Page 8 - Kerala

Vizhinjam makes it to Kerala Assembly; CM says rehabilitation top priory

A day after the months-long protest against the under-construction Vizhinjam sea port was called off here, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said rehabilitation of local people and protection of their livelihood are top priorities of his government while implementing development projects. The Left government has assured this in all development projects and the approach is the same in the case of Vizhinjam port as well, he said in a statement made in the Assembly under Rule 300. Noting that the government is committed to the infrastructure development of the state that lays the foundation for Kerala's sustainable economic growth, he said it is also particular about the fact that the projects should be implemented with a humane approach. He said the protest committee had decided to call off the strike during a high-level talk held here on Tuesday. The CM also informed the House about the details of the demands raised by the agitators and the decisions taken on ...

Kerala facing 'unprecedented financial crisis', says finance minister

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Tuesday said the state is reeling under unprecedented financial crisis and attributed the "distorted" financial policies of the Centre, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and recurring natural disasters as reason for the poor economic condition. The minister, however, made it clear that the Left government was moving ahead with a "clear road map" and financial discipline to overcome the crisis and resolve the issues. He was replying to a question during the Question Hour session in the state Assembly. "It is true that the state is facing an unprecedented financial crisis. However, the reasons contributing to the crisis are beyond the control of the state...that is the fact," Balagopal said. Compared to the previous financial year, there was a dip of Rs 6716 crore in the revenue deficit grant (released to the state by the Centre) during the ongoing financial year, he informed the House. However, the minister replied in negative to a question

Kerala govt to get closed-down Coke factory property; protesters up in arms

The Plachimada Struggle Solidarity Committee, which saw to the closure of the Coca-Cola factory in Palakkad in 2004, is getting ready for another battle with the multi-American beverages giant

ED attaches Kerala cooperative bank agent's assets worth Rs 30.70 crore

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 30.70 crore of a commission agent of Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank Ltd, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a cheating case. According to ED, the attached assets include 20 immovable properties consisting of land and building in Kerala, two premium cars, Rs 3,40,000 and foreign currency totalling Rs 2,08,124. The sleuths attached bank balances also in A K Bijoy's 57 accounts worth Rs 35,86 990. The central agency said he illegally sanctioned and disbursed loan to the tune of Rs 26.60 crore in cash without any collateral due to systematic conspiracy hatched and perpetuated by the secretary and committee members of the bank since 2010. "The ED initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of the FIRs registered by the Kerala police under section 420 of the IPC. Kerala police (Crime Branch) has registered more than 16 FIRs in Thrissur District regarding fraud in Karuvannur Service Co-Operative .

Bills to remove Guv as chancellor, up tax on foreign liquor in Assembly

The seventh session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, set to begin from Monday, is expected to see heated discussions on various Bills. The Bills include the one which aims to take away the powers of the Chancellor from the Governor, the issue of Vizhinjam port protests, and the controversy over appointments in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The session was convened in the wake of the ongoing tussle between Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the ruling LDF over functioning of universities in the State and appointments therein. However, the Bill to replace the Governor with eminent academicians at the helm of universities in the State is just one among over 20 other Bills which are expected to be taken up in the House during the session which concludes on December 15. Another important Bill that is likely to witness heated discussions is the Kerala General Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill which aims to increase by four per cent the Kerala GST on foreign liquor to make up for the loss

Adani group sought deployment of central forces at Vizhinjam site: Minister

Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju said that the Adani Group approached the High Court requesting the security cover of central forces in its port construction site in Vizhinjam

Kerala will proceed 'no matter what' with protest-hit Adani port: Minister

The protesters say the huge project causes coastal erosion that has undermined their livelihoods, calling for a complete halt on the construction

Kerala CM Vijayan, team spent Rs 43 lakh on London visit, reveals RTI

A detailed split up shows an equivalent of Rs 28.54 lakh was paid for the hotel accommodation while the local transportation cost Rs 22.38 lakh and at the airport lounge it came to Rs 2.21 lakh

Kerala cooperative secures second position in global sectoral ranking

: World Co-operative Monitor, published by the International Cooperative Alliance, has honoured a primary level labour cooperative in Kerala. Vadakara-based Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) has been ranked second in the list of Industry and Utilities Cooperatives in the sectoral rankings, for the third consecutive year, a statement said here. ULCCS has been named just below the Spain-based Corporation Mondragon. This ranking is based on the ratio of turnover over gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. ULCCS bagged the same position in 2018 and 2019, it said. The Industry and Utilities section includes cooperatives operating in industrial sectors with the exception of the food industry as well as those whose economic activity deals with utilities. It includes worker cooperatives in the construction sector and users' cooperatives in the utilities sector, that is, cooperatives which are active in the management of infrastructure for a public service. Four ..

Vizhinjam attack was with 'clear ulterior intention', says Kerala CM

Breaking his silence over the recent violent attack on a police station by anti-seaport agitators, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday criticised the incident, saying such protests took place with a "clear ulterior and heinous intention" to destroy tranquility in the society. There were widespread attacks against the police and public threats to attack the police station, but the police force cleverly realised the intention of the assailants, he said, addressing the passing out parade of a new batch of women police constables here via online. The CM, however, did not directly mention the fishermen community who had been staging protests against the upcoming Vizhinjam port and the Latin church which was leading the agitation. Appreciating the law enforcers for handling the issue sensibly, he said the peaceful atmosphere continued to prevail in the land because of the responsible behaviour of the police personnel despite attacks and injuries they suffered. "We have ..

Make women capable of taking care of themselves: Kerala HC to authorities

The state and public authorities must endeavour to make girls and women competent to take care of themselves rather than locking them in, the Kerala High Court has said regarding the restricted movement in the women's hostel of Kozhikode Medical College. Justice Devan Ramachandran on Tuesday said that patriarchism even in the form of offering protection to women and girls has to be frowned upon as they are just as capable, as men and boys, of taking care of themselves. The court also pointed out that even the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) mandate that in the guise of protection, the rights of students, especially women, to move around cannot be inhibited. Justice Ramachandran also questioned the rationale behind imposing the restriction on movement of women and asked the competent authorities to explain the same. "I am persuaded to make the afore observations also because, in the modern times, any patriarchism - even in the guise of offering protection base

Vizhinjam protests: FIR filed against 3,000 people; 36 cops injured

The protests are expected to cast shadow on the completion of the first phase of the project in December 2023

Adani Port issue: Situation under control in Vizhinjam after protests

After tension gripped Vizhinjam port area following the fishermen community's protest against the Adani Group restarting work on a $900 million transhipment port

Adani port protests: Vizhinjam police station attacked; 12 cops injured

The local fishing community claims that the breakwater and constructions would affect their livelihood and homes

Kerala Police files FIR, names Archbishop as accused in Vizhinjamport clash

The Kerala Police have registered an FIR on the Vizhinjam clashes and the Archbishop of the Latin Catholic Diocese, Thomas J. Netto has been named as the first accused

Not upset or angry with anyone in party: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said he was not upset or angry with anyone in the Kerala unit of the party and has no reservations in speaking to anyone as "we are not in kindergarten to refrain from talking to each other". Speaking to media in the port city of Kochi, where he came to attend a state-level conclave of the All India Professionals' Congress, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said he has not spoken against anyone in the party or acted against its directives and has no clue why such a controversy has been created. "I am not upset or angry with anyone. I have not blamed or accused anyone. There are no complaints or issues from my end. I have no problem seeing everyone as one and neither do I have any reservations about speaking to anyone," he said before the event. On being asked whether he would be speaking to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan and Kerala PCC (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran at the event, Tharoor said that the latter was not well an

States' Budget demand: 60% GST share, extended compensation period

State finance ministers demanded greater fiscal autonomy through an increase in states' share in goods and services tax (GST) to 60 per cent, from 50 per cent at present

PVR Cinemas opens first ever IMAX superplex at Lulu Mall in Kerala

Film exhibition company PVR Cinemas has opened Kerala's first ever IMAX along with a 12-screen superplex at Lulu Mall in the state capital here. The cinemas, which will be opened to the public from December 5, was formally inaugurated jointly by the Chairman and Managing Director of PVR Limited, Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group International, M A Yusuff Ali and the Joint Managing Director of PVR Limited, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, on Thursday evening. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said the group was very optimistic about the Kerala market. "We have had a successful venture with the Lulu Mall. We are thrilled to bring the first superplex in Thiruvananthapuram which is in line with our expansion strategy in the South," Bijli told PTI. Strengthening its foothold across markets, the new property is served in a palatial setting with the highest standard of entertainment making it the state's most advanced cinema. "The 12-screen property is an innovative excellence; hosting ...

Kerala Tourism to market Onam celebrations globally: Minister Riyas

Kerala Tourism will make all efforts to market Onam celebrations as a tourism product globally by formulating innovative campaigns, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Thursday. He was speaking after inaugurating a function held here for distribution of prizes of various contests relating to the cultural pageantry and global Onam 'pookalam' conducted by the Tourism Department as part of the week-long Onam celebrations organised by the Kerala Government. "A symbol of resilience, hope and equality, Onam has become a significant product that can attract domestic and foreign tourists. With the formation of tourism clubs in some foreign cities including London, the Tourism department has already initiated efforts to market the next year's Onam globally. By prominently projecting the unique features of various destinations, we will be able to ensure greater flow of tourists to the state from across the world during the Onam season," the Minister said. Presiding over the function,

Ongoing protests may delay completion of Adani port in Vizhinjam in Kerala

The Kerala government's ambitious Rs 7,500 crore Vizhinjam Seaport, being developed by the Adani group in the southernmost part of the state, has been facing deadlock due to the over 100-day protest by the locals led by the leadership of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese here. Keen to finish the project as early as possible, the state government has appealed to the church authorities to end the protest as it was crucial for bringing changes to the industrial and economic sector of the country. The government claimed it has accepted almost all demands of the protesters. However, the protesters are not ready to budge, alleging the project will adversely affect the livelihood of the fishermen, coastal eco-system and the ecology of the Western Ghats due to mining of granite stones for the same. The agitators also alleged the government has not given any written assurances on their demands even after many minister-level discussions. The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater ...