Page 2 - Kerala

State prepared to handle Covid-19 wave, says Kerala Health Minister

She also added that senior citizens, pregnant ladies and children are advised to wear a mask while stepping out

Fire breaks out again at Kerala's Brahmapuram Waste Treatment Plant

Fire broke out again at Brahmapuram Waste Treatment Plant on Sunday, barely a couple of weeks after a devastating blaze lasted at the site for days before being extinguished. Police said eight fire tenders have been pressed into service to douse the fire which was detected at one of the sectors inside the plant. Brahmapuram plant was in news when a massive fire had broken out there on March 2 and thereafter, the air quality in the port city of Kochi and neighbouring municipalities and gram panchayats had worsened as they were engulfed in the dense smoke billowing from the garbage dump. "A few fire tenders were already present at the plant to monitor the situation. Senior fire force officials, revenue department and city corporation officials are currently there," District Collector N S K Umesh told the media. A police officer said it's a minor incident and fire tenders are dousing it. Meanwhile, State LSGD Minister M B Rajesh told the media that the fire situation was under ...

UK expresses interest to partner with Kerala in higher education sector: CM

The United Kingdom has evinced interest to work with the Kerala government in the higher education sector among others, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday. Vijayan called on British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandru Iyer, here and discussed the potential in state's collaboration with the United Kingdom in the areas of healthcare, education, Fintech among others. "Had a fruitful discussion with the British Deputy High Commissioner, @chandruiyer, regarding potential collaboration between the UK and Kerala to enhance crucial sectors like education, healthcare, and scientific research. Thank you for your valuable insights and support," Vijayan tweeted. Detailing the efforts of his government, Vijayan said it has been focusing more on the quality of higher education in the state and there was ample scope to cooperate with Britain in that sector. "The Deputy High Commissioner has informed about the plan to conduct an Education World Forum. We will discuss the possibility o

As Covid cases crosses 1,000; Kerala on alert, use of masks recommended

In the meeting, which came on the eve of the third anniversary of Kerala announcing a lockdown due to Covid, she said the use of masks when visiting hospitals should be a must

Kerala NMMS Result 2022 is out today at official website with details

The candidate appeared for the Kerala National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2022 will have to enter roll numbers and dates of birth to get the Kerala NMMS result 2022

Vijayan to go slow on case against 7 Oppn MLAs for Assembly fiasco: Rpt

Of the seven opposition legislators named, two are women and the FIR includes charges which can fetch imprisonment for a decade

Kerala gets first transgender person as lawyer in Advocate Padma Laxmi

Kerala gets its first transgender advocate Padma Laxmi enrolled with the Bar Council of Kerala on Sunday, March 19

Kerala Cong hints at nationwide protests after police visits Gandhi's house

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Sunday hit out at the Central government after a team led by Special CP (Law and Order) visited Rahul Gandhi's residence to seek information

Kerala is now BJP's next staging post to increase its vote share

BJP wants to replicate the Nagaland model, taking minorities with it. In the N-E, critics even dubbed it the 'Bharatiya Jesus Party'

No Arogya Setu data of Kerala was shared with US tech firm: IT Minister

We are not aware of any such incident in which a US-based tech firm was authorised by the Kerala government to collate, collect, manage and handle the health data of the people

Kerala CM announces three-tier probe in Brahmapuram fire in Assembly

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced a three-tier probe by different agencies into the fire that broke out in a waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram in Kochi. The special investigation team (SIT) of the state police would investigate the criminal case registered in connection with the fire that broke out on March 2, he told the state Assembly. The fire at the waste dumpyard was doused completely on March 13, the Chief Minister said while making a special statement on the issue in the House. Vijayan, who had been facing intense criticism by the opposition parties for not breaking his silence on the fire incident, made the statement in the House under the Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the Assembly. "The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau will probe all the procedures at the waste treatment plant so far right from its inception, he said. At the same time, an expert team would be deployed to make recommendations on how to avo

Brahmapuram site doesn't conform to waste management rules: HC panel

A committee constituted by the Kerala High Court has found that the waste treatment site at Brahmapuram here, where a massive fire broke out recently, doesn't conform to the provisions of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The panel said the quantity of biodegradable waste brought to Brahmapuram may be reduced considering various factors, including the available area of a windrow plant in the site. In its report submitted to the High Court on Monday, the committee said a major portion of a building has already collapsed and has been removed from the site. The existing building situated at the site is in a dilapidated condition and may collapse at any stage, said the committee consisting of the Ernakulam district collector and top officials of various departments, including the local self government, the state pollution control board, Kochi corporation, and the district legal services authority. The report said the committee was informed that due to the exorbitant cost involved in

Mandaviya seeks report from Kerala govt on Brahmapuram plant fire

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday sought a report from the Kerala government on a fire that broke out at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in Kochi over 10 days ago. "Have asked Kerala State Government to submit a report on the incident of fire at #Brahmapuram waste dumping yard in Kochi. Centre will support the State to ensure public health measures," Mandaviya said in a tweet. The fire broke out at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant on March 2 and the site remains shrouded in toxic smoke. The Kerala government on Sunday said that 95 per cent of the fire at the plant had been extinguished. In a statement, district authorities had said 200 firefighters, 18 excavator operators, 68 civil defence members, 55 city corporation officials, 48 Home Guards, five personnel from the Navy, two from BPCL, three from CIAL and four from the Revenue department were working continuously. A medical team is also on standby, it had said. The Ernakulam district administration a

90% of fire at Brahmapuram waste plant extinguished, says Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Saturday said 90 per cent of the fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant was extinguished and efforts were on to douse the rest of the affected area. An expert committee meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak today, evaluated the situation and discussed methods to resolve the issue of smoke pollution emanating from the smouldering waste plant near Kochi city. Meanwhile, a monitoring committee appointed by the High Court inspected the site on Saturday and said fire was doused at five sectors of the plant with efforts underway to extinguish it in the last two sectors. The committee will submit its report to the High Court about its findings regarding the fire that broke out at the city corporation-run waste treatment plant on March 2. On March 5, the district administration of Ernakulam declared a holiday for children in all schools in areas under Kochi corporation and the nearby municipalities and gram panchayats, as huge and thick clo

Kerala to set up water kiosks, launch awareness drive as summer approaches

With many parts of Kerala reeling under intense heat, the state government on Saturday announced a series of plans including setting up water kiosks in local bodies and busy commercial streets in anticipation of a heat wave and possible sun stroke. Cold water, butter milk and oral rehydration solution (ORS) would be kept as per requirement in these water kiosks, known as 'thanneer pandals" in local parlance, across the state. The kiosks should be kept open till May, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed in a meeting of State Disaster Management Authority which was attended by heads of various departments and district collectorates here. District-wise notification should be issued to the general public about the location of such 'thanneer pandals' and public buildings and the space provided by noble people can be used for the same, he said. Village panchayats, municipalities and corporations would be allotted Rs 2 lakh, 3 lakh and 5 lakh respectively from the Disaster Response Fu

Inker Robotics secures $1.2 million funding under Kerala StartUp Mission

Kerala-based Inker Robotics, under the Kerala StartUp Mission, which deals with research and delivery in robotics and futuristic technology education, has secured a USD 1.2 million funding. The company has secured USD 1.2 million in a pre-series fundraising round headed by AHK Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. Inker Robotics, which aims to create an impact on the next generation by empowering them with education in emerging technologies, expects the funding to enable them to further enhance its training delivery platform to develop more engaging content in robotics and emerging technology education. "We believe that our platform with its immersive and engaging approach is an effective way to teach futuristic technology skills to the young generation. We are thrilled to have the support of our investors as we work to empower the next generation with the skills they need to make them future ready," Rahul Balachandran, the founder and MD of Inker Robotics said in a ...

Home Minister Amit Shah to visit Hyderabad, Thrissur Sunday to attend rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Telangana and Kerala on Sunday during which he will attend the CISF raising day celebrations in Hyderabad and address a rally at Thrissur besides attending other programmes, officials said on Saturday. The home minister will be the chief guest at the 54th raising day parade of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad. This is for the first time the CISF is holding its raising day celebrations outside the Delhi-NCR as per the government's recommendation to hold such events in different locations across the country, an official said. After travelling to Kerala, Shah will visit the Sakthan Thampuran Palace in Thrissur in the afternoon before offering prayers at the Sree Wadakkunathan temple in the town. He will address the Janasakthi rally at the Wadakkunathan temple ground in the evening in Thrissur, the official said.

Kerala Oppn demands clarification from CM on Swapna Suresh's allegations

Opposition Leader in the Kerala State Assembly VD Satheesan sought a reply from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI-M's state secretary MV Govindan on fresh allegations levelled by Swapna Suresh

Residents near Brahmapuram waste plant urged to stay indoors due to smoke

With air quality deteriorating at an alarming pace at Brahmapuram and its neighbourhoods due to the smoke emanating from the waste plant fire, the Kerala government on Thursday requested the residents in these areas to stay indoors and not to keep the windows and doors open. It has also advised the residents to avoid activities like jogging and exercising outside their houses, and also to use N95 masks when they go out. The Ernakulam district administration has also set up 24-hour control rooms at Kalamassery Medical College and also at the office of the District Medical Officer (DMO) for the public to call if they experience any difficulty due to inhalation of the smoke from the plant. Public can call the Medical College control room at 8075774769 or the DMO control room at 0484 2360802, authorities said. District Collector NSK Umesh, who assumed office today amidst political blame game over the fire, visited the site along with local MLA P V Sreenijan and Corporation Mayor M Ani

Kerala government announces major schemes for women entrepreneurs

On the International Women's Day, the Kerala government unveiled major schemes to support women entrepreneurs in the State including raising of the loan limit for women under the 'We-Mission Kerala' initiative of KSIDC to Rs 50 lakh from Rs 25 lakh with a five per cent interest from April 1. Announcing the decision at the women entrepreneurs' meet organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce here on Wednesday, Industries Minister P Rajeeve said the doubling of the loan amount will help women entrepreneurs under 'We-Mission Kerala' project of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to scale up their businesses. Also, the moratorium period under the scheme, aimed at identifying, supporting and promoting women entrepreneurs, will be raised to one year from the current six months, the Minister said. Rajeeve announced a composite grant of Rs five lakh for women cooperative societies, which will be available to the co-operative societies that commence operation i