Kerala for investment due to the state government's initiatives to simplify the ease of doing business. Another factor, he said at a press conference during the summit, was the large pool of highly educated and capable human resources available in the state. Sharaf also said that not only in Kerala but in many other cities of India, the ease of doing business was simple, the company received a lot of support, and "things were getting done much faster." He said that the .

Priyanka Gandhi urges Kerala CM to release funds for human-wildlife victims

She further said that on recent visits, she met with the families of the victims and, also discussed the matter with local authorities