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September 2004
High Court orders fresh admissions
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Kerala News, KOCHI: The High Court of Kerala on Monday set aside all admissions, except those of three students, made this year to the 50 percent management quota seats in Kochi and Pariyaram Co-operative Medical Colleges, as they (67 in number) had been made overlooking merit. The court directed the managements of these colleges to publish a fresh admission list on September 28, strictly in accordance with the merit of the applicants as reflected in the rank list published by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations. The candidates so selected should be admitted on September 29 and 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court for admissions. The court found that admission of NRI students to 30 percent seats, instead of the permitted 15 percent, is illegal. But since the students admitted have not been impleaded, it didn’t interfere with the admissions. Allowing with cost a writ petition filed by three aspirants, Justice K.Balakrishnan Nair said the two colleges are bound to go by the merit list prepared by the Commissioner. The provisions of Section 3(4) of the Kerala Self-Financing Professional Colleges Act, 2004, do not authorise the college managements to hold an interview or evolve a different criterion for admissions. The allotment of 50 percent marks for the interview is not only arbitrary and unjust but also ultra vires of the Act, it said. All orders issued by the Government and Justice K.T.Thomas Committee regarding admission have been erased by the Act, the court observed. Section 6 of the Act prohibits collection of capitation fee. If admission is made based on merit, the students need not pay any capitation fee. But if the managements are authorised to ignore meritorious candidates and admit students with inferior merit, then definitely there’ll be scope for corruption and collection of capitation fee. Therefore, if the managements are allowed to follow a selection method other than the one prescribed by law, Section 6 will become infructuous.
CPM will not compromise on FDI: Karat
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Kerala News, ALAPPUZHA: CPM politburo member Prakash Karat on Sunday accused the UPA Government of violating some of the crucial conditions in the common minimum programmes (CMP) and said if the Government does not change its attitude, his party would oppose it tooth and nail. Karat was delivering a lecture on ‘UPA Government and responsibilities of the Left’ at the EMS seminar organised by the AKG Study Centre here. He said the Left parties’ main difference with the Government was on its move to permit foreign direct investment (FDI) in the public sector units. The UPA Govt had already opened the profit-making sectors like telecommunications, airports and insurance to the FDI. The Government should repeal the decision and steps be taken to revive and modernise all the PSUs. There was no compromise on FDI issue, he said. As reported by The New Indian Express
Kerala Govt takes over Halcyon Castle, Hotel group moves court
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 27 : Kerala Government today took over the royal Halcyon Castle at the Kovalam beach resort near here from the Gulf-based Mfar Group but within hours the group approached the High Court challenging the government takeover. A team of Revenue officials led by District Collector Tinku Biswal took possession of the sea-side multi-storey granite structure built by the Travancore Royal family 75 years ago on a 4.21 hectare land. In its notice, the government informed the hotel management that it was "taking re-possession of the Halcyon Castle." The NRI business group had been claiming ownership of the heritage property after its purchase of the adjacent hotel complex from ITDC under a disinvestment deal two years back. more PTI
High Court orders fresh admissions
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Kerala News, KOCHI: The High Court of Kerala on Monday set aside all admissions, except those of three students, made this year to the 50 percent management quota seats in Kochi and Pariyaram Co-operative Medical Colleges, as they (67 in number) had been made overlooking merit. The court directed the managements of these colleges to publish a fresh admission list on September 28, strictly in accordance with the merit of the applicants as reflected in the rank list published by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations. The candidates so selected should be admitted on September 29 and 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court for admissions. The court found that admission of NRI students to 30 percent seats, instead of the permitted 15 percent, is illegal. But since the students admitted have not been impleaded, it didn’t interfere with the admissions. Allowing with cost a writ petition filed by three aspirants, Justice K.Balakrishnan Nair said the two colleges are bound to go by the merit list prepared by the Commissioner. The provisions of Section 3(4) of the Kerala Self-Financing Professional Colleges Act, 2004, do not authorise the college managements to hold an interview or evolve a different criterion for admissions. The allotment of 50 percent marks for the interview is not only arbitrary and unjust but also ultra vires of the Act, it said. All orders issued by the Government and Justice K.T.Thomas Committee regarding admission have been erased by the Act, the court observed. Section 6 of the Act prohibits collection of capitation fee. If admission is made based on merit, the students need not pay any capitation fee. But if the managements are authorised to ignore meritorious candidates and admit students with inferior merit, then definitely there’ll be scope for corruption and collection of capitation fee. Therefore, if the managements are allowed to follow a selection method other than the one prescribed by law, Section 6 will become infructuous.
No to ICICI Bank's nominees on Kerala-based Federal Bank board
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
[Kerala, India] Kochi, Sep 28 : The nominees of ICICI Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks, have failed to secure berth on the board of the Kerala-based Federal Bank, sources said Tuesday. In the annual general meeting of the Federal Bank, which began Monday and ended early Tuesday, all the three nominees of ICICI Bank failed to make it to the board of directors of the bank. The three nominees of Federal Bank -- K.P. Fabian, P.C. Cyriac and C.J. George - however, got elected as directors. The annual general meeting also rejected three resolutions by ICICI Bank. Reports indicate the ICICI Bank officials might seek legal intervention in the manner in which the elections were conducted. Earlier, it was speculated that ICICI Bank, by virtue of being the single largest shareholder with 20.44 percent stake, would be able to get three of its nominees in the eight-member board of Federal Bank. Federal Bank is situated in Alwaye in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It was incorporated in 1931 as Travancore Federal Bank Ltd. The bank became a scheduled commercial bank in 1970 and in 1989 it commenced merchant banking operations. As on March 31, 2004, the bank's total deposits grew from Rs.109.47 billion in March 2003 to Rs.134.76 billion.
Federal Bank rejects ICICI nominees
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Press Trust of India / Kochi September 28, 2004 ICICI Bank, which has 20.44% stake in the Federal Bank, failed to get a berth on the bank's board even as three nominees of the Federal Bank managed to get elected to the board of the Kerala-based bank. At the annual general meeting (AGM) of Federal Bank held last evening, the ICICI Bank nominee P H Ravikumar, who is executive director of National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), was defeated in the elections to the three posts in the Federal Bank's board of directors. The three posts fell vacant after the retirement of a Parthasarthy, Prof A M Salim and M Joseph from the board. In a keenly fought election, Federal Bank nominees C J George, managing director of Geojit Securities, K P Fabian, former diplomat and P C Cyriac, former rubber board chairman, were elected. However, a resolution seeking election of P H Ravikumar was defeated, Federal Bank sources said today. The outcome of the election was announced this morning. Of the 17 resolutions moved in the AGM, nine were passed by raising hands, one was withdrawn and seven were put to vote. Resolutions to increase the authorised capital of the Federal Bank from Rs 50 crore to Rs 200 crore by various means, including private placements and to split the CMD's post into two - part-time chairman and full-time managing director were defeated. Sources said ICICI Bank was allowed to exercise only 12% voting rights, equivalent to 26 lakh shares. The voting rights of UTI and Kotak were not allowed as the names and signatures were missing in the authorisation letter, while HDFC was prevented from voting as it failed to produce the RBI's permission to hold more than 5% shares in a bank, sources said. Bank unions and shareholders had raised their voice against moves by ICICI Bank to "take control" of Federal Bank. ICICI Bank, on its part, came out with a statement that it had no plans to acquire the Aluva-based bank.
Kerala Missionaries not involved in conversions: police
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
[Kerala, India] Kochi, Sep 27 : The six Kerala missionaries who were attacked by a 40-strong mob that raised pro-Bharatiya Janata Party and pro-Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh slogans were not involved in conversions, police Monday said. "We have inquired into the allegations. The missionaries were not involved in any sort of religious conversions," Kerala police chief Hormese Tharakan told reporters here. Kerala Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organising secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan had said Sunday that he had records to prove the missionaries were engaged in religious conversion. The victims, four nuns and two priests of the Missionaries of Charity, were attacked at Kozhikode Saturday when they went to enquire about an assault earlier in the day on two of their colleagues - Sister Rose Merlin and Sister Serlina - at a Dalit colony in the city. Reports from Kozhikode said the police have zeroed in on four people who were part of the mob that staged the attack. "They have gone into hiding on account of the publicity the case has generated. We will soon arrest them," Kozhikode police chief S. Venkatesh told.
Government takes possession of castle
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
[Kerala, India] Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 27 : The Kerala government Monday took possession of the Halcyon Castle, a majestic two-storey structure whose ownership was being disputed. Built in limestone over 100 years ago, the castle stands in a 4.13-hectare area inside the Ashok Beach Resort near Kovalam beach. It was once the summer resort of the erstwhile ruling family of Travancore. The Oman-based Galfar Group owned by Keralite business magnate Mohammed Ali had bought the resort in July 2003 for Rs.480 million after putting up the highest bid for the premium property. The controversy started when politicians of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said the Galfar group had no right over the castle because the department of tourism was its original owner. A six-member high-level committee of senior bureaucrats was appointed to look into the ownership issue. Last week the government decided to take possession of the castle. Tourism Minister K.C. Venugopal said: "We, of course, want private investment but it will happen while protecting the interest of the state." On Monday - when World Tourism Day was being celebrated around the globe - the district administration reached the place along with policemen and took possession of the castle. The hotel did not put up any resistance and the four guests staying in the castle were moved to other rooms. P.J. Mammen, an official of the hotel, however, told newsmen that what happened was most unfortunate and was done in a crude manner. "The government officials handed over a letter to our security people on Saturday, which said by Monday morning we should vacate the place. Is that fair? We have decided to move the court," said Mammen. The hotel group has approached the Kerala High Court and the court will hear its petition Tuesday.
Police identify four involved in attack on nuns
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
The city police today claimed to have identified four persons allegedly involved in the assault on the nuns of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity at a Dalit camp here on September 25, even as the pressure is mounting on the Kerala government to immediately nab the culprits. ''We have identified four people allegedly involved in the incident and the arrest in the case will be made by tomorrow,'' police said, adding that the culprits were still at large. Meanwhile, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed claimed the Centre was not informed of the attack even as the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded that police should investigate the role of the CPI (M) in the incident. Expressing his inability to comment on the incident, the Minister said no official communication had been received by the Centre. ''I came to know about the incident through the media and as such, cannot comment on the issue,'' he told reporters here. A report from New Delhi said that the National Minorities Commission had directed its member V V Augstine to visit the injured nuns and the camp tomorrow [Agency]
Attack on missionaries: 14 held for questioning
Monday, September 27, 2004
Kerala News, KOZHIKODE, KERALA: Police today took into custody 14 people owing allegiance to the BJP and RSS for their suspected involvement in the attack on six charity workers of Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity at a Dalit settlement in the district. However, no arrest had been made so far in connection with the attack at Mampuzhakkat in Olavanna panchayat yesterday, police said, adding that raids in the surrounding areas were continuing to nab the culprits. Meanwhile, Mother Superior Kusamam, who was hospitalized after sustaining severe head injuries, denied any attempt of conversion, the alleged cause for the attack. "We were on a routine visit to the locality as had been done for the last one and a half years purely for charity work," she told reporters here. "People from various sections were involved in the charity work and our driver for the last six years was a Hindu," she added. Minister for Public Works Dr M K Muneer visited the sisters at the hospital and said the guilty would be punished severely. BJP state president Advocate P S Sreedharan Pillai, Women Association members P K Sreemathi Teacher, P Sathidevi, MP, A K Premajam and many others visited them. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has warned of stringent action against those behind the attack of the nuns.
Kairali TV makes profit of Rs 6.04 Cr in five years
Monday, September 27, 2004
Kerala News, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA: The Kairali TV Channel, owned by the Malayalam Communications Limited, has made an operations profit of Rs 6.04 crore during 2003-04 registering a 53 percent growth in its revenue, company Chairman Mammootty said. This was for the first time that the company was making a profit since its operation five years ago, he told a news conference here. Mammootty said the company achieved this 'tremendous growth' despite adverse situation and stiff competition. The company's total revenue increased to Rs 19.43 crore during the year from Rs 12.68 crore in 2002-03. it could also bring down the expenditure by almost 36 percent. This dual achievement had proven that the company had enough impetus to move forward to achieve higher goals, he added. Mammotty claimed that Kairali had attained the status of an internation channel within a short span, as it was available to Keralites living the far corners of the globe. It remained to be 'free to air' channel in India and West Asia and a pay channel in United States and Europe. This international character of the channel had thrown open new opportunities as it had helped to evolve new time bands which brought revenue by subscription and also by advertisements. This had enriched the channel adding to the commercial potential of the company, he added. He said the company propoed to have a second channel providing more importance to new and current affairs. "The management is going ahead to fulfill the goal of a second channel. We have completed the necessary formalities and surveys and are awaiting for the approval from the Union government," he said. Replying to a question, Mammootty said Indian Union Muslim League leader PV Abdul Wahab, MP, resigned from the director board of the company on his own. The company had 2.5 lakh shareholders holding shares of Rs100 to Rs one crore. It had not declared dividend to shareholders as it was going ahead with new development activities, he added.
Chief Minister condemns attack
Monday, September 27, 2004
Chief Minister condemns attack : Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 The Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, today strongly condemned the attack on members of the Missionaries of Charity at Mambazhakkad in Kozhikkode. Terming the incident as a 'blot' on the State, renowned for communal harmony, Chandy said the Government would not allow anyone to vitiate the communal atmosphere in the State. He said that he had instructed the Director General of Police to take urgent steps to arrest the culprits behind the attack.
Kerala Court admitted petition against Lalu Prasad's daughter
Monday, September 27, 2004
Kerala Court admitted petition against Lalu Prasad's daughter : Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 A court here today admitted a public interest criminal petition seeking a direction to the police to register a case against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's daughter who allegedly slapped a freelance cameraman during their visit to the city on September 21. Admitting the petition filed by `Niyama Sahaya Vedi' chairman Stephen Rosario, the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Cherian K Kuriakose posted the case for September 28 for recording the petitioner's statement. The incident occurred on September 21 during the visit of the minister and his family members here. One of the daughters of Lalu had allegedly slapped a videographer who came in her way at the reception area of the Government guest house while people were rushing in to see the Minister. Rosario, in his petition, asked the Court to give direction to the police to register a case against Lalu's daughter in connection with the incident. The petitioner also asked the Court to summon the videographer Raju and the cameraman and reporter of the television channel that showed footage of the incident as witnesses in the case.
Court passes strictures against Vakkom
Sunday, September 26, 2004
A local court today passed strictures against Kerala Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman, who failed to appear before it as a witness in a case relating to an alleged 'forged fax message' from the AICC on the eve of the crucial Rajya Sabha elections last year amid infighting within the Congress. Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Cheriyan K Kuriyakose, while directing Purushothaman, who was the then Speaker of the state Assembly, to personally appear before the court on September 30, said his reply to the earlier court directive was not satisfactory. It could be due to his ignorance about the law that he took a stand that the Speaker was above the law, the judge remarked, adding that prosecution procedures could be initiated against him on the basis of his remarks. Purushothaman was asked to submit the original fax message, suspending three Congress MLAs on the eve of the Rajya Sabha election so that the Karunakaran faction could not muster the support of one-third party MLAs. Later, senior leaders alleged that the fax message was a forged one to threaten the Karunakaran faction. Subsequently, human rights activist Joemon Puthanpurakkal filed a public interest litigation in the court alleging forgery of documents. Though Purushothaman had claimed at that time that he possessed the orignial copy, he directly wrote a letter to the court today saying that since he resigned from the post of Speaker, the letter was not in his possession. [Agency]
Party polls put Kerala Congress credibility on line
Sunday, September 26, 2004
The first organisational poll in the Kerala unit of the Congress in 13 years would be a test not only for new Chief Minister Oommen Chandy but also for other leaders in a party beset by dissidence and infighting. The recent decision to hold the poll came after rare unity on the issue among the three factions of the party led by K. Karunakaran, Vayalar Ravi and Ramesh Chennithala. The fourth faction led by former chief minister A.K. Antony and supported by Chandy was not really in favour but went along sensing that its refusal could become a rallying point for the others. State party president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai said elections would be held as per the schedule announced in New Delhi. "As per the directive, the membership drive would close by Nov 15 and the election of the state party president, executive and All India Congress Committee (AICC) members would be completed before April 30, 2005." The next few months will be testing times for the ruling party that could not send a single MP to the Lok Sabha this time. Each of the four factions will be vying with one another to gain control -- assembly polls are due in May 2006 and the 88 seats that the Congress contests in the 140-member house has always been divided on the respective strengths of the four factions. Veteran leader K. Karunakaran, who has been sidelined since the debacle in the general election, has been waiting for a chance to prove that the rank and file of the party is with him. It is a sad commentary on the Congress, which heads the ruling coalition, that organisational polls have been postponed twice in the past at the last moment because leaders felt that going ahead could lead to street fights among the cadres. "This time, nobody needs to worry. The elections would be smooth and there would be no law and order problems," assured Pillai. The reputation and credibility of many leaders, not least of the new chief minister, is dependent on that assurance turning out to be true. In the last party polls held in 1991, Vayalar Ravi, who was then a nominee of Karunakaran, had defeated Antony.
Kerala for extending sez upto Munambam
Sunday, September 26, 2004
PTI KOCHI: Kerala would approach the Union government to extend the area of the Aroor Seafood special economic zone (SEZ) upto Munambam, Fisheries Minister Dominic Presentation on Friday said. Addressing the 107th Annual session of the Indian Chamber of commerce and Industry, the minister said the SEZ was presently confined to four panchayats in Aroor in Alapuzha district and the SEZ should include the Munambam area in Ernakulam district also. The minister said there was a need to evolve a masterplan for the development of the fast growing Kochi city. In his address, Chamber President P M Muraleedharan said the SEZ, which recently got the central approval, would bring in investments to the tune of rs 7445 crore for various port based projects of Kochi.
Kerala constitutes task force to fully utilise Edusat
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government on Friday constituted a task force to explore the areas in which the Edusat, the country's first education satellite, could be utilised for the benefit of the people. The decision was taken after a meeting between Kerala Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer and the officials of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, headed by its director B.N. Suresh. After the meeting, the Minister told newspersons that the state would fully utilise the opportunity, and Higher Education Secretary K. Mohan Das would head the taskforce that would prepare the ground work for the satellite-based education system. Suresh pointed out that the new technology would benefit students in remote areas where there was a shortage of qualified teachers. Besides a special programme to reach out to the poor of Wayanad district, the state's telemedicine initiative would get a major boost. The state had signed a memorandum of understanding for the Rs 12-crore programme with the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Isaac's links with foreign consultant will be probed: VS
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Kerala News, KANNUR: CPM politburo member V S Achuthanandan has said that his party will probe the allegation that Dr Thomas Isaac, a member of the State Planning Board during the LDF rule, had made use of the services of a foreign consultant Richard Frankey while launching the People's Plan. Addressing a news conference at the District committee office of the CPM here on Friday, Achuthanandan said that all aspects of the issue, including the foreign origin and funding of the People's Plan will be looked into by the party. The CPM politburo member's statement assumes great political significance in view of the fact that Dr Thomas Isaac, who is now a member of the Central Planning Commission's advisory body, has strongly objected to the induction of foreign consultants in the Commission's panel by the UPA government at the Centre. The Left parties are making a hue and cry over the inclusion of foreign consultants in the panel. Achuthanandan said that all members of the party would get full freedom to express their views on all controversial issues at the conferences of the party right from the branch committees to be held before the scheduled party congress. In reply to a question, Achuthanandan said that Dr. Thomas Isaac was chosen as a member of the advisory body of the Planning Commission, despite the allegations against him, in consideration of his planning expertise. Answering another question on the directive reportedly given by the CPM secretariat to the party followers asking them to stop forming defence committees to support CPM fellow-traveller and litterateur M N Vijayan facing legal action following the controversy on foreign funding of Peoples' Plan, Achuthanandan said that he wasn't aware of such a directive. The party hasn't issued any such directive, asserted the CPM politburo member. He said that since M.N. Vijayan had stopped the publication of the controversial journal edited by him, after the party asked him to do so, he was under the impression that the latter wouldn't adopt an approach of confrontation with the party. Achuthanandan acknowledged that there might be a section of party followers in the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishat who were influenced by the `Fourth world' concept of M P Parameswaran and others. However, he observed that the Parishat as a whole would not support such theories. As reported by The New Indian Express
Chartered Accountants' body to help Kerala's accounting:
Sunday, September 26, 2004
[Kerala, India] Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 : The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Saturday offered help to Kerala to revamp its financial accounting. "We spoke to V. Ramachandran, vice-chairman of the board (state planning board) and briefed him about the need for a complete revamp of the system being followed by the government," Sunil Goyal, ICAI president told reporters here. "The government departments do not follow double entry book keeping. As a result the strength of each department cannot be assessed," Goyal said. "We feel that if the government changed its accounting policies, it could cut down on unnecessary expenditure. "We have successfully implemented the modern accounting practices in Kolkata and Delhi municipal bodies, thereby improving their finances," he said. Goyal said ICAI had revamped accounting in Andhra Pradesh. "Our institute is governed by a law of parliament and we are not here for making money through consultancies. We work on a no-profit basis and our aim is to provide service. "In the current scenario when funding agencies look into the financial strengths of governments, a change from the present accounting principles is a must," said Kamalesh Vikamsey, ICAI vice president. The ICAI functionaries were here for an international seminar organised jointly by the ICAI and the Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
'Foreign hand' haunts Kerala CPI(M) once again
Sunday, September 26, 2004
'Foreign hand' haunts Kerala CPI(M) once again Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 When five economists with Left-leanings threatened to quit over the inclusion of foreign consultants in the Planning Commission, the 'foreign hand' in Kerala's prestigious 'People's Plan Campaign' (PPC) has once again started haunting the state unit of the CPI(M). At the centre of the controversy is none other than CPI(M) think-tank T M Thomas Isaac, who along with other economists Prabhat Patnaik, Jayati Ghosh, Utsa Patnaik and C P Chandreshekhar, now took a firm stand against the foreign consultants. Back home in Kerala, it was not so long ago that Dr Isaac had to sweat it out within the party to make his stand clear on the issue of foreign consultants in the PPC during the regime of the Nayanar government. Now a CPI(M) MLA in Kerala, Dr Isaac, as a member of the State Planning Board that time, was instrumental in the implementation of the decentralised planning. But his association with foreign experts drew flak within the party with CPI(M) politburo member V S Achuthanandan strongly opposing it. Dr Isaac was also a former professor at the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) which acted as one of the implementing agencies of the Campaign. Though the party was trying to wash its hands off from any 'foreign hand' in the party's pet project, the annual report of the Montclair University in New Jersey revealed that Prof Richard Franke served as consultant to the local democracy and development programme in Kerala and spent a month in the state assisting with the implementation of Kerala's People's Campaign for decentralised planning. (Agencies)
Kerala ; Mahila Cong asks Neelan to quit Assembly
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Kerala News, ALAPPUZHA: Mahila Congress state president Shanimol Usman has demanded that former minister Neelalohithadasan Nadar, who has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment in the Prakriti Srivastava case, resign his membership of the State Assembly. Shanimol told reporters here on Friday that if Nadar continued in the Assembly, the Mahaila Congress would launch an agitation. She expressed the hope that the LDF would expel him in view of the judgment and the demand to that effect by two CPM women leaders. She said the LDF should have denied Nadar a seat in the last elections itself irrespective of whether he had been sentenced by the court or not. As reported by The New Indian Express
Mother’s missionaries attacked in Kerala
Sunday, September 26, 2004
JOHN MARY Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 25: Three nuns of the Missionaries of Charity were attacked in a Harijan colony today, allegedly by BJP-RSS activists, in northern Kozhikode district. This is the first time Mother Teresa’s followers have been targeted in Kerala. They belong to Sneha Bhavan, a charity home. The missionaries, along with five others a Kenyan volunteer was among them were injured and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. Witnesses said a gang of drunken youths attacked Sister Rose Merlin and Sister Sherleena this morning as they got off a van at the Mambazhakad Meethal 4-Cent Colony to distribute ration cards to residents. The colony falls under Nallalam police station, about 13 km from Kozhikode. A mob shouting BJP-RSS zindabad and Bharat Mata ki jai pounced on the nuns and the driver of their van, accusing them of converting Harijans. They also snatched the nuns’ rosaries. The three took refuge in Nallalam police station and informed Sneha Bhavan. When Mother Superior Kusumam and four others came in an ambulance to fetch the injured, a 30-strong mob attacked them with sharp weapons. The 43-year-old nun received injuries on her head and legs. Residents said none of the assailants was from their colony. Kummanam Rajsekharan, the convener of the Hindu Aikyavedi, condemned the incident and said members of his organisation were in no way connected with the incidents. Chief minister Oommen Chandy said he has directed police to take stringent action against the culprits. Describing the attack as a blot on the record of communal amity in Kerala, Chandy said: Cowards have targeted a congregation known for its universal service of the poor and the sick. Residents said the nuns used to frequent the colony, comprising 130 Harijan families, with provisions and other items. But they never preached their faith or tried to convert anyone. Sister Martinelle told The Telegraph at the Missionaries’ regional house in Kochi that she came to know of the incident from neighbours who watched the news on TV. Regional superior Sister Anjelette, councillor Sister Josephat and two other nuns have left for Kozhikode. The Missionaries of Charity run 11 houses in Kerala. Sneha Bhavan has five nuns and houses 50-odd patients, most of them mentally challenged or old. Donations from residents help run the charity. Sister Martinelle said Hindutva activists have so far targeted Protestant outfits. In 2001, RSS workers had attacked American missionary Joseph Cooper on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, charging him with indulging in religious propaganda and making fun of Hindu deities. However, recently a Catholic priest, Job Chittilapally, was murdered by a youth, with alleged links to the Sangh, in Thrissur. The Syro-Malabar Church organised a mammoth rally in Thrissur, alleging that the police were trying to cover up the conspiracy behind the murder. The police crime branch has taken over the case.
Kerala to host AIMPLB general body meet
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Kozhikode, Sep 26. : The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board today will to hold its 18th annual general body meeting at Manjeri in neighbouring Malappuram district of Kerala from December 24. Three hundred delegates from all over the country are expected to participate in the three-day meeting to be held for the first time in the state. A public meeting, to be addressed by prominent leaders of the Board, will be held here on a date to be decided by the Board, AIMPLB Assistant General Secretary Mohammed Abdul Rahim Quraishi told reporters here on Saturday. The Indian Union Muslim League and the Jamaat-e-Islami had also extended their cooperation for the AGM which would formulate strategies aimed at creating awareness among the Muslims about the different aspects of the Shaariat, said Indian National League President Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, who was named Convener of the Reception Committee. Asked whether the Board would discuss the triple "Talaq" issue and use of birth control methods, they said Islam does not permit family planning or any method of birth control and that there should be no compulsion on the matter.
Arun gains from Prithviraj's loss
Friday, September 24, 2004
Arun of "4 the People" fame has replaced Prithviraj in Siby Malayil's forthcoming Malayalam film "Amritham" co-starring Bhavana. Arun is playing Jayaram's younger brother in the film and opted out of a Tamil film to essay the role. There are rumours of senior actors boycotting Prithviraj for going against the Artistes' Association when it was at loggerheads with producers a few months ago. In other words, he is unofficially banned.
Wanted: A new CM for the small screen
Monday, September 20, 2004
Kerala News - KOCHI: There's a post vacant. The post of the Chief Minister. On the small screen, that is. Finding one for the State was easy. Problem is finding one to stand in his shoes on the telly. No wonder then that almost all who can do a jig here and a mimic there are making a beeline for the post. Makers of comedy shows are at the end of their tether. There's none who can do full justice to Oommen Chandy. Despite his unkempt hair, gruff voice, brisk walk and a no-nonsense attitude. ``We've shortlisted a few artistes to play the role. Actually we're waiting for the right subject to launch our artiste. You cannot make fun of anybody just like that. But the fact that enquiries have been pouring in from every quarter, especially the media, about who will be our `Oommen Chandy,' speaks volumes of the popularity of such programmes,'' says mimicry artiste K.S.Prasad who runs the show `Comediyum Mimicsum Pinne Njaanum' on Kairali channel. Sajan Palluruthy says artistes have approached him claiming that they would fit into the role. ``I don't think any comedy programme has got a perfect lookalike of Oommen Chandy unlike the lookalikes of K.Karunakaran and A.K.Antony who look very much like the real life characters. They depend much on the makeup to get that perfect look,'' he says. Prajod Kalabhavan, who played the CM in `Daily Express' aired by Asianet, and Raghu Kalamassery, who played the role in `Daily Express' and `Cinemala,' are polishing their act. While Prajod is laying stress on the voice and claims to have succeeded, Raghu is on the lookout for a perfect wig. Prajod has even got tips from the real CM. ``I don't wear shoes,'' he is said to have told Prajod. ``Raghu has been playing the role of Muraleedharan. When we found he could take up the role of CM, we didn't look for a new artiste,'' says Diana Sylvester, producer of `Cinemala.' Raghu says he has a tough schedule ahead to perfect the role. Mimicry artistes like Kottayam Nazeer and Tiny Tom are confident that the role will be safe in their hands. Tiny Tom will be playing the role in his `Savarigirigiri' show on Surya channel. ``We mimicry artistes render each of these politicians his style. Our success depends on whether the audience is able to sit up and take note of this when they see the real person,'' says Nazeer, who has already played the role of CM in `Kottayam Nazeer Show' on Kairali and is busy searching for a new subject. Despite the shuffling of feet at their doorsteps, many show producers feel something is amiss _ a theme. For, the new Chief Minister is yet to court a controversy! Despite the fact that there are many things rotten in the State. They are keeping their fingers crossed. For a word. A statement. Or at least a gesture. If nothing else works, maybe the increased bus fares would do, they feel. For now. The New Indian Express
Stringent action against illegal lotteries: CM
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday said strict action would be taken against illegal lotteries and those who violated the lottery regulations stipulated by the Centre in 1998. Addressing reporters here, he rejected the charge that the Lottery director was shifted from his post the other day to help illegal lottery agents. Orders had been given to officials and police to proceed against illegal lotteries and there would be no compromise on this score, he said, after a meeting with the Director General of Police and Lottery officials. Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman also took part in the meeting. On opposition leader V S Achuthanandan's allegation that there was foul play involving Chief Minister and online lottery agents, he said he would not be cowed down by "politics of blackmail." "My life is an open book and I am not scared of anything," he said. Chandy wanted the opposition leader to provide proof before raising unfounded charges. The government action on illegal lotteries would be transparent and it had nothing to hide on the matter. Taxes from lotteries had increased six-fold in the last three years, he said. The Chief Minister said that the government would take up on a priority basis, the fight against corruption at the highest level.
National Anthem row: Chandy apologises
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seeking to set at rest the controversy over the deletion of the name of Gujarat from the national anthem in some textbooks in Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday apologised for the lapse. "The mistake in some of the text books was unfortunate. I am offering my apology on behalf of the government if anyone's feelings are hurt with the inadvertent error," Chandy told reporters here. As soon as the error was brought to his notice on Thursday, a 'correction erratum' was issued and circulars sent to all schools to include the missing word in the anthem. New text books had been printed, a copy of which had been sent to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Chandy said that he had faxed the details of corrections made in the textbooks to Modi on Thursday night. He added that it was unfortunate that a false campaign about the state was going on in Delhi and Ahmedabad for the "admitted error" even after corrections were issued. The Chief Minister further said that Kerala had always been in the forefront of upholding nationalist ideals. Even during the anti-Hindi agitation in the south, the state had stood by nationalist sentiments. It was unfortunate that a printing error was turned into a controversy, he said. Education minister E T Mohammed Basheer, who was also present, said that the "correction erratum" would be sent to all schools where copies of textbooks with the mistake had been distributed.
Chandy woos non-resident Keralites
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI KOCHI: The Kerala government would give full support to non-resident Keralites (NRKs) who decided to invest in the state, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Saturday. Addressing the valedictory function of a two-day exhibition-cum-seminar on 'Investment Opportunities for NRKs- Enterprise Avenues Showcasing 2004', Chandy regretted that the NRK remittances had not been used in productive sectors of the Kerala's economy. He also said, "We committed many mistakes in the past. When other states went in for changes, we did not want any change. When new changes did come, there were protests galore. This cannot be allowed anymore." The opportunity was ripe for investments in the state, he added. Chandy said that he would hold discussions with the Union civil aviation minister on whether a city in Kerala could be chosen as the second 'city-in-city', after Bangalore. "The circumstances have changed now. At the government level all help will be provided to the NRKs," he said. About Rs 50 crore investment proposals have come in during the two day event, he said. 'Samavayam' (consensus), a programme being organised with the government help, would be held in December first week in Dubai, he said.
3-member BMW team arrives for plant talks
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI KOCHI: A three-member team from luxury car manufacturer BMW arrived here on Sunday to have further discussions with government officials in connection with the setting up of its manufacturing facility at Kochi. The delegation, including two architects, is on a two-day visit and would leave Kochi on September 21, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) sources said. The delegation is expected to hold discussions with officials of KSIDC and Kerala Infrastructure Development Authority during their stay in the city. In July, a four-member delegation from BMW, led by its international operations senior manager, Wolfarm Rehm, had visited Kochi to assess the facilities here for setting up its proposed manufacturing plant.
Clean-up drive in Kovalam beach resort
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Coast Guard, in association with NGOs and student forums, on Sunday conducted a clean-up drive at the famous Kovalam beach resort near here as part of the 'International Coast Guard clean-up day'. Over 60 Coast Guard personnel, led by Lt Commandant O G Kutty, joined volunteers and students to clear the Light House area of the tourist spot of waste thrown around by visitors to the beach. The programme was meant to make people aware of the need to keep the beach neat and free of coastal pollution, Coast Guard sources said. The Coast Guard also organised interactive sessions with local fishworkers to educate them on various aspects of marine pollution and their consequences and solutions. Vehicles displaying banners and posters were sent to nearby fishing hamlets, highlighting the need to keep the coastal stretch clean and tidy.
CM assures help for pvt banking system
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI KOTTAYAM: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday said that the government would extend all help for the healthy growth of the private banking system. Inaugurating the 46th state annual general body meeting of the private bankers association here, he said that certain steps on a legal basis were needed for its healthy growth. The Chief Minister urged them to extend full co-operation in maintaining the growth of private banks, which, he said, would lead to economic development.
Air Arabia hopes to commence budget airline to Kochi soon
Monday, September 20, 2004
Air Arabia hopes to commence budget airline to Kochi soon 19-September-2004 Kerala News - KOCHI, KERALA: Air Arabia today expressed the hope of early commencement of budget airline (low-cost airline) on the Sharjah-Kochi sector. Talking to mediapersons after his ''fruitful'' discussion with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here, Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali said the airline was awaiting landing rights at the Nedumbassery international airport here. The Chief Minister had agreed to take up the matter with Union Civil Aviation Minister shortly, he added. The budget air fares would be 50 per cent lower than the conventional air fares in that it would be ''a bus on the air'' rather than a five star facility of costly food and other frills. The services would, however, be safe, secure and reliable, Ali said. He said Air Arabia was presently operating budget airlines to 15 destinations, against its initial proposals to five destinations, including Colombo, North Africa, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. It helped more people to undertake travel, which would in turn benefit the airline also to earn extra revenue, he said. With more than 1.5 million Keralites employed in the Gulf region, the state was a sizeable market for budget airline, he said. More airlines world over were now thinking in terms of operating budget airlines and in India also some domestic services were expected to commence low-cost air services shortly, he added. Cochin International Airport Limited Managing Director V J Kurien and Yousaf Ali, Managing Director of the Gulf-based EMKE group, were also present at the media conference. Later, Oommen Chandy told mediapersons that the commencement of budget airline was a long-felt need of Keralites as it would benefit a large section of the low-paid Gulf-employed Malayalees, who had not been able to visit their families for years because of the prevailing prohibitive cost of air travel. He said he would be meeting Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel during his visit to Delhi on September 30 to discuss the matter. ''We had appealed to Air India to introduce budget airline but it did not agree to the proposal. At least, Air Arabia, which had offered to operate low-cost service, should be allowed,'' Chandy added.
Kerala to probe Bihar student's ragging:
Monday, September 20, 2004
Kerala, India] Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 : The Kerala government Sunday ordered an inquiry into the alleged ragging of a student from Bihar, now recovering from physical and mental trauma. Health Minister K.K. Ramachandran asked the director of medical education to probe the incident involving Feroze Khan, a first year student of the Trissur Medical College, about 300 km north of here, who was allegedly ragged in the hostel on the night of Sep 14-15. Khan was reportedly admitted to hospital after he complained to the principal and threatened to commit suicide. "The anti-harassment wing comprising staff members has been directed to inquire about the incident and report," said M.R. Bhagawathi, the college principal.
Kerala to study red tide phenomenon
Monday, September 20, 2004
PTI, Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 19: The Kerala government today decided to conduct a detailed study into the ‘red tide’ phenomenon found in the sea off the coast here resulting in a stench causing sickness in people who breathed the foul air.Health Minister, Mr K K Ramachandran told reporters after a high-level meeting of officials here that the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the Mysore-based CFTRI would be asked to study the phenomenon in detail. He said the government would get the results of studies conducted by local experts tomorrow. Only after getting the reports, it could be officially confirmed whether consumption of seafood was safe, he said. A total of 222 persons had so far been hospitalised in and around the city in the last two days, of which 113 had been discharged. Eighty nine persons were being kept under observation in hospitals. The minister said the situation was now under control and preliminary reports from experts had suggested that the red tide was a common phenomenon. Principal secretary (health), Mr Bharat Bhushan was among the officials who attended the meeting convened by the minister. The minister later visited the affected coastal areas and those under treatment in hospitals.
Delhi to host Santosh Trophy
Friday, September 17, 2004
New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to stage the twice postponed Santosh Trophy in Delhi from October 14-31. The tournament was originally to be held in Kerala in May 2004. The All India Football Federation of India (AIFF) president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi said Kerala had backed out stating unavailability of grounds. The Santosh Trophy was then offered to Tamil Nadu and later Andhra Pradesh but both expressed their inability to stage the tournament. As the AIFF elections are due in December 2004, the office-bearers felt they would face a lot of flak if the senior national championships were not held for two consecutive years. It was last staged in Manipur in October-November 2002. The AIFF hence decided to allot the Santosh Trophy to Delhi and will sanction the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) a sum of Rs 25--30 lakhs for staging the tournament. All this will be ratified at a working committee meeting in the capital on Saturday. The national championships were last held in Delhi 60 years ago in 1944. The DSA secretary, Narender Kumar Bhatia said that the 32 participating teams, including holders Manipur, runners-up Kerala, Bengal and Goa will be divided into equal groups and the group winners will advance to the quarter final knock out stage.
ICICI Bank not to take over Federal Bank
Friday, September 17, 2004
ICICI Bank today stated that it had no intention of taking over private Federal Bank and said it had informed RBI of the intention to reduce its 20.44 per cent stake in the Kerala-based bank to 5 per cent within a definite timeframe. ICICI Bank had "no intention of acquiring control of Federal Bank. This shareholding was acquired through ICICI Banks support to Federal Bank in its capital raising from 1993 onwards," ICICI Bank said in a statement at Kochi. Pointing out that the RBIs July 6th circular had stipulated that banks holding more than 5 per cent in another bank should submit a definite roadmap for reduction of the holding to 5 per cent, ICICI said it had already informed RBI of its intention to reduce its shareholding in Federal Bank to 5 per cent within a definite timeframe. Reports indicated that the Federal Banks AGM, scheduled to be held on September 27, would see strong opposition by shareholders and unions against any decision favouring ICICI. ICICI Bank said reports that it was trying to acquire control of Federal bank had "no basis and are incorrect." ICICI reiterated that its role in Federal Bank continues to be that of an institutional shareholder committed to the best practices in governance with no participation executive management.
BJP says word 'Gujarat' dropped from national anthem in Kerala
Friday, September 17, 2004
After national Tricolour and Savarkar, BJP has stumbled upon another "anti-national" issue of "deletion" of word 'Gujarat' from the national anthem in SCERT textbooks in Kerala, which it plans to raise in a big way. The Saffron party utilised the issue to train its guns at Congress, demanding explanation from its leadership as it was heading the ruling coalition in Kerala, and sought apology from the state government and action against those responsible for the "deletion". "For two consecutive years, the Kerala government has omitted mention of 'Gujarat' from the national anthem printed in school textbooks," BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu told a press conference. He circulated copies of a page of 'Kerala Reader Mathematics - Standard IX' book of Kerala government prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to substantiate his allegation. "It is not an isolated case but is a part of a definite vilification campaign which has reached such a perverse level where they can even distort the national anthem," Naidu said, adding a message is being sent out that even "nationalism is not sacrosanct". Linking the issue with Uma Bharti case of hoisting Tricolour and removal of Savarkar's quotations from Andaman Cellular jail, he attacked Congress and Indian Union Muslim League. He termed the development as "shocking, objectionable and anti-national" and vowed to protest against it.
Therambil elected as 18th Speaker of Kerala Assembly
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 Therambil Ramakrishnan was elected as the 18th Speaker of the Kerala Assembly today in an election that saw members casting votes as per the whips despite rumblings within the ruling United Democratic Front. Mr Ramakrishnan, who won from Thrissur on a Congress ticket for the fourth time, got 84 votes, while his lone opponent A K Balan of the Left Democratic Front polled 39 votes. Five members from the ruling front, including former Chief Minister A K Antony and two from the Opposition were not present. For the 63-year-old Soft spokens Mr Ramakrishnan, a one-time Karunakaran loyalist, it is the second tenure as Speaker. Previously, he held the post between June 1995 and May 1996. He succeeds Mr Vakkom Purushothaman who was inducted as Finance Minister in the Oommen Chandy Cabinet that came to power following the resignation of Mr Antony owning moral responsibility for the Congress party's debacle in the May ten Lok Sabha election. Denial of cabinet berth to Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai and KC (Jacob) leader T M Jacob and the unrest within the Karunakaran faction of the Congress led to speculations that there might be cross voting this time. But the voting pattern showed that it was on the party lines.
Kerala Govt proposes to open more industrial parks: Chandy
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said that his government proposed to open more industrial parks during the next one year as part of creating employment opportunities. Talking to newspersons after visiting some of the units at the industrial park of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) at Menankulam and Kazhakuttom, near here, he said the government had also plans to promote food processing units, small-scale industries and ventures in traditional sectors. Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Industries Department Principal Secretary K Mohandas and Kinfra Managing Director G C Gopala Pillai, accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to the units.
NCC Chief calls on Kerala Governor, CM
Friday, September 17, 2004
Lt General M C Bhandari, Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), today called on Kerala Governor R L Bhatia and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and discussed steps to strengthen the NCC activities in the state. Lt Gen Bhandari, concluding a three-day visit to the state, also had discussions with Education Minister E T Mohammed Basheer. He apprised the state leaders of the NCC's expansion plans, particularly briefing them about the concept of NCC Nagar to house its entire infrastructure. It was yet to take off in Kerala because of non-availability of land and funds. Other aspects discussed included job reservation for NCC Cadets, uniform grace marks for them in all universities and budgetary support for holding additional camps. He also visited the NCC Directorate in Thiruvananthapuram, Group Headquarters and 3 (K) Naval Unit at Kollam, an official release said here. (Agencies)
Vakkom wants to 'popularise' wine, beer
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's new Excise Minister Vakkom Purushothaman promised to provide liquor to people at cheap rate and hoped that his ideas to ''popularise beer and wine'' in the state would get a green signal from the policy makers of the ruling coalition. ''There is a stigma attached to the consumption of wine and beer here. In the case of many Western countries, you can see a mug of beer on the table of many officials. My idea is to popularise beer and wine in the state,'' he told newspersons here. Asked whether his remarks were in contradiction to the policy of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), which wanted total prohibition in a phased manner, Purushothaman said it was known to everyone that total prohibition was not possible. ''It is better to provide them with affordable liquor than allowing them to consume poison,'' he added. The Beverages Corporation would soon come out with its own brand of liquor costing around Rs 100 for a bottle of 750 ml. All distilleries would be made operational again to meet the requirement of the state. Similarly, the government proposed to bring out canned sweet toddy on a largescale on the lines of similar products in Sri Lanka, the Minister added. Meanwhile, the Chandrasekhara Das commission that inquired into the circumstances that led to the Kuppana liquor tragedy in which seven people lost their lives, submitted it report to the government. The report stated that such tragedies could be averted if the government took steps to provide liquor at an affordable rate to the people. It recommended to the government to reduce the excise duty on liquor.
Federal Bank unions move 'to thwart ICICI Bank'
Friday, September 17, 2004
The forthcoming annual general meeting of Federal Bank scheduled to be held on September 27 is expected to be stormy as various employee organisations of the bank are planning to mount pressure against what they allege is ICICI Bank’s move to take full control of the bank. The organisations have adopted a three-pronged strategy to prevent ICICI Bank from taking over control in the bank. According to V K Prasad, general secretary of the officers’ association of the bank, it has been decided to mobilise maximum number of shareholders for the AGM and to have maximum number of proxies to vote out the resolutions moved by ICICI Bank. ICICI Bank has 20.44 per cent stake in the bank. Another move from the associations is to mobilise mass support for retaining Federal Bank with its regional flavour as the move is against the interests of the state. Federal Bank has a credit deposit ratio of 65 per cent, the highest in the state. The main thrust of the campaign is to address the issue of the challenges faced by Kerala-based banks especially after the merger of Nedungadi Bank with Punjab National Bank. Leaders of the bank employees organisations told Business Standard that all the five Kerala-based banks Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, Lord Krishna Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank and Dhanalakshmi Bank are on the verge of being taken over by other banks or business houses. The control of Lord Krishna Bank and Dhanalakshmi Bank has already gone to business groups outside Kerala and now it is the turn of Federal Bank, they said. ICICI Bank will move a resolution at the AGM to split the chairman’s post into a full time managing director and an executive chairman. The board of director of the bank has nominated KS Harshan, a former ICICI Bank executive and now with Bank of California, for the post of MD. ICICI Bank has only one member on the board. The move to appoint Harshan was adopted with a dissenting note by the bank’s chairman KP Padmakumar. Apart from the ICICI Bank nominee, five members supported the move. Present chairman Padmakumar’s term is coming to an end by the year end. The existing ICICI nominee is also being replaced by P H Ravikumar, a former ICICI Bank executive and now head of the bank’s commodity exchange. He will join the board after the AGM. The organisations have also decided to challenge the decisions of the board and AGM at the court in order to buy more time to build up mass support to their initiative. ICICI Bank, meanwhile, held discussions with various institutions to sell its shares as it could hold only 5 per cent of the total shares following the new RBI regulations which are likely to come into force. Former ICICI, which got merged with the bank, had bought these shares way back in 1993.
Kerala CM asks Oppn not to play 'blackmail politics'
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today asked the Marxist-led Opposition to come out with evidence regarding his alleged involvement in helping illicit lottery trade, and said their 'blackmail politics' will not be allowed. Reacting to the demand of Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan for a judicial inquiry into his involvement, Mr Chandy told newspersons here that instead of making baseless allegations, he should come out with facts. The Government is strictly dealing with the lotteries that violated the rules and regulations. ''We are doing such things in a transparent manner and will not encourage corruption,'' he said, pointing out that illicit lottery tickets worth several crores of rupees had been seized from different parts of the state during the past couple of days. During the implementation of the 100-day programme of the new government, the emphasis would be to eliminate corruption at all levels of administration.
Government not favouring lottery operators: Vakkom
Friday, September 17, 2004
Government not favouring lottery operators: Vakkom Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 - The Finance Minister, Vakkom Purushothaman, asserted here on Thursday that there would not be any dilution in Government policy towards lottery operators. Denying allegations that the Government was showing favour to lottery operators, at a press conference, the Minister said the current policies would continue until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment on petitions filed by private lottery operators and Meghalaya and other States. "I hope the verdict would be favourable to us. Once the court has given its verdict, the Government will either ban the lotteries or collect maximum tax on their sales." Mr. Purushothaman said the Leader of the Opposition, V S Achuthanandan, should place before the public any proof he had about corruption by Ministers in the matter instead of routinely demanding judicial probes. Asked whether his son was in the lottery business, the Minister said that his son as well as the daughter-in-law of Mr. Achuthanandan were in the business. However, both had quit the business. He denied that the transfer of the lotteries director, Suresh Kumar, had anything to do with the dilution of Government policy. He said the most intense raids against operators running lotteries in violation of rules had taken place after the present Government came to power. This would continue. When reporters brought to his notice a specific instance of the district officials of the Lotteries Department abandoning the tickets seized by them as the police did not turn up even today, the Minister directed the Taxes Secretary, Sajen Peter, who was also present, to issue the necessary instructions to remedy the situation.
Kerala housewife invited to US food conference
Friday, September 17, 2004
[Kerala, India] Kochi (Kerala) Sep 16 : Taking the flavours of Indian home cooking to the world, a Kerala housewife is among five people chosen from the country to participate as a guest culinary expert in an international festival in the US. Nimmy Paul, the only amateur in the group of professional chefs, will be attending the prestigious Seventh Annual Worlds of Flavor International Conference & Festival organised by the Culinary Institute of America in California Nov 11-13. So the Kochi-based homemaker is getting all set to cook traditional, aromatic dishes like biryani, steamed appams and chicken stew and the famous fish molly. She would also be conjuring vegetarian specialities like aviyal and curd-based pachadi during the three-day conference to be attended by 50 chefs from countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The theme of this year's conference is Savouring Asia: Authentic Flavours for American Menus. Paul, who runs a 'home stay' accommodation for foreign tourists and includes cooking lessons in the package, said she caters to only two guests at a time. "I am really excited and waiting to be there," she said. "I think I have been fortunate to be invited because Greg Drescher, director of the Culinary Institute at Greystone, was one of my guests last season," Paul told. Paul said Asian flavours were inspiring American chefs and food writers and whetting the appetites of American diners. "This is basically meant to see what Asian dishes could be included in American menus in the coming years, as well as present the best of contemporary Asian cooking that draws on traditions in innovative ways," Paul said. The three-day event is believed to be one of the largest and most significant conferences ever held in the US on Asian food, cooking and culture. Food Arts magazine has described the Culinary Institute's Flavour Conferences as "Inspirational. Eleven on a 10 scale."
Bus charge hiked in Kerala
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Press Trust of India Kerala government has hiked fares of private buses and some services operated by state-owned KSRTC to be effective from tonight. Minimum charges have been increased by 50 paise making minimum fare Rs 2.50. An increase of seven paise per kilometre has been made, state chief minister Oomen Chandy told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. With the present increase, the rate per kilometre would be 42 paise, he said. The bus fares of ordinary services operated by KSRTC was increased exempting services like Fast Passengers, Super Fast Passengers and Super Delux, he said. The government took the decision based on the recommendations of National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). The increase would not be applicable to students, he said. The diesel price has gone up twice after NATPAC submitted its recommendations, he said. Private Bus Operators in the state had demanded an increase of Re one in minimum charges and 20 paise increase per km. They had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from tonight if their demand was not taken in today's cabinet meeting.
State govt. to review decision on grading system for SSLC
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
State govt. to review decision on grading system for SSLC Kochi, Sep 14 - The State Government on Monday informed the High Court that it will review the Cabinet decision not to implement the grading system for the State School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination this year. The Additional Advocate General submitted on behalf of the government that the matter was under active consideration and a decision would be taken by the Cabinet within ten days. Following this submission, the division bench comprising Chief Justice N K Sodhi and Justice A K Basheer adjourned a writ petition, seeking direction to the Government to start the grading system for SSLC to September 27. Petitioner P Vishnu Prasad of Elamakkara submitted that the introduction of grading and its abrupt withdrawal had caused considerable difficulties to the students, teachers and parents. He urged the court to seek a report from the Government regarding the introduction and "abandoning" of the grading system.
Stick to UDF manifesto: Jacob
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Stick to UDF manifesto: Jacob Kannur, Sep 15 - The Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader and former Water Resources Minister, T M Jacob, has warned the Oommen Chandy Government not to act as a Government with a fresh mandate as the new Cabinet is a continuation of the previous one led by A K Antony. Mr. Jacob said the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, should take adequate caution to ensure that the new Cabinet did not take any such major policy decisions as would have been taken by a Government with a fresh mandate. Without elaborating further, Mr. Jacob said his party would publicly oppose if any decision of the Government deviated from the United Democratic Front (UDF) manifesto. Mr. Jacob said that efforts were under way to activate the party local units. District-level conventions would be held between October 30 and November 22 with the objective of explaining to party workers and the public the political developments that led to the denial of Cabinet berth to his party. Asked if his party was exploring the possibility of a merger with the Kerala Congress (Joseph), which is a constituent of the LDF, he said his party still stood by its earlier stand that underlined the unity of all Kerala Congress factions. No formal talks had been held with the Kerala Congress(J) leader, P.J. Joseph, he said. He, however, added that in politics there was no permanent friend or foe. Mr. Jacob said that the UDF constituents were yet to be formally informed of its candidate for the election of the Assembly Speaker on September 16. His party MLAs would, however, support the candidature of the Congress MLA, Therambil Ramakrishnan, announced by Mr. Chandy in New Delhi, he said.
1,200 medical staff will be appointed soon: Minister
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 - Kerala Health Minister K K Ramachandran said 1,200 medical staff, including doctors and nurses, will be appointed soon to meet the staff shortage in government hospitals. After visiting the Government Mental Hospital, the Minister said here that the new posts were created recently and the recruitment process was underway. Stating that the mental hospital would get priority in the new recruitment process, Ramachandran stated that a master plan for the overall development of the hospitals would be implemented.
Speaker post: LDF to field Balan
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 - The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to field A K Balan of the CPI(M) for the Speaker's election, which is slated for September 16. The LDF State committee took the decision at a meeting here today. The decision was announced by the Leader of the Opposition, V S Achuthanandan.
NABARD sanctions Rs. 144.27 crores
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 14 - The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Monday sanctioned Rs. 144.27 crores to the Kerala State Cooperative Bank (KSCB) for financing crop loans through 12 of the 14 district cooperative banks. In a press release, the chief general manager of the Nabard, B S Shekhawat, said the bank would be charging an interest of only 5.25 per cent on this loan sanctioned for the year 2004-05. He said two of the district cooperative banks (Ernakulam and Palakkad) were not eligible for its support. He did not specify the reason for this. Mr. Shekhawat said the Nabard would consider sanctioning more funds to the KSCB, provided the loan sanctioned now was fully utilised and the cooperative banks in the State adhered to certain credit and banking disciplines. Funds from the Reserve Bank of India were being sourced by the Nabard at an interest of 6 per cent. During 2003-04, the KSCB had utilised only Rs. 14.93 crores out of a total credit limit of Rs. 106.64 crores sanctioned by the Nabard. "It is expected that, this year, the KSCB will fully utilise the limit of Rs. 144.27 crores. All banks, including cooperative banks, are expected to increase their agriculture lending by 40 per cent during 2004-05 and double [it] in three years from now," Mr. Shekhawat noted. The credit limit sanctioned now was to help the district cooperative banks to provide funds to the primary cooperative banks at low interest rates. The cooperative banks had decided to issue crop loans up to the level of Rs. 50,000 at an interest of 8.5 per cent. The Nabard's refinance support would have a multiplier effect on the credit flow for agriculture by enabling the cooperative credit structure to add its own share at each level and deploy the total resources to augment farm lending, he said. He said the cooperative banks had been advised to implement various relief measures to help the `farmers in distress' and the `farmers in arrears' so that they would become eligible borrowers again. The Nabard had also introduced `liquidity support' facility for the KSCB to enable it to overcome any short-term liquidity crunch on account of the credit-related relief measures extended to farmers. Mr. Shekhawat, however, expressed concern over the declining trend in agriculture lending by the KSCB and district cooperative banks. Bulk of the agriculture lending in the State had come from the commercial banks and the regional rural banks. Together, they had accounted for 64 per cent of the total agriculture lending. He said the two regional rural banks in the State (the North Malabar Gramin Bank and the South Malabar Gramin Bank) had come up with very good performance in the matter of agriculture lending.
28 tourism projects to be launched under 100-day action plan
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
ALAPPUZHA: Tourism and Devaswom Minister K.C. Venugopal on Sunday said that as many as 28 tourism projects will be initiated under the 100-day action plan announced by the Ommen Chandy Government and the 16 completed projects under the plan will be handed over to the KTDC. Participating in a face to face programme organised by the Press Club here, the Minister said that the new projects include boat terminals at Punnamada Lake and Thannermukkom and a marina at the Goshree Island in Kochi. The Minister said that the Rs 1.5-crore first phase of Alappuzha canal cleansing project will be completed during the plan period. This apart, the resort at Thanneermukkom and the water amenity centre at Pallathuruthy, near here, both constructed by the Tourism Department, will be handed over to the KTDC. According to him, the the draft plan of the Rs 4-crore second phase of the Alappuzha canal cleansing project is ready and it will be finalised after discussions with experts, people’s representatives and the officials concerned. Protection of the canal banks and their beautification will be the major works in the project. The Rs 3.5-crore waste disposal project to be set up in Alappuzha has been submitted to the Union Government for its assistance. The Centre has already sanctioned such a project in Kozhikode, he said. GUIDELINES FOR HOUSEBOATS: Venugopal said that the houseboats in the backwaters are posing a severe threat to the fragile eco-system. To make their operations eco-friendly, the government would soon announce a set of guidelines and they will be made mandatory by legislation. The bill in this regard will be moved in the next Assembly session. KTDC HEAD: To a question, he said that the new chairman of the KTDC will be appointed soon and the decision in this regard will be taken by the UDF leadership. The seat is vacant since Padmaja Venugopal resigned for contesting in the Lok Sabha election. SABARIMALA: He said that a high-level meeting will be held in Thiruvananthapruam on September 15 to discuss the steps to be taken for the forthcoming Sabarimala season. He said that steps to free Sabarimala from the plastic menace will be taken. Source: newindpress.com
Kerala plans to attract Arab tourists
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
'God's own country' wants to attract Arab sheikhs to its scenic locales and idyllic backwaters. "Arab tourists are looking for alternative destinations after 9/11 and Indian destinations, particularly those in Kerala, have good potential to attract them," T O Sooraj, Director, Department of Tourism, Kerala said. More restaurants and eateries with Arab cuisine, entertainment parks for children and shopping centres catering to Arab tastes are being planned in the state, Sooraj said on the sidelines of the Indian Hoteliers Convention in Dubai. "We have on board an edutainment park for children at Tripunithura in Kochi and a dream city in Kozhikode. Both have been planned for amusement of children as the thrust of our policy is to attract more Arab families," he said. "India got only less than one per cent of world tourist arrivals but Kerala's share in that was 11 per cent in 2003, marking an increase of 26 per cent over the previous year," Sooraj said. Kerala will try to improve air connectivity with West Asia and budget airlines like Air Arabia will greatly increase tourist traffic from the region to Kerala. "As Dubai is already a tourist hub, we will try to include Kerala in the travel plans of tourists coming to the city," Sooraj said.
Kerala to spend Rs 77 cr on tourism
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Kannur: The Kerala Government will spend Rs 77 crore during the current financial year to take up various developmental activities with an objective of attracting more tourists, Tourism and Devaswoms Minister K C Venugopal said on Monday. At a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kannur Press Club here, he said the tourism sector was one of the major revenue earners for the state with Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 crore annually. Tourism sector would be given priority and necessary infrastructure would be developed, he added. All the on-going tourism projects would be completed in a time-bound manner, he said. Besides 28 on-going projects, including Aralam eco-tourism and Bakel in Kasaragod district, 16 new schemes would be taken up within 100 days, he said. Steps would be taken up to develop Muzhappilingad beach in Kannur district and top priority would be given to the Bakel project. Discussions would be held with Bakel Resorts Development Committee to speed up the process, he said. Referring to the facilities at Sabarimala temple, he said necessary steps would be taken to improve the facilities there to attract more pilgrims. A special meeting would be convened with Sabarimala Devaswom Board on September 15 to discuss various aspects, he said. The Centre would be requested to allot 50 acre of land in this regard with a view to providing parking and other facilities. A formal representation would be sent, he said. The Union Government would also be requested to allocate more funds to the state for the development of tourism and create infrastructure, he said. The tourism activities would be expanded to rural areas, which was hitherto confined only to big cities and traditional spots, he added.
Vineeth Weds Priscilla
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Vineeth and Priscilla at the wedding reception last night By SOMAN B ONE of India's top screen heroes has found his own heroine - right here in Bahrain. Vineeth, the dancing star of Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, has married Bahrain International Airport lounge co-ordinator Priscilla Menon. Hundreds of their fans, friends and well-wishers attended a dinner reception hosted by the couple at the Hilton Bahrain last night. The wedding was held in Tellicherry, Kerala, last month. It was a family ceremony, attended by about 2,000 people. It was followed by a grand reception last week at the Meridien Hotel in Madras, attended by stars and leaders of the south Indian film industry.0 Priscilla, who was born and brought up in Bahrain, is the daughter of Indian School teacher Pushpa Menon and the late T P Menon, of Singapore Airlines and Sunshine Tours. She completed her studies at the Indian School, then took her Master of Business Administration in marketing, advertising and public relations through private studies. Priscilla worked for Saudia Dairy Products and Foodstuff Company for eight years before joining Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) four years ago. An accomplished dancer, she was trained by her mother, who is one of the most respected and veteran Indian dance teachers in Bahrain. Vineeth has acted in more than 80 films, though he first made his name as a classical dancer. "The marriage was arranged by our families and what attracted me more in Vineeth is his character, humility and excellent dancing skills," said Priscilla. "Our wedding was first proposed by one of my mother's friends, when she met Vineeth's mother Dr Santhakumari in Kerala. "Vineeth was also keen to marry someone from outside the film world. Later, we met and liked each other, and the engagement took place at the Calicut Taj Residency Hotel on February 9 this year. "I found Vineeth as a very sensitive and caring person, who treats everyone equally and respects the elderly." Priscilla has resigned from her airport job and says she will now settle down as a housewife in Madras. "I shall not pursue a film career, but will be interested to get more training in dancing," she noted. "Vineeth introduced me to his dance teacher Padma Subramaniam, one of India's most renowned dancers. "I agreed to her suggestion to undergo some training under her so that I can dance with Vineeth on stage in future." Vineeth came to fame in Kerala after he started winning the Kala Pratibha dance award year after year, at both school and college. Since he is the nephew of veteran actress Padmini and a cousin of actress Shobhana, his talents quickly paved way for his entry into films. At 14, Vineeth played a gawky teenager in Nakhakshathangal, a hit film by M T Vasudevan Nair and Hariharan. Since then, he has become a much sought-after actor in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. He became a sensation in Andhra Pradesh following the success of Kadal Desam. Vineeth does not want to see his wife as an actress, but would like to encourage her to master the intricacies of classical dancing. The couple will leave for a week-long honeymoon trip to Europe on Sunday.
Meera Jasmine storm Kannada cinema
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Bangalore, India : Meera Jasmine, who bagged the National Award for best actress this year, is one of the many actresses from the Malayalam film industry storming Kannada cinema. Meera is being paired with young Kannada star Puneet Raj Kumar in "Mourya", shooting for which is nearly complete. She is following the footprints of her much-respected seniors like Manju Warrior, Divya Unni and Kaveri (better known as Kalyani in Andhra Pradesh). Known for her performance-oriented films in Malayalam, Meera has acted in purely commercial Tamil and Telugu films. Her Kannada films are also commercial and hero-oriented. She is not apologetic about it. "I would like to prove my worth even in hero-oriented films. I can't say I have the central role in films like 'Gudumba Shankar' and 'Mourya', but I have created some space to prove my talent even in such films. "I did a more focused character in my first Telugu film 'Ammaayi Bagundi', which has been well appreciated by the audience. Therefore, I will try to create a right balance in accepting roles," said the actress who has won many prestigious awards for her performance in Malayalam films. Another actress from Kerala who is making news is Renuka Menon. The girl from Trichur has already acted in films in three languages - including her mother tongue. Malayalam director Kamal introduced Renuka in 'Nammal'. She was then booked for Telugu film 'Ananda Anandamaayi'. With a bewitching smile as her major attraction, she has now bagged a role in the Kannada film 'News', which has super-star Upendra as the hero. Another Kerala-based girl who has made her way into Kannada cinema is Pranathi, the star attraction in Malayalam hit '4 the People'. She is doing the lead role in the Kannada film 'Santhosha', directed by debutant director Ramesh. Earlier, Malayalam actress Kalyani had paired with Ravichandran in this year's hit 'Ramakrishna'. Kalyani had already acted in another Kannada film, 'Sambhrama', a few years ago. As against Malayalam actresses in Kannada cinema, there is also the example of a Bangalore-based girl making waves in the Malayalam and Tamil film industry. Chaya Singh is enjoying a pleasant phase with Tamil audiences excited to see her in the song number 'Manmatha Raja' in 'Thiruda Thirudi', in which she matched the steps of young star Dhanush. Called Minnu in Malayalam cinema, Chaya has worked for " mullavalliyum thenmaavum". She has done four Kannada films - `Chitte', 'Thuntaata', Rowdy Aliya' and 'Preethisle Beku'. Her fifth Kannada film, 'Chandni', is yet to be completed. Indo-Asian News Service
Actresses make a splash
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Malayalam actresses make a splash The trend of frontline heroines making guest appearances in song sequences seems to be catching on in Malluwood. Some months ago, young Bhavana shocked audiences by appearing in an item song in Dileep starrer "Runway". Now, it is the turn of another young actress, Navya Nair. She is appearing in a Westernized love-song sequence in a forthcoming film titled "Parayam", directed by Anil-Babu. "Parayam" stars Jishnu, Bhavana and Madhu Warrier. The song is picturised amidst sunflower farms in the Gundalpet region on the Karnataka border. Set to music by veteran composer Mohan Sithara and written by Kaithapram, the song has the prospect of becoming the chart-topper in coming months
Police escort for tankers in Kerala
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11 Petroleum products in Kerala will be transported with police escort if the ongoing tanker lorry agitation continued, Transport Minister N Sakthan said today. He said, if necessary, the government would declare the tanker lorry service an essential service, and petroleum products would be transported with police escort to prevent hardship to the people. The talks between Transport Commissioner Somaraj, representatives of oil companies and Kerala Tanker Lorry Operators' Association at Ernakulam has not resulted in a breakthrough. About 75 per cent of bunks in interior parts were facing shortages as the stir entered the third day today. Kerosene supplies were also affected. However, in cities, some petrol bunks had stocks for one more day, thanks to the delivery made by 50-odd lorries belonging to the petroleum companies. Long queues were a common sight in front of petrol pumps. Meanwhile, the authorities ensured supplies with the help of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation drivers at Kozhikode and Kollam districs. Left with no alternative, private bus operators said they would be forced to withdraw their services from tomorrow, if the strike continued. More than 1,500 tanker lorries remained off the roads in protest against the ''unilateral'' decision by the oil companies on the rates of payments for oil transporters.
No specific reason for selecting Malappuram as venue: CPM
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Malappuram, Sep 11 CPI(M) politburo member V S Achuthanandan today said there was no specific reason in selecting Malappuram, considered to be the stronghold of the Indian Union Muslim League, as the venue for conference scheduled for February next. Talking to newspersons after inaugurating the two-day state conference of Kerala Pravasi Sangham here, he said the venue was selected as a policy adopted by the party to conduct the meet in various districts. On the inclusion of Indian National League (INL) into the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), he said at present there was no plan to expand the opposition front but the cordial relations with that party would continue. Earlier inaugurating the conference, he said the government should consider granting Rs one lakh each to the skilled workers seeking jobs abroad, particularly in the Middle East, to help them avoid taking loan from private financiers. Many Malayalees were languishing in prisons in different Gulf countries for different reasons, including lack of proper travel documents, he pointed out and called upon the government to look into the matter.
Chandy is making lofty promises: Kodiyeri
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Pathanamthitta, Sep 11 Deputy Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said that the Oommen Chandy Government's action plan for 100 days had been packed with lofty promises, which are difficult to fulfil. He made this observation while inaugurating the Nayanar Commemoration session held as part of the KSKTU District Conference here. Nearly 1,23,50 files had been pending at the State Secretariat waiting for final decision and subsequent implementation, he said. It was humanly impossible to clear all this backlong. The claim to do wonders within a short span of time was nothing short of a political gimmick intended to fool the public, he alleged. He pooh-poohed the District-level 'people contact' programme conducted by former Chief Minister A K Antony, saying the complaints had not been attended to. The UDF was riddled with factional fights leaving no room for governance. He said mere tinkering with the style of functioning would lead him nowhere. Mr Chandy was also following faithfully the strategy of 'divide and rule' introduced by Mr K Karunakaran subjecting the small constituent parties to self-annihilating splits.
K C Ramu of Services clinches gold in Third Kerala Marathon
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11 K C Ramu of Services bagged the gold medal clocking 2:21:50 sec in the Third Kerala Marathon organised by the Kerala Sports Council here today. While Jai Bhai(2:23:01), also from the Services, won the silver, B S Lone (2:24:12), a long distance runner from the Railways, won the third place. Besides the gold medal, the winner in the country's highest prize money marathon would be richer by Rs 1,00,000 in cash. The second and third place winners would be presented with Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. In the junior marathon of 20 Km, Chella Durai of Tamil Nadu annexed the first place and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. The second and third prizes in this category went to Sunil V (Rs 10,000) and N C Bhaskar (Rs 5,000), both from Kerala. In the women's marathon, V V Sindu of the Railways bagged the first prize and a cash prize of Rs 25,000 pushing S K Bindu of Kerala to the second place and Bhagavath of Delhi to the third spot. The second and third prize winners won Rs 10,000 and Rs 5000 respectively. Last year 103 participants took part, in which Chinnappa of the Services had bagged the first prize clocking 2:25:07sec.
Petro shortage in retail outlets due to strike
Sunday, September 12, 2004
[Kerala, India] Kochi, Sep 11 : Shortage of kerosene, petrol and diesel has been reported from retail outlets across Kerala as the indefinite strike by the operators of private tanker lorries entered the third day today. While the government assured that efforts would be made to transport the petro products with police escort, 'No stock' boards were seen before many retail outlets in Kochi. Oil companies are able to maintain essential supplies only in high selling towns and Kerala State Transpot Corporation bus depots, sources said. The strike intensified yesterday with the tanker lorry operators from Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode also joining it. Meanwhile, Transport Minister N Sakthan said the government was contemplating declaring the tanker lorry service as an essential one and ban the strike. The strike has been called by the All Kerala Tanker Lorry Operators Association, All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Trades, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Tanker Truck owners Welfare Association and the All Kerala tanker lorry owners and operators welfare association.
Sex tourism in Kerala causes concern
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram, September 9: National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday expressed concern over the growing sex tourism and dowry linked harassment in Kerala. Addressing a press conference here, NCW Chairperson Poornima Advani, after a meeting with the state Chief Secretary, said the Commission had brought these matters to the notice of the state government. Sex tourism, especially in the areas of Kovalam, was of grave concern to the NCW, she said. The government had assured effective steps to deal firmly with sex tourism and informed the Commission that a separate tourism wing to deal with the matter had been established, she said.
DTH to be commissioned in Kerala
Saturday, September 11, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Doordarshan's free-to-air Direct-To-Home satellite television service would soon be commissioned in Kerala, a top official said on Thursday. The DTH service would initially offer a bouquet of 30 television channels directly to the user, of which 17 would be DD channels and the remaining that of private broadcasters, Peer Mohammed, Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Thiruvananthapuram, told reporters here. The programmes could be accessed with a small dish depending on the requirement of the signal strength and a set-up box. Around 20 radio channels could also be accessed with the equipment, he said. Barring the initial investment of around Rs 3000 on the equipment, there would be no monthly subscription as Doordarshan had made it free-to-air. The 30 channels would be beamed through KU-band transponders and the reception would be of highest international quality. Talks were on with private broadcasters to provide their programmes through the DTH system, he said.
Lorry owners' agitation continues in Kerala
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Press Trust of India Transport of petroleum products throughout kerala was affected as the indefinite strike by private tanker owners entered the second day on Friday. The tankers of the oil companies were able to meet the requirements of KSRTC bus depots and high-selling towns, B Ashok, DGM, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and state coordinator of petroleum products, said. The state government was again being approached for assistance for movement of the products, he added. About 800 tankers transport the products daily throughout the state and since Thursday, only 50 company trucks were on the roads, sources said. No talks have been initiated so far with the striking tanker operators, who are on an indefinite agitation since the midnight of September 8. They are protesting against the non-payment of dues and renewal of freight charges by petroleum companies.
Army denies reports of rape in Kerala camp
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Army denies reports of rape in Kerala camp Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11.: The authorities of Pangode military camp on Friday termed as "misleading" the report in a section of the press about Army personnel within the camp having raped a minor girl. "The matter has been investigated by the police team from Kollam at the military camp here and nothing has been established," said an official release, quoting military authorities, from the camp. The issue came to light after the 14-year-old girl, arrested by the highway police at Chavara a couple of months ago, reportedly gave a statement before the Kollam Judicial First Class Magistrate that she was sexually assaulted by three persons at the military camp. When contacted, Chathannur Circle Inspector R Anil Kumar, who is investigating the case, that the girl was brought to the camp recently to identify the quarters in which she was allegedly abused. But she could not identify the house. However, she could identify the bus stop and a nearby Chitra Nagar where civilian population was settled. "We are examining all the aspects. Till now, the role of any Army personnel has not been identified. The investigation is still going on and we will get a clear picture only after a detailed probe," he added.
What next for Antony?
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, India : For the first time in 11 years, former Kerala chief minister A.K. Antony finds himself without an official position, though he continues to be a member of the Kerala assembly. Antony, 64 had become the civil supplies minister in the cabinet of then prime minister P.V. Narashima Rao in 1993 but stepped down in 1995 after he was accused of corruption, a charge that was never proved. Immediately thereafter, he replaced K. Karunakaran as Kerala's chief minister. The Congress lost the 1996 assembly polls, but Antony become the leader of the opposition between 1996 and 2001. The Congress came back to power in the 2001 elections and Antony replaced E.K. Nayanar as chief minister, a position he held till last week. Another interesting aspect of Antony's political career, which began way back in 1956 when he became a councilor at the Government High School in Sherthala, the constituency he represents in the assembly, is that it was only a brief period between 1982 and 1984 that he held no official post in the government or the Congress. He has been the party general secretary at the national level, president of the Congress' Kerala unit and the convener of the liaison committee of the state's ruling coalition from 1970 to 1977. He was a Rajya Sabha member 1985-1995. On Monday, as he walked out from the official residence of the chief minister to his own house in the heart of the city clutching his mother's framed photograph, Antony made it clear he would remain in state politics. In fact, he has already taken possession of an apartment at the MLA Quarters here. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, when asked about Antony's future, shot back: "Don't think that just because Antony does not have any official post he will become irrelevant. He is a leader who is respected all over the country by even the opposition parties." There are reports that Antony might be asked to head a new committee that would look into centre-state relations. There is also speculation he would be given a Rajya Sabha ticket from Kerala when a vacancy arises next year. Indo-Asian News Service
Movie buffs jamming city roads with their vehicles
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
KOCHI: Making their presence felt in every nook and corner of the city, cable TV channels form the most popular ‘essential commodity’ among the urban folk, especially the youngsters. And yet, there is still a sizeable number of filmgoers in the city who frequent the cinemas here every once in a while. In addition to the lack of basic facilities inside the auditoria, what often welcome the regular movie buffs in the city having their own vehicles include the lack of adequate space on the premises of cinemas as well as the unscientific methods by which vehicles are being stationed in the parking lot and guided out of the premises once the show is over. ‘‘There are at least two prominent cinema halls on the arterial MG Road which lack adequate parking facilities and space,’’ points out Abhinav Ram, an employee with an insurance firm in the city. ‘‘Also, the method by which vehicles are streamed out of the compound of some theatres is flawed. Even the intervention of police often fails to check the traffic congestion caused by the heavy outflow of vehicles from theatre premises. Koker’s Complex on Chittoor Road is an instance,’’ Abhinav says. ‘‘We have enough space to accommodate 15-20 cars on our premises at a time. The rest, if any, are often accommodated on the Market Road,’’ says Unnikrishnan, manager of Padma Theatre on MG Road. ‘‘We let in the vehicles only after all the ones which are already inside the compound have left after the show. Second shows witness the maximum number of cars. After all, Kochi has the distinction of having the largest number of vehicles in the State,’’ adds Unnikrishnan. And, are there stipulated guidelines issued by the Corporation or traffic police in this regard? ‘‘None, till date. As the screening of various movies closes at different times, general guidelines to streamline vehicular flow from the premises of the city theatres are not practical,’’ Unni says. ‘‘We often deploy one sub-inspector and two constables each in the front of every theatre at busy hours with a view to easing traffic congestion resulting from the heavy outflow of vehicles,’’ says T.V. Sasikumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic). ‘‘We permit vehicle-parking only on the left side of the MG Road. On Banerjee Road too, vehicles proceeding from Saritha Complex are permitted only to turn left and proceed to the High Court Junction,’’ he says. ‘‘Our theatre has only two-wheeler parking facility. But we haven’t received any complaint so far regarding vehicle parking, maybe because parking is not restricted on the main road in front of the theatre,’’ says Radhakrishnan, assistant manager of Sridar. Whatever be the different contentions in this regard, the fact remains that taking vehicles along with us while we visit the cinemas in the city is a real challenge. A thoroughly practical and well-thought out approach alone can find a lasting solution in this regard.
‘Malayalis now brokering deals online’
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
KOCHI: Disappointments galore for those shylockian ‘dallals’ of yore who’ll pep talk you to pitfalls and booby traps. Fed up with the brokers demanding a pound of flesh for every positive deal, the techno-savvy people of the State are switching over to sophisticated options like e-trading sites for effecting all sorts of deals from real estate to cars to even queer pets like squirrels. The State, known for its vigorous affinity to change, has already trashed brokers, mediators and even classified advertisements to roll the red carpet for this powerful IT tool. ‘‘The concept of trading online will definitely take up. Trading sites launched from Kerala are still in their infancy. Only high profile sites like Baazee, Amazon et al are really engaged in e-commerce as they involve lots of actual pecuniary transactions. Trading sites here only act as a link between the proposed buyer and the seller. But this will definitely come up,’’ says Kiran Thomman who runs Eleazar Networks and owns the trading site kachavadom.com The fear and suspicion of buying online is the major hindrance to a spurt in advancement in this area. People are scared to use their credit cards for shopping online. But with new security caches adopted by several of these large trading sites, the risk of running into a non-existing bogus trading site is reduced to a greater extent. Trading sites are places where one can meet prospective buyers or sellers for anything from mobile phones to real estate to even queer interests like pet squirrels. These trading sites are proving to be very popular as there are loads of classified advertisements covering various articles. ‘‘Internet is easily accessible to a certain class of people. Moreover, I want to sell my plot to people who can really pay me a fair price. I am receiving e-mail responses even from abroad,’’ said Saju Varghese who wants to sell a piece of land through the net. Medium-sized trading sites like kachavadom.com augur roughly 1500 hits (visits) every week. Vehicles, real estates and mobile phones are the most sought after deals. One can host advertisements in these portals by merely clicking in few details. ‘‘We have lots of visits from West Asia, Europe and the US. They rely on desi sites like this to invest on property or other fixed investments,’’ says Kiran. It may take sometime for the ever-doubting conscience of Malayalis to ape the typical ‘put-it-on-the-web’ Yankees. But they will surely keep up with the Joneses Source : The New Indian Express (Online)
Oommen Chandy has insulted us: Balakrishana Pillai
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
ADOOR: Balakrishana Pillai today stated that Oommen Chandy had not informed him that he would not be included in the ministry. He also pointed out that even after becoming chief minister, Oommen Chandy had not bothered to hold any talks with him. Balakrishna Pillai was talking to press persons after the party state executive committee meet here today. He also accused Oommen Chandy of insulting him.
RBI takes note of Rs 50-lakh heist, installs cameras to scan units
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
KOCHI: Shocked by the mysterious disappearance of Rs 50 lakh from its consignment sent to Thiruvananthapuram, the Reserve Bank of India has embarked on a major security initiative aimed at making packing and transportation of newly-printed currencies a foolproof exercise. Acting on primary inference that the Thiruvananthapuram-bound packets were probably tampered with on the premises of the Note Mudran at Mysore itself, RBI has decided to go in for an extensive satellite-aided monitoring system that will help even the corporate office in Bangalore to keep a tab on each stage of processing at the facilities in Mysore and Salboni in West Bengal. Sources told `Express' that different types of surveillance cameras are being installed in both RBI printing facilities. About 250 cameras, including dome-type, revolving and other varieties, will scan every inch of the units throughout the day. The visuals will be recorded and the database stored for six months for a recheck should the need arise. ``There will be cameras everywhere. Though we still have a monitoring mechanism, doubts about its efficacy are being raised. The new system will envelop the entire gamut of operations,'' a top RBI official told this website’s newspaper. The project also includes setting up of a control room in the Bangalore corporate office of the Note Mudran Private Ltd. This will allow the corporate heads to keep an eye on all activities, sources said about the initiative launched by T.C.Nair, Malayali head of Note Mudran. ``Almost 75 percent of the note printing activity has been mechanised. But human involvement occurs in the packing and loading part of operations. This stage will also be soon mechanised with a view to avoid any possibility of tampering,'' top sources said. State-of-the-art X-ray system that can provide crystal clear images of baggages are being procured. A conveyor system capable of carrying 100-150 kg parcels to a distance of 75 m is also being installed. ``We've already solicited an expression of interest from firms who can install it on a turnkey basis. Once the new system is in place, it will insulate the entire gamut of operations from human involvement,'' sources said adding that there was no move to reduce the strength in any facility. Source: The New Indian Express
Vallasadya at Aranmula
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
PATHANAMTHITTA: Thousands of devotees, including hundreds from the neighbouring districts of Kottayam, Kollam and Alappuzha, took part in the Ashtamirohini Vallasadya held on the premises of the Aranmula Parthasarathi temple on Monday. Oarsmen of as many as 30 Palliyodams took part in the Vallasadya, which was organised by the Aranmula Palliyoda Seva Sangham. District Superintendent of Police T. Chandran lighted the traditional lamp, marking the beginning of the Vallasadya. Malethu Saraladevi MLA, Palliyoda Seva Sangham president K. Sivadasan Nair, secretary Soman and Pathanamthitta Deputy SP Gopalakrishna Pillai were present at the ceremony. Devotees stood in long queues for hours outside the temple for getting the prasadam. Thousands of volunteers, including hundreds of Hindu Aikyavedi workers, had a tough time distributing food items to the large gathering of devotees.
NRIs fuel real estate boom in Kerala
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
The non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have fuelled a real estate boom in Kerala. Builders say NRIs opt for housing complexes as they provide more safety than individual units. "Our main focus is on the NRIs because those people who go abroad know the benefits of these flats, a major factor of safety and security. Since they leave their family alone back home, they prefer to have their houses at a secured place," said Abdul Aziz, chief executive officer of Skylone Builders Limited. Industry analysts say that availability of loans at attractively lower rates and increased buying power has added to the real estate boom. "Earlier, people preferred to have villas as it was a fashion to have independent houses. Now, affordability is a factor as people start looking for their own houses at an early age of 28 years or so. It is so because the income level of the people has gone up and also because of cheaper interest rates on housing loans. They know the advantages of community living," said Gokulam Venugopal, chairman, Kerala builders Forum. High cost of land coupled with insecurities related to urbanisation have also added to the craze for high-rise apartments in the state. The state government's department for NRIs-NORKA (Non Resident Keralites Affairs) - estimate that nearly 25,00,000 Keralites are working abroad. Cochi, commercial capital of Kerala, with all its charm and tranquility, is the favoured destination for NRIs to set up homes.
Self-financing colleges inevitable in Kerala : CM
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 6 Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said that self-financing colleges were inevitable in the State. Participating in a Meet-the-Press programme of the Press Club here, he said the previous United Democratic Front Government had taken important steps in the education policy and his Government would continue the same policy. Stating that self-financing colleges could provide good education to students because of their facilities, the Chief Minister, however, said these colleges should never be meant only for wealthy students and their facilities should also be available to the poor students.
Kerala Govt. announces '100-day action plan'
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Kerala Govt. announces '100-day action plan' Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 06 - The new United Democratic Front Government in Kerala would draft an action plan listing schemes to be implemented in its first 100 days in office, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, said today. "The schemes to be taken up in the first 100 days will be identified within a week," Chandy, who assumed office a week ago, told a meet-the-press programme here. He said the UDF would learn lessons from the defeat it suffered in the last Lok Sabha elections and work for more cohesion in the Front. There were several lapses in the functioning of the Front during the last three years, for which all leaders including himself were responsible. The decision to drop two Kerala Congress factions from the Ministry was taken by the Congress High Command which was for taking a hard stance against those who worked against the UDF's interests. "There is no doubt that the UDF will change ways. It will not function as it used to in the past," he said. Claiming that the State's economy had improved, he said ways would have to be found to cut increase in non-Plan expenditure. The Government was not for increasing the retirement age as it would affect the "health" of society. He said the Government would soon convene a meeting of Opposition leaders to discuss issues of concern to the State. On senior Congress leader K Karunakaran's remarks against the way the Ministry was formed, Chandy said he himself was not fully satisfied with the exercise. "I have limitations, but I have tried not to do injustice to anyone," he said. Chandy said the present Government was a continuation of the Antony Government and its policies would continue. He sounded confident that he would be able to steer the UDF to victory in the next elections if the Congress and its partners put up a united fight. "I do not subscribe to the view that the UDF is a sinking ship. If all of us stay united no political force in the State can beat the UDF," he said. To a question referring to reports that Karunakaran had demanded that the Deputy Speaker's post be given to his faction, he said there was "no vacancy" for the post now. On self-financing colleges, he said there could be divergent views on the implementation of the Government's policies in the education sector. Students from poor economic background also should get admission in them. At the same time, resources for its functioning should be generated by the college. Asked about the police policy of the new Government, he said the police was totally free to protect the lives and property of citizens, but they should not hold the view that public servants had no business to intervene on issues.
Chandy avoids unlucky 21st minister
Monday, September 6, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA: The Oommen Chandy Cabinet in the state is one short of its eligible strength of 21 ministers in the 140 member state assembly. Except for a brief period when former KPCC president K Muraleedharan held the electricity portfolio, the previous A K Antony Cabinet also had only 20 ministers. As per the constitutional amendment allowing the maximum size of the cabinet to be 15% of the total strength in the state assembly, the state cabinet can have a maximum strength of 21. The post of the 21st minister proved to be unlucky in the state when Muraleedharan suffered a humiliating defeat in a by-election in his maiden attempt to enter the state Assembly within six months after becoming a minister. After Muraleedharan's resignation on May 14 this year, Antony kept the post vacant till his resignation on August 29, owning moral responsibility for the Congress party's debacle in the May 10 Lok Sabha elections. There was widespread criticism from the Opposition when Antony increased the Cabinet strength to 20 from 14 in the earlier E K Nayanar Ministry.
The high command calls Karunakaran family bluff
Monday, September 6, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA: Wiping out the K.Karunakaran family from the picture, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has successfully struck a deal by picking 10 fresh faces from the party for his Cabinet ignoring group loyalties and promising significant posts in the KPCC to the left-out leaders. Falling in line with the Congress high command’s assertive mood, the Indian Union Muslim League decided to replace its two controversial Ministers Education Minister Nalakath Soopy and Local Administration Minister Cherkalam Abdullah with E.T.Muhammed Basheer and Kutty Ahmed Kutty. Irked over the unexpected move, Karunakaran met Governor R.L.Bhatia while Chandy was announcing the list of new Congress Ministers in front of the Raj Bhavan. He later termed the Chandy package ‘‘humiliating’’ and ‘‘unilateral’’. His son Muraleedharan also rallied behind the father to trigger another innings of factional feud in the State unit of the party. The resentment is unlikely to snowball into a crisis as Chandy has already charted out a plan to relocate ministers who have been dropped from the Antony Cabinet and the other aspirants for the post of Ministers in senior posts in the KPCC executive which will be expanded soon. The prominent in the new team are Vakkom Purush |
