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President Pratibha Patil arrived for two day visit
Wednesday, 30 April, 2008
AJ: President Pratibha Patil arrived the captial on a two day visit to Kerala. Patil arrived at the Air Force base by Special Aircraft. Governor R L Bhatia, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Speaker K Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and opposition leader in the State Assembly Oommen Chandy were among those who received her. She later left for the Raj Bhavan. In the evening, she will inaugurate the valedictory function of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The President will participate in the birth centenary celebration of former state Chief Minister R Sankar at the Tagore Centenary Hall tomorrow.
Cabinet okays 'Paloli committee' report
AJ: The Government today decided to implement the Sachar Committee report on backwardness of Muslim community, including the proposal to form a Minority Welfare Department. The decision was taken by the state cabinet which gave its approval to the proposals of the high power committee headed by Minister Paloli Muhammad Kutty, set up to study the state-level implementation of the Sachar Committee report. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said other proposals included institution of special educational scholarships for the Muslim students.
State to set up training centres for job seekers: say Gurudasan
Tuesday, 29 April, 2008
AJ: Labour Minister P K Gurudasan said Orientation Training Centres will be set up in all the districts in the state this year to impart training to those aspiring to find jobs abroad. The programme would be implemented with assistance from the Centre. The minister inaugurated the `Malabar Job Fest-2008', organised jointly by the district administration and the Industrial Training department. The state was also keen to start more ITIs to cater to the needs of the students.
Case against PJ Joseph defered
AJ: The case against Kerala Congress (J) Chairman PJ Joseph has been defered the case will come for hearing on next month 20th. Judicial Magistrate Ramanathan had directed Joseph to appear on April 29, after the Airport Police, filed a 93-page chargesheet regarding an allegation of sexual assault. The case against Joseph was that he misbehaved with a woman co-passenger while flying from Chennai to Kochi on August 3, 2006. Cases under different sections of the IPC were filed against Joseph who later quit the ministry. The Kerala government had also ordered a preliminary inquiry into the incident by IG B Sandhya who questioned the woman and some co-passengers and flight staff.
Left's campaign on price rise hypocritical: Advani
AJ: BJP leader L K Advani said the Left parties' campaign against price rise as "hypocritical," Left is equally responsible for the UPA government's anti-people policies as the Congress. "The Left's opposition to the UPA government was only for the public consumption as, in reality, it was solidly behind the government," Advani told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. He said the Congress was also not particular to push the civil nuclear deal since it was aware that the UPA government could not survive even for a day without the critical support from the Left. Dubbing the 'third alternative' mooted by the Left as "meaningless", he said the "utterly opportunistic" alliance of the Congress and the Left with their diametrically opposed economic policies was responsible for "the kind of mess the country is in. Advani said the Left parties knew that they would be fighting the Congress in three states they were in power even if they continued to support the party after the elections.
NCP resolution criticizing both fronts
Monday, 28 April, 2008
AJ: The NCP political resolution has severely criticized the opposition as well as the ruling front. NCP leader A K Sasheendran, presented the resolution at the representatives meet, stated that the ruling front are distancing from the public and is a total failure. The people have lost faith in the government after the devaswom issue, self-financing education bill and the dispute between the parties. The opposition is also a failure in the state. Blaming Sharad Pawar for not restoring the quota of rice is to cover government's failure, the resolution opined.
Kuttanad registers record paddy procurement
AJ: Kuttanad has registered a record in paddy procurement. Kuttanad procured 58945 tonnes of paddy, the minister said. The minister said 3000 hectares of paddy still remain to be reaped. Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said steps will be taken to see that climate change will not affect harvesting in Kuttanad. He said this distributing the compensation to the kin of farmers who committed suicide in Kuttanad.
Three killed by elephant at temple festival
Thursday, 24 April, 2008
AJ: An elephant gored to death three people, including a woman, during a temple festival in Irinjalakkuda. The incident took place at Koodalmanikyam Temple at Irinjalakkuda. The elephant, named Thiruvalla Unnikrishnan, also caused extensive damage to the temple. The police identified the deceased as Kausalya, 75, Nitheesh, 25, and Naushad. Four persons were injured in the stampede when terrified devotees rushed out of the temple premises to escape the rampaging elephant. The elephant reportedly turned violent after someone caught its tusk.
Plastic with below 50 micron thickness banned
AJ: The government banned use of carry bags, cups and bottles made of below 50 micron thickness plastic in the state. The production, sale, use, stocking and distribution of materials with below 50 micron thickness plastic was illegal and persons who violate the law was liable to be punishable with a fine of Rs one lakh and five years imprisonment. It was the duty of local self-governments to ensure that the banned plastic items were not used in thier respective places. Government had earlier banned use of plastic items made of below 30 micron thickness. It was found that the objective of the ban was not ahieved and so, government decided to ban the use of below 50 micron thickness plastic.
Govt a failure, says Oommen Chandy
Monday, 21 April, 2008
AJ: Opposition leader Oommen Chandy said The government and the police failed to prevent the violent attacks in Kasargod.Inaugurating the Congress mandalam meet, he said they would support the government to restore peace in the district. The KPCC will organise an all religious meet and a satyagraha on April 22 in protest against the attack and murders, Chandy said and urged the people to support them. KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala, V M Sudheeran and many others will partake in the satyagraha.
Meanwhile Revenue Minister K P Rajendran visited the houses of four victims in Kasargod. The minister said strict action will be taken against the accused and more financial aid will be given to the kin of the dead.
Ready to hand over SNDP temples to govt, says Vellappally
Sunday, 20 April, 2008
AJ: SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan said that he is accepting the challenge of Thiruvambadi and Paramekavu devaswoms, who jointly conduct the Thrissur Pooram. Natesan had yesterday demanded the state government to take over the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples. SNDP is ready to hand over the temples coming under the control of the trust to the state government. Similarly, both the temple devaswoms should be ready to hand over the administrations to the state government.
Shoot at sight orders in Kasaragod
AJ: Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan visited the trouble hit areas, issued a shoot at sight order to prevent any further violence. Those behind the violent incidents will be arrested soon. Severe action will be taken to curb violence and police can take any step for the same, Kodiyeri said. Talking to reporters after the peace meet, the minister urged all the religious, social and political organisations to come together to avoid such violent incidents. He also said that all political parties should work together to isolate assailants. More police have been deployed in the area to meet the situation.
Govt. to go ahead with Metro Rail Project
Wednesday, 16 April, 2008
AJ: State Law and Sports Minister M Vijaya Kumar said the state government would go ahead with the proposed Kochi Metro Rail Project, despite a demand for change in the original project. He talking to reporters, the government had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the implementing agency of the project, to review the project in the wake of the demand from a section of shop owners in the area for a change in the alignment. The DMRC had dismissed the demand on technical and financial grounds, minister said, it had no other option and would go ahead with the original proposal.
The shop owners wanted the project to be realigned through Shanmugham Road rather than the M G Road since it would affect their business establishments there.
The minister said the government would convene a meeting of the shop owners, Kochi Metro Rail Action Council and people's representatives to find a solution in this regard.
Recommendation For Tirupati Model In Sabarimala
AJ: Devaswom Commissioner K Jayakumar recommended to the state government,a separate administration similar to Tirupati model should be formed in Sabarimala.The functioning of Sabarimala should be put under an authority which in turn will function under the devasom board. Trusts should be formed under the authority and health and educational organisations should be started under the same. Nine to eleven members should form the authority and three out of the 11 should be board members. The report of the recommendation was handed over to Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran.
All party delegation to meet PM today
Tuesday, 15 April, 2008
AJ: An all-party delegation from the state led by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi this evening to submit a memorandum, seeking liberal relief to farmers who lost their crops in the recent unseasonal summer rains in the state. Ministers M Vijaya Kumar, C Divakaran, K P Rajendran, Mons Joseph, N K Premachandran, Mathew T Thomas, opposition leader Oommen Chandy and K M Mani are in the team.
Keralites to celebrate Vishu today
Monday, 14 April, 2008
AJ: It's Vishu, the festival of prosperity today. The festival of Vishu that generally coincides with the first day of the month of Medam, is also referred to as the Malayalam New Year. The day carries an astronomical significance as it falls on the equinox, indicating equal length of the day and the night. Preparations and arrangements for Vishu cap it all on the night preceding it. Items like rice, cucumber, linen, jackfruit and yellow flowers of Cassia fistula, known in local palance as Kanikonna are aesthetically arranged before the idol of Lord Krishna.
The flowers of the Konna that bloom in these months and form a dense cover of brilliant yellow is a sight cherished by many. Vishu is eagerly awaited by many, especially children, for it is an opportunity to size up their pocket money. On Vishu day, elders in the family give out Kaineetam to youngsters as tokens of prosperity. Towards the close of the day, children are found animatedly discussing about the gains during the day. Kaineettam is also give to servants in the family and the poor and the needy. Vishu is also a day of feasting, wherein the edibles consist of roughly equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Vishu is still longed for by people all over the State. It is also vibrantly celebrated by non-resident Keralites in different parts of the world as the day that ushers in prosperity.
Kedamangalam Sadanandan passes away
AJ: Well-known 'Kathaprasangam' exponent and Malayalamfilm actor, Kedamangalam Sadanandan, died at his residence at Paravoor. Sadanandan, 84, is survived by wife, son and daughter. He was suffering from lung cancer and was undergoing treatment for the past few months. The body will be kept at the Paravoor town hall for the public to pay homage. The funeral will be held today. The popular story teller traversed across the state, performing in over 15,000 platforms. Beginning his career in January 1944 with legendary poet Chengampuzha Krishna Pillai's poem 'Vazhakula' at the age of 20, he dominated the 'Kathaprasangam' stage along with another master storyteller late Samabasivan.
14 killed, 49 injured in road accidents in Kerala and TN
AJ: Twelve pilgrims were killed and 49 injured, four seriously, in two different road accidents in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Six Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu were killed and 47 injured when their private bus fell into a ditch at Kanamala near Erumeli in Kottayam district . The devotees, hailing from Tirunelveli district, were returning after worshipping at the Sabarimala temple. Of the injured, 24 pilgrims were admitted at the taluk hospital in Kanjirapally, 13 in Kottayam Medical College and ten at the Primary Health Centre, Erumeli.
In the accident at Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, six persons of a family from Olappurackal in Kaduthuruthy near Kottayam, were killed and two children injured when their van, proceeding to the Christian Pilgrim Centre at Velanganni, collided with a state-owned transport corporation bus. The dead were identified as Baby (47), a saw mill owner, his wife Rita (40), her mother Mary (72), sister Leela (55), her son Sevil (24) and Baby's youngest daughter Aloshy (three). The injured were Baby's eldest daughter Steppy (10) and son Abin (eight). An other incident a couple was killed when a mini bus struck two bikes after losing control at Kaimanom. The dead has been identified as Sasidharan Nair of Pappanamcode and his wife Vasantha.
HC dismisses petitions against Pariyaram election
Friday, 11 April, 2008
AJ: The Kerala High Court today dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging the election to the director board of the Pariyaram Medical college Hospital Society at Kannur. Dismissing the petitions by former state ministers M V Raghavan, K Sudhakaran and 209 other voters, Justice Thothathil B Radhakrishnan said the proceedings adopted by the returning officer were proper. Raghavan, had alleged that though they had photo identity cards they were denied voting rights in the society election held on Sept 23 last year.It was alleged that there was large scale irregularities in the conduct of election. Of the 376 voters who had ID cards, 326 were not permitted to enter polling booths. They said what transpired on Sept 23 cannot be considered as election.
Soon after hearing the verdict, M V Raghavan said they would approach the division bench against the verdict and if necessary would move the Supreme Court also. Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy said, we are still believe that there occurred irregularities in Pariyaram polls and will appeal against the court order after studying it. Praising the court when it pronounces a favourable verdict and criticise it otherwise is not the culture of UDF, Chandy added. Cooperative Minister G Sudhakaran says the verdict of the Kerala High Court upholding the elections to the director board of the Pariyaram Medical college Hospital Society at Kannur, is a victory of the democracy and the LDF Government.
Govt. Warns Striking Doctors
AJ: The government warned striking doctors that it would not hesitate to resort to "extreme measures" if they continued with their "non-cooperation" agitation. In a counter affidavit in the Kerala High Court, P L Thomas, Undersecretary, Health and family welfare, said the government if necessary, would also withhold the salary of doctors. Government doctors across Kerala are on an indefinite "non cooperation" agitation since March 14 to press for their various demands, including revision of pay.
Though they are attending to all outpatients and inpatients and conduct surgeries at hospitals, they are boycotting other duties like escorting VVIPs, training programmes and National Rural Health Mission programmes. There are over 2,000 doctors serving the state health department and their main demands, include urgent revision of payscales, improvement in working conditions and filling of vacancies in hospitals.
Political Parties Welcome Verdict On Quota
Thursday, 10 April, 2008
AJ: Almost all political parties and backward class outfits in the state today welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on reservation of seats in higher educational institutions with the lone dissenting voice coming from the Nair Service Society. Welcoming the decision, Education Minister M A Baby said it went well with the approach of his party and the LDF on the issue. Congress leader M I Shanawas said the UPA government at the Centre deserved a pat on its back for its genuine concern for the progress of the backward classes.
The Indian Union Muslim League, an ally of the Congress , said the verdict had endorsed the honest and bold approach of the UPA government on the issue.BJP state president P K Krishnadas said that the verdict was acceptable on the whole but his party was opposed to religion-based quotas. The NSS, however, said implementation of quota would weaken the quality of higher educational institutions and create divisions in the society. All party delegation to meet PM on crop loss
AJ: An all-party delegation from the state led by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi and submit a memorandum seeking liberal relief to farmers who lost their crops in the recent unseasonal summer rains in the state.VS said after cabinet meeting, as per a preliminary report, 30,000 hectares of paddy crops were damaged in the rains, out of which 20,000 hectares were lost completely.
According to official estimate, paddy crop worth Rs 393.33 crores were lost in the rains. Severe damage was reported at Kuttanad in Alappuzha District, considered the rice bowl of the state. The cabinet decided to write off the agriculture loan of two farmers who committed suicide due to crop loss in rains and two others who died in rain related incidents. In addition, their families would be given Rs 50,000 each as special assistance. He criticised the Centre for not according sanction to the Rs 18.4 billion Comprehensive Development Project for Kuttanad prepared by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan.
Govt failed to keep promise to farmers, says Chandy
Tuesday, 8 April, 2008
AJ: Opposition leader Oommen Chandy said the CPI (M)-led LDF Government in the state has failed to provide financial assistance to farmers who lost their crops in unseasonal summer rains. The government had announced financial assistance and declared that all damaged crops would be procured and used for fodder.But the government had failed to fulfill the promises. The procuring price for paddy has been declared but the price for damaged crops was yet to be announced.
Stating that chief minister and other ministers could not shy away from their responsibilities, if immediate steps were not taken to address the problems of the farmers in Kuttanad, it would lead to serious consequences. Kuttanad had already witnessed suicide by three farmers following crop loss.
He also accused the state government of not taking seriously the visit of the central team that came here to study the crop loss in the summer rains. The state government did not have a proper record of crop loss and gave varying reports, he said.
Govt to take steps to check vegetable prices
AJ: The Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran said the government would take all possible measures to check the prices within two days.Talking to media persons, he said the government would take immediate measures to procure vegetables from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, besides stern measures to control the monopoly of procuring vegetables from Idukki. A joint conference of Agriculture, Civil Supplies and Horticulture departments would chalk out strategies to bring down the prices. Though Idukki district was producing sufficient vegetables, all the produce were collected by retail giants, the government would procure vegetables directly from farmers. SHRC registers case in Manjeri incident
Sunday, 6 April, 2008
AJ: The State Human Rights Commission registered a suo motu case in connection with the attack on police officials during the DYFI march towards Spenser's supermarket. The march staged by the DYFI activists turned violent and the police had to lathicharge to disperse them.The police officials working for maintaining law and order in the state are also human beings, SHRC member Prof. S Varghese said today. Attack on police officials is also a violation of human rights, Varghese added. He also blamed the attitude of higher officials for not arresting those involved in the attack.
Central team visits rain-ravaged areas
AJ: The Central team, to study the crop loss in various districts during the recent rains, visited the affected areas. The team led by A K Yadav, Joint Secretary, visited Kuttanadu and Thrissur, where had been crop loss in the rains. Earlier, Thrissur collector M Beena, informed the team that paddy crops in over 6000 hectares were damaged, causing a loss of Rs 302 million and affecting 14002 farmers. The district had recovered about 225 mm of rainfall over a 10-day period beginning March 13.
HC criticizes political violence
Thursday, 3 April, 2008
AJ: The Kerala High Court has once again criticised the political violence in Kannur. The court directed the state government to inform the full details of the CPM-BJP political clashes and murders. The order was passed by Justice R Basant after dismissing the bail pleas of the accused in connection with the murder of Sudheer in Kannur. The court has directed to inform the complete details of the clashes and the steps taken by the police before May 21.
The court said if the police investigation is not found effective, it will consider of handing over the case to the CBI. The court criticized the police for their partisan stand in the case. The court opined that a special investigating team and a special court should be set up to deal such cases. Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakeishnan said proper action will be taken after examining the details of High Court order on CPM-BJP clashes. The right suggestions in the court order will be accepted, otherwise will approach the apex court, he said.
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