Page 49 - Kerala

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 ...

Kerala Ports Minister faces flak from fishermen over compensation

Kerala Ports Minister Ahammed Devarkovil on Wednesday faced opposition from a group of people while attending an event at Kovalam here related to compensating fishermen in connection with the Vizhinjam port project. A small crowd of fishermen who were dissatisfied with the list of compensation beneficiaries had gathered outside the event venue and prevented his vehicle from entering there, an officer of Kovalam police station said. "The police acted swiftly to prevent any untoward incident, cleared the crowd and ensured the minister's vehicle entered the venue," the officer said. The officer also said that the minister attended the event and then left without any further incident. No case was registered in connection with the incident nor was anyone taken into custody, police said. The Vizhinjam port is being constructed, at a cost of Rs 7,700 crore, under the public-private partnership model. The Adani Group is the private partner in the development of what will become one of th

Kerala govt announces Rs 5 lakh aid to kin of Kalamassery blast victims

The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to provide financial assistance of Rs five lakh each to the families of those who had lost their lives in a blast at a religious gathering in Kalamassery near Kochi last month. A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, decided to grant the relief amount from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, a CMO statement said here. Additionally, support will be extended to cover medical expenses for the injured persons receiving treatment, even in private hospitals, it said. Five persons were killed and over 50 were injured, some seriously, during the multiple blasts at a religious gathering in an international convention centre in Kalamassery, on October 29. They had gathered for the final day of a three-day-long prayer meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Kerala CM warns against forces who try to destroy cooperative sector

Kerala Chief Minister a Vijayan on Tuesday cautioned against "some forces" who have been on a "mission" for some time to destroy the cooperative sector in the state, and alleged that their real agenda is to divert the funds in the sector to help big corporates. Both the public and cooperative sectors had enjoyed great prominence in the country during the post-independence period, but the situation changed after the nation embraced globalisation, he said. Since then, the country has been witnessing several moves to destroy the cooperative sector, and it is still continuing, he said. Vijayan was speaking after inaugurating the Sahakarana Varaghosham (loosely translated as Cooperative Week Celebrations) programme here. "Though the cooperative sector in Kerala is very strong, some forces are on a mission to destroy its foundation, sabotage the state's economy, and push the lives of ordinary people into misery," he said. The attempt to destroy the cooperative sector is not a sudden mov

Kerala CM Vijayan calls for action to ensure safety of Palestinian children

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday emphasised the government's responsibility to protect the rights of children and called for concerted efforts to address the plight of Palestinian children affected in the ongoing conflict with Israel. In a Facebook post on the occasion of Children's Day commemorating the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, the chief minister underscored the dire situation faced by Palestinian children amid the war. He urged collective action to ensure their safety and facilitate their rehabilitation. Vijayan said that the availability of nutritious food, healthcare, and quality education are the inherent rights of every child born in the world. Safeguarding these rights is a fundamental responsibility of governments, he said. Highlighting the vision of the architects of the Constitution, including Nehru, the chief minister said that they envisioned an India where violence and exploitation against children would be ...

IMD predicts heavy rainfall in southern states, orange alert in Kerala

IMD has anticipated rainfall in southern states this week. This includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Karaikal, and Rayalaseema on 14 and 15 November

Kerala startup launches first e-health kiosk for better healthcare access

A Kerala-based startup has launched a first-of-its kind digital health kiosk that claims to provide basic diagnostics like blood pressure, blood sugar and heart conditions instantly with utmost accuracy in multiple languages and at extremely low prices. Prognosis, the kiosk, launched by Versicles Technologies, is equipped with a touch screen that offers video instructions to users to receive accurate readings. It aims to make healthcare facilities more easily accessible. The company in a release said the kiosk has machines that measure a user's blood pressure, blood sugar, heart conditions (ECG monitor), temperature (wireless Bluetooth thermometer) and weight. "The kiosk, which provides multilingual instructions through an AI-based voice bot, also features a resting bench where one can comfortably sit during the tests," it said. The kiosk (myprognosis.ai/kiosk) provides results in just under a minute, and also offers immediate recommendations if irregularities are detected in an ..

Kerala farmer ends life due to financial crisis; Guv, Oppn criticise govt

A farmer ended his life in the Kuttanad region in this southern district on Saturday allegedly due to financial problems as he did not get payment for paddy procurement. A suicide note, purportedly written by the farmer K G Prasad, accusing the Left government and some banks of being responsible for him taking the extreme step, triggered a political row in the state. Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, who visited a hospital in nearby Thiruvalla where the deceased man's mortal remains were kept, said farmers have been facing a huge crisis in the state and his "heart goes out to Prasad's family". Expressing deep grief over the death, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan alleged that the government failed in paddy procurement and payments for farmers were due for months. The 55-year-old Prasad, a paddy farmer hailing from Ambedkar Colony in Thakazhi here, had consumed poison on Friday night, police said. Though he was admitted to a hospital in Thiruvalla, he died in the wee

Ruling LDF to hold agitation against 'negligence' of Centre towards Kerala

Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Friday announced its decision to take the fight against the alleged negligence of the BJP-ruled Centre towards the state's development needs to New Delhi. The agitation, scheduled for January next year, aims to highlight the challenges faced by the state on the financial front due to what the CPI(M)-led alliance alleges as the Centre's negligence. LDF Convenor E P Jayarajan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his Cabinet colleagues, Left MLAs, MPs, and other leaders, will participate in the protest. This move is seen as the LDF's political narrative against the BJP-led NDA in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Speaking after a meeting of LDF leaders at the CPI(M) headquarters here, Jayarajan criticised the Central government for neglecting Kerala across various sectors. He alleged that the state was facing financial difficulties due to the Centre's policies. "The state is not receiving the benefits it deserves, with Rs 5

Ex-Kerala Cong chief received bank fraud proceeds through farming biz: ED

K K Abraham, a former general secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), got "profit share" from a ginger farming enterprise run along with his alleged associate and an accused in a loan fraud in a Kerala-based cooperative bank, the Enforcement Directorate claimed Friday. Abraham was arrested by the federal probe agency in Kerala on November 7. The case pertains to an alleged loan fraud of Rs 5.62 crore at the Pulpally Service Cooperative Bank located at Pulpally in Wayanad district. The criminal case filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) stems from an FIR of the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) against the governing body members and officials of the bank. The central agency alleged Abraham was the "overall in-charge of the bank as president who played a key role in sanctioning various loans by overvaluing the properties to the applicants." The ED probe found, the agency said in a statement, that bank officials and it

Bomb threat to Kerala Secretariat; police carries out thorough searches

Police on Thursday carried out a thorough search of the state Secretariat, the administrative complex here, after receiving a bomb threat. According to sources, a threatening call claiming that explosives would be detonated within the Secretariat complex was received at the police control room. In immediate response, police personnel, aided by sniffer dogs, conducted thorough searches both inside and outside the Secretariat premises. Even parked vehicles and nearby shops were not exempted from scrutiny. Unconfirmed reports say that the perpetrator behind the call has been identified by the police.

ED arrests Ex-KPCC general secy in cooperative bank fraud case in Kerala

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) former general secretary, K K Abraham, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged loan scam that occurred during his tenure as president of a service cooperative bank in Wayanad district. Abraham was taken into custody on Tuesday night in connection with the Pulpally Service Cooperative bank scam, according to official sources. He was subsequently presented before a court on Wednesday, they said without elaborating. ED initiated a probe after receiving multiple allegations of financial irregularities within the bank during Abraham's time as president of the institution's governing body. The victims had approached the ED seeking probe into the scam. One of the victims of the scam had died by suicide a few months ago. Prior to the ED action, Abraham had been arrested by the Vigilance wing of the Kerala police following a cheating complaint filed by an elderly couple.

Kerala's Technopark records software exports worth Rs 11,630 cr for FY23

Kerala's pioneer IT hub Technopark here has reported a remarkable surge in software export revenue for the financial year 2022-23. The organization saw a substantial increase of Rs 1,855 crores in export revenue, registering a 19 per cent growth compared to the previous fiscal year, a statement said here on Wednesday. Also, the Technopark has consistently maintained an A+ stable rating from CRISIL (Credit Rating Information Service of India Limited) for the last three years, underscoring its robust financial performance and seamless transactions. The campus spread over 768.63 acres with 11.22 million sq. ft of built up space, currently hosts 72,000 employees across 486 companies. In the last financial year, 46 companies opened new IT/ITeS offices in Technopark and during that time, Technopark's software export revenue from 465 companies was Rs 9,775 crores, it said. This fiscal year it has reached Rs 11,630 crores, which is an excellent growth curve. Col Sanjeev Nair (Retd), CEO

ED raids Kandala Service Cooperative Bank in southern Kerala district

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out a raid at a services cooperative bank in this southern Kerala district. The ED raided the Kandala Services Cooperative Bank near Kattakada here following reports of alleged irregualarities of several crores at the bank. Raids were also carried out by ED at several other locations connected with the bank. The ED raid which began early in the morning was still underway, police sources confirmed.

8 court staff test positive for Zika virus in Kerala's Kannur district

The state's health department said in a release that the elderly and children should maintain caution and avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes

Court grants police 10-day custody of accused in Kochi blast case

A court in Kerala on Monday granted the police ten days custody of the lone accused in the Kochi bomb blast case. Principal Session Court Judge Honey M Varghese allowed the police's plea for 10-day custody of Dominic Martin. Four people were killed and over 50 were injured in the blast during a prayer meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses at a convention center in Kalamassery near here on October 29. The police submitted that they need to investigate his sources of income, international connections, and other related matters. They also said that the accused must be taken to certain locations for further collection of evidence. Meanwhile, Martin once again declined the assistance of a legal aid lawyer. Previously, on October 31, Martin was remanded to judicial custody. In addition to Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have also been invoke

54 cases registered for spreading instigative content after blast in Kerala

Kerala Police on Saturday said it has registered 54 cases for spreading communally instigative contents through social media in the aftermath of the recent blasts at a Christian prayer meet near Kalamassery in Kochi. Police said the most number of 26 cases was registered in Malappuram district, followed by 15 in Ernakulam and five cases Thiruvananthapuram. Thrissur City and Kottayam have reported two cases each, while Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Palakkad and Kozhikode Rural have one case each. Police, in a release, said they have identified numerous fake profiles which have been used to share posts that can instigate communal hatred. "Requests have been made to Facebook, Instagram, X, WhatsApp and other social media platforms to identify the IP addresses of such fake profiles. The cyber cell in the state is functioning round the clock to identify such handles," the release said.