Guv’s address violated poll code of conduct: V.S

Thursday, March 1, 2012: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan today said that the Governor’s address at the State Legislative Assembly is hopeless and aimed at influencing voters in Piravom, violating the model code of conduct.
The Governor was just delivering details of continuation of various development projects, introduced by the previous CPI(M)-led LDF Government in the State. All the announcements in the Governor’s address were violation of election model code of conduct, he said.
The CPI(M) would strongly protect this UDF agenda in the coming days, he added.

VA Arun Kumar writes to Assembly panel again

Thursday, March 01, 2012: VA Arunkumar, son of Opposition Leader VS Achuthanandan has once again written a letter to Assembly committee, headed by VD Satheesan MLA, investigating the various allegations against him.
The letter demanded to hear his version before submission of final report. The joint legislature committee investigating the allegations against Arun Kumar will submit the report on March 8. Arun is accused of some irregularties in his functioning as an official of a state-sponsored education agency.
The probe by the Inspection Wing of the Finance Department had found faults in Arun Kumar’s appointment and promotions he received in IHRD. It appeared that suspension of Arun Kumar as Additional Director of state-sponsored education agency Institute of Human Resource Development (IHRD) was imminent.

IUML firm on its fifth Cabinet berth demand

Thursday, March 01, 2012: IUML Kerala unit president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal today informed that the party has decided to stick to its demand for a fifth slot in the Oommen Chandy Cabinet.
Addressing the presspersons here on Thursday, Thangal added that the confusion regarding the fifth cabinet berth would be cleared soon after the completion of the Piravom by-election. The IUML had earlier decided to stick on to their demand for having a ministerial berth for Manjalamkuzhi Ali in the Oommen Chandy cabinet.
IUML is the second largest partner in the United Democratic Front and had won 20 seats in the recent Assembly elections. The IUML’s demand has led to a general feeling that the UDF is heading towards an unwarranted squabble.

Pillai’s phone controversy: Court orders action

Thursday, March 01, 2012: The Thiruvananthapuram Chief judicial magistrate Court on Thursday directed the Cyber cell to register action against all the persons in connection with the Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai’s telephonic controversy.
A detailed investigation had revealed that Pillai, who was undergoing imprisonment, had violated prison rules by using mobile phone. The Court also directed the cyber cell authorities to produce the detailed address list of all the persons, who had contacted Pillai during his prison term.
According to reports Pillai had contacted as many as 216 persons

One held for Muslim League activist’s murder in Kannur

Thursday, March 01, 2012: One CPM worker was today arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Shukkoor, 22, a Muslim League activist in Kannur on February 20.
The accused has been identified as P.K Ajith, hailing from Mozhara, police told. Police said that Shukkoor was found dead with stab injuries at Vallavamkadavu under the Kannapuram police station limits here.
He was allegedly stabbed to death by CPI(M) workers possibly in retaliation to the manhandling of the CPI(M) leaders P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh at Ariyil by suspected IUML workers.

SC directs Centre to provide number of homosexuals in India

Thursday, March 1, 2012: Expressing displeasure for not furnishing details of homosexuals’ population, the Supreme Court today asked for all relevant records from the Centre about LGBT ( lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people, including their number and the number of HIV-infected among them.
A bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya said the data which was put before the Delhi High Court has not been placed here and directed the Centre to provide the entire information on the next date of hearing.
The bench also pulled up the government and its officials for not doing their “homework” in the case.
“You should have done your homework before coming to the court” the bench told an official, appearing in the court.
Observing that it was stated in the high court in 2009 that eight per cent of homosexuals were HIV infected, the bench queried about the latest figure on the LGBT population and their numbers inflicted with the deadly infection.
The government, however, contended that there are 23.9 lakh people infected with HIV in the country.
The apex court is hearing petitions filed by anti-gay rights activists and also by political, social and religious organisations, which have opposed the high court verdict.