Kerala news update

Kerala Chief Minister turned 86 on Tuesday…

newskerala — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:56:45 +0000

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan turned 86 Tuesday-but for the veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader it was just another day and business as usual.

The Kerala High Court today rapped the State Government and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) in the light of the recent Thekkady Boat Tragedy that claimed 45 lives.

newskerala — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:54:52 +0000

K T Sankaran ( Justice ) observed while granting bail to the accused that the tenders for the boat were issued without any scientific study.

The court further observed the boat was not well-equipped and additional chairs put to accommodate extra passengers.

Adequate number of life jackets were not provided to the passengers.

It was mentioned by the court that the State had witnessed numerous boat accidents after which everyone started lamenting and finding who was responsible.

First Haj flight takes off from Calicut Airport

newskerala — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:52:11 +0000

Carrying 238 believers, including 143 women, took off from the Calicut International Airport today for Haj.

The flight of Nas Air, a subsidiary of Saudi National Air Services (NAS), was flagged off by Kerala Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem.

Mullaperiyar; Tamil Nadu leaders deceiving people: Kerala CM

newskerala — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:02:52 +0000

Lashing out at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa for opposing the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthandan today said the two were deceiving the people by opposing the construction of the new dam.

Don’t politicise Rahul’s solid works, Cong to Kerala govt

newskerala — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:02:08 +0000

Coming down heavily on the Marxist-led Achuthanandan government in Kerala for ‘politicising’ the recent visit of party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to the state, the Congress today said its young leader had no time to politicise issues as his opponents did.

“Mr Gandhi neither has time or inclination to politicise each and every issue as his opponents do,” AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons, when his attention was drawn to reports that the Marxist-ruled panchayat had ordered closure of a tea shop at a nondescript eatery in Kozhikode district where Mr Gandhi had made an impromptu stop.

Oomen Chandy : Govt failed in executing Centre-aided projects

newskerala — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the United Democratic Front (UDF) Convention for the upcoming bypolls, Mr Chandy said ” the state Government
lacked the will to utilize funds, which were alloted for various projects.” ”Whether it was Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) or utilization of the funds granted for tsunami rehabilitation, the government had utterly failed in spending the funds,” he alleged.

New ‘melsanthi’ of Sabrimala – G Vishnu Nambodiri

newskerala — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:51:04 +0000

G Vishnu Namboodiri of Cherukol Cheruthala Matom was today selected as the ‘melsanthi’ (chief priest) of the famed hill shrine Sabarimala Ayyappa temple today.

The two-month long pilgrim season would begin from November 16 and the most famous and important pilgrimage season of Makaravilakku, culminating on the Makarasankranti pooja in mid-january.

The appointment for both the melsanthis would be for one year from the day of Mandala pooja begins.

Last year, over three crore pilgrims from different parts of the country had visited the hill shrine and it was expected that a 20 per cent turn out of pilgrims this season.

The Kerala government had taken all measures to provide security and smooth pilgrimage of devotees, and even conveted a meeting of South Indian Devaswom Ministers to find solutions.

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Says : Centre ignoring Kerala’s demands

newskerala — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:33:20 +0000

Today alleged that the Centre had not heeded to the demands of the State and people should voice their protest in the upcoming by-elections in the State on November seven.

Talking to newspersons at a function ‘Punarvidi’, organised by Ernakulam Press Club here, Mr Balakrishnan said ” the Congress had become complacent after their win in the last Parliamentary elections and though the State had six ministers in the Union Cabinet at the Centre they were doing nothing for the State.” The Congress-led UPA Government was not keeping promises given to the people and was chalking out policies which were detrimental to the interests of the State, he alleged.

Theruvath Raman passes away

newskerala — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:31:15 +0000

Prominent journalist, writer and social activist Theruvath Raman passed away at a private hospital due to old-age ailment here 18th October. He was 92.
Raman, the founder of the first eveninger in Malayalam, ”Pradeepam”, in Kerala, was admitted to hosptial a few days ago due to old age illness and died this morning, family sources said.

The Kerala High Court today ratified the decision of the State Government

newskerala — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:24:31 +0000

Kerala High Court today ratified the decision of the State Government to make uniform the retirement day of all government employees.

Dismissing a batch of petitions challenging the decision, Mr Justice V Giri ratified the decision of the state government to make uniform the pension date of March 31 every year.

The court said the decision was the policy matter of government and court could not interfere into it.