Page 45 - Kerala

ICMR detects Nipah virus presence in bats in Wayanad: Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Wednesday said that the ICMR has informed them about the presence of the Nipah virus in bats in the Wayanad district of the state, but there was no need to panic. State Health Minister Veena George said that the Indian Council of Medical Research gave this information based on its studies of the bat samples collected by it. "ICMR has said that it has found the presence of the virus in bats in Wayanad. It is a continuation of the ecosystem there," she said. The Nipah virus outbreak this year was in Kozhikode district, which neighbours Wayanad, and six persons were infected, of whom two had died. George said there was no need for the public to be afraid or panic as the information was being conveyed only to create awareness and to make people cautious and vigilant. She said that healthcare activities in connection with the virus were being coordinated and training was being provided to healthcare and medical professionals on how to deal with suspected cases

Kerala LIFE mission case: ED attaches assets worth over Rs 5 crore

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has attached assets worth more than Rs 5 crore in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe into an alleged scam in Kerala's LIFE Mission, which was meant for providing homes to flood victims. The properties attached include residential premises in the name of Santhosh Eappen and immovable property and bank balances in the name of Swapna Suresh, the federal agency said in a statement. The total value of these properties is Rs 5.38 crore, it said. It alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Sarith PS and Swapna Suresh, former employees of the UAE consulate, with "active support" of M Sivasankar, a former principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Sandeep Nair and others. This was done, the ED said, to "generate commission as bribe" from the funds donated by Red Crescent by awarding the LIFE Mission project to Unitac Builders and Developers and Sane Ventures LLP run by Santhosh Eappen "without following ..

Over 13 Sabarimala pilgrims injured as bus overturns in Kottayam, Kerala

More than 13 Sabarimala pilgrims were injured after a bus they were travelling in was involved in an accident in Kottayam district on Wednesday morning, police said. The accident occurred at Kanamala, near Erumeli, they said. The pilgrims, hailing from Kolar in neighbouring Karnataka, were proceeding to the hill shrine located in Pathanamthitta district. A senior official said as many as 43 people, including 40 pilgrims, were in the vehicle when it overturned after the driver lost control of it. Over 13 people suffered injuries, he said. Four injured pilgrims were rushed to the government medical College here, he said, adding that four persons were taken to the general hospital and some other accident victims were admitted to a nearby private hospital, the official added.

Rains continue to lash Kerala, orange alert in 4 districts; trains delayed

After a brief lull in the morning, rains continued to lash Kerala on Monday, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert in four districts of the state. The IMD issued an orange alert in the districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki for the day. It also issued a yellow alert in eight districts of the state. An orange alert means that very heavy rainfall of 11 cm to 20 cm is likely, and a yellow alert means there could be heavy rainfall of between 6 and 11 cm. The IMD also predicted that thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds are likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state. Earlier in the day, the IMD said there were cyclonic circulations over coastal Tamil Nadu and its neighbourhoods as well as over the Lakshadweep area, adjoining the Southeast Arabian sea and the Kerala coast. Under their influence, light to modera

Kerala: IMD issues 'Orange' alert and flood warning

Heavy rains have once again lashed Kerala. IMD has issued an orange alert in 4 districts including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki. Watch the video to learn more

Heavy rains lash Kerala, orange alert in 4 districts, landslides reported

As heavy rains continued to batter Kerala, landslides and flooding were reported from many parts of the state, especially its southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram, which was severely affected by waterlogging in several areas on Sunday. According to visuals shown on TV channels, the heavy rains since Saturday led to waterlogging and flooding of streets, roads and low-lying areas of Thiruvananthapuram district. The Technopark colony in Kazhakootam, a suburban area in the district, saw water entering homes leading to people being evacuated from homes, as per the visuals. Water entered hundreds of homes in the district and in some areas there were also incidents of landslides, according to the visuals. Visuals also showed cars almost submerged while rescuers evacuated people from homes in inflatable boats to camps in some parts of Thiruvananthapuram. State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who visited the flooded areas, said in a Facebook post that the rains since the ..

Indian caregivers confident about safety, evacuation under govt radar

The latest data on the population of Overseas Indians maintained by the Ministry of External Affairs updated in February, 2023 shows 12,467 Non Resident Indians in Israel

Kerala touch adds power to Israel police's combat gear in war against Hamas

A relatively lesser-known company, Maryan Apparel Ltd from Kannur district, has been providing uniforms to this esteemed force, recognised as one of the top police departments globally, since 2012

Cong demands probe into 'backdoor appointments' in KILA, seeks resignation

: The opposition Congress on Wednesday levelled corruption charges against Labour Minister V Sivankutty over appointments made in the state-run Kerala Institute of Labour Administration and urged the state government to order a probe into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment. The Congress accused the minister of appointing party cadre in various posts in KILA violating a 2019 cabinet decision that no appointment should be made there without prior permission. The government should immediately dismiss all those who have been appointed through "backdoor channels," Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan said. The Congress' criticism comes amidst reports by a section of the media that Sivankutty allegedly intervened for the regularisation of a woman DYFI leader working in KILA. "The minister who has committed a violation of oath is not entitled to continue in office, even for a moment. If there is a little bit of political decency and dignity left, Sivankutty

Kerala CM urges EAM Jaishankar to ensure safety of Indians in Israel

As the war between the Hamas militant outfit and the Israeli defence forces continues, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and ensure the safety of Indian citizens in Israel. Expressing concern over the plight of Indian nationals in Israel, Vijayan said that around 7,000 of them are from Kerala and the continuing hostilities were putting them to extreme hardship and their family members were in a state of extreme anxiety. "I request your goodself to intervene in every possible manner to ensure the safety of our citizens in Israel," the CM said in his letter dated October 9. The surprise weekend attack by Hamas on Israel has claimed nearly 1,600 lives. A Kerala-based woman working as a caregiver in Israel was also seriously injured in the Hamas attack and is presently hospitalised.

Kerala's liquidity strained, seeks Centre's intervention over borrowing cap

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Saturday said the state's liquidity position was severely stressed due to the reduction in the annual borrowing limit and sought the intervention of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman into the issue. In a letter written to the union finance minister, Balagopal said the liquidity stress got aggravated specifically because of the cut in the annual borrowing ceiling for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24. He said Kerala has been relying on its own sources of revenue for meeting the expenditure during recent years, unlike many other states. Balagopal said the decision of the Union Government to include the borrowing of institutions like KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) and lower the annual borrowing limit of the state with retrospective effect was causing severe liquidity stress for Kerala. "I write this letter to invite your kind attention to the issue of liquidity stress being faced by Kerala due to the reduction

Congress alleges corruption in cancellation of Kerala power contracts

The Opposition Congress on Saturday targeted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the recent cancellation of contracts in the power sector signed during the UDF regime and urged the Left government to probe the "corruption" behind the move. There is "conspiracy and corruption" by the Left government and the state Electricity Regulatory Commission is behind the cancellation of long-term power contracts signed during the time of the previous UDF government, it alleged. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan said they won't allow the authorities to impose the liability of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) Limited on the public. The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) had been turned into a government-sponsored body by inducting nominees of the ruling CPI(M), and they had helped the authorities facilitate corruption, he charged. The LoP's statement came days after the state cabinet, chaired by CM Vijayan, decided

Delhi Police raids Kerala residence of former NewsClick employee Anusha

The Delhi police on Friday conducted a raid and seized the laptop and phone of Malayali journalist and former NewsClick employee Anusha Paul from her residence near Kodumon here. After a three-member team of the Delhi Police recorded her statement and confiscated her electronic devices, Paul told the media that she was questioned about her association with NewsClick and the CPI(M). She said the questions ranged from whether she reported on farmers' protest, anti-NRC-CAA protests, or about the COVID-19 management of the Union government. "This is a witch-hunt to threaten the organisation and its employees who used to raise voice against the Narendra Modi government and the RSS," Paul said. Paul was staying in Kerala for the treatment of a close family member. She told the media that the Delhi Police asked her whether she knows the Delhi state secretary of the CPI(M), K M Tiwari. "Of course, I know him. I told them that. He is the state secretary of the CPI(M). I am a CPI(M) worker

Congress to launch charitable mission in Oommen Chandy's name in Kerala

Senior Congress leaders on Thursday recalled the contributions and work of late Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said the party would be soon launching a charitable mission in his name to help people across the state. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, former Union Defence Minister and party veteran A K Antony, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly V D Satheesan, all recalled the love and compassion Chandy had for the people in Kerala. "His work and his love for the people was seen in the farewell the public gave to him on his death," they said while speaking at the launch of a book -- 'Aardramanas' -- about party stalwart Chandy prepared by the KPCC. Venugopal said Chandy touched thousands of lives through his work and he was a leader that the Congress would be proud of forever. He said the party was obligated to him and each Congress member should pay it back in his own way. In his

Kerala CM launches 7 mega projects at Cochin International Airport

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated seven "mega projects" at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) here. The chief minister launched the operation of the Import Cargo Terminal, DigiYatra software and Airport Emergency Services at the international airport at an event held at CIAL. He also launched the projects for the first phase of the expansion of Terminal 3, the '0484' luxury aero lounge, an intrusion detection system at the airport and golf resorts. Addressing the gathering, Vijayan said Kerala is showing the public an alternative when even the strategic public sector undertakings in the country, including airports, are being privatised in the country. "We are living at a time when even the strategic public sector undertakings in this country are being privatised. But in Kerala, the public sector undertakings are being protected and are prospering. We even took over the public sector undertakings that the Centre had put up for sale," Vijayan said.

Kerala CM to inaugurate seven 'mega projects' at CIAL on October 2

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate seven "mega projects" at the international airport here on Monday, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said. The airport authority said the chief minister will inaugurate the operation of the Import Cargo Terminal, DigiYatra software and Airport Emergency Services at CIAL. He will also launch the projects for the first phase of the expansion of Terminal 3, the '0484' luxury aero lounge, an intrusion detection system at the airport and the Golf Resorts. In a Facebook post, Vijayan said the aero lounge will consist of 42 luxury guest rooms, a restaurant, mini conference hall, board room, gym, spa among other facilities. "Once fully operational, with a massive area of 50,000 sq. ft., it will become the biggest lounge facility in the country," Vijayan said. He said the Airport Fire and Rescue force is being upgraded to Airport Emergency Services with the inclusion of two Austrian-made fire engines and other advanced vehic

Heavy rains continue across Kerala; IMD issues yellow alert in 13 districts

Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Kerala affecting normal life on Saturday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a "yellow alert" warning in 13 of 14 districts of the state except in Kottayam. The yellow alert predicts heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. Uprooting of trees, waterlogging and collapsing of compound walls were reported in many places, but no major casualties have happened anywhere in the state so far in the rains continuing for the last two days. Heavy downpour submerged hundreds of acres of paddy fields at Edathua, a tiny hamlet in the Kuttanad region in Alappuzha district. The shutters of Aruvikkara Dam near the state capital was raised up to 160 cm in view of rising water level, district authorities here said. As the rain is expected to intensify in the coming hours, the state Disaster Management Authority urged people living in high range to maintain extra vigil and directed fishermen not to venture into the sea.

Centre's 'step motherly' treatment hurting Kerala: Finance Min Balagopal

Going through a "growth phase", Kerala is poised for very good development in infrastructure, industrial as well as services sectors that will create more job opportunities, according to the state's Finance Minister K N Balagopal. Amid concerns over the state's financial health, he asserted revenue generation has made a "giant leap" to Rs 71,000 crore in the last fiscal but the central government's "step motherly" treatment has resulted in a liquidity crunch. In an interview with PTI, Balagopal cited reports by various agencies, including the recent Fitch Ratings, to affirm that the "state is now going through a very good economic growth phase." In recent months, the Left-ruled Kerala has been raising its voice against BJP-led Centre's moves on the fiscal front, including alleged delay in releasing GST funds and curbs on the state in terms of raising money. Referring to the steps taken by the finance department for better revenue generation, the minister said through efficient tax

Kerala CM protecting culprits behind Karuvannur bank scam: Cong-led UDF

A day after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that the state government had taken action against those involved in the Karuvannur bank scam case, the Congress-led UDF opposition on Thursday reiterated its allegation that he was protecting the culprits behind the fraud. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the assembly V D Satheesan alleged that the chief minister was defending and protecting those who looted over Rs 500 crore from cooperative banks in Thrissur. Vijayan on Wednesday had said that if one bad grain was found in a bowl of rice, the entire bowl cannot be thrown away. In response to this, Satheesan contended that the chief minister needs to realise that the entire bowl was full of bad grains. The LoP further contended that the stand taken by Vijayan amounts to discrediting the cooperative sector in the state and turning a blind eye to the suffering of the investors. He said that even the opposition does not want the cooperative sector to be harmed and urged the ..

Bribery charges steam against Kerala's health min, Cong calls it 'shocking'

Allegations of bribery have cropped up against a personal staff of Kerala Health Minister Veena George following which the opposition Congress demanded a probe into it. Haridasan, a resident of Malappuram district on Wednesday, alleged that a personal staff member of the minister accepted Rs 1 lakh as bribe for the appointment of his daughter-in-law as a government medical officer. He alleged that a middleman approached him, saying such appointments were being made through the minister's office, and asked him to pay a huge amount as bribe in instalments. A former office secretary of CITU, the trade union wing of the CPI(M), in Pathanamthitta, who allegedly acted as a middleman, also accepted a bribe for the said appointment, he claimed and added his daughter-in-law, however, didn't get the job. Haridasan also released through the media some purported evidence of money transactions between him and the minister's personal staff member. Later in the day, he said officers of the speci