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Heavy rain in Kerala
Wednesday, 30 July, 2008
AJ: Many places in Kerala receiving heavy rains in the last 24 hours. The Metro dept.officals say that heavy rains continues in most places in Kerala during next 48 hours.Heavy rainfalls continues in Kochi, Idukki, Ottappalam, Peerrumedu, Manjari, Alapuzha, Thalasseri, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Punalur, Kasaragod and Kannur. The
metro.dept say that 45 to 55 km ph wind would lash along Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep during the next 48 hours.
Terror threat: Security tightened in the state
Monday, 28 July, 2008
AJ: A high alert has been declared across the state after a Bangalore-based television channel (TV 9) received a message saying there will be at least two blasts in the state. Major commercial centres, IT parks, important places of worship, bus stands, railway stations and airports are under close observation of security and intelligence personnel. Bomb squads will carry out thorough checks in lodges and hotels. Police had instructed movie houses in major cities to cancel night shows in view of the alert. DGP Raman Sreevastava urged the people to inform the police if they come across any thing suspicious.
Center Govt. approved Kuttanadu package
AJ: The Manmohan Singh government approved the Rs.18.4-billion Kuttanad package. Rs.50 crore will be given to the State immediately, the remaining amount will be over the next three years of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. Kuttanad, which has some 25,000 hectares of paddy cultivable area, is the only area under paddy cultivation in the state which is situated below sea level and this causes a lot of difficulties for the farmers. Union Minister Vayalar Ravi said no change has been made in the recommendations submitted by Swaminathan.
Thattekkatu boat tragedy: Driver gets five yrs in prison
Sunday, 27 July, 2008
AJ: The Ernakulam Special court given five year jail term for the owner-cum-driver of the boat, Raju for the Thattekkatu boat tragedy. Fifteen school children and three teachers died on February last year. The boat 'Shivaranjini' had a permit to carry only six persons. But at least 61 students and teachers were allowed to board the boat. The court also imposed a fine Rs 100,000 on Raju.
25 per. power cut for industries
AJ: The Kerala State Electricity Board has imposed a 25 percent power cut for high tension and extra high tension industries. As per the decision, High Tension and Extra High Tension consumers would be able to draw 75 per cent of power at the existing rate of tariff but would have to pay the actual cost of purchase for consumption above that limit. The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the SERT decision to impose restrictions on power consumption to industry would have an adverse impact on the state's industries.
Govt. would set up three more check posts
Saturday, 26 July, 2008
AJ:Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said the government would take effective and stringent measures to check the rampant corruption in check posts in the state.
Government would set up three more check posts. Amaravila, Aryamkavu and Muthanga are providing new check post areas. Government was expecting a 30 per cent increase in sales tax collections. The government had registered 17,246 cases of tax evasion at check posts in this financial year.
Congress to win confidence vote, says Antony
Monday, 21 July, 2008
AJ: Defence Minister A K Antony said the Congress is sure to win the confidence vote to be held on tuesday. Antony talking to reporters in the state capital, said the nuke deal is essential for the development of the country. The congress and the government will not do anything by compromising the sovereignty of the nation. He said
a majority of Muslim leaders in Parliament had supported the deal, which would help resolve the energy crisis of the country. Antony told that, the left parties have adopted a stand that they are ready to join hands with any devil to bring the UPA government down. They will have to repent for this in the future. He said the CPM had no right to preach political morality as the party had tied up with Mayawati. Agitation against textbook claims teacher's life
AJ: Valillapuzha-aided Lower Primary School Headmaster James Augustine, who was on his way to attend a re-orientation programme, fainted and later died in a hospital. He had reportedly sustained injuries during a protest demonstration by Youth League activists demanding withdrawal of the controversial text book at Kizhisseri town in Malappuram district.The opposition youth organizations, the Muslim Youth League (MYL) and the Youth Congress had been holding protest against the controversial Class 7 textbook. The agitators disrupted the teachers training programme that was being conducted state-wide at various places.
The left front is observing hartal in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts in protest against the death of James Augustine. Minor incidents have been reported from the districts during the hartal. Education Minister M A Baby said, the incident which led to the death of the teacher during the cluster meet in Malappuram was a planned one. The minister said the incident which occurred at the meet convened to raise the standard of education has dishonored the state.KPCC chief Ramesh Cheniithala
said home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is responsible for the death of the headmaster. He said Kodiyeri should say whether he has handed over the charge of law and order to the DYFI.
Curriculam committee supports expert panel suggestions
Friday, 18 July, 2008
AJ: The state curriculam committee endorsed recommendations for certain modification in the disputed portion of the controversial class seven social sciences textbook made by the expert committee set up the government. Education Minister M A Baby said the curriculam committee had not suggested for complete withdrawl of the textbook.The committe recommended some deletions and additions in the controversial segment titled `mathamillatha jeevan' and this has been accepted by the curriculam committee. According to the committee sources, the title of the disputed portion would be changed as 'Freedom of belief". Concept of securalism would be given more importance by inducting a chapter of article 25 of the constitution in the textbook.
While the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council said it stood by its demand for the complete withdrawal of the 'controversial' seventh standard social science textbook and "making certain cosmetic changes will not suffice." In a statement, KCBC Deputy Secretary, Rev Dr Stefan Althara said the Church has pointed out 12 defects in the text. 'The text will destroy harmony in society.' 'We are living in a harmonious society. They are re-introducing class system, violence and naxal model strike', Altara said.
State mulls running buses on electricity, alternative fuels
AJ: Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas informed the state assembly that the government is exploring the possibilities of running the state-owned transport corporation buses using electricity.The minister said a project report for Rs 12.8 billion had been submitted before the XIII Finance Commission in this regard. He said the government was seriously considering operating KSRTC buses on LNG in the wake of steep hike in the prices of diesel. Thomas claimed if the state-owned buses were operated on LPG, the KSRTC could save 60 per cent of fuel cost as it required only Rs 1.72 billion against Rs 4.3 billion for diesel.
YC march turns violent; Siddique shifted to Hospital
Wednesday, 16 July, 2008
AJ: Youth Congress state president T. Siddique was shifted to hospital by police today in the midst of stiff resistance from workers. The police had to arrest T Siddique in order to take him to hospital as his health was deteriorating; the indefinite fast by him over the withdrawal of the controversial standard-VII textbook and the cancellation of appointment of Kerala University assistants was entering the eighth day. Later the workers who were shouting slogans supporting T Siddique pelted stones at police and vehicles. Police had to use water canon in order to disperse the angry workers. Youth congress activists and some media men were injured in the scuffle.
Karunakaran advised rest for two days
AJ: Former Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader, K Karunakaran was examined by doctors advised rest for two days, this morning after he complained of pain in his knees. The car in which Karunakaran was travelling had met with an accident yesterday at Puthangadi in Malappuram while he was on his way to Guruvayur from Kozhikode. He continued the journey to the temple town in another car. This morning he complained of some pain in the knees. Karunakaran offered prayers at the Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur this morning on the first day of the Malayalam month 'Karkidakam'.
State to urge Centre to reduce air fare to Gulf countries
AJ: Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told the assembly that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention would be sought to reduce the air fare to Gulf destinations. Replying to a submission by A P Anilkumar of the Congress, he said the hike in the airfare during peak season affected thousands of Keralites who travelled to their home state. He also pointed out that the fares of the Air India Express were comparatively less. The CM said he would convene a meeting of airline companies to discuss the issue. Anilkumar said various airlines had hiked the tariff by 50 per cent from today and it would go up by 100 per cent from August 15.
CBI directed to produce CDs on Narco analysis
Tuesday, 15 July, 2008
AJ: The Kerala High court directed the CBI to produce by July 24 the compact disc (CD)s which were handed over by experts of the forensic science laboratory at Bangalore after conducting Narco Analysis test on three suspects in the Sister Abaya case. The direction was issued by justice V Ramkumar on a petition filed by M Thomas, father of sister Abaya, seeking "efficient" investigation in the case relating to the death of abaya, who was a nun in the St Pius convent at Kottayam. Her body was recovered from the well of hte convent in suspicious circumstances in 1992. The court had earlier directed CBI to produce the investigation report in a sealed cover.
Govt to implement semester system from next year
AJ: Education Minister M A Baby said semester system will be implemented to degree courses from next academic year. The government has not thought of implementing it in the higher secondary and vocational higher secondary levels. Action will be taken against those teachers who asked the students to tear the sensational pages of the controversial class seven textbook. The minister told the assembly that five school students have been detected of HIV positive.
Uproar in assembly over remarks on Abdul Kalam
AJ: The state assembly witnessed chaotic scenes as opposition leaders strongly criticised Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's remarks "belittling" former president A P J Abdul Kalam. Achuthanandan had at a press conference Friday shown Kalam in poor light, while defending the CPI(M) opposition to the India-US nuclear deal. When told that the deal had even got the green signal from Kalam, VS said "See, Kalam along with Madhavan Nair (Indian Space Research Organisation chairman) and Kasturirangan (former ISRO chairman) have just sent 'vanam'.
Congress leader G Karthikeyan raised this issue in the assembly, saying that it had become a habit of CPI-M leaders to speak ill of all those who were opposed to the party's ideology. "Please stop this habit of yours of portraying in poor light all those who don't think on your lines. Presidents will come and go, but remember Kalam is a renowned space scientist," Karthikeyan said. He also lashed out at the qualifications of CPI (M) leaders who opposed the nuclear deal, including VS and Pinnarayi Vijayan.
Bus fare hike unfair, says Chennithala
Saturday, 12 July, 2008
AJ: The KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala said the bus fare hike in the state is unfair. The decision taken by the state government in the name of increase of petrol price cannot be justified. Chennithala said, "If that was the case, then the other states should also have hiked. Tamil Nadu has not hiked the bus fare for so many years and the minimum charge is only Rs 2."
Youth Congress activists seized a KSRTC bus in Kottayam district in protest against the hike in bus fare. Transportation came to a standstill as the activists squatted on the road. They later hoisted their flag atop the bus and said that if the hike is not withdrawn, agitations will be strengthened in the coming days.
Govt to change name of pension for ailing artists
AJ: Cultural Affairs Minister M A Baby said the government is planning to change the name of pension for ailing artists. The minister said the government is considering changing the name as pension for eligible artists or artists' pension. Vanchipattu artists will also be included in this scheme. Rs 2000 to Rs 10,000 willbe given as medical expenses to those artists above aged 60 and having an annual income below Rs 1500.Scholarship for artists children will be increased. Steps are being taken with the labour department to implement welfare scheme for artists, informed Baby.
Assembly adopts resolution against Nuke deal
AJ: The state asembly adopted a resolution asking the Centre to drop the Indo-US nuclear deal, amidst uproar. The 240-member House adopted the private resolution moved by V N Vasavan asking the UPA Government not to go ahead with the deal, with only the ruling LDF members taking part in the voting. In all, 79 members voted in favour of the resolution while the Congress-led UDF members abstained from voting.
Chief Minister V S Achuthandnan, who wound up the debate which lasted barely 15 minutes, said the nuclear deal would seriously harm the country's interests and its signing would amount to abject surrender of India's sovereignty to 'American imperialism'. Members from the ruling party in their speeches, accused the UDF members of enacting a farce in the House over the bus fare hike issue to help the Muslim League members to refrain from expressing their apprehensions on the nuclear deal, as the party had yesterday spoke of strong reservations about the deal.
UDF to intensify agitation on textbook
Wednesday, 9 July, 2008
AJ: The UDF high level committee today decided to intensify agitation against the government in connection with the controversial class seven textbook. All senior leaders including those from JSS and CMP attended the meet convened at the residence of opposition leader Oommen Chandy. The UDF demanded the state government to issue transparent textbook. The meet also appointed an expert panel headed by MGS Narayanan to study the textbook.
State facing acute water scarcity: say Premachandran
Tuesday, 8 July, 2008
AJ: Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran told that, the state was moving towards serious water scarcity following monsoon failure. The minister said though the state had received good summer rainfall, the monsoon rainfall this year was 65 per cent rain less than the previous year. Stating climatic change had affected water resources gravely, he said the government would take the issue very seriously and added it had to be studied as it was a social issue. He said the government was seriously considering effecting necessary changes in the building rules to check misuse of water. The minister said though the Water Authority had recommended a hike in water charges, the government had not taken a decision in this regard so far.
Nuclear issue won't affect UPA Govt, says Antony
AJ: Defence Minister A K Antony claimed that the nuclear deal issue was not at all a threat to the stability of the UPA Government at the Centre. Talking to reporters during his visit to senior Congress leader K Karunakaran's residence to extend birthday greetings to him, Antony said according to him the Left parties should not withdraw their support to the UPA Government in the name of the nuclear issue. ''The Left parties will have their own ideologies and principle and can take a stand own their on. However, the government's request to them is that they should not withdraw their support in the name of the agreement. Antony exuded confidence that even if the Left withdrew their support to the government, it would win the vote of confidence in Parliament.
Hartal near total in the state
Friday, 4 July, 2008
AJ: The VHP sponsored hartal in Kerala is reported to be total except for some small incidence. VHP had called for a 'Bharath Badh' on July 3 meanwhile in Kerala it will be observed as Hartal, after the government revoked land allotment to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board. The hartal supporters pelted stones at KSRTC buses at Balaramapuram, Plamoodu, Peroorkkada and Ullur in the district, Valancherry in Malappuram district, Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district and Kottayam. Only private vehicles and two-wheelers could be seen plying. Educational insititutions, commercial establishments and hotels remained closed, while government offices reported thin attendance. The hartal was almost total in Kozhikode, Waynad and Kannur districts. However, the hartal call made no impact in Malappuram district.
Panel to look into controversial textbook
Thursday, 3 July, 2008
AJ: The state government announced a panel with eminent historian K N Panicker as its Chairman, for looking into the controversial 'seventh standard textbook'.
Education Minister M A Baby announced this in a statement in the assembly. The 18-member committee would look into the complaints regarding the VII standard textbook, revised textbooks and revised school syllabus and any other relevant matter. He said any organisation or individual could approach the committee regarding any complaints on the textbook. The committee had been asked to submit the report in three months.
Meanwhile, the UDF said that they would not cooperate with the committee. Reiterating that the textbook should be withdrawn, the entire opposition walked out of the assembly. The controversy over the VII standard textbook had rocked the state assembly from the first day of its session.
Mullaperiyar dam under danger: Expert Committee
Tuesday, 1 July, 2008
AJ: The expert committee, which was instituted to study the danger posed by the 111-year old Mullaperiyar dam, submitted its report to Kerala Government. The committee, which consisted expert members from New Delhi IIT has once again confirmed the fears expressed by the Kerala State Government on the basis of study conducted by Centre for Earth Sciences Studies on the smaller dam had pointed out that the dam did not have the strength to withstand an earthquake and recommended against raising the water level.
Opposition walk out over Kattapana violence
AJ: The opposition members staged a walkout in the assembly in protest against police action during a co-operative bank poll violence yesterday. Congress deputy leader G Karthikeyan accused the police of having acted in a discriminatory manner while handling the situation in the bank's election at Kattappana.He said the police were apparently "under pressure from the ruling front" during the incident, which left several injured, including Kerala Congress (M) MLA Roshy Augstine and DCC president P T Thomas.
Rejecting the opposition charge as totally unfounded, Home Minister Kodieyri Balakrishnan said police handled the situation without any discrimination. "Cases had been registered against both the UDF and the LDF activists in connection with the incident,". A dozen workers from both rival fronts were injured as they clashed during the co-operative polls at Kattapappana alleging each other of having indulged in irregularities to gain control of the cash-rich bank.
Golf Club case deferred
AJ: The State Government filed fresh affidavit in the Kerala High Court regarding the Golf Club take over. The affidavit mentions failure on the part of the Golf Club authorities regarding remittance of annual fees to the Government. The Kerala High Curt dismissed the review petition seeking cancellation of the bar license of the Golf Club. The Kerala High Court deferred the case to next Monday.
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