Kerala

Congress up in arms as user fee introduced to register complaints in Kerala

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said this move is a first of its kind in the state and "is a cruel one too"

Kerala demands reconstitution of NCERT with representatives from all states

Alleging the central government of pursuing a vested political interest rather than the academic interest he said Kerala will not use NCERT textbooks of 11th and 12th standards

Kerala Police investigates PFI, SDPI link in Kozhikode train fire case

Even as the accused in the Kozhikode train fire case, Shahruk Saifi has deposed before the investigators that he had planned the attack on his own, police have not taken that version at all.

Kerala train blaze: Accused Shahrukh Saifi sent to 11 days police custody

Accused of setting fellow passengers ablaze on a moving train, Shahrukh Saifi, 24, was, since Thursday morning, undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College hospital.

Kerala Samastha exam results announced: Here's how to check and download

The Islamic board, Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidyabhyasa Board, declared the Kerala Madarasa Public examination result 2023, the board conducts exams every year in Kerala

Kerala train fire incident: Police nab suspect from Maharashtra's Ratnagiri

A joint team of Central Intelligence and Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Maharashtra nabbed the absconding accused in the Kerala train fire incident from Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district on Wednesday

Kerala's gender budget share up to 20.9% in five years: Veena George

She noted that Kerala's progress is deeply rooted in empowering society and, more specifically, women

Kerala's gender budget share rose significantly in six years: Veena George

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said strong emphasis is given to promoting gender-sensitive policies and schemes in the southern state as its progress is deeply rooted in empowering society, specifically women, and pointed out that the state's gender budget had risen significantly in six years. Speaking at the G20 EMPOWER (Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation) meeting that began here on Tuesday, the Minister underlined the increase in the gender budget's (allocations for women-oriented schemes) share from 11.5 per cent in 2017-18 to 20.9 per cent (of total budget allocations) in 2022-23 in Kerala, while emphasising her state's dedication to women's empowerment and progression in economic representation. George provided a historical perspective on women's roles in shaping Kerala's society, detailing the various social and political changes that have occurred since the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She said these changes had led to a more

Culture, cuisine and crafts on sherpas' menu at G20 meet in Kerala

From 'lagoon lake' conversations to caparisoned 'elephant walk', the meet had many touristy elements

Kerala-based tech company develops AI to help expecting and new parents

Kerala-based tech company, Totto, on Monday announced the launch of Cuddle, a service which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide support to expecting and new parents throughout pregnancy and parenting. The company said Cuddle will provide a comprehensive suite of services designed to address the unique needs of each parent, including prenatal care and nutrition, postpartum recovery, infant development, and more. "Cuddle is now available on WhatsApp, offering parents a convenient and reliable way to access personalized guidance and assistance from a team of experts," the company said in a release. Jofin Joseph, the CEO of Totto said parents face a range of challenges every day, but the options to seek trusted advice are minimal. Joseph said parents can ask questions and share their concerns with the AI. "Our AI Assistant -we call her Janani'-can understand the parent's needs and provide personalized recommendations and insights tailored to each parent's unique needs and ...

Kerala train fire: 3 bodies found on railway track, police hunt for suspect

The suspect, who is yet to be identified, escaped after passengers pulled the emergency chain

Fuel price hike comes into effect, UDF observes 'black day' in Kerala

Opposition Congress-led UDF observed 'black day' on Saturday with protests held against the Left government across Kerala as the state budget's proposal to levy cess on fuel and liquor among other tax hikes came into effect from today. The opposition front also announced that it would stay away from the anniversary celebrations of the second Pinarayi Vijayan dispensation, which begins today, as part of demonstrations against its various "anti-people" policies along with "unjustified and unscientific" budget proposals. Wearing black badges and holding black flags in their hands, several UDF activists took out marches in various panchayats and municipalities. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan charged that an additional tax burden of Rs 5,000 crore has been imposed upon people because of the "mismanagement" and "negligence" of the state government. Besides the imposition of the fuel cess, power tariff and water tax have also been increased by the government, making the life of common

'Kerala faced economic hardships due to Centre's unfavourable policies'

Kerala experienced economic hardships due to the unfavourable policy measures taken by the central government, State Finance Minister K N Balagopal said on Friday. Balagopal, who met the media here on the last day of the 2022-23 financial year, said there was a shortage of Rs 40,000 crore in this financial year due to the policies of the Centre. He also said that despite the adverse situations, Kerala managed to perform well in terms of income and expenditure. "Everything including salary, pension and loan repayment were paid correctly. The project cost of local bodies is over 96 per cent. Many panchayats have spent 100 per cent of the fund allotted, and the treasuries functioned without any hitch," Balagopal said. He said judicious financial management helped the state to perform well despite constraints. "Due to the unfavourable policy measure of the Union government, Kerala experienced huge economic hardships. There was a shortfall of Rs 40,000 crore this financial year due to

G20 Sherpas hold deliberations in traditional attire on houseboats

Wearing traditional Kerala dress and enjoying a taste of Kerala's hospitality, G20 Sherpas held deliberations on land and water at this scenic lakeside Kerala village. While the Sherpas held meetings in the conference hall on top of a moving houseboat in the evening, other delegates from guest countries went on a cruise on the backwaters, enjoying the scenery and a hi-tea spread onboard. Three big houseboats with conference halls were arranged for the cruise of the Sherpas and delegates through Kumarakom Lake, a major tourist destination of the country. Police in separate boats escorted the guests on the two-hour long ride. The majority of the Sherpas and delegates dressed up in traditional Kerala attire before getting on the houseboats. While women delegates wore frilled skirts with zari borders and shawls, men wore the traditional mundu (also known as veshti). They were helped by employees of the event management team. Many of the delegates also posed for photos with India's Sh

Case on misuse of funds against CM sent to full bench of Kerala Lok Ayukta

The Kerala Lok Ayukta on Friday issued a split verdict on the alleged CMDRF misuse case involving Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues, and referred the matter to a larger bench. In the order pronounced today, Lok Ayukta Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Harun-Ul-Rashid said the matter was being referred to a larger bench as there was a difference of opinion whether the decisions of the cabinet can be subjected to its investigation and also on the merits of the case. "As there is difference of opinion between us on the basic issue whether the action of respondents 2 to 18 in taking the impugned decisions as members of the Cabinet can be subjected to investigation under the provisions of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999 and on the merits of the allegations raised by the complainant, we are constrained to place this complaint for investigation by the Lok Ayukta and both the Upa-Lok Ayuktas together as required under Section 7(1) of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999,"

Rousing welcome for Kharge on maiden visit to Kerala as Congress chief

Kharge arrived in the state to take part in the centenary celebrations of the Vaikom Sathyagraha

Special court verdict on April 4 in case of tribal man's killing in 2018

A special court in Kerala on Thursday said it will on April 4 pronounce its verdict in the case of killing of a tribal man in Palakkad district of the state for allegedly stealing food articles in 2018. Madhu, a tribal from Attappady, was killed after he was caught, tied and thrashed by a group of local people alleging theft on February 22, 2018. The special court for trial of offences under the SC/ST Act reserved judgement in the case after hearing arguments from April last year. The trial in the matter saw witnesses turning hostile, allegations of threats to the victim's family to settle or withdraw the case and a change in the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in June last year, Advocate Rajesh M Menon, who was the additional public prosecutor in the case, took charge as SPP in June last year after the victim's family sought a change in prosecutor. SPP Menon confirmed that the special court reserved its judgement and has set April 4 to pronounce its decision. There are 16 accuse

Protest in Kerala's Idukki over capture of rice eating tusker Arikomban

Protests broke out in several parts of this high range district on Thursday with locals taking to the roads and blocking traffic, aggrieved over the Kerala High Court's decision not to permit capture of 'Arikomban', a wild tusker, for the time being. The High Court had on Wednesday constituted a five-member expert committee to take a decision on what action should be taken with regard to Arikomban, so named as it raids ration shops and houses for rice. The panel has to communicate its decision to the court by April 5, till when capture of the elephant has been prohibited. The court only permitted tranquilising and radio collaring of the tusker if it forayed into inhabited areas despite the best efforts of the forest and wildlife personnel to deter it from doing so. Protesting against the court's decision, people of several panchayats of the district came out onto the roads and blocked traffic in some areas, according to TV visuals. The protesting public, including women and childr

Kerala Lokayukta to take up case against CM over mishandling of CMDRF

The Kerala Lokayukta is expected to deliver its verdict in a case against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday

India reports 2,151 fresh Covid cases, highest single-day rise in 5 months

At present, active case load in the country is 11,903 cases, according to Health Ministry; daily positivity rate is 1.51%, while weekly positivity rate is 1.53%