Kerala Government

Kerala gold smuggling: Kingpin K.T. Ramees held, sent to judicial custody

Kingpin of Kerala gold smuggling case K.T.Ramees has been arrested and sent to a jail here by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), an official said here on Friday

11-year-old Kerala girl develops unique eye scanning app that uses AI

She clarified that so far, her app, Ogler Eyescan only works on iPhone 10 and above with iOS 16+

Covid-19 cases increasing in Kerala; govt issues alerts to all districts

COVID-19 infections increased in Kerala slightly prompting the state government to sound alerts to all districts on Wednesday. In a statement, Health Minister Veena George said there has been a little increase in the number of Covid-19 cases with the state reporting 172 cases on Tuesday. She said Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts have more virus cases. "There are a total of 1,026 active cases of COVID-19 and 111 people are under treatment in hospitals. All districts have been alerted," the minister said. She said the districts have also been directed to strengthen surveillance. A high-level meeting, chaired by George, also assessed the Covid situation in the state.

Kerala govt to install air quality monitoring devices at hospitals in Kochi

The Kerala government has decided to install air quality monitoring devices in select hospitals of the coastal city, which is reeling under toxic haze from the fire at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant. State Health Minister Veena George said installing the air quality monitoring devices will help identify the possibility of people getting sick due to the worsening air quality. "The devices will help identify the possibility of people falling sick and ensure preventive measures to be taken well in advance," George said in a release. Meanwhile, the Ernakulam district administration and the State Disaster Management Authority has held an online discussion on the fire situation with the New York Fire Safety Department Deputy Chief, George Healy. During the meet, Haley urged the administration to remain cautious as there are chances that fire may breakout again even after it appears to have been doused, the district administration said in a statement. The New York Fire safety offi

Amit Shah to visit Kerala today, scheduled to address public meeting

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Kerala's Thrissur on Sunday

As Kochi smog continues for eight days, Muraleedharan slams Kerala CM

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan on Thursday slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his silence on the ongoing problem of smog that has engulfed

Plastic not to be dumped at Brahmapuram waste plant in Kochi: Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Wednesday decided that plastic will no longer be taken to the Brahmapuram waste plant where a fire, which broke out last week, is still smouldering leading to thick toxic smoke spreading out into the port-city of Kochi. The decision was taken in an emergency high-level meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of the fire at the plant, the CMO said in a statement. It was also decided in the meeting, that bio-waste will be disposed of at the source as much as possible and the window composting system for organic waste treatment will be repaired urgently, the statement said. The Chief Minister also suggested holding of meetings in which Ministers, people's representatives, including mayors, would participate to deal with the issue of waste management and disposal, it said. Earlier in the day, in the wake of the still-smouldering fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant here and the toxic smoke being generated from there, the Kerala High

Government must declare health emergency in Kochi: Oppn on Brahmapuram fire

The LoP claimed that various departments including health, local self-government and disaster management were inactive at Brahmapuram

Fire at Brahmapuram waste plant in Kochi set deliberately: UDF in assembly

The still smouldering fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant in Kochi was set "deliberately" to avoid inspection of the site where several years worth of garbage was lying accumulated, Congress-led UDF opposition alleged in the Kerala assembly on Monday. The government, on the other hand, said the fire appeared to have been caused due to the high temperatures in the state, but it was investigating the matter to find out the actual reasons for it. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan claimed in the House that the fire has not yet been extinguished or even brought under control and alleged that neither the local administration nor the state government was doing anything to address the serious situation. The poisonous smoke generated from there, which has even entered homes of the areas neighbouring the waste plant, will cause both short and long term health problems for the people there, he contended in his submission in the House. The LoP, also an MLA from Nor

Brahmapuram fire under control, no need for concern, says Kerala govt

The fire at Brahmapuram waste plant in Kochi is presently under control and would hopefully be extinguished by evening, the Kerala government said on Sunday and assured the public that the smoke due to the blaze was not a matter of concern. State Industries Minister P Rajeeve and Health Minister Veena George, after a high-level meeting at the Ernakulam District Collectorate, told reporters here that people need not stay indoors as recommended on Saturday and can move out by taking precautions, like wearing N95 masks. However, those with breathing problems, like asthma, the elderly, children and pregnant women should try and avoid getting exposed to the smoke and should wear masks if going out, the ministers said. George also said hospital records of the city do not indicate any medical cases due to the smoke. Nevertheless, arrangements, like dedicated beds for those affected by the smoke generated due to the fire, have been made in all government hospitals and medical colleges in t

Japanese firm to help Kerala with its first waste-to-energy plant: CM

Japan-based JFE Engineering Limited has agreed to provide technical support to the upcoming waste-to-energy plant at Kozhikode, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday. Keiichi Nagaya, Director, Head of Overseas Business and Environmental Solution Sector, of the firm, met the Chief Minister here and assured assistance for the state's first waste-to-energy treatment plant. Vijayan, in a Facebook post, said the firm has the experience of installing more than 350 waste disposal plants across the world. "They have assured cooperation in the fields of technology and construction for the project. The government intends to complete the construction of the plant within two years. Kerala's first Waste-to-Energy Treatment Plant is going to be established in Kozhikode," the Chief Minister further said. In the meeting held in the Chief Minister's chamber on Saturday, the company's India Managing Director B G Kulkarni, Zonta Infratech MD Raj Kumar, among others participated.

Carrying out studies to implement micro-irrigation projects: Kerala govt

The Kerala government has said that it was carrying out studies and making efforts to implement micro-irrigation projects in the state to ensure availability of water for cash crops, like cocoa, castor and cloves, in the hilly areas. Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine announced this initiative of the state government after inaugurating a weir-cum-tractor way constructed at Alakkad Parakkadavu across the Eryam River in Kadannappally-Panapuzha Grama Panchayat in Kannur district of the state. The Minister said that the government was going ahead with various irrigation projects that can ensure water availability for the agricultural sector. He said that while carrying out the Parakkadavu project, besides a facility for irrigation, it was also considered as a potential source of drinking water. Augustine said people should be cautious about a possibility of severe drinking water shortage in the near future. "Ground water level is decreasing in Kerala," he pointed out. He

Information provided by KSIDC on Sabarimala airport being analysed

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said various information, including about land availability, provided by the Kerala government's KSIDC with respect to the proposed Sabarimala airport are being analysed. In June 2020, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) had submitted a proposal under Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy to the ministry for grant of site clearance for development of the Sabarimala airport in the state. The KSIDC's proposal was considered in consultation with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Defence (MoD) and KSIDC, as per GFA Policy. "Based on the observations of AAI and DGCA, KSIDC was requested to submit a Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS) Report. The Final TEFS report was submitted by KSIDC in June 2022 and the same was shared with AAI and DGCA," Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. According to the minister, the ..

Kerala govt to raise Rs 400 cr for Adani Ports as part of Vizhinjam pact

Kerala will have to provide Adani Ports Rs 400 crore when 30 per cent of the breakwater is completed and they have been knocking on the doors of the government for a while

Kerala FM says no to reduction of Rs 2 fuel cess; Opposition walks out

Contrary to expectations, Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Wednesday refuted reports that he will reduce the Rs 2 fuel cess that was included in his budget speech for the year 2023-24.

BJP to protest against Pinarayi govt over State Budget from Monday

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is mulling to corner the Pinarayi Vijayan led-Kerala government by holding a protest from Monday against the state budget for the financial year 2023-2024

Kerala CM accuses Sangh Parivar of treating minorities as 'enemies'

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Sangh Parivar of treating Muslims and Christians as 'enemies of the nation' and urged everyone to unite against such divisive actions, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP. Vijayan said the Constitution, which was the best weapon to fight against caste discrimination and religious hatred, was presently under attack. The CM alleged the Sangh Parivar and the RSS have made it clear that their aim was to turn India into a 'Hindu rashtra'. He also accused the party in power at the Centre of being followers of a political group which did not take part in the freedom struggle. "They are attacking the very roots of our country, its democracy and the Constitution," he said while speaking after inaugurating the Constitution Protection Conference and Secular Meet here on Thursday. In his speech, Vijayan said that if the Constitution was destroyed, everything -- from an individual's dignity to the sovereignty of the country -- would be lo

Kerala FM Balagopal seeks inputs to revitalise state's sagging economy

Ahead of the state budget to be presented on February 3, Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has sought the people's suggestions to reinvigorate the sagging economy of the state

Kerala govt makes masks mandatory in public places amid risng Covid cases

In its order, dated January 12, the state government has also directed to take effective measures for ensuring social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state

Kerala passes Bill to remove Guv as Chancellor, but its fate uncertain

On expected lines, the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the University Laws (Amendment) Bill which removes the Governor as the Chancellor of 14 universities in the state