Page 10 - Pinarayi Vijayan

Lok Sabha polls: It may not be a cakewalk for Rahul, Congress in Kerala

In the run-up to Lok Sabha polls, LDF appears to be better placed than in 2019 and BJP is leaving no stone unturned to emerge as a challenger in the state

Centre adopts anti-Kerala stand as people of state reject Sangh Parivar: CM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday charged the union government with adopting an "anti-Kerala" stand and 'choking' the state financially as the people have rejected the sangh parivar and their politics. People of the state are not recognising the sangh parivar and their politics, as a result of which the BJP has failed to gain foothold in Kerala, he said. Vijayan was speaking after laying foundation stone of a memorial building for CPI (M) strongman late Azhikodan Raghavan. "Is it appropriate to persecute a state and it's people using the Centre's power as the BJP has failed to win seats here?" the CM asked. He claimed that the Centre was intervening into the state's affairs in violation of principles enshrined in the Constitution and imposing restrictions on its borrowing limit. "The union government is adopting an anti-Kerala stand as they have no love for the state," the Left leader added. He also accused the Congress-led UDF opposition of not strongly opposing the Ce

Kerala will conduct gender audit and ensure equal pay for women: CM Vijayan

Wooing women voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said a gender audit will be conducted in workplaces and steps will be taken to ensure equal pay for women, on par with men. Addressing the Chief Minister's Face-to-Face Programme with women in the state here, Vijayan said jobs should be made more favourable for women. "Until recently, the emphasis was only on educating women. But they also need to be convinced of the need for them to participate in the (formal) workforce from now on. Jobs should be made more favorable for women. For that, gender audit will be conducted in workplaces and equal pay will be ensured," Vijayan said. Highlighting the women-friendly policies of his government, he said, "Kerala has become a role model in the country by introducing menstrual leave for students in all state universities under the Department of Higher Education." As per the National Survey on Higher Education, the state has the highest ...

LS polls: Vijayan highlights Kerala's PSC's job creation record to youth

Reaching out to the youth ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said Kerala PSC is far ahead of the UPSC and other state PSCs in creating employment opportunities in the public sector. "Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) is setting an example for the entire country by making record appointments. More than 230,000 job recommendations have been issued since June 2016. The state government has created around 30,000 additional posts during this period," Vijayan said, addressing the Chief Minister's face-to-face programme with the youth, organised here. He claimed that the state made this achievement at a time when millions of posts are lying vacant in central services and other states. "The Union Public Service Commission has made only 16,434 appointments in central services across India since 2018. But during the same period, Kerala PSC created a record in appointments. The State Public Service Commission of Uttar Pradesh, with a population eight

Kerala CM cautions against concerted efforts creating rift among religions

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday cautioned against concerted efforts to create a rift among religions and religious beliefs in the country. Instead of nurturing harmony, cooperation and coexistence between religions, such forces are consciously trying to create division between them, the CM said. He was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, here. "Today, there are deliberate attempts by people with vested interests to create enmity between various religions and religious beliefs," Vijayan said. Without naming any particular political party, outfit or individual, he further charged that some forces were capable enough to create a rift even among those who should stand united and create confusion in the society about whom or what should be opposed. In such situations, a humanitarian approach and interventions being made by personalities like Marthoma Metropolitan within the church

Kerala court rejects corruption complaint against CM over sand mining

A Kerala court has rejected a complaint alleging corruption by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and various officials back in 2019 in connection with a government order permitting removal of sand from the Thottappally coastal area in Alappuzha district. Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kottayam, M Manoj dismissed the complaint saying that prima facie none of the offences, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC, as alleged against the CM and others in the complaint were disclosed. "The averments in the complaint do not disclose any offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or under any other law. "The complicity of the respondents in any of the alleged offences are not prima facie made out and disclosed as per the averments in the complaint." the judge said in his order dated February 7. The complaint was moved by the President of the Karimanal Khanana Virudha Ekopana Samithi alleging that atomic mineral sand extracted from Thottappally coastal area in t

Not right, difficult to implement: Kerala CM on PM's ration shop posters

He further said that the centre had also directed the installation of PM's selfie points in 550 selected ration shops across the state, adding that FCI officials were also directed to check them

Democracy in India being crippled by 'Union over states' mentality: Vijayan

A democracy envisaged as a union of states is being "crippled" by the Centre's "undemocratic Union over States" mentality, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in New Delhi on Thursday, as he led a protest against the Centre's alleged neglect towards the southern state on financial matters. Spearheading the ruling Left's protest, Vijayan criticised the 'Union over States' mentality of the Centre, by which it accords itself supremacy over the states, saying it not only manifested in financial matters, but was evident in the functioning of governors in opposition-ruled states as well. The chief minister was addressing a gathering that included LDF MPs, MLAs, senior Left front leaders such as CPI General Secretary D Raja and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, Tamil Nadu's Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiagarajan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, at Jantar Mantar in th

'ED is new weapon of Centre': Arvind Kejriwal on probe agency summons

Slamming the BJP-led central govt, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Centre has 'waged a war' against Opposition governments

Kerala far ahead in ensuring justice to victims: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said the state was far ahead in fighting crime and ensuring justice to victims. The Chief Minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Directorate of Prosecution and Prosecution Academy headquarters here. Vijayan stressed that it was the responsibility of a state government to ensure safety and security of the life and property of the citizens besides maintaining peace in the society. "It's a matter of pride that the prosecution system in Kerala is far better than any other state in the country. We are far ahead in fighting crime and ensuring justice to victims," Vijayan said, adding that in the criminal legal system, the prosecutors should function in a free and an unbiased manner. He noted that there are 15 POCSO courts in the state to deal with the crimes against children and 54 fast track courts functioning as per the directions of the Supreme Court. "The government has appointed special public prosecutors in

Kerala govt agrees to discuss financial problems of state in Assembly

The Kerala government on Tuesday agreed to discuss in the state assembly an issue raised by the Congress-led UDF opposition regarding the financial problems being faced by the southern state. The UDF, in an adjournment notice, alleged that the mismanagement and extravagance of the Left government was the cause for the financial problems in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the adjournment notice moved by the opposition to suspend the scheduled business of the House and discuss the issue. In view of the stand taken by the CM, Speaker A N Shamseer ruled that the scheduled business of the House would be suspended for two hours at 1 pm for discussion on the notice. Agreeing to discuss the issue, the chief minister said that the government was ready as the opposition in its adjournment notice agreed that the Centre's neglect towards Kerala was one of the reasons for the financial problems in the state. Vijayan also pointed out that despite this, the UDF MPs have never

Centre's policies main hindrance in creation of new Kerala: CM Vijayan

The Chief Minister claimed that the proportion of tax resources to be distributed to the states has declined from 42 per cent during the 14th Finance Commission to 41 per cent during the 15th Finance

Dissent should not degenerate into violence: Kerala Guv on Indian democracy

Dissent and differences of opinion are essential ingredients of democratic functioning but they should not degenerate into violence, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Friday on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day celebrations here. Khan, leading the Republic Day celebrations at the Central Stadium in the state capital, said that society should not allow group rivalries or internal struggles for power to affect governance as it would set a bad example for the future generations. The Governor further said that education was the chief means by which a society is transformed and it is the only effective method to purge the mind of old prejudices. "The future depends on what we are in our thoughts and actions. For this, we need institutions of higher education which are truly autonomous and free from any outside interference that leads the youth to engage in activities which pollute the academic environment," he said at the event also attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi ...

Kerala CM launches K-SMART App for digital access to local govt services

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the K-SMART application here on Monday, aiming to provide digital access to services offered by local self-government bodies through a unified platform across the state. During the launch, the chief minister said that the government's objective is to leverage advanced technology for the improvement of various sectors in society. With the introduction of K-SMART (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation), he said that services provided by local self-government bodies will now be available at citizens' fingertips. Developed by the Information Kerala Mission for the Department of Local Self-Government, the app will be initially implemented in corporations and municipalities across the state. The next phase will involve extending its reach to Gram Panchayats starting April 1, as announced by the government. Officials highlighted that the K-SMART will streamline local government services in Kerala wit

LDF announces cabinet reshuffle, new ministers to take oath on Dec 29

Honouring the commitment made to all coalition partners, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Sunday announced a cabinet reshuffle and said new ministers will take oath on December 29. LDF convener E P Jayarajan told the media that Transport minister, Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress and Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil of the Indian National League have tendered their resignations. "Two ministers have tendered their resignations. New ministers will take oath on December 29. Their portfolios will be decided by the Chief Minister," Jayarajan told the media at a press meet here. Ramachandran Kadannappally of Congress (S) and K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) will take oath as ministers for the rest of the term. When the second LDF government came to power in the state in May 2021, partners in the CPI(M)-led alliance had reached an understanding to allocate cabinet berths to four single-MLA parties on a "sharing the term" basis. The LDF then took the decision

Kerala Covid-19 update: 1,634 active cases, 1 death reported in state

Health Minister Veena George said that 1,957 oxygen beds, 2,454 ICU beds, and 937 ICU beds with ventilators have been arranged in Kerala

Kerala govt may consider approaching Centre to get Guv removed: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said his government may consider approaching the Union Government seeking the recall of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who been at loggerheads with the Left party over various issues. Vijayan, addressing the media here as part of the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas, said Khan was trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state by creating deliberate provocation. "In order to maintain a cordial Centre-state relationship, the actions of the Governor should be rectified. The state government feels that he is trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. It seems like we will have to ask the Centre to remove him," Vijayan answered to the various queries. Lashing out at Khan, Vijayan also said that the Governor has shifted to making personal attacks and has been blurting out whatever comes to his mind. "His behaviour violates a certain etiquette to be followed by a Governor. The Centre should examine this," Vijayan said. The Left lead

Kerala CM lashes out at Guv, says central govt has let loose a deranged man

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday lashed out at Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for calling a group of protesting SFI members "criminals" and said the BJP-led central government has "let loose such a deranged man". Addressing a gathering at Adoor near here as part of the ongoing 'Nava Kerala Sadas', Vijayan also attacked Khan for his remarks related to the Kannur region of the state. "It is not a good idea to let loose such a deranged man. At least the central government should understand that it is not good to leave him in this condition. We know that things are happening with the connivance of the central government but everything has a limit," the chief minister said. The Left leader alleged that Khan has been going around and calling those who oppose his ideology "rascals". "Earlier he called renowned historian Irfan Habib a rascal. He is calling protesting students rascals and criminals," Vijayan said. Referring to black flag protests, Vijayan said such demonstrati

Kerala moved SC against illegal financial measures of Centre: CM Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said his government has moved the Supreme Court against the Centre's allegedly "unconstitutional and illegal" measures that have pushed the southern state into dire straits financially. Vijayan contended that even though the state government repeatedly communicated to the Centre to stop its "discriminatory" actions, the Central government intensified its "vindictive moves" to make it difficult for Kerala to survive. "In this backdrop, the state government has approached the Supreme Court against the discriminatory measures of the Center which is throwing Kerala into dire straits by sacrificing the federal principles of the Constitution of India." he said at a press conference held here as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas, an outreach programme of the Left administration. The CM said the aim behind initiating the legal battle was to seek an order from the apex court under Article 131 of the Constitution which deals with settling ...

No uncontrolled situation in Sabarimala: Vijayan amid mismanagement claims

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the situation at Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala was under control amid a surging daily footfall and asserted the government machinery was intervening diligently in temple matters. Stating that the hill shrine generally witnesses heavy rush during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, which began from November 17 this year, he said over 1.20 lakh devotees are offering worship at the temple daily this year, as per figures. As Sabarimala is a national pilgrimage centre, large number of devotees from neighbouring states were also arriving to offer worship, he said. Vijayan was addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme in the district. Coming under attack from opposition parties, including the Congress and the BJP over the government's alleged failure in managing the heavy rush at the hill shrine, the chief minister deputed state Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan to ...