Page 69 - Kerala

Adani group sought deployment of central forces at Vizhinjam site: Minister

Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju said that the Adani Group approached the High Court requesting the security cover of central forces in its port construction site in Vizhinjam

Kerala will proceed 'no matter what' with protest-hit Adani port: Minister

The protesters say the huge project causes coastal erosion that has undermined their livelihoods, calling for a complete halt on the construction

Kerala CM Vijayan, team spent Rs 43 lakh on London visit, reveals RTI

A detailed split up shows an equivalent of Rs 28.54 lakh was paid for the hotel accommodation while the local transportation cost Rs 22.38 lakh and at the airport lounge it came to Rs 2.21 lakh

Kerala cooperative secures second position in global sectoral ranking

: World Co-operative Monitor, published by the International Cooperative Alliance, has honoured a primary level labour cooperative in Kerala. Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) has been ranked second in the list of Industry and Utilities Cooperatives in the sectoral rankings, for the third consecutive year, a statement said here. ULCCS has been named just below the Spain-based Corporation Mondragon. This ranking is based on the ratio of turnover over gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. ULCCS bagged the same position in 2018 and 2019, it said. The Industry and Utilities section includes cooperatives operating in industrial sectors with the exception of the food industry as well as those whose economic activity deals with utilities. It includes worker cooperatives in the construction sector and users' cooperatives in the utilities sector, that is, cooperatives which are active in the management of infrastructure for a public service. Four ..

Vizhinjam attack was with 'clear ulterior intention', says Kerala CM

Breaking his silence over the recent violent attack on a police station by anti-seaport agitators, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday criticised the incident, saying such protests took place with a "clear ulterior and heinous intention" to destroy tranquility in the society. There were widespread attacks against the police and public threats to attack the police station, but the police force cleverly realised the intention of the assailants, he said, addressing the passing out parade of a new batch of women police constables here via online. The CM, however, did not directly mention the fishermen community who had been staging protests against the upcoming Vizhinjam port and the Latin church which was leading the agitation. Appreciating the law enforcers for handling the issue sensibly, he said the peaceful atmosphere continued to prevail in the land because of the responsible behaviour of the police personnel despite attacks and injuries they suffered. "We have ..

Make women capable of taking care of themselves: Kerala HC to authorities

The state and public authorities must endeavour to make girls and women competent to take care of themselves rather than locking them in, the Kerala High Court has said regarding the restricted movement in the women's hostel of Kozhikode Medical College. Justice Devan Ramachandran on Tuesday said that patriarchism even in the form of offering protection to women and girls has to be frowned upon as they are just as capable, as men and boys, of taking care of themselves. The court also pointed out that even the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) mandate that in the guise of protection, the rights of students, especially women, to move around cannot be inhibited. Justice Ramachandran also questioned the rationale behind imposing the restriction on movement of women and asked the competent authorities to explain the same. "I am persuaded to make the afore observations also because, in the modern times, any patriarchism - even in the guise of offering protection base

Vizhinjam protests: FIR filed against 3,000 people; 36 cops injured

The protests are expected to cast shadow on the completion of the first phase of the project in December 2023

Adani Port issue: Situation under control in Vizhinjam after protests

After tension gripped Vizhinjam port area following the fishermen community's protest against the Adani Group restarting work on a $900 million transhipment port

Adani port protests: Vizhinjam police station attacked; 12 cops injured

The local fishing community claims that the breakwater and constructions would affect their livelihood and homes

Kerala Police files FIR, names Archbishop as accused in Vizhinjamport clash

The Kerala Police have registered an FIR on the Vizhinjam clashes and the Archbishop of the Latin Catholic Diocese, Thomas J. Netto has been named as the first accused

Not upset or angry with anyone in party: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said he was not upset or angry with anyone in the Kerala unit of the party and has no reservations in speaking to anyone as "we are not in kindergarten to refrain from talking to each other". Speaking to media in the port city of Kochi, where he came to attend a state-level conclave of the All India Professionals' Congress, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said he has not spoken against anyone in the party or acted against its directives and has no clue why such a controversy has been created. "I am not upset or angry with anyone. I have not blamed or accused anyone. There are no complaints or issues from my end. I have no problem seeing everyone as one and neither do I have any reservations about speaking to anyone," he said before the event. On being asked whether he would be speaking to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan and Kerala PCC (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran at the event, Tharoor said that the latter was not well an

States' Budget demand: 60% GST share, extended compensation period

State finance ministers demanded greater fiscal autonomy through an increase in states' share in goods and services tax (GST) to 60 per cent, from 50 per cent at present

PVR Cinemas opens first ever IMAX superplex at Lulu Mall in Kerala

Film exhibition company PVR Cinemas has opened Kerala's first ever IMAX along with a 12-screen superplex at Lulu Mall in the state capital here. The cinemas, which will be opened to the public from December 5, was formally inaugurated jointly by the Chairman and Managing Director of PVR Limited, Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group International, M A Yusuff Ali and the Joint Managing Director of PVR Limited, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, on Thursday evening. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said the group was very optimistic about the Kerala market. "We have had a successful venture with the Lulu Mall. We are thrilled to bring the first superplex in Thiruvananthapuram which is in line with our expansion strategy in the South," Bijli told PTI. Strengthening its foothold across markets, the new property is served in a palatial setting with the highest standard of entertainment making it the state's most advanced cinema. "The 12-screen property is an innovative excellence; hosting ...

Kerala Tourism to market Onam celebrations globally: Minister Riyas

Kerala Tourism will make all efforts to market Onam celebrations as a tourism product globally by formulating innovative campaigns, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Thursday. He was speaking after inaugurating a function held here for distribution of prizes of various contests relating to the cultural pageantry and global Onam 'pookalam' conducted by the Tourism Department as part of the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the Kerala Government. "A symbol of resilience, hope and equality, Onam has become a significant product that can attract domestic and foreign tourists. With the formation of tourism clubs in some foreign cities including London, the Tourism department has already initiated efforts to market the next year's Onam globally. By prominently projecting the unique features of various destinations, we will be able to ensure greater flow of tourists to the state from across the world during the Onam season," the Minister said. Presiding over the function,

Ongoing protests may delay completion of Adani port in Vizhinjam in Kerala

The Kerala government's ambitious Rs 7,500 crore Vizhinjam Seaport, being developed by the Adani group in the southernmost part of the state, has been facing deadlock due to the over 100-day protest by the locals led by the leadership of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese here. Keen to finish the project as early as possible, the state government has appealed to the church authorities to end the protest as it was crucial for bringing changes to the industrial and economic sector of the country. The government claimed it has accepted almost all demands of the protesters. However, the protesters are not ready to budge, alleging the project will adversely affect the livelihood of the fishermen, coastal eco-system and the ecology of the Western Ghats due to mining of granite stones for the same. The agitators also alleged the government has not given any written assurances on their demands even after many minister-level discussions. The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater ...

Ordinance seeking my removal as Chancellor 'infructuous': Kerala Governor

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday said the ordinance issued by the Left government seeking to remove him as the chancellor of universities has become "infructuous" now as the Assembly is summoned. The government, earlier this month, had issued an ordinance stripping the Governor of the chancellorship of state universities. It also later decided to convene the Assembly session from December 5. A visibly irritated Khan also criticised the recent news reports of Raj Bhavan seeking extra vehicles from the government for the Governor's guests and asked whether he should ask them to walk. "If extra guests come to Raj Bhavan, extra vehicles would be sought from the government. What is special about it? If the guests of the Governor come, should I ask them to walk on foot?" Khan told reporters in New Delhi in reply to a question. "Once the House has been summoned, any ordinance, which was sent to Raj Bhavan earlier, becomes infructuous...so, there is no such ordinance now," h

Gautam Adani's mega port hangs in balance as fishing community protests

For Adani, the world's third-richest person according to Forbes, it's a high-stakes impasse with no apparent easy solution

Kerala CM to dedicate India's biggest business jet terminal on Dec 10

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will dedicate the country's first charter gateway -- the Business Jet Terminal -- at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) on December 10, the airport authorities said on Tuesday. With the commissioning of the terminal, which is constructed at the erstwhile domestic terminal (T2), CIAL will join the elite club of four airports in the country having a dedicated private jet terminal. "The Business Jet Terminal is going to be India's first Charter Gateway, which will serve as a platform to integrate business jet service, tourism and business conferences," CIAL said in a release. The facilities include covered car parking, drive-in porches, a grand lobby, five opulent lounges, business centre, check-in, immigration, customs, health and security checking zones along with duty-free shop and foreign exchange counter for the smooth movement of the discerning guests, it said. The terminal facility also includes a safe house for security ...

Sabarimala pilgrims can carry coconuts in flights as cabin baggage: BCAS

Pilgrims going to Sabarimala temple in Kerala can carry coconuts in cabin baggage in flights, with aviation security regulator BCAS relaxing the norms for a limited period. A senior official of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said the permission has been given for the ongoing Sabarimala season that is to end in late January. Lakhs of devotees visit the hill shrine every year and majority of them carry 'Irumudi Kettu' (the sacred bag containing offerings, including coconut filled with ghee, to the Lord). Coconuts meant for offering as part of Sabarimala pilgrimage have been allowed to be carried in cabin baggage for a limited period of time, the official told PTI on Tuesday. The official also said that additional security measures and checks have been put in place in this regard. Under current norms, coconuts are not permitted in cabin baggage on the grounds that they are flammable. "... Coconuts, in the view of inconvenience to the pilgrims to Shri Sabarimala shall b

No parallel activities can be allowed in Congress in Kerala: V D Satheesan

Apparently rattled by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's Malabar tour, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan on Tuesday said any kind of sectarianism or parallel activities would not be allowed in the party and warned that such moves would be dealt with "seriously." The state unit of the Congress is on a comeback path in the state after two consecutive debacles in the Assembly elections and it is not healthy enough to afford any more parallel activities by anyone, Satheesan told reporters here. His remarks come as a significant section of the Congress party in the state was unhappy with Tharoor's ongoing tour. Asked about Tharoor's Malabar tour, Satheesan said every leader has a space within the Congress and no one is against it, but the party has its own mechanisms and systems. "The Congress in Kerala is not at all healthy to afford any more parallel activities...after suffering two drubbings in the assembly polls, the party is on a comeback mode in the state. ...