Page 66 - Kerala

Kerala HC asks why RBI did not appear despite being served notice

Kerala HC asked why RBI did not appear before it even after being served a notice on pleas challenging the summons issued by ED in connection with its probe into the financial transactions of KIIFB

Buffer zone: Congress warns of agitation if public concerns not addressed

The Congress on Saturday threatened to lead a public agitation if the Left government in Kerala does not take immediate steps to address concerns of the farmers and common people who would be affected by the Supreme Court order to maintain a one kilometre buffer zone around protected forests and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. Not just the Congress, but locals in various villages of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Kozhikode districts of the state said they would be protesting against the inclusion of habited, commercial and agricultural areas in the buffer zone in a recent report compiled by an expert committee appointed by the state government. The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) too came out against the expert committee report and said that urgent intervention by the state government was required to address the concerns of the public. It suggested, in a statement, that the areas of protected forests or wildlife sanctuaries be decreased by one kilometre to ...

Centre's globalisation, liberalisation policies pro-corporates: Kerala CM

The BJP-ruled Centre's policies of globalisation and liberalisation have created a situation wherein farmers of the country have no hope or social security while big corporates are protected and encouraged at the expense of the general public, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Friday. Speaking at the All-India Kisan Sabha's national conference here, Vijayan lashed out at the Centre for its alleged anti-farmer and anti-people policies and claimed that the BJP was trying to divide the country along social, economic and communal lines. He alleged that while ignoring the plight of the farmers, the Central government was busy protecting big corporates by writing off their debts and providing them with loans at low interest rates. Besides that, the Centre was more interested in privatising public sector undertakings (PSUs) to fill its coffers rather than try to run them effectively, he claimed. "However, Kerala has adopted a stand contrary to that of the Centre and this

Kerala to frame 'Design Policy', says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

CM said Kerala is working towards 'Design Policy' with intention of making the state a global hub in the fast-emerging creative field by capitalising on the region's strong start-up ecosystem, culture

I am not important, Bill should not be against the law of land: Kerala Guv

The Bill removing him as the chancellor was passed in the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday, but till now it has not been send to the Governor's office

Kerala official suspended over derogatory remark against defence personnel

An official attached to Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, (Supplyco), has been suspended for making an "objectionable" remark against the defence personnel

All charged up: 5 bidders in fray for India's largest electric bus tender

18 bids received for electric buses in eight slots based on bus size, specifications and state transport undertakings

Woman's right to reproductive choice is her personal liberty: Kerala HC

A woman's right to reproductive choice is part of her personal liberty under Article 21, the Kerala High Court has said while allowing medical termination of pregnancy for a minor rape survivor. Justice V G Arun, in an order issued on December 12, allowed the petition of a 17-year-old mentally challenged girl, to terminate her pregnancy that reached 26 weeks. "A woman's right to make reproductive choice is recognised as part of her personal liberty under Article 21, subject of course to reasonable restrictions," the court said. The court noted that the medical board, after considering all aspects, has opined that continuation of pregnancy can seriously affect the mental health of the victim and she is likely to develop depression and psychosis. "In view of the Medical Board's opinion and considering the mental status of the victim, I am inclined to allow the prayer for medical termination of the pregnancy," the court said. It also opined that each day's delay will add to the victi

Centre awards nine GI tags to take total to 432, Kerala bags five

With this, the total number of GI tags in India comes to 432

Water level in Kerala dam crosses 141 ft; second flood warning issued

An alert has been sounded by Kerala as the water level in Mullaperiyar Dam here crossed 141 ft on Wednesday. The district authorities here said the 'second flood warning' was issued as the water level in the reservoir touched 141 ft at 6 AM. "The water level reached 141.20 ft at 12 PM. If the excess water is released, it will reach the Idukki Reservoir in the downstream," an official source said. The maximum permissible limit of water storage in the dam is 142 ft, District Collector Sheeba George said in a statement. There are chances of releasing extra water by opening its shutters if the water level touches the maximum permissible limit, she said. The departments concerned and its heads should take emergency steps as per the government directives in this regard if there is any situation of releasing excess water. Necessary alerts should also be passed on to the local people and the media based on information from the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), the statement add

Israel to consider cooperation in agriculture, tourism sectors with Kerala

Israel has expressed willingness to consider cooperation with Kerala in the sectors of agriculture and tourism. Consul General of Israel to South India, Tammy Ben Haim informed Chief Minister Pinarayi that they would favourably consider the possibilities of cooperation. The meeting was held at the chief minister's office here on Tuesday, an official statement said. Haim assured that she would discuss with the Ministry of Tourism in Israel to see how the cooperation in the tourism sector can be taken forward. The Consul General also assured to continue the official level talks in connection with the signing of MoU with Israel companies for the development of the value-added farm products. The CM welcomed the Consul General's assurance of cooperation, it said. During the meeting, Vijayan also recalled the long-standing relationship with Israel and mentioned the Synagogue in Kochi, a symbol of early Jewish settlement in the southern state, the statement added. In a tweet, Haim sai

Kerala passes Bill to remove Guv as Chancellor, but its fate uncertain

On expected lines, the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the University Laws (Amendment) Bill which removes the Governor as the Chancellor of 14 universities in the state

Smuggled gold seizures hit 3-year high; Kerala accounts for maximum cases

Gold seizures by enforcement agencies have hit a three-year high of 3,083 kg in November this year, with Kerala accounting for the maximum cases of smuggled gold seized, Parliament was informed on Monday. Gold seizures across the country have gone up this year when compared to 2,383 kg seized in the 2021 calendar year and 2,154 kg in 2020. In 2019, 3,673 kg of gold was seized. In 2022 (up to November), 3,083.61 kg of gold was seized in 3,588 cases. In Kerala, 690 kg of the yellow metal was seized in 948 cases in 2022, up from 587 kg in 2021 and 406 kg in 2020. In 2019, 725 kg was seized. Besides Kerala, states which account for high gold seizures this year till November 2022 are Maharashtra (474 kg in 484 cases), Tamil Nadu (440 kg in 809 cases) and West Bengal (369 kg in 214 cases). Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the Customs field formations and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) keep constant vigil and take operational measures, such as passenger

Enforcement agencies seize 3,083 kg gold till Nov; Kerala saw most seizures

Enforcement agencies have seized 3,083 kg of gold till November this year, with Kerala accounting for the maximum number of seizures, Parliament was informed Monday. Gold seizures across the country have gone up this year when compared to 2,383 kg seized in the 2021 calendar year and 2,154 kg in 2020. In 2019, 3,673 kg of gold was seized. In 2022 (up to November), 3,083.61 kg of gold was seized in 3,588 cases. In Kerala, 690 kg of yellow metal was seized in 2022, up from 587 kg in 2021 and 406 kg in 2020. In 2019, 725 kg was seized. Besides Kerala, states which account for high gold seizures this year till November 2022 are Maharashtra (474 kg), Tamil Nadu (440 kg) and West Bengal (369 kg). Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the government makes policy interventions and takes operational measures to check smuggling. In the last three years, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted investigations and filed charge sheets in three cases of gold smuggling, h

Kerala CM Vijayan blames state BJP, Congress for 'derailment' of K-Rail

The project is not shelved and the Centre has not informed us that the detailed project report is incomplete

Shashi Tharoor an asset to party, says Kerala state Congress chief

The statement came in the wake of reports of a tussle inside the Congress' state unit after Shashi Tharoor actively started participating in events and meeting with religious and political leaders

Kerala HC proposes extending time of worship at Sabarimala to control crowd

Kerala High Court on Sunday proposed an extension of the time of worship for devotees at the Sabarimala temple by an hour on busy days.The Devaswom Bench of the high court mooted the proposal after convening a special sitting on Sunday.The court had asked the Board to consider extending the time of worship after taking suo motu cognisance of a recent rush of devotees at the Sabarimala temple, which left quite a few of them injured.The Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar also dircted the Pathanamthitta district collector and the police to control the crowd at the Sabarimala shrine.The lawyer for the Devaswom board submitted in court that a decision on extending the time of worhsip can only be made after holding consultations with the temple's chief priest, owing to certain ritualistic considerations.The Devaswom Board said bookings are increasing despite attempts made to control the congestion at the temple through virtual queues.The police and the Devaswom Board made .

Kerala CM inaugurates India's biggest business jet terminal in Kochi

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday inaugurated a new Business Jet Terminal at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL)

India surviving because of teachings of shankaracharyas, sages: Kerala guv

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday said India is surviving because of the teachings of saints such as shankaracharyas and sages. Khan was speaking at a function in Mumbai where he received the SIES (South Indian Education Society) Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi award for public leadership. "India is surviving because of the teachings of saints like Shankaracharya and rishis. Indian civilisation is not only ancient but it is dynamic to create and face challenges, with the result that its continuity is ensured," he said. Shankaracharya is a religious title used by the heads of monasteries called mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism.

Kerala seed farm declared as first carbon neutral farm in the country

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday declared a seed farm, located in Aluva here, as the first carbon neutral farm in the country. A significant reduction in carbon emission has helped the seed farm, under the Agricultural Department, achieve the carbon neutral status, he said making the announcement. The total amount of carbon emission from the farm, located at Thuruthu in Aluva, in the last one year was 43 tons but its overall procurement was 213 ton, he said. Compared to the emission rate, as many as 170 tons of more carbon have been procured at the farm, which helped it to be declared as the first carbon neutral seed farm in the country, the Chief Minister explained. "Carbon neutral farms will be set up in all 140 Assembly constituencies...Efforts have already been launched to make 13 farms in Kerala carbon neutral," he said Carbon neutral agricultural methods would be implemented through women's groups and such interventions would be made in the tribal sector a