Page 2 - Kerala Govt

Kerala becomes country's first fully digital banking service: CM Vijayan

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday declared Kerala as the first state in the country to go fully digital in its banking service and said this recognition would boost the state economy. In an event held here, Vijayan said this achievement was possible due to social interventions through local self-government institutions along with infrastructure development and technological advances in the banking sector. "I would like to congratulate everyone who worked behind this and declare Kerala as the first fully digital banking state in the country," Vijayan said. "In order to make the digital services universally accessible, we need to ensure that the digital divide is completely eliminated," he added. The Chief Minister also said the ambitious Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project of the state government, which was almost 90 per cent completed, will reduce the digital divide. "The K-FON will ensure internet facility to everyone in the state and 17,155 km-long optic fibre c

Modi govt does not discriminate people on political lines, says Javadekar

He also accused Pinarayi Vijayan-led State government of having the "habit of appropriating what PM Modi has done" in the southern state

Kerala gives nod for land acquisition to build airport near Sabarimala

The order from the Revenue Department states that 2,570 acres of land will be taken between Erumeli South and Manimala

Will protect people's interest living near protected areas: Kerala govt

The Left government in Kerala on Wednesday categorically made it clear that no action will be taken that would adversely impact the life and livelihood of people living near the protected forests. The government also cautioned against false propaganda by vested interests to create misunderstanding among local residents with regard to buffer zone issue. The strong stand of the state government is to exclude the inhabited areas from the buffer zone limit and it would go to any extent to protect the interest of local residents and farmers in this regard, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press conference here. A final report would be submitted before the Supreme Court only after considering the opinions and suggestions of people in the designated areas and after including all buildings and structures in those regions, he said. Estimates of buildings and other constructions in the regions and evidence, substantiated with maps, specifying the inhabited areas shall be submitted .

Ruling LDF, opposition Cong say central forces not required at Vizhinjam

The ruling LDF and the opposition Congress in Kerala were in agreement on Sunday that there was no need for central forces to maintain law and order at Vizhinjam here which saw incidents of violence recently in connection with the seaport being built there. Kerala Ports Minister Ahammed Devarkovil was of the view that Adani Group, which is carrying out the port construction, can seek protection from central forces at the work site, but outside it the police was capable of maintaining law and order. "We do not need help from central forces to maintain law and order. Kerala Police is capable of handling that. It is Adani which has sought aid from central forces and not us. We are providing them protection," the minister said to reporters. On Friday, the state government had told the Kerala High Court that it does not have any objection to deployment of central security forces at the under-construction Vizhinjam seaport in Thiruvananthapuram which was hit by violent protests recently .

Kerala governor take up pension for personal staff of Ministers issue

Sources in the know of things said that Khan has decided to work on this and is studying the practices followed by other states

Bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra overturns; 43 injured

As many as 43 people including a boy suffered injuries after a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh met with an accident and overturned near Laha in this district on Saturday. Among them, the condition of the eight-year-old boy, identified as Manikandan, is critical. The mishap occurred when the 44 pilgrims from Vijayawada, were on their way back after offering worship at the hill shrine, police said. District health officials confirmed that a total of 43 persons were injured in the accident, which was suspected to have happened after the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve in the route. Health Minister Veena George said all those in the bus were rescued within an hour of the accident and the vehicle was shifted from the accident site by 10 AM. The condition of the boy, who suffered multiple injuries, is critical and he would undergo a surgery soon at the Government Medical College, Kottayam, she said. "Five persons including the boy were

Kerala's Sabarimala Temple opens for annual pilgrimage season today

The Chief priest (Melsanthi) opened the sanctum sanctorum of the temple priest in the presence of the thantri of the temple, and lit the lamp at the hill shrine today

Kerala govt taking steps to make future generations more skilled: Vijayan

The Left government is continuously taking steps to mould the future generations into being more knowledgeable and skilled as a society's development is determined by the living standards of the children in it, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday on the occasion of Children's Day. Vijayan, in a social media post on the occasion that is also the birth anniversary of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, said the Department of Women and Child Development was created to coordinate the government activities and schemes for the welfare of children. He said one such scheme was the 'Poshakabalyam' project which aims to ensure nutrition of children. Besides, implementation of the smart Anganwadis in the state, sanctioning Rs 3.2 crore towards financial assistance of orphans and parenting clinics in all panchayats of Kerala were the other major positive steps taken by the Left government, he said in the post. The Chief Minister further said that even Nehru .

Kerala govt sends ordinance to axe governor as chancellor to Raj Bhavan

The CPI(M)-led government in Kerala on Saturday sent its ordinance to remove the Governor from the post of Chancellor of universities in the state, to the Raj Bhavan for approval, days after the cabinet had taken a decision in this connection. Raj Bhavan sources confirmed that the ordinance to replace the Governor as Chancellor of varsities and appoint eminent academicians in that role, has reached for the assent of Arif Mohammed Khan. However, it is unlikely for Khan to promulgate the ordinance soon as the tussle between him and the state government over the issue was yet to die down, sources added. The Pinarayi Vijayan-headed government on Wednesday had decided to come out with the ordinance, a move opposed by both the Congress and BJP. The opposition parties have alleged that the cabinet decision was aimed at turning universities in Kerala into "Communist centres".

Will intervene if CMO is involved in gold smuggling: Kerala governor

Vijayan on Wednesday had said that Khan was behaving in such a manner as if he was running a parallel government

Kerala governor rejects CM's allegations of interference in VC appointments

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday rejected allegations by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the former was politically interfering in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to universities in the state and offered to resign if even one example of the same could be shown. Khan also openly challenged the Chief Minister, asking whether he would be able to resign if he was unable to prove or substantiate his allegation. "They (Left government, CM) are saying I am doing this (action against VCs) to bring RSS people. If I have nominated even one person, not just of RSS, any person, on my own using my authority, then I will resign. Will he (CM) be able to resign if he is not able to prove it? I am asking you (media)," he said, speaking to reporters in New Delhi. "When you make such a serious charge against me, you have to substantiate the same," he added. He was responding to reporters when his stand was sought on Vijayan's allegations against him on Wednesday at a convention

Kerala govt revokes decision to enhance retirement age of PSU employees

The Kerala government on Wednesday announced rolling back its decision to enhance the retirement age of employees of all state PSUs to 60 years. A decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, a CMO statement said here. The move comes following strong protests by the opposition Congress and BJP alleging that the LDF government's decision was "betrayal" of the youth of the state, who are dreaming of a career in the public sector. The government had enhanced the retirement age of employees of most of the state PSUs uniformly to 60, drawing sharp criticism from a left-wing youth organisation. The order was issued on Saturday based on the recommendations of an expert committee, which conducted a comprehensive study on the formulation of a common framework for pay/ wage structure of PSUs in the state except Kerala State Electricity Board, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and Kerala Water Authority. The expert panel ha

No police officer who commits wrongs should be protected: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said no police officer who commits a wrong should be protected, and such a stand would ensure that everyone worked honestly and without fear. Speaking on the occasion of Kerala Police Formation Day, Vijayan said there were isolated incidents of police personnel or officers indulging in activities which were wrong or against the discipline of the force and such individuals should not be protected. "Anyone who cannot uphold discipline and regulations of the force can be a part of the police -- this is the stand that should be taken. Then only everyone can work honestly and without any fear," he said. His words assume significance as recently there have been several instances of police brutality and illegal actions which garnered media attention. From incidents of beating up people inside the police stations to stealing mangoes from a roadside shop, all were reported in the media in the last month from the state. While warning of "str

No plans to exit Kerala, will hire around 600 people, says Byju's

The total number of Byju's centres across the state will be 14, while no. of employees will increase from 3,000 to 3,600

Kerala govt to meet Byju's executives on Nov 2 as 170 staff asked to resign

A meeting was called by the officials of the labour department on October 25, but the company did not appear for meeting

S&P affirms Kerala's 'BB-/B' rating, gives outlook stable to state

Deficits resulting from spending on socio-economic programmes constrain ratings for the state: Agency

Kerala in talks with Airtel, Jio to monetise internet firm's assets

Kfon, after three years, may have to raise Rs 250 crore annually to repay its debt and for maintenance and expansion

Kerala likely to witness all-time high liquor sales this Onam: BevCo

According to the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BevCo), the first few days of this Onam season have set the tone for record sales

Tribal beneficiaries of Kerala govt scheme get placed in airports

Ninety students belonging to the first batch of the "Wings" project, which aims to help tribal youth in Kerala pursue a career in flying, have secured placement in various international airports, the state government said on Tuesday. According to the Scheduled Tribes Development Department, 90 of the 100 students who opted for the six-month "Airline and Airport Management" course are placed in different airports in the country. It also said that 11 students who took the one-year airline customer service course also received placement. "It is the responsibility of the Kerala government to encourage tribal youth to dream big and to assist them in achieving those aspirations," K Radhakrishnan, Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, told PTI. The Wings scheme, under the Scheduled Tribes Development Department, was created to provide new opportunities for tribal youngsters, the minister noted. The value of the course has been demonstrated by