Kerala

Man in Malappuram died due to Nipah virus, says Kerala Health Minister

The 24-year-old man who died recently at a private hospital in Malappuram was infected with the Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday. George said the suspicion of Nipah infection arose after a death investigation conducted by the Regional Medical Officer. "The available samples were immediately sent for testing and it turned out to be positive," the minister said in a video message. The Malappuram native who reached the state from Bengaluru died on September 9, after which his available samples were sent for testing to Kozhikode Medical college hospital laboratory. Malappuram health officials said the results from Kozhikode medical college indicated a positive result, after which a high-level meeting was held by the health minister on Saturday night itself and initiated the necessary steps as per the protocol. Meanwhile, the results from National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune on Sunday confirmed the infection. The minister said 16 committees were for

Assembly ruckus case: Cong describes Kerala HC verdict as set back to govt

A day after the Kerala High Court quashed the case registered against three Congress leaders in connection with the Assembly ruckus incident, the opposition party on Saturday said the verdict was a setback to the government's alleged attempt to weaken the case. Welcoming the verdict, the Congress said if a trial was held in the 2015 case, CPI (M) leaders including General Education Minister V Sivankutty would be punished, he said. In a statement, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan alleged the Left government was trying to prolong the trial by making false cases to avoid this. The entire world witnessed the violence of the CPI (M) legislators, he said adding there has never been a case with so many witnesses. So, the High Court ruling was a 'setback' to the government's alleged attempt to weaken the case by abusing the legal system, Satheesan added. The Kerala HC on Friday quashed the criminal proceedings against three Congress leaders, including two sitting M

E P Jayarajan meets Kerala CM despite differences with party leadership

Amidst reported differences with the party leadership, veteran CPI (M) leader E P Jayarajan on Saturday called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and held discussions with him at the Kerala House in New Delhi. Both the leaders reached the national capital to pay their last respects to party general secretary Sitaram Yechury who died in a Delhi hospital on Thursday after battling a lung infection. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of media reports that differences have cropped up between him and the party leadership following his removal as LDF convenor recently. Jayarajan has been keeping away from public programmes and party functions for some time. However, he told reporters that there was nothing new in his meeting with Chief Minister Vijayan. Jayarajan said he used to visit the CM whenever time permits, especially when he arrives in New Delhi. "We all are part of a party family. We all have love and respect towards each other," he said in New Delhi. He also accuse

5 non-BJP-ruled states' ministers to meet in Kerala for FC discussion

Ministers from five non-BJP-ruled states will meet here on Thursday to discuss key issues related to the 16th Finance Commission, as, according to them, the country grapples with economic federalism challenges. The meeting, hosted by Kerala, comes at a critical time when states face significant developmental and financial hurdles, according to a statement issued by the office of Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal here on Wednesday. The main objective is to present these challenges to the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr A Arvind Panagariya, and explore potential solutions, it said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the high-level conclave to be attended by top dignitaries, including Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. Other notable participants include Leader of Oppositi

Don't lecture us, address allegations against aides: Congress to Kerala CM

A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan categorically denied allegations of a CPI(M)-RSS nexus, the Congress on Wednesday urged him to address the serious allegations against his close aides, IPS officer ADGP M R Ajith Kumar and political secretary P Sasi, rather than lecturing the opposition. Coming down heavily on the chief minister, the grand-old party said the people of the state, who know history, would dismiss with contempt Vijayan's claim that it was the Marxist party that had opposed the RSS in Kerala and the Congress had no role in it. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, asked seven questions to Vijayan and accused the Left veteran of playing the hide and seek game without giving a clear reply. "Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M)'s connection with the RSS is an open secret," he alleged. The LoP asked whether veteran Left leader E P Jayarajan was removed as LDF convenor because of his meeting with BJP's Prakash Javadekar. If so, shouldn't CM Vijayan

Onam 2024: Date, History, and Significance of Kerala's Biggest Festival

Onam, the 10 days of festive joy in Kerala, is being celebrated from September 6-15. Onam is also attributed to the arrival of Lord Mahabali, according to the legend

Kerala HC slams state govt for inaction on Justice Hema Committee report

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Left government in the state saying its inaction on the Justice Hema Committee report was "alarming." A special division bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha said the government got the report years ago and ought to have immediately responded and directed that the full report be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to take requisite action. It also asked why the state was silent for so long. The bench said women are more in number in Kerala and asked what the state was doing about the problems being faced by them in society. It said the government took action only more than four years after it got the report. It directed the government to hand over the full report of the committee to the SIT constituted to look into the complaints of sexual harassment and assaults by female actors against some of their male counterparts and others in the film industry. The bench said the SIT can take action based on

World Bank experts meet Kerala CM Vijayan, praise state's education reforms

In a significant boost to Kerala's efforts to revamp its higher education system, a team of World Bank experts on Monday met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, praising the state's reforms and expressing interest in a collaborative initiative to draw international students to the state. The World Bank experts, including Nina Arnhold (Global Lead for Tertiary Education), Denis Nikolaev (Senior Education Specialist), and Ambarish Ambuj (Consultant, Education, South Asia Region), met the CM at his office here to discuss a potential partnership, according to an official release. The project seeks to attract foreign students to Kerala and improve the overall higher education system, with a focus on sustainability and social justice. "The World Bank representatives were impressed by the reforms taking place in the higher education sector. They expressed interest in collaborating with the state Higher Education Council to attract foreign students to Kerala as part of a related project,"

ADGP's explanation to CMO on meeting with RSS leader draws flak in Kerala

The controversy surrounding IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar's alleged meeting with a senior RSS leader escalated on Saturday, with a section of the media reporting that the ADGP admitted to the Chief Minister's office that his visit was personal, drawing sharp reactions from the ruling party ally CPI and the opposition Congress. As per media reports, Kumar, a close confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, offered an explanation to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) that he had met with RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in Thrissur last May, but clarified that it was a "personal visit". However, a CMO source said they "lacked clear information" about the ADGP's explanation. The controversy took a turn a day after ruling CPI (M) had termed as a "lie and pure nonsense" the opposition Congress' charge that Ajith Kumar acted as a 'middleman' between the CM and the RSS to disrupt the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival to secure the Lok Sabha poll victory of the BJP candidate in ...

Onam gift: Kerala govt announces two-month pension for 6.2 mn beneficiaries

The CPI(M)-led Left government in Kerala on Friday announced disbursement of a two-month pension for over 60 lakh beneficiaries, marking an Onam gift. Announcing the decision, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this purpose. "Around 62 lakh people will receive Rs 3,200 each for Onam. This is in addition to the one month's pension that is currently being given," he said in a statement here. The decision to disburse the Social Security and Welfare Fund pension to beneficiaries starting next week is seen as an attempt by the Left government to regain its mass base, lost during the Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, the CPI(M) and its allies had attributed their humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to delayed settlement of dues and recommended a course correction. In the polls, the LDF won just one seat, while the Congress-led UDF secured 18 seats, and the BJP opened its account for the first time in the state's political history. Balagop

Investment-friendly ecosystem key to Kerala's ease of business reforms: CM

A day after Kerala was awarded for its ease of doing business reforms by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said the investment friendly ecosystem and entrepreneurs' growing confidence in the state has helped it in achieving this status. Kerala has come first in the ranking of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry with top achiever status in nine sectors, Vijayan said on Friday. "Proud that Kerala has come first in Ease of Doing Business reforms in the country, with Top Achiever status in 9 reform areas! Our investment friendly ecosystem and entrepreneurs' growing confidence in Kerala's potential has truly been captured. This is a time like no other to invest in and grow from #Kerala.," Vijayan posted on 'X'. The chief minister also pointed out that the state ranked first this year from the 28th position in 2021. Kerala has reached 15th position in 2022. Industries Minister P Rajeeve said out of 30 reform areas, Kerala earne

Happy Onam 2024: Top 50 wishes, messages, and quotes to share today

Onam celebrations: The 10-day festival is widely celebrated especially in Kerala. This year, the festival will begin today, September 6, 2024

Kerala wins top performer award in lists of business-centric reforms

In a huge endorsement of its highly conducive business ecosystem and transparent and inclusive service delivery mechanism, Kerala has emerged as the country leader in two categories of business-centric reforms and seven categories of citizen-centric reforms in the ranking of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The award was presented at the Conference of State Industries Ministers held on Thursday at Palash Hall (Grand Ball Room) of the Yashobhumi Convention Centre, New Delhi, according to an official release here. Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal presented the Business Reforms Action Plan '22 (BRAP 22) award of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, at the conference, Udhyog Sangam 2024, said the release issued by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information ...

Kerala to host conclave of 5 opposition-led states to discuss fiscal issues

Kerala will host a conclave of five opposition-ruled states--four from South India and Punjab from the North--to discuss how to ensure their fiscal needs are addressed in the upcoming 16th Finance Commission, state Finance Minister K N Balagopal said on Thursday. Besides the Left-ruled Kerala and AAP-governed Punjab, the states that will take part in the conclave are Tamil Nadu (DMK) and the Congress-ruled states of Karnataka and Telangana. The move by the Left government is seen as an effort to bring together the opposition-ruled states to strengthen their bargaining position with the BJP-ruled Centre. Last year, the state had filed a suit in the Supreme Court against the Centre for imposing limits on its borrowing capacity. Balagopal said that the conclave, which will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on September 12, aims to 'protect and strengthen' the cooperative and fiscal federalism of the country. Besides himself, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and .

Stars appeal to Kerala CM for policy to address issues in film industry

In a joint appeal, 72 prominent personalities, including author Arundhati Roy, have urged Kerala Chief Minister to enact a law addressing concerns raised by the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual atrocities against women in the film field. The signatories to the appeal include Supreme Court advocates Indira Jaisingh and Vrinda Grover, actors Aparna Sen, Prakash Raj, Swara Bhasker, musician T M Krishna, a few retired bureaucrats and several journalists who have sought a "360-degree approach" from the state government to achieve the objectives for which the committee was set up. In their letter to the CM, the concerns they have highlighted include the "inordinate focus on the sexual misdemeanours and crimes mentioned in the report" and the "virtual exclusion" of issues like the working conditions in the film industry, lack of contracts, pay disparities, etc. which also find mention the panel's findings. One of the signatories, T M Krishna, in a post on social media platform ...

Odisha CM Majhi announces Rs 10 cr aid for calamity-hit Kerala, Tripura

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday announced a grant of Rs 5 crore each for Kerala and Tripura to support recovery efforts following natural disasters in both states. Majhi expressed his condolences for the devastation caused by these calamities during telephonic conversations with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Majhi conveyed Odisha's readiness to assist with post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Kerala was struck by a severe landslide, while Tripura has experienced significant flooding. In light of these events, Majhi said, "Odisha will provide Rs 5 crore each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (SMRF) to support the recovery efforts in both Kerala and Tripura." Both Vijayan and Saha expressed their gratitude for Odisha's support. Majhi also thanked the leaders for their assistance to Odia residents in their states during recent natural disasters.

Rahul Gandhi donates 1 month salary for rehabilitation work in Wayanad

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has donated his one month's salary -- Rs 2.3 lakh -- to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) towards rehabilitation activities for the victims of the Wayanad landslides, the party's state unit said on Wednesday. KPCC general secretary M Liju, in a statement, said that the donation was made to the funds being collected by the Congress' state unit as part of Gandhi's announcement that the party will build and provide 100 houses to the people of Wayanad who lost their loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the devastating landslides of July 30. As part of the fundraising, a mobile app -- 'Stand with Wayand - INC -- has been created, the statement said. It also said that Congress MP K Sudhakaran was personally assessing the progress of the Wayanad rehabilitation work. It further said that party units, subsidiaries, MPs and MLAs have been notified about the amounts to be donated by them. "Donations can be transferred directly by

Kerala to develop local early warning systems for disasters: CM Vijayan

The Kerala government has decided to focus on scientific use of land and deployment of localised early warning systems as part of its efforts to tackle Wayanad-like landslides and other disasters in the future, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. He said the landslide forecasting systems were in the "infancy" stage and his government now wants to "strengthen" Kerala's institutes and departments meant for studying climate change by providing them enhanced manpower and modern equipments. More than 230 people lost their lives even as an equal number of body parts were found from under the debris and from the Chaliyar river after the worst-ever disaster of the state destroyed large tracts of three Wayanad villages-- Punchirimattom, Chooralmala and Mundakkai apart from some in Attamala when the disaster struck on July 30. Speaking to PTI during an interview over the weekend, Vijayan said, "In an era of climate change, fragility is a matter that needs to be balanced with respect to

Kerala plans media campaign, bloggers' meet in Wayanad to attract tourists

The Kerala government is set to launch a "tremendous" promotional campaign along with a bloggers' meet in Wayanad in the run up to the Onam season to dispel tourists' concerns that the scenic district was no longer safe in the aftermath of the recent landslides. Kerala Tourism and Public Works minister P A Mohammed Riyas told PTI during an interview over the weekend that it was "sad" that the July 30 catastrophe in the northern district of the state was being called as "Wayanad disaster" while the fact was that it affected only one part of the picturesque destination. "Chooralmala is only a place in Wayanad but due to this news spreading that it is Wayanad disaster, everyone is searching this on Internet and thinking something was happening in Wayanad. This led to bookings at resorts being cancelled there. "The places that are best for tourism in Wayanad, and are about 50 km away from Chhoralmala, (even there) the bookings were cancelled. It is not right to say Wayanad disaster," he

Kerala CM announces high-level probe into allegations against top cops

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala said on Monday that the party and the Left government will thoroughly examine all allegations made by LDF legislator P V Anvar against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's political secretary, P Sasi, and senior IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar, a close confidant of the CM. Reacting to the allegations levelled by businessman-turned-politician and two-time MLA P V Anvar, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan told reporters that "all aspects of the allegations will be examined by the government and the party with necessary seriousness, and a stand will be taken accordingly." Nilambur MLA Anvar has accused Sasi and ADGP (Law and Order) Ajith Kumar of breaching trust and failing to deliver responsibilities honestly. Anvar alleged Kumar tapped ministers' phone conversations, had links with gold smuggling rackets, and was involved in serious crimes. The Left MLA's allegations against the key person in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and the top rank official had ...