Page 4 - Kerala

A-I Express scaling up international ops from state capital: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that Air India Express was going to scale up its international operations from the state capital from October onwards. Vijayan, in a post on 'X', said that the Kerala government's "constructive talks" with Air India have yielded results. He said that this was a major step towards strengthening Kerala's air connectivity. "Pleased to see the GoK's constructive talks with @airindia yielding results. @AirIndiaX has confirmed that international operations from Thiruvananthapuram are being scaled up. Services to Dubai will resume four days a week starting 28th October, and flights to Abu Dhabi will operate thrice weekly from 3rd December. "In addition, @airindia will introduce aircraft with business class configuration on the Thiruvananthapuram route thrice daily, a major step towards strengthening Kerala's air connectivity," the CM said on 'X'. The CM, on October 6, had said in an 'X' post that Air India has assured that the ...

SC issues notice to govt, states on PIL for new dam to replace Mullaperiyar

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments as well as the NDMA on a PIL seeking construction of a new dam to replace the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam following concerns over its safety and structural stability. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R. Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing the Save Kerala Brigade's petition alleging that over 10 million people live in close vicinity of the British-era dam. Some directions may be needed for strengthening the existing dam, the CJI said and suggested that the matter be examined by an expert body to assess safety aspects and feasibility of constructing a new structure. The Mullaperiyar dam, built in 1895 across the Periyar River in Kerala's Idukki district, is operated by Tamil Nadu under a lease agreement. It has long been a point of contention with Kerala citing safety concerns due to its age and seismic vulnerability and Tamil Nadu emphasising its importance for irrigation and

Kerala declares snakebite envenomation disease of public health importance

The Kerala government has designated snakebite envenomation a disease of "utmost public health importance", a move aimed at enhancing data collection and documentation in response to concerns over fatalities from related incidents. The significant decision was made under Section 28 of the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, as per the gazette notification issued on Friday. Snakebite envenomation is a life-threatening disease caused by the migration of venomous snakes, it said. "Snakebite envenomation is hereby declared a disease of public health importance throughout the state," said the notification signed by Dr Rajan Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary (Health). Any disease, whether communicable or non-communicable, can be declared as a disease of public health importance if the government needs to collect more information about it or if any treatment standards are to be followed in its connection, it said. If appropriate treatment is not provided in a timely manner, the bite of

Kerala CM Vijayan meets PM Modi, discusses development projects for state

CM Pinarayi Vijayan requested PM Modi to release the NDRF grant for Wayanad landslide reconstruction

Kerala HC orders registration of criminal case over Sabarimala gold issue

The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state police to register a criminal case in connection with the "misappropriation of gold" from the "side frame or lintels" of the shrine and launch an investigation. A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar issued the direction after noting that from the investigation conducted till now, "it appears that insofar as the side frames or lintels are concerned, misappropriation of gold has been carried out". The bench further said that it was also revealed from the vigilance report placed before it that "substantial quantity of gold -- amounting to about 474.9 grams -- was handed over to Unnikrishnan Potty (the sponsor who offered to carry out the gold-plating)". "However, the records do not reveal that this quantity of gold was entrusted with the TDB (by him)," the court added. The bench directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by it to probe the side frame/lintels issue also along with all the other aspe

Sabarimala gold-plating row heats up Kerala politics: What we know so far

The Sabarimala gold-plating controversy has shaken Kerala politics, with the high court ordering a Special Investigation Team to probe missing gold and temple management lapses

Luxury car smuggling case: ED raids Dulquer Salman, Prithviraj in Kerala; what's going on?

The Enforcement Directorate today carried out multiple raids across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, targeting top Malayalam film stars and businessmen over an alleged luxury car smuggling racket.

'Centre has failed people of Kerala': HC on Wayanad disaster loan refusal

The Kerala High Court slammed the Centre for refusing to waive loans for Wayanad landslide victims and ordered banks to stop recovery until further notice

Kerala CM accuses Oppn of creating 'smokescreen' in Sabarimala gold row

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the UDF-led opposition of creating a "smokescreen" over the Sabarimala gold-plating issue and said the government is not scared of any such attempts. He alleged that the Congress-led front were afraid of facts, and that is why they were continuously disrupting Assembly proceedings and reluctant to give a notice to discuss the matter in the House. The CM made the remarks in the Assembly when the session resumed after a brief break following a scuffle that broke in the Well of the House between UDF MLAs and watch-and-ward personnel during the question hour. The opposition legislators exchanged heated words with ruling party members during the question hour. The UDF members have been disrupting the House proceedings since Monday, seeking the resignation of Devaswom minister V N Vasavan over alleged irregularities linked to the reduced weight of gold-plated coverings on 'Dwarapalaka' idols at the Sabarimala temple. Vijayan sa

Vijay's TVK moves SC challenging HC order for SIT probe into Karur stampede

Tamil actor Vijay's political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court order constituting a SIT to probe the Karur stampede that killed 41 people. The apex court agreed to hear the plea on Friday. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions of a lawyer that the plea, filed through TVK's secretary Aadhav Arjuna, be listed for hearing. On Tuesday, the bench agreed to hear on October 10 BJP leader Uma Anandan's plea challenging the high court order refusing a CBI probe into the September 27 stampede and seeking a CBI investigation. The CJI agreed to hear the instant plea on Friday along with the other petition. TVK has sought an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court, contending that a fair and impartial probe would not be possible if conducted solely by officers of the Tamil Nadu police. The stampede, which led to 41 deaths, injured more than 60

ED raids Dulquer Salman, Prithviraj in Kerala luxury cars smuggling case

The ED on Wednesday raided premises linked to actors Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman and Amit Chakkalackal and some others across Kerala as part of its investigation into a recent Customs case related to alleged smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan to India, official sources said. The searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also covered certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam and Coimbatore. A total of 17 premises are being covered, the sources said. The action is being taken under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in a recent case unearthed by the Customs related to alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings. The searches are based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through the India-Bhutan/Nepal routes, they said. Preliminary findings, according to the ...

Kerala stops sale of Sresan drugs after Tamil Nadu cancels company licence

The Kerala government on Tuesday banned the distribution of medicines manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The decision follows steps by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Controller to cancel the company's licence, state Health Minister Veena George said. Sales of Respifresh TR, manufactured by a Gujarat-based firm, were also stopped immediately after the drug was found to be substandard, the minister said in a statement. There are five distributors in the state supplying this medicine, and they have been instructed to stop distribution, George said. Strict action will be taken against those selling this medicine. Those in possession of this drug are requested not to use it. These medicines are not distributed through government hospitals. She added that strict action would be initiated against establishments that provide medicines to children under the age of 12 without a prescription from an authorised doctor. The ban comes after reports that 14 children in Chhindwara, M

Kerala govt forms committee to submit report on pediatric cough syrups

Kerala Health Department has also asked the Drugs Controller to issue a notice to pharmacies not to sell pediatric drugs to children without a doctor's prescription

Govt to allow harvest, sale of sandalwood from pvt land: Kerala minister

Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran on Friday said the state government will enact legislation permitting the Forest Department to harvest and sell sandalwood trees grown on private land. He made the announcement while inaugurating the State-level Wildlife Week celebrations organised by the Forest and Wildlife Department at Sree Narayana Guru College, Chelannur. The minister said farmers will be able to generate additional income through sandalwood cultivation. As the first step, legislation will be enacted within a year to allow the Forest Department to harvest and sell sandalwood trees grown on private land, a government release said. Saseendran added that one crore sandalwood saplings would be planted across Kerala and that farmers would receive the full sale value of sandalwood trees. He said the government plans to move forward with a comprehensive forest policy. According to Saseendran, 100 colleges in the state will be designated as Knowledge Partner Institutions to ...

Kerala draws road map for integrated AI township; eyes ₹25K cr investment

Kerala has launched plans for an Integrated AI Township at Infopark Phase 3 in Kochi, targeting Rs 25,000 crore investment and two lakh direct jobs under a land-pooling model

Karur rally tragedy a lesson for people, says Kerala PCC Chief Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Sunny Joseph on Sunday said the stampede tragedy in the political rally organised by TVK chief Vijay in Karur is a lesson to both people and politicians. As many as 40 people including women and children had been killed in the fatal rally organised by the actor-turned-politician in Karur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. When reporters asked about the shocking incident, Joseph said it was an incident which make people realise about the strength of the experience of political workers and their connection with common people. "The pain is so deep. But, there are some lessons we learn even amidst that pain. People and others should realise this. It is a lesson to the political workers as well," the KPCC Chief added. The senior leader's remarks came amidst mounting criricism against TVK chief Vijay over the tragedy.

Kerala launches quality mark with coconut oil to boost global presence

Kerala rolls out 'Kerala Brand' certification to give local products a global identity, starting with coconut oil, and expanding to coffee, tea, honey and more

Kerala's video KYC marriage registration gains popularity, aiding NRKs

Dr Anish R and Dr Prakruthi K got married in a solemn ceremony in the presence of their dear ones in Kerala's Kochi some time back. Days later, the young doctor couple registered their marriage at a local body in Ernakulam, sitting over 1,200 km away from the home state. They registered their wedding comfortably sitting inside their apartment in Pune in Maharashtra via online. They downloaded the marriage certificate later without any hassle. Unlike in the past, the couple didn't need to be physically present at the corporation office and wait for hours for their turn to get their marriage registered officially and receive the certificate. This has been the new trend of online marriage registrations catching up in Kerala for some time, which enables the couple to register their wedding from anywhere in the world and at any time without being physically present at their local body. A path-breaking initiative by the state Local Self-Government Department, the marriage registration v

Kerala HC upholds stay on commission to probe ED role in gold smuggling

The Kerala High Court on Friday upheld its 2021 single judge decision to stay a state government order appointing a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine any alleged attempt by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to implicate Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the gold smuggling through diplomatic channels case. A bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Syam Kumar V M said there was no error in the single judge's August 11, 2021, interim order. The bench's ruling came while dismissing the Kerala government's appeal challenging the single judge's order. "The Writ Appeal, being bereft of merit and substance, is hereby dismissed. The interim order dated August 11, 2021, passed by the single judge is affirmed," the bench said. The single judge's order had come on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking to quash the state government's notification regarding the appointment of the CoI. The bench also said the issue of the state government's legislative competence to

Congress files complaint against CPI(M) leader over disparaging remark

A Congress leader in the district has lodged a police complaint against CPI(M) District Secretary E N Suresh Babu over his headmaster remark against Shafi Parambil MP. The complaint was filed by Alathur Block Congress General Secretary Pramod to the Palakkad District Police Chief via email on Thursday night. In his petition, Pramod alleged that Babu's statement was "derogatory and baseless", and amounted to defamation of the Congress party as well as women in the state. He urged the police to register an FIR against the CPI(M) leader and initiate an investigation. Reacting to the development, Babu said on Friday that he stood by his remarks. I have nothing more to add than what I said earlier. Congress leaders can give complaints and take legal action, he said, However, he warned that if the matter is escalated, they will have to face the consequences. He alleged that those seeking Shafi's downfall were behind the complaints. I have no interest in the morality of leaders in other