Page 35 - Kerala

CIAL to launch smart gates for travellers, self-immigration in 20 secs

The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is all set to become the second airport in India to implement the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Trusted traveller Programme, facilitating seamless immigration process through self authentication at specially designed smart gates at the immigration counters. This state-of-the-art facility will be launched by August 2024, CIAL said on Thursday and added that it has begun an infrastructure makeover at the immigration area, dedicating eight lanes to biometric e-gates, enabling international travellers to complete the immigration process by themselves in 20 seconds. The facility was rolled out at Delhi International Airport in June. The MHA's Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Travellers' Programme (FTI-TTP) aims to expedite the immigration clearance for eligible Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding OCI cards, the CIAL said in a release. "Applicants must complete a one-time registration process on the MHA portal, upload necessary ..

Nipah virus flares up in Kerala again: Here's what to know about symptoms

The brain-damaging virus, which can spread from bats and pigs to humans, has surfaced in Kerala several times in recent years

Once a track-and-field powerhouse, Kerala witnesses slump in athletics

It's not a dire situation yet, but the dwindling number of athletes from Kerala in India's Olympic contingents shows that the growth of athletics in the state, which was once a track-and-field powerhouse, has certainly hit a disheartening flat-line. These numbers will summarise the situation before the deep dive: India's athletics squad for Paris Olympics has 29 members (18 men and 11 women). Kerala will be represented by four members -- Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Mijo Chacko Kurian (all men's 4x400m relay), and Abdulla Aboobacker (men's triple jump). In the Tokyo Olympics, Kerala made its presence through Yahiya, Noah Nirmal Tom, Alex Antony, KT Irfan, MP Jabir and M Sreeshankar in the track and field events. The state had better representation at the Rio Games in 2016 through Anas, Jinson Johnson, T Gopi, Jisna Mathew, Tintu Luka, OP Jaisha and M Renjith. Along with the diminishing overall numbers, a close look will reveal another anomaly -- a female athlete from the state is

Nipah claims one life in Kerala; Maharashtra reports 28 Zika cases in 2024

Communicable disease scare grips people as Maharashtra reports 28 Zika cases this year

Kerala govt allocates Rs 900 cr for social security pension installment

The Kerala government on Sunday announced that the distribution of an installment of the social security pension would begin in the state on July 24. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the deserved beneficiaries would get Rs 1,600 each. The Finance department has allocated Rs 900 crore for the same, he said in a statement here. Those who have given the bank account number would receive their pension via bank and others would receive the amount through cooperative societies, it said. It was announced in this year's state budget that steps would be taken for the monthly distribution of the pension, the finance minister said. As per the budget assurance, pension has been distributed on a monthly basis without any fail since March this year, Balagopal added. The Left government in the state recently faced intense criticism from various quarters, including from opposition parties over the inordinate delay of pension arrears.

Kerala CM Vijayan condoles death of boy infected with Nipah virus

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed condolences over the death of the 14-year-old boy who succumbed to Nipah in Malappuram. Vijayan said all efforts were made to save the teenager. State Health Minister Veena George informed that the 14-year-old boy from Kerala's Malappuram, who was under treatment at Kozhikode medical college for Nipah infection, died on Sunday. George said the boy from Pandikkad suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 10.50 am on Sunday and efforts to revive him failed. "He was on a ventilator and was not conscious. The urine output had reduced this morning. After the massive cardiac arrest, the revival efforts failed and he passed away at 11.30 am," she said. The chief minister, in a statement, exhorted everyone to work together to combat the Nipah virus and implored citizens not to destroy the natural habitats of bats. He also cautioned people against eating fruits half bitten by animals and those found abandoned, besides avoiding the hone

Kerala prepared to tackle outbreak of Nipah virus: Health Minister George

She informed that 214 people are on the primary contact list, whereas 60 are in high-risk and all those on the contact list should be isolated

Suspected Nipah outbreak in Malappuram; high-level meeting convened

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday convened a high-level meeting to take steps to prevent a Nipah outbreak in the state. The meeting was convened in the wake of an outbreak of the virus infection that was suspected in northern Malappuram district. According to local media reports, a boy from Malappuram, who is under treatment in a private hospital in neighbouring Kozhikode, was suspected to have symptoms of Nipah and his samples were sent to a central lab for a detailed scientific examination. As per a statement from the Health Minister's office, the final test results were yet to be received but steps, as per the Nipah protocol, have already been initiated in the morning. The actions would be coordinated according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated as per the government order with regard to Nipah prevention, it said. The health minister would reach Malappuram soon and lead the Nipah prevention activities, the statement added. Various higher officia

No water, no food: Kerala man trapped in medical college lift for 2 days

A 59 year old patient became trapped in a lift in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for more than 40 hours. Three staff members have been suspended as investigation continues

Will implement projects worth Rs 13,013 crore in 100 days, says Kerala CM

The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala will implement development projects worth Rs 13,013.40 crore in 100 days as part of its third anniversary, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Tuesday. The projects, which are part of the fourth edition of the 100-day programmes, are expected to be completed by October 22, he said. A total of 1,070 projects under 47 departments have been included in the latest 100-day initiative, Vijayan said in a statement. The fourth edition of the 100-day programme, which began after this government took power, will further boost various government activities that ensure the well-being of common people, social progress, and comprehensive and sustainable development, the Chief Minister said. The 100-day initiative has been designed to focus on areas that require special attention, in addition to implementing promises made in the election manifesto, he said. "The initiative aims to implement projects worth Rs 13,013.40 crore across 47 ...

Kerala govt allocates Rs 100 cr for subsidised essential commodities

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Monday said that the state government has allocated Rs 100 crore to the State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) for market intervention activities. This fund will be used to distribute essential commodities at a 35 per cent reduced price through Supplyco stores, benefiting the people of the state. The allocation is part of the total budget of Rs 205 crore for market intervention in the current financial year, the minister said in a release here. This move is expected to provide relief to consumers ahead of the Onam festival season. Last year, the government had allocated Rs 205 crore for the same purpose but ended up spending Rs 391 crore. Supplyco, established in 1974, plays a vital role in regulating retail markets and stabilising prices of essential goods in Kerala.

IMD issues 'red' alert for heavy rains in Maharashtra, Goa, and Kerala

IMD weather update: The IMD issued a red alert for several districts in Kerala, including Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod indicating severe weather conditions

Heavy rains lash parts of Kerala, IMD issues orange alert in 4 districts

As heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala, the India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued an orange alert in three northern districts of the state for the day. The IMD issued an orange alert in Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert in nine other districts of the state for the day. The weather department also predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds at one or two places in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts for the day. It further issued an orange alert in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state from June 14 to June 16. An orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. The IMD said that Kerala will receive fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds during the next five days due to the influence of the cyclonic circulation over north Gujarat and another over west centr

Kerala retains top ranking in NITI's SDG index; Bihar worst performer

Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as the top performer states in NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, which evaluates progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters, while Bihar has been adjudged as the worst performer. According to the NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, India's overall Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) score increased to 71 in 2023-24, compared to 66 in 2020-21, supported by significant progress on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land. Among states, Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as joint top performing states with a score of 79, followed by Tamil Nadu (78) and Goa (77). On the contrary, Bihar (57), Jharkhand (62) and Nagaland (63) were the worst performing states in this year's index. Among the union territories, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Delhi were the top five performers. "Targetted intervention by the ..

Kerala govt unveils slew of sops to promote AI, focused policy on anvil

Kerala on Friday unveiled a slew of upfront policy initiatives to promote the state as a global hub of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) by creating a highly enabling ecosystem reinforced by incentives, support and partnerships. Minister for Industries and Law P Rajeeve made the state's AI Declaration at the valedictory of the two-day international Gen AI conclave here, laying the road map for the transformative shift. A first-of-its-kind initiative, the July 11-12 conclave was organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with technology giant IBM. Noting that the state has already identified AI as a priority sector in the present industrial policy, Rajeeve said the government will come out with a dedicated AI policy, complying with the ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) goals during this fiscal year itself. Based on the policy, support and incentives will be provided to enhance the existing infrastructure and create a more

Student migration dangerous, says UDF; Left govt terms it global phenomenon

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Thursday said in the state assembly that the increasing student migration from Kerala was a dangerous trend which if not addressed, would result in the southern state becoming the home of elderly people. The Left government, however, brushed it aside, saying it was a global phenomenon that was not confined to Kerala alone. The issue was raised by the UDF while seeking adjournment of the House proceedings to discuss the matter, permission for which was denied by the Speaker after the state government said that student migrations were a normal trend and an outcome of globalisation. Following the denial of permission for the motion to adjourn the House, the opposition staged a walkout, alleging that the government and the state higher education minister were "in denial mode" and not acknowledging the danger posed by student migration. State Higher Education Minister R Bindu claimed that student migration was a "global phenomenon" following globalisat

Centre should have state-specific approach for development: Kerala FM

Seeking more funds to tide over the state's financial woes, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Sunday said the Centre should have a state-specific rather than a uniform financial approach towards states as each of them has different kinds of developmental activities. Balagopal, part of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) which is in power for the second consecutive term in the southern state, emphasised that monolithic thinking about overall development is not practical and also called for flexibility in utilisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) depending on the requirements of the state. Flagging serious concerns about reduced central fund transfers and borrowing restrictions, Kerala has demanded a special package of Rs 24,000 crore in the upcoming Union Budget to tackle the liquidity stress. "A monolithic thinking about the total development and administration of the country is not practical in India because different states should be considered differently, ..

African swine flu in Kerala pigs won't spread to humans, says Centre

Govt also said that there is no vaccine available yet for this variant of swine flu

Govt culls 310 pigs to contain African Swine Fever outbreak in Kerala

The Centre on Sunday said around 310 pigs have been culled in Kerala's Thrissur district after an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). The outbreak was detected in Madakkatharan Panchayath, prompting swift action from the state's Animal Husbandry Department. Rapid Response Teams were deployed to cull and dispose of pigs within a 1 km radius of the epicentre on July 5, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement. This marks the latest incident in the country's ongoing battle with ASF, which first appeared in the northeastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in May 2020. Since then, the disease has spread to approximately 24 states and union territories across the country. "Further surveillance as per the action plan is to be carried out within a 10 km radius of the epicentre," the ministry said. Despite the outbreak's severity, the government was quick to reassure the public. "ASF is not zoonotic. It cannot spread to humans," the minis

Fourth case of rare brain-eating amoeba infection reported in North Kerala

Another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters, has been reported from Kerala. A 14-year-old boy, a resident of Payyoli in this north Kerala district, is afflicted with the disease, according to sources in the private hospital where he is being treated. This is the fourth case of the rare brain infection reported in the state since May and all the patients are children, three of whom have already died. In the latest case, one of the doctors treating the boy said that he was admitted to the hospital on July 1, and his condition is improving. The doctor said, on Saturday, that the infection was identified quickly at the hospital and treatment, including medicines from abroad, was given immediately. On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy infected with the free-living amoeba died here. Prior to that, two others -- a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur -- died on May 21 and June