Page 26 - Kerala

ADGP row: CPI urges removal of officers deviating from Left policies

The controversy surrounding senior Kerala police officer M R Ajithkumar's 2023 meeting with two RSS leaders continues, as the CPI, a key constituent of Kerala's ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, expressed displeasure on Thursday over his continued tenure as ADGP of law and order. In an article in the party mouthpiece Janayugam, senior CPI leader K Prakash Babu said that whether the meeting was official or personal, it is the responsibility of the ADGP to clarify. At the very least, such matters should be formally communicated to the police chief or the home department, he added. The CPI leader further said that if the ADGP is unwilling to do so, he should be removed from his position. "An officer who does not understand the pro-people stance of a people's government will lead the government into a crisis. This is the situation the ADGP has created," Prakash Babu remarked in the article. He said that there is no doubt among national left-wing political parties that fascism in India manifests

Kerala man confirmed to be affected with Mpox: Health dept Malappuram

The man, who came to the state from the UAE recently, was already admitted to a hospital here with Mpox symptoms, state Health Minister Veena George said in a Facebook post

Samples of 13 people tested Nipah negative, says Kerala health minister

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Tuesday that 13 people who came into contact with a 24-year-old man who died from the Nipah virus in Malappuram district last week have tested negative for the disease. Of the total 175 people on the contact list of the deceased man, the samples of 13 people, comprised in the high risk category, were tested negative at the Manjeri Government Medical College in Malappuram, she told reporters here. The minister said the health department is making all possible attempts to check the spread of the disease by identifying a maximum number of persons who had been in his contact, and giving them preventive medicine. "The samples of those in the high risk category and the persons showing any symptoms are being collected and sent for testing. Samples of more people will be collected today," she said. Though the chance of any spread of the disease is unlikely, the samples of every person showing symptoms would be tested, she said. George further sa

Suspected mpox infection reported from Kerala, samples sent for testing

A suspected case of monkeypox infection has been reported from Malappuram district of Kerala after a man who recently returned from abroad showed symptoms of the disease. A district health official said that the patient arrived in Kerala a few days ago and, after falling sick, was first admitted to a private hospital. "From there he was admitted to the Manjeri Medical College. On suspecting that it might be a case of monkeypox, we sent his samples to the Kozhikode Medical College for testing. The results are awaited," the official said. A new case of monkeypox (Mpox) was reported last week from the national capital after a 26-year-old resident of Haryana's Hisar tested positive for the virus and was admitted to Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital. The Union Health Ministry had termed it an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards and said that it was not part of the current public health emergency reported by WHO which is regarding clad

Nipah virus strikes back for the sixth time, Kerala on high alert

This time, the victim was a 24-year-old man from Malappuram's Thiruvali panchayat, around 20 kilometres away from Pandikkad, where a 14-year-old died in July this year due to Nipah

Kerala filmmakers plan to form alternative body to represent the fraternity

B Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), said, "Anyone is free to form an organisation" and refused to elaborate further

Man in Malappuram died due to Nipah virus, says Kerala Health Minister

The 24-year-old man who died recently at a private hospital in Malappuram was infected with the Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday. George said the suspicion of Nipah infection arose after a death investigation conducted by the Regional Medical Officer. "The available samples were immediately sent for testing and it turned out to be positive," the minister said in a video message. The Malappuram native who reached the state from Bengaluru died on September 9, after which his available samples were sent for testing to Kozhikode Medical college hospital laboratory. Malappuram health officials said the results from Kozhikode medical college indicated a positive result, after which a high-level meeting was held by the health minister on Saturday night itself and initiated the necessary steps as per the protocol. Meanwhile, the results from National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune on Sunday confirmed the infection. The minister said 16 committees were for

Assembly ruckus case: Cong describes Kerala HC verdict as set back to govt

A day after the Kerala High Court quashed the case registered against three Congress leaders in connection with the Assembly ruckus incident, the opposition party on Saturday said the verdict was a setback to the government's alleged attempt to weaken the case. Welcoming the verdict, the Congress said if a trial was held in the 2015 case, CPI (M) leaders including General Education Minister V Sivankutty would be punished, he said. In a statement, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan alleged the Left government was trying to prolong the trial by making false cases to avoid this. The entire world witnessed the violence of the CPI (M) legislators, he said adding there has never been a case with so many witnesses. So, the High Court ruling was a 'setback' to the government's alleged attempt to weaken the case by abusing the legal system, Satheesan added. The Kerala HC on Friday quashed the criminal proceedings against three Congress leaders, including two sitting M

E P Jayarajan meets Kerala CM despite differences with party leadership

Amidst reported differences with the party leadership, veteran CPI (M) leader E P Jayarajan on Saturday called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and held discussions with him at the Kerala House in New Delhi. Both the leaders reached the national capital to pay their last respects to party general secretary Sitaram Yechury who died in a Delhi hospital on Thursday after battling a lung infection. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of media reports that differences have cropped up between him and the party leadership following his removal as LDF convenor recently. Jayarajan has been keeping away from public programmes and party functions for some time. However, he told reporters that there was nothing new in his meeting with Chief Minister Vijayan. Jayarajan said he used to visit the CM whenever time permits, especially when he arrives in New Delhi. "We all are part of a party family. We all have love and respect towards each other," he said in New Delhi. He also accuse

5 non-BJP-ruled states' ministers to meet in Kerala for FC discussion

Ministers from five non-BJP-ruled states will meet here on Thursday to discuss key issues related to the 16th Finance Commission, as, according to them, the country grapples with economic federalism challenges. The meeting, hosted by Kerala, comes at a critical time when states face significant developmental and financial hurdles, according to a statement issued by the office of Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal here on Wednesday. The main objective is to present these challenges to the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr A Arvind Panagariya, and explore potential solutions, it said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the high-level conclave to be attended by top dignitaries, including Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. Other notable participants include Leader of Oppositi

Don't lecture us, address allegations against aides: Congress to Kerala CM

A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan categorically denied allegations of a CPI(M)-RSS nexus, the Congress on Wednesday urged him to address the serious allegations against his close aides, IPS officer ADGP M R Ajith Kumar and political secretary P Sasi, rather than lecturing the opposition. Coming down heavily on the chief minister, the grand-old party said the people of the state, who know history, would dismiss with contempt Vijayan's claim that it was the Marxist party that had opposed the RSS in Kerala and the Congress had no role in it. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, asked seven questions to Vijayan and accused the Left veteran of playing the hide and seek game without giving a clear reply. "Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M)'s connection with the RSS is an open secret," he alleged. The LoP asked whether veteran Left leader E P Jayarajan was removed as LDF convenor because of his meeting with BJP's Prakash Javadekar. If so, shouldn't CM Vijayan

Onam 2024: Date, History, and Significance of Kerala's Biggest Festival

Onam, the 10 days of festive joy in Kerala, is being celebrated from September 6-15. Onam is also attributed to the arrival of Lord Mahabali, according to the legend

Kerala HC slams state govt for inaction on Justice Hema Committee report

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Left government in the state saying its inaction on the Justice Hema Committee report was "alarming." A special division bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha said the government got the report years ago and ought to have immediately responded and directed that the full report be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take requisite action. It also asked why the state was silent for so long. The bench said women are more in number in Kerala and asked what the state was doing about the problems being faced by them in society. It said the government took action only more than four years after it got the report. It directed the government to hand over the full report of the committee to the SIT constituted to look into the complaints of sexual harassment and assaults by female actors against some of their male counterparts and others in the film industry. The bench said the SIT can take action based on

World Bank experts meet Kerala CM Vijayan, praise state's education reforms

In a significant boost to Kerala's efforts to revamp its higher education system, a team of World Bank experts on Monday met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, praising the state's reforms and expressing interest in a collaborative initiative to draw international students to the state. The World Bank experts, including Nina Arnhold (Global Lead for Tertiary Education), Denis Nikolaev (Senior Education Specialist), and Ambarish Ambuj (Consultant, Education, South Asia Region), met the CM at his office here to discuss a potential partnership, according to an official release. The project seeks to attract foreign students to Kerala and improve the overall higher education system, with a focus on sustainability and social justice. "The World Bank representatives were impressed by the reforms taking place in the higher education sector. They expressed interest in collaborating with the state Higher Education Council to attract foreign students to Kerala as part of a related project,"

ADGP's explanation to CMO on meeting with RSS leader draws flak in Kerala

The controversy surrounding IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar's alleged meeting with a senior RSS leader escalated on Saturday, with a section of the media reporting that the ADGP admitted to the Chief Minister's office that his visit was personal, drawing sharp reactions from the ruling party ally CPI and the opposition Congress. As per media reports, Kumar, a close confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, offered an explanation to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) that he had met with RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in Thrissur last May, but clarified that it was a "personal visit". However, a CMO source said they "lacked clear information" about the ADGP's explanation. The controversy took a turn a day after ruling CPI (M) had termed as a "lie and pure nonsense" the opposition Congress' charge that Ajith Kumar acted as a 'middleman' between the CM and the RSS to disrupt the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival to secure the Lok Sabha poll victory of the BJP candidate in ...

Onam gift: Kerala govt announces two-month pension for 6.2 mn beneficiaries

The CPI(M)-led Left government in Kerala on Friday announced disbursement of a two-month pension for over 60 lakh beneficiaries, marking an Onam gift. Announcing the decision, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this purpose. "Around 62 lakh people will receive Rs 3,200 each for Onam. This is in addition to the one month's pension that is currently being given," he said in a statement here. The decision to disburse the Social Security and Welfare Fund pension to beneficiaries starting next week is seen as an attempt by the Left government to regain its mass base, lost during the Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, the CPI(M) and its allies had attributed their humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to delayed settlement of dues and recommended a course correction. In the polls, the LDF won just one seat, while the Congress-led UDF secured 18 seats, and the BJP opened its account for the first time in the state's political history. Balagop

Investment-friendly ecosystem key to Kerala's ease of business reforms: CM

A day after Kerala was awarded for its ease of doing business reforms by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said the investment friendly ecosystem and entrepreneurs' growing confidence in the state has helped it in achieving this status. Kerala has come first in the ranking of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry with top achiever status in nine sectors, Vijayan said on Friday. "Proud that Kerala has come first in Ease of Doing Business reforms in the country, with Top Achiever status in 9 reform areas! Our investment friendly ecosystem and entrepreneurs' growing confidence in Kerala's potential has truly been captured. This is a time like no other to invest in and grow from #Kerala.," Vijayan posted on 'X'. The chief minister also pointed out that the state ranked first this year from the 28th position in 2021. Kerala has reached 15th position in 2022. Industries Minister P Rajeeve said out of 30 reform areas, Kerala earne

Happy Onam 2024: Top 50 wishes, messages, and quotes to share today

Onam celebrations: The 10-day festival is widely celebrated especially in Kerala. This year, the festival will begin today, September 6, 2024

Kerala wins top performer award in lists of business-centric reforms

In a huge endorsement of its highly conducive business ecosystem and transparent and inclusive service delivery mechanism, Kerala has emerged as the country leader in two categories of business-centric reforms and seven categories of citizen-centric reforms in the ranking of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The award was presented at the Conference of State Industries Ministers held on Thursday at Palash Hall (Grand Ball Room) of the Yashobhumi Convention Centre, New Delhi, according to an official release here. Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal presented the Business Reforms Action Plan '22 (BRAP 22) award of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, at the conference, Udhyog Sangam 2024, said the release issued by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information ...

Kerala to host conclave of 5 opposition-led states to discuss fiscal issues

Kerala will host a conclave of five opposition-ruled states--four from South India and Punjab from the North--to discuss how to ensure their fiscal needs are addressed in the upcoming 16th Finance Commission, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal said on Thursday. Besides the Left-ruled Kerala and AAP-governed Punjab, the states that will take part in the conclave are Tamil Nadu (DMK) and the Congress-ruled states of Karnataka and Telangana. The move by the Left government is seen as an effort to bring together the opposition-ruled states to strengthen their bargaining position with the BJP-ruled Centre. Last year, the state had filed a suit in the Supreme Court against the Centre for imposing limits on its borrowing capacity. Balagopal said that the conclave, which will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on September 12, aims to 'protect and strengthen' the cooperative and fiscal federalism of the country. Besides himself, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and .