Page 22 - Kerala

State survived financial crisis; welfare schemes unaffected: Kerala FM

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Friday, while presenting the budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Assembly, said the state has survived the most intense phase of financial crisis without any of its welfare schemes or development work being affected. Presenting the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led government's fifth budget in the Legislative Assembly, Balagopal announced a Rs 750 crore project for the rehabilitation of the Wayanad landslides victims. Balagopal said that the Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages in Wayanad witnessed an extreme calamity that plunged Kerala into deep sorrow. The disaster claimed over 200 lives, destroyed hundreds of properties and thousands lost their livelihoods with the estimated loss due to the landslides being around Rs 1,202 crore, while the cost of rehabilitation is expected to be approximately Rs 2,221 crore, as assessed by a team of experts, the minister said. He said the 2025-26 Union Budget has not allocated any assistance for the ..

Kerala secures Rs 2,424 cr World Bank loan to strengthen healthcare system

The Kerala government on Wednesday approved the Kerala Health System Improvement Programme by availing a loan of Rs 2,424.28 crore from the World Bank. The state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which granted approval, decided to implement the project under the Programme for Results (P for R) model. According to a CMO release, the main objective of the programme is to ensure an excellent standard of living and life expectancy while helping the people of the state build a life free from preventable diseases, accidents, and premature deaths. "All interventions under the programme will focus on ensuring the welfare of the poor. The project aims to establish resilient healthcare systems that provide value-based healthcare while addressing the state's evolving demographic and epidemiological challenges," it said. The government said the project will also enhance coordination between various state departments to effectively respond to emerging threats, includin

Govt says 339 foreign companies registered in India in last 5 years

The government on Tuesday said 339 foreign companies have been registered in the country in the last five years and the registration of such firms has been on the decline since 2020. This year, five foreign companies have been registered -- 1 each in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala and two in Tamil Nadu, official data shared by Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra with the Rajya Sabha showed. Under Section 2 (42) of the Companies Act, 2013, a foreign company means any company or body corporate incorporated outside India, which has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through electronic mode. "Thus, foreign companies are incorporated outside India and they have a place of business in India. These companies are set up with foreign capital," he said. While 90 foreign companies were set up in 2020, the number came down to 75 in 2021 and 64 in 2022. The count reduced to 57 in 2023 and 53 in 2024. On whether certain foreign ..

Bullying isn't harmless; it destroys lives: Rahul on Kerala student suicide

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the tragic loss of a student to suicide due to bullying in a Kerala school is heartbreaking and said those responsible -- both bullies and those who failed to act -- must be held accountable. "The tragic loss of Mihir Ahammed to suicide due to bullying in a Kerala school is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to his family," Gandhi said in a post on X. "No child should endure what Mihir faced. Schools must be safe havens for children yet he suffered relentless torment. Those responsible -- both bullies and those who failed to act -- must be held accountable," the former Congress chief said. "Bullying isn't harmless; it destroys lives. Parents must teach kindness, love, empathy, and the courage to speak up. Believe your child if they say they're being bullied, and intervene if they are the bully," Gandhi said. Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Friday directed the Director of General Education (DG

Kerala court issues non-bailable warrant against Baba Ramdev, Balakrishna

The case against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna was filed for allegedly publishing misleading medical advertisements in English and Malayalam newspapers

Budget marks pivotal moment in economic trajectory: Kerala biz community

The Union Budget proposals presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday received a positive response from the business community in Kerala. Yusuff Ali M A, Chairman of Lulu Group said the buget marks a pivotal moment in India's economic trajectory, delivering a much-needed boost to the middle class while advancing the country's goal of becoming a 5 trillion USD economy. Key measures, such as income tax reductionsincluding a no-tax threshold up to Rs 12 lakhand expanded exemptions and incentives for startups and MSMEs, will directly benefit individual incomes and entrepreneurial ventures, he said in a statement here. This budget clearly empowers the middle class and fosters a vibrant, self-reliant economy, he added. The direction of the budget is towards the goal of Vikasit Bharat, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Kerala Chairman Vinod Manjila said. "A very positive budget that takes care of the diverse sectors of the economy including agriculture, middle clas

'Mad about Cuba': Exploring the unique connection between Cuba and Kerala

Cuba is a metaphor in Kerala for communist values, but there is another, lesser-known reason for Malayalis to feel a special affinity for Fidel Castro

Kerala Food Commission warns ration traders over strike, asks to withdraw

The State Food Commission on Saturday warned of legal action against ration traders on their proposed indefinite strike in Kerala from January 27. Legal action will be taken against anyone obstructing ration cardholders from receiving their entitled share of food grains, according to an official release issued by the Commission. "It is the responsibility of the State Food Commission to ensure that the food rights guaranteed under Section 16 (6) (b) of Chapter II of the National Food Security Act, 2013, are upheld and made available to consumers through the public distribution system." "The Commission will take a serious view of any act that disrupts the delivery of food grains to ration cardholders and will initiate legal proceedings against those responsible," the release stated. The Ration Traders Coordination Committee announced the indefinite strike starting January 27 after talks with Finance Minister K N Balagopal and Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil failed to resolv

Kerala to launch rare disease patient registry, treatment clinic this year

A registry for rare disease patients in the state will become a reality this year, State Health Minister Veena George said on Friday. Speaking after inaugurating a workshop for experts in rare disease treatment here, George said the government aims to prevent rare diseases as its primary objective. She said a rare disease treatment clinic will be established in Kozhikode this year. The government is making efforts to bring affected children back to life, the minister said. "The registry for rare disease patients in the state will become a reality this year," George said. According to her, currently, more than 90 per cent survival rates have been achieved for children undergoing treatment for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). She said the state government aims to identify congenital disabilities and ensure specialised treatment for children. "Kerala is making significant strides in the field of rare disease care. In February 2024, the state government launched the CARE scheme for ra

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