Page 42 - Kerala

With LS polls round the corner, Rahul Gandhi calls Kerala, Wayanad as home

Amid indications that Rahul Gandhi may contest again from Kerala's Wayanad constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the former Congress chief said on Wednesday that the southern state and the hill constituency were like a home to him. With less than six months remaining before the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place, Gandhi said that coming to Kerala and Wayanad is not work for him. "I consider it like coming back to my family and meeting my friends. The more I come to Kerala and Wayanad, the more I feel that it is my home," the Congress MP from Wayanad stated. He made these remarks after releasing a book on the late Muslim League Leader P Seethi Haji here.

Kerala tech fest stampede: Three-member committee to investigate incident

Four students were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede-like situation during a Tech Fest at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Saturday

CUSAT stampede: SHRC registers case, seeks report from Kerala govt

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday registered a case in connection with the stampede at Cochin University's annual tech festival and sought a report from the state government within two weeks. The SHRC has issued a notice to the Aluva Rural SP and the Registrar of the University based on a complaint alleging security lapses in the event. Four people were killed and 60 were injured in the stampede that occurred before renowned singer Nikita Gandhi was to perform at a musical festival in the open-air auditorium of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). The complaint before the rights panel alleged that there was only one entrance to the hall which can accommodate 2,500 people. According to officials, the event was an annual festival, and this year it was scheduled to be held from November 24 to 26. The musical event was organised in an auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 people.

Sitharaman trying to mislead Kerala people on funds disbursement: CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of trying to mislead the public through her claims of timely disbursement of required funds to the southern state by the Centre. Sitharaman, a day ago, had dismissed allegations by Kerala's Left government of negligence in fund allocation and claimed that the Central government promptly sends the required funds to the people of the southern state without any delay. She had also blamed the state government for non-release of funds under various categories by the Centre, alleging that it was due to the Left administration's failure to meet the necessary criteria. Refuting the claims and allegations of the Union minister, Vijayan contended that requirements of the southern state were brought to Sithraman's attention several times through written requests from state Finance Minister K N Balagopal. Balagopal had also met the Union minister personally to highlight the state's financial ...

Expert panel to look into Cochin stampede that claimed 4 lives: Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Saturday ordered an investigation into the stampede during the Cochin University's annual festival in which four students were killed and over 60 others were injured. State Higher Education Minister R Bindhu has directed a three-member team, comprising the principal secretary of higher education, and Cochin University's vice-chancellor and registrar, to inquire into the stampede incident, an official release said. The minister has instructed the officials to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report, the release added. Officials said the stampede occurred before renowned singer Nikita Gandhi was to perform at a musical festival in the open-air auditorium of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) near Kochi. Four students, including two boys and two girls, lost their lives, while over 60 others are undergoing treatment at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital and some other hospitals nearby, according to State Health Minister Veena

Four dead, 60 injured during stampede at concert in university in Kerala

Four students were killed in a stampede that ensued during a university annual festival here on Saturday night. According to preliminary reports, students inside the Cochin University campus here were enjoying a live musical event of well-known singer Nikita Gandhi which was interrupted by sudden rains that led the audience to scamper for shelter. Several students were injured in the stampede that ensued as students rushed to sheltered areas during the downpour. Four students including two boys and two girls lost their lives while over 60 others are undergoing treatment at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital and some other hospitals, according to state Health Minister Veena George. George said that the condition of four more students are critical. "The entry to the programme was restricted to ticket holders. However, several local residents were also outside the auditorium during the musical show," an eyewitness told media. When the sudden downpour began, the entire audience rush

Kerala HC allows ED to summon CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac in KIIFB case

The Kerala High Court has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate to issue fresh summons to senior CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac, allowing the agency to continue its investigation into alleged violations in the financial dealings of KIIFB during his tenure as the state Finance Minister in the previous LDF government. In an interim order dated November 24, the high court clarified that this decision is subject to further orders from the court and scheduled the matter for further consideration on December 1. The court issued this order in response to a plea filed by Isaac, who sought the quashing of the two summons issued to him by the ED. These summons are part of the agency's probe into alleged violations in the financial dealings of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). "...the pendency of these writ petitions will not stand in the way of the ED issuing fresh summons to any person, including the petitioners, and to continue the investigation; however, ...

FM Sitharaman dismisses Kerala govt's fund allocation 'negligence' charge

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday dismissed allegations by Kerala's Left government of negligence in fund allocation and claimed that the Central government promptly sends the required funds to the people of the southern state without any delay. Responding to the Left government's allegations of not releasing funds under various categories, she pointed fingers at the state government, alleging that it was due to the state's failure to meet the necessary criteria. Criticising the ruling CPI(M)-led alliance, which has announced a protest in New Delhi in January against the alleged neglect by the Central government, the finance minister claimed that the highest amount of Finance Commission Grants has been released to Kerala from 2009-10 to 2023-24 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), all the pending liabilities and the first tranche of 2023-24, covering senior citizen pensions, amounting to Rs

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Man arrested from Kerala for 'threatening to blow up Mumbai airport'

A Kerala resident was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday for allegedly threatening to blow up the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here if he was not paid "one million US dollars in Bitcoin", an official said. The ATS started probe after the Mumbai International Airport Limited, which operates the airport, received a threatening email in its feedback inbox at 11.06 am on Thursday, the police official said. "This is a final warning to your airport. We will blast Terminal 2 in 48 hours unless one million US dollars in Bitcoin is transferred to the address. Another alert will be after 24 Hrs," the email read. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 385 (putting a person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion) and 505 (1) (b) (statements made with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public or against the public tranquillity) at the Sahar police station. The ATS cyber cell, which started a

ASAP Kerala partners with German firm dSPACE to provide skilled manpower

ASAP Kerala, the state-run skill development agency under the Higher Education Department, has forged astrategic partnership with dSPACE, a global leader in mechatronics system software technology based in Germany, to provide jobs for skilled youth in the state. The German firm inaugurated its India operations at Kinfra Park at nearby Kazhakoottam recently. As part of the agreement, dSPACE will collaborate with ASAP Kerala to recruit 100 candidates who successfully complete specific skill training. The Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Usha Titus, Chairperson, and MD of ASAP Kerala, and Franklin George, Managing Director of dSPACE, at a special ceremony held at the office of Ishita Roy, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education on Thursday. Commenting on the partnership, Ishita Roy stated that the state government's commitment to higher education, outstanding skill development initiatives, and the availability of top talent make Kerala an attractive destination

Kerala police registers cheating case against former pacer S Sreesanth

Sreesanth and the two others have been booked under IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property)

Justice Fathima Beevi, India's first woman judge of Supreme Court, dies

Kerala's Health Minister Veena George condoled her death by saying that the demise of Justice Beevi was extremely painful

Kerala govt gives approval for BPCL's waste treatment plant in Kochi

The Kerala government on Wednesday accorded sanction to set up a compressed biogas plant project by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), with the objective of finding a permanent solution to the organic waste issue in Kochi, the commercial hub of the state. A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, took the decision amidst their ongoing tour as part of the 'Nava Kerala' outreach programme in northern Thalassery, a CMO statement said here. For the project, 10 acres of land in Brahmapuram owned by the Kochi Corporation, would be handed over to the BPCL, it said. A treatment plant capable of treating 150 metric tonnes of waste per day would be set up on this land, and the compressed biogas produced there would be used by the central PSU. The construction cost is estimated to be Rs 150 crore, which would be borne by the BPCL, it said. Water and electricity, required for the construction of the plant, would be provided at a lower cost, the CMO statement ...

SC seeks reply of Centre on Kerala's plea alleging delay in clearing bills

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre and the office of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on a plea of the state government accusing him of not granting assent to several bills cleared by the legislative assembly. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate K K Venugopal, alleging delay on the part of the governor in granting assent to eight bills. The top court also issued a notice to Attorney General R Venkataramani asking that either he or Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assist it in the hearing. The court will now hear the Kerala government's plea on Friday. "This is an endemic situation. The governors do not realise that they are part of the legislature under Article 168 of the Constitution," Venugopal said. In its plea, the state of Kerala claimed that Governor Khan is delaying the consideration of eight bills that have been passed by the state assembly. "Mr

Tamil Nadu, Kerala pleas on 'delay' by governor in Supreme Court on Monday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday two separate pleas of the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments, alleging a delay by the respective state governors in giving assent to bills passed by the assemblies. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is scheduled to hear the pleas. The Tamil Nadu Assembly re-adopted 10 bills in a special sitting on Saturday, days after those were returned by Governor R N Ravi. The bills, covering different departments, including law, agriculture and higher education, were passed in the wake of Ravi returning those on November 13. The re-adopted bills were later sent to the governor for his assent. On November 10, describing the alleged delay by the Tamil Nadu governor in giving assent to the bills as a "matter of serious concern", the top court sought the Centre's response on the state government's petition accusing the Raj Bhawan of "sitting over" 12 legislations. Issuing notice to the Centre, the top

Centre trying to create economic crisis in Kerala; Cong a spectator: CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused the BJP-ruled Centre of trying to destroy the federal structure and creating an economic crisis in the southern state through its various policies and blamed the Congress-led UDF of being a silent spectator to the same. Alleging neglect and discrimination on the part of the Central government towards Kerala, Vijayan said it was getting this treatment despite achieving unprecedented gains in tax collection, domestic production and infrastructure development. Speaking during the Nava Kerala Sadas at the Uduma constituency here in the evening, the CM said that the Union government through its various policies was "financially strangulating the Left government" since it came into power back in 2016. "At the same time, the Congress and the UDF opposition led by it were being a mute spectator to this discrimination. Why this hesitancy in speaking out against the actions of the Centre which are against the state and its people?" he .

Everything about Nimisha Priya, Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen

Nimisha Priya has been convicted for the murder of Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni citizen

Kerala Tourism Investors Meet secures over Rs 15,000 cr in post-Covid boost

The Kerala government said on Friday that the first-ever Tourism Investors Meet (TIM) organised by it a day ago has significantly boosted the state government's travel and hospitality initiatives in the post-pandemic era. The event resulted in investment offers amounting to Rs 15,116.65 crore in the core sector. This includes a memorandum of understanding that Kerala Tourism signed with Tamara Leisure Experiences for a Rs 250-crore houseboat hotel project, which the Bengaluru-based hospitality group will execute in Alappuzha and Kannur districts, according to a Kerala Tourism release. TIM 2023 saw the participation of nearly 500 investors and entrepreneurs, including 46 startups and 118 investors from the Responsible Tourism sector. A total of 75 projects were presented, of which 52 were from the private sector. They contributed to the investment offers. Besides 23 projects proposed by the Tourism Department, 16 projects were mooted as public-private partnerships. "Together, the 39

CM Vijayan holds MPs meet ahead of Parliament to raise Kerala's problems

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday held an online meeting with MPs from Kerala urging them to highlight various issues, particularly the financial crisis, affecting the state during the upcoming Parliament session. In the meeting, a unanimous decision emerged to raise issues in the Parliament related to the removal of revenue subsidy due to the state, cancellation of GST compensation and non-payment of arrears of compensation. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), another important agenda discussed in the meeting was that the Centre should withdraw from its move to reduce the borrowing limits of the state. "In this context, it was unanimously decided in the meeting to visit the concerned Union Ministers to raise the credit limit of Kerala as per the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission," the statement said. The other issues which the MPs decided to jointly raise in the Parliament were -- the delay in security clearance to the ...