Canteen sealed off

ALAPPUZHA: The canteen of Alappzuha Medical College Hospital near here was sealed off indefinitely on instructions from Hospital Superintendent after a dead centipede was found in a parcel of porotta and potato curry bought from there. The food safety officer ordered the closure of the canteen till some maintenance work was over. All the food at the canteen was destroyed.

New KSRTC terminal for Kottayam

KOTTAYAM: The work on the proposed modernized bus terminal for the Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in the town will commence soon, Minister for Home and local MLA, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said. A meeting of the stake holders held here on Tuesday has decided to expedite the work.

Nilambur Aysha felicitated

MALAPPURAM: The Rasmi Film Society felicitated artiste Nilambur Aysha, who won this year’s state film award for the second best actress, at a function here on Tuesday. Poet P K Gopi inaugurated the function. He handed over the society’s memento to Aysha. Aysha said she realised the real meaning of drama and the real power of that medium when she was opposed by orthodox sections of society. Film society president Manamboor Rajanbabu presided.

Swathi Krishna discharged from hospital

KOCHI: Swathi Krishna, the 17-year-old student who successfully underwent a liver transplant after being in coma for a week, was discharged from hospital here on Tuesday.


The doctors taking care of Krishna at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences have asked her family to restrict the number of visitors to limit the chances of infection. The surgery had caught the people’s imagination for various reasons-- Krishna’s aunt, Rainy Joy, volunteering to donate a slice of her liver; 54 documents necessary for organ donation getting ready within two days at the intervention of the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Health Minister V S Sivakumar, and the panchayat raising Rs17 lakh to meet the surgery expenses in a single day. Transplant surgeon K Sudheendra led the surgery.

Bishop Paulose Mar Pachomios no more

KOCHI: Metropolitan of Mavelikkara Diocese of Malankara Orthodox Church Bishop Paulose Mar Pachomios died here Wednesday. The end came while he was undergoing treatment for liver ailments at the Lakeshore Hospital in the district. He was 66.


He was born as the second child of K KJohn and Mariamma John on January 26, 1946 in Kolathukalathil Neysseril family, Kurichy.


He was ordained to the holy Priesthood on 8th of January 1974 by HG Mathews Mar Athanasius, Catholicose Designate, as Fr.Paulose.

Teen detained for murder of pregnant woman

IDUKKI: Adolescent neighbour has been arrested for stabbing a pregnant woman to death.


The thirteen year old student was the neighbour of Sajina(25) who was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the 29th of last month.


It is alleged that the teen, who tried to molest the woman, hit her on the head and stabbed her when she resisted.


He dragged the victim and pushed her to a near by rocky hillside from her her corpse was found in the evening.


She was five months pregnant when ill fate struck.


After school hours, the accused left to Ernakulam the next day from where he was taken into custody by the police team.


The police doubts the probability of a thirteen year old committing the murder all by himself and suspects the presence of an accomplice in the act.


Over 40 persons had been interrogated by the police before the arrest.


There were tell-tale stab wounds in the neck, forehead and left hand of the corpse and evidence suggestive of a tussle including bloodstains were discovered in the surroundings.


The deceased was married to Abdullah alias Nambiraj, a native of Thirunelveli, who embraced the Islamic faith to wed Sajina.


He works as salesman in a textile shop in Ernakulam.

P Jayarajan arrested

KANNUR: The police Wednesday arrested CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan in connection with the murder of Muslim Youth League activist Abdul Shukkoor. He has been booked for the conspiracy behind the murder of Shukkoor.


He was arrested when he appeared before the Kannur Town Police for a third round of interrogation Wednesday morning.


The car in which Jayarajan and T V Rajesh MLA were travelling was attacked on February 20, 2012. Shukkoor was hacked to death at Keezhara allegedly in retaliation for the attack on both the leaders at nearby Ariyil on the same day.

K.K. Jayachandran MLA to be questioned today

IDUKKI: The special team probing the political murders in Idukki district will question K.K. Jayachandran MLA today. He has been asked to be present at the office of DySP.


He will be questioned by a team comprising IG K. Pathmakumar and S.P. Prakash. They will ask Jayachandran about the revelations made by former CPI (M) Idukki District Secretary M.M. Mani in his controversial speech. 

Increase in complaints to banking ombudsman in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There has been a 22 per cent increase in complaints received by the banking ombudsman in Kerala this year.


A total of 2,541 complaints were received in the year ended on June 30, 2012, compared to 2,077 in the corresponding period one year ago, according to FR Joseph, Banking Ombudsman of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe.


Most of these complaints have been examined and settled, leaving a mere 5.7 per cent remaining to be closed, Mr Joseph told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.


This showed that concerned efforts made by banks to improve the quality of services and strengthen internal grievance redressal machinery could reduce complaints, the Ombudsman said.


The largest number of complaints, 27.5 per cent, pertained to loans and advances including educational and housing loans. Complaints relating to credit, debit ATM cards accounted for 14.1 per cent, he said.


The increase in receipt of complaints was recorded by all districts in Kerala except Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad.

HC directive to police on plea against Save Madani forum

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court Tuesday directed the police to continue their efforts to put an end to anti- social activities, if any, of the 'Save Madani Forum', set up by followers of People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasser Madani, an accused in the 2008 Bangalore bomb blast case.


A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chelloor and Justice A M Shifiq issued the directive on a petition by P G Mohandas complaining that the forum was receiving money from various sources unauthorisedly.


The state government informed the court that firm action will be taken against the activists of the forum.


Kerala-based PDP leader Madani has been arrested for alleged involvement in the July, 2008 Bangalore blasts that claimed two lives.

9 police officers at Payyannur Police Station transferred

KANNUR: Nine police officers at Payyanur Police Station in Kannur district has been transferred for leaking information in the department. Those transferred include a Grade SI.

SMS fraud: Nigerian woman arrested

CHALAKKUDY: A Nigerian woman was arrested on Tuesday on charge of SMS fraud through which she tried to collect Rs. 5 lakh. Habeeba Mary (36) was arrested by Sub Inspector Lal Kumar following a complaint filed by Nanda Kishore of Muringoor.


A week ago, Habeeba Mary had send an SMS to Nanda Kishore informing him that he won a cash prize of Rs 200 crore. She also brought to his notice that he must give 8500 dollars as service charge in order to get the prize. Habeeba arrived at the airport to receive the service charge. She was said that money was kept at another place. Accordingly, she was brought straight to the police station.

Thilakan hospitalized after brain stroke

THRISSUR: Veteran Malayalam film and theatre actor Thilakan was on Tuesday admitted to Thrissur Jubilee Mission Medical College Hospital after he suffered a slight brain stroke. He also displayed signs of pneumonia and ailment related to kidney.


Dr. Gilbas who is treating Thilakan said he is getting better and is able to talk. But lung infection is a matter of concern.  He has eating difficulty as well.


Thilakan was admitted to the Cardiac ICU on Tuesday evening.

Cabinet reshuffle , Chidambaram to get finance

NEW DELHI: Home Minister P Chidambaram is likely to get the finance portfolio vacated by Pranab Mukherjee.
Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is the Power Minister, is expected to get home, sources said. Veerappa Moily, Corporate Affairs Minister, will get additional charge of  Power Ministry.


A notification regarding this has been sent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.


The government also needs to decide and announce, before Parliament meets next week, who will replace Pranab as Leader of the Lok Sabha. There has been a demand from some Congressmen that Rahul Gandhi be elevated to that.  


Parliament sits next week for the monsoon session and the government had indicated that before the session began, it would fill the important finance ministry. The Prime Minister has held interim charge for a little over a month now.

Chidambaram has been Finance Minister before; if he gets the ministry again, however, uproar can be expected from the opposition benches. The BJP-led opposition has targeted him for his role in the 2G scam.

Civil Service (Prelims) results declared

NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the result of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2012.


Lakhs of students had taken the examination at different centres across the country on May 20 this year.


The result carrying roll numbers of the successful candidates has been put up on the UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in/


The result of roll no. 253465 has been withheld, a release from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

Notice against Thiruvanchoor for alleged phone tapping

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  A CPI-M legislator Tuesday filed a breach of privilege notice against the Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan over the police allegedly tapping phones of the party's legislators.


Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, deputy leader of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the assembly, filed the notice against Thiruvanchoor on complaints filed by E Kareem and TV Rajesh that their mobile phones were being tapped by police teams probing two murder cases.


The first case pertains to the murder of RMP leader T P Chandrasekheran near Kozhikode in May. The second case is about the murder of a Muslim League worker in February in Kannur.

Dark interludes commence: Load shedding in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Repercussions of the power plight in the north cross the Vindhyas.


It will be perceived as power cuts of half -an-hour duration from today in Kerala and it has already begun unannounced in many parts of the state.


There will be a reduction of 685MW in the power obtained from the central pool and it makes the power crisis acute.

VS moves Kerala High Court in Palmolein case

KOCHI:The Kerala High Court has admitted a petition by CPI(M) veteran VS Achuthanandan challenging a vigilance court order giving clean chit to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who was a member of K Karunakaran cabinet in 1991-92 when the Palmolein case rocked the state.


Admitting the petition, Justice SS Satishchandran issued notice to the Kerala government and asked it to file a statement within a week.


Achuthanandan, a former chief minister and now opposition leader in the assembly, submitted that the Thrissur vigilance court had held there was no evidence of involvement of Chandy, the then finance minister in the Karunakaran cabinet. The special judge had not addressed any of the legal issues involved in the case, he stated.


He submitted that it was incumbent upon the court to consider the objections, especially when the investigation agency had submitted a report contrary to an earlier report.


The case relates to alleged irregularities in import of about 15,000 tonnes of palmolein from Malaysia during 1991-92, causing a loss of Rs 2.32 crore to the state exchequer.


Former Food and Civil supplies minister TH Mustaffa, former Chief Secretary S Padmakumar and ex-director of Kerala state civil supplies corporation Jiji Thomson are among the accused in the case.

Kerala likely to sign pact with Qatar energy body

DUBAI: The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are mulling signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for exploring business prospects, according to reports.


Recently a delegation led by Kerala legislator, Mr Joseph Vazhakkan, held discussions on the possibility of using the KSEB's professional expertise and experience in handling different aspects of the power sector with the Kahramaa Director, Network Affairs, Ali al Najjar, the Gulf Times report said.


The Kahramaa official said the issue has already been brought to the notice of the Corporation’s President and other departments, while Mr Vazhakkan said he would bring the issue to the notice of the Kerala Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, and the State Electricity Minister at the earliest.


Mr Vazhakkan also extended an invitation to the Kahramaa official to participate in the ‘Emerging Kerala 2012’ conclave to be held in Kochi in the second week of September.


Qatar officials have agreed to attend the event and a formal invitation would be given to the Kahramaa officials by Mr Chandy later this week, the report said.


The Kerala delegation also consisted of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Vice-President, Mr K. Girish Kumar, entrepreneurs Manzoor Moideen and Mohamed Shahna.

Trawling ban ends tonight

 Tuesday, July 31, 2012: The 47-day trawling ban imposed for monsoon season will end today. Around 5000 boats will set out for fishing in outer sea by midnight.


Workers at fishing harbours and fish-landing centres along Kerala’s shoreline are giving final touches to the boats in order to make them sea-worthy.


However, most of the fishermen have expressed their apprehension over whether the lack of monsoon rain will affect fishing.

Anna fast enters third day; regrets attack on media

Jul 31, 2012: Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast entered the third day today with the activist regretting the attack on media by his supporters and warned that he will call off his fast if they again indulge in violence.


Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal, who is also fasting, apologised for the misbehaviour with media but sought to blame media house owners, saying they have to decide whether they are with the country or with corrupt people.

Liquor to cost more in Kerala

Tuesday, July 31, 2012: Tipplers in the state have to pay more from August 1 as the Excise Board has permitted a six per cent increase in the prices of liquor and wine.


The Kerala Bottlers Federation (KBF) had put pressure on the government to hike the prices following inflationary costs of raw materials, packing materials and labour cost.


Sources from the Excise Commissionerate said that one bottle of liquor costing Rs 300 will increase to Rs 320, as the price will be rounded off. There will be a slight increase from the six per cent as the prices of liquor are fixed on the denomination of Rs 5 and Rs 10.

Verdict on tantri case posted to Aug 7

Tuesday, July 31, 2012: The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court postponed to August 7 the verdict in the sensational Sabarimala tantri blackmailing case.


Sobha John is the main accused in the case. During the trial, the court examined 51 witnesses. The accused hatched a conspiracy and threatened the tantri with a gun at the Link Laxman flat here. Five rings, including the ‘navaratna mothiram’, ‘pavitra mothiram’ and ‘indraneelam’, and two gold chains were stolen from him.


The conspirators allegedly took photographs of the tantri and a woman in compromising positions and demanded Rs 30 lakh. The Ernakulam Central police had filed a chargesheet against 11 accused- Shobha John of Thiruvananthapuram, Binil Kumar alias Bijil of Vellarada, Anil Kumar of Sasthamangalam, Abdul Rahman alias Bachu Rahman, Ashif, Abdul Sahad, Abdul Sathar, Majeed, Shereef alias Umbu and Asees of Kasargod,and Biji Peter of Guruvayoor.


The offences against the accused are criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, dacoity and destroying the evidence.

Satisfied with Cabinet: Mullappally

THALASSERY: Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran has said that he is satisfied with the performance of the ministers in the state. Ramachandran told that any lapse on the part of the state government was discussed in the weekly sessions in which the chief minister provided instructions to the ministers

Air Marshal SP Singh retires

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Air Marshal SP Singh, AVSM, VM, Air Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Southern Air Command, will retire Tuesday after a distinguished service of 38 years. The Air Marshal took over the reins of Southern Air Command on August one 2011, a defence press release said. During his stint as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, he has been instrumental in enhancing the operational capabilities of the command by ensuring speedy completion of infrastructure works. Under his command various joint exercises were conducted with the Army and the Navy to augment and fine tune the operational readiness of this Command.


AIR Marshal SP Singh is an alumnus of Sainik School Kunjpura. He joined National Defence Academy in 1970 and was commissioned into the flying branch of Indian Air Force on June 1, 1974. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown over 6800 hours on various aircraft. The Air Marshal is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Army War College, Mhow and did M Phil from Indore University in 2002.


He has also undergone Political and Strategic Higher Studies Course in Brazil during 2007. The Air Marshal had held a variety of operational and staff appointments during his illustrious career. He had commanded two premier Transport Squadrons and also served as Chief Flying Instructor at Flying Instructors' School.

N Lakshman passes away

KASARGOD: N Lakshman, leading lawyer of yesteryear and a Congress activist, passed away at a private hospital following age-related ailments, his family sources said. Lakshman, 80, was District Public Prosecutor and officiated as president of the Kasaragod Bar Association for two terms. Lakshman was Congress party committee member of the undivided Kannur district and also functioned as secretary of the Karnataka Samithi. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.


People from various walks of life, including local MLAs N A Nellikunnu and E Chandrasekharan, district panchayat president P P Shyamala Devi and former MLAs C H Kunhambu and K Purushothaman paid tributes.

Dies of injuries

KASARGOD: A youth, found grievously injured near a railway track near Cheruvathur here on Sunday night, died in a hospital on Monday. Subhash Krishnan, 26, of Cheruvathur was found lying in a pool of blood near the track after the Chennai-bound West Coast Express from Mangalore left the Charvattur station on Sunday night. The police said he might have been hit by the train.

Agricultural University registrar suspended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Dr. P B Pushpalatha, registrar of Kerala Agricultural University, was suspended for alleged dereliction of duty.


Dr.P K Rajeevan is the new registrar.


Dr.Pushpalatha, who served as a professor in the Dept of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture is also a former general council member.


She is the first woman to become a registrar.


A winner of international accolade and the award for young scientist in 2000, she has also published more than 50 research theses and books.

Game of survival: adivasis on hunger strike in jails

KANNUR: The adivasis arrested for the land strike in Wayanad has started hunger strike.


530 tribal persons, including women and children, are in jails in Kannur and Wayanad.


They demand the release of those held in jails and resolution of the land strike.


The hilly Wayanad district has the largest concentration of tribal population in the state.


The land rights agitation of the tribals had been going on for quite long demanding retrieval of stretches of tribal land and its distribution to landless tribal families.

Yet another 'shawarma death'

KOCHI: One more person dies due to food poisoning from shawarma.


Prof. Varghese, native of Kottayam, had eaten shawarma from the closed-down Salwa Cafe at Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram and was under treatment in Cochin.


The health department has started investigation.


Varghese’s son, who had also eaten shawarma, is under treatment in Cochin.

Sensex up 55 points ahead of RBI policy review

MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by over 55 points in early trade on Tuesday on sustained buying by funds and retail investors ahead of RBI’s first quarter policy review amid firm Asian cues.


The 30-share barometer, which had climbed almost 505 points in the previous two sessions, rose by another 55.26 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 17,198.94.


All the sectoral indices led by heath care, banking and consumer durables were trading in the positive zone with gains of up to 0.85 per cent.


The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also moved up by 15.05 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 5,214.85.


Brokers said optimistic buying by funds as well as retail investors ahead of RBI’s first quarter policy review later in the day today buoyed the trading sentiment.


Besides, a firm trend in the Asian markets on speculation European Union policy makers will take action to ease the region’s debt crisis, they said.


In Asian region, the Japan’s Nikkei was up 0.51 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.30 per cent in the morning trade on Tuesday.

Chandy asks MPs to exert pressure on Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Monday asked Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kerala to exert pressure on Centre to review the stand of banks on providing educational loans to those who seek admissions in government quota alone.


Speaking at a meeting of MPs convened prior to the Monsoon Session of Parliament, he said all possible steps should be taken to release the Indians captured by Somali pirates. If necessary the possibility of releasing those pirates in jails should be thought of, he said. The MPs should collectively exert pressure to restore the kerosene quota to fishermen, he said. He asked MPs to exert pressure to change the stand taken by Air India in changing their HQ from Kochi.

People to decide on ministers’ capabilities, says Thiruvanchoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The people will decide on the capability of ministers, said Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Responding to the statement of senior leader V M Sudheeran that there are some incapable ministers in the cabinet, he said one’s capability cannot be proved by showing off their muscles. None of the ministers in the cabinet are incapable and I agree with Chandy on it, he said.  


Meantime, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan said what Sudheeran said was his personal opinion. The ministers are trying their best to prove their mettle in their respective portfolios, he said.

HC cancels removal of Dr B Ashok

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court cancelled the government’s action of removing Kerala University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Vice Chancellor Dr B Ashok from the post. The government removed him on charges of criticising the efficiency of the IAS community in the state.


A division bench consisting of Justice C N Ramachandran directed to reinstate him in the same post. He said removing him from the post was against the interests of the public.

Father, son killed in Malappuram

MALAPPURAM: A man and his son were killed after a lorry hit their bike at Pookottur in Malappuram.


The dead have been identified as Mohammed Sheriff and his son Raaz, aged three. Sherif’s wife has been admitted in the hospital in a serious condition.


The enraged mob gutted the lorry following the incident.

Food poisoning in SAT

ULLOOR: Five students have contracted food poisoning from the food they ate at SAT canteen.


Neethu ,Remya, Aswathy Ashok Kumar, Sheena and Soumya, students from X-ray department, fell ill allegedly from the  porotta and egg curry they ate yesterday and day before .


They have been admitted to Medical College.

SI's house attacked

KANNUR:  House of a special branch Sub-Inspector of Police was attacked by a ten member group allegedly belonging to CPI (M), early Monday. According to police, the ten member gang trespassed the house of Sub-Inspector Raghavan K V, attached to Payyanur Police Station, at early hours of today and damaged properties valued at about Rs 10,000. They damaged plants, gardens, electric bulbs and a plastic shed.


Police registered a case in this connection and search was on to find out the culprits.

Sameer’s Dulqar movie

Cinematographer turned director Sameer Thahir, who hit to fame with his debut movie ‘Chappa Kurisu’ is getting ready to start his next. As of now, the director has already grabbed the dates of the star prodigy Dulquar Salman. Sameer is finalising the scripts and as per plans, the shoot for the movie will kick start by next January. Shyju Khalid is the cinematographer of this movie which will also have a novel story.


Meanwhile, Dulqar’s second movie in theaters ‘Ustad Hotel’ is currently running successfully in its fifth week. The movie is already opined as a big hit of the year.

Shukkoor murder: P Jayarajan to be questioned again on Aug 1

Monday, July 30, 2012:The special investigating team on Monday questioned TV Rajesh MLA in connection with the Shukkoor murder case. The questioning which started at 11 in the morning ended by 3 pm.


Meantime, the team hints that CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan and Rajesh will be named as accused in the case. Jayarajan, who was questioned twice earlier, will be grilled once again on Wednesday as the statements of both differ, said Kannur SP Rahul R Nair. He said the investigation is in the last phase and by August end, the charge sheet will be filed.

Considering policy to repair religious sites: Guj to SC

 Jul 30, 2012: The Gujarat government today told the Supreme Court that it is considering to frame a policy for compensating the religious places, damaged in the 2002 riots.


Appearing before a bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra, the advocate general for Gujarat submitted that the state government is considering to frame a policy to repair damaged shrines on the lines of a scheme formulated by the Odisha Government on the apex court’s direction.

London Olympics: Gagan Narang wins bronze

Monday, July 30, 2012: Ace shooter Gagan Narang won India’s first medal at the London Olympics today by bagging a bronze medal in the men’s 10 metre air rifle event.


Earlier, Beijing Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra had crashed out at the qualifying level with a dismal display.

DCA not mandatory for secretariat assistant exam

Monday, July 30, 2012: PSC has cancelled its earlier decision of making DCA ( Diploma in Computer Application) as a mandatory qualification for secretariat examination.


The change of decision was due to governmental intervention. The fixing of DCA as the mandatory additional qualification has sparked a lot of controversy.


The notification of the examination is to come on the 31st of this month and the examination shall be conducted within a couple of months. The impossibility of doing a diploma course within such a short span of time had made the government to ask PSC to cancel the clause for the time being.


Though the first attempt was in vain, PSC has accepted the government’s opinion now.

VS seeks clarification on Mani kin’s posting

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan demanded Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to clarify his stand on the controversial appointment of Finance Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani’s son-in-law M P Joseph as the Additional Chief Secretary ‘violating norms’.


In a statement issued here on Sunday, the Opposition leader alleged that the appointment was in gross violation of service rules.


 “Joseph, who was dismissed from service by the Central Government for violating All-India Service Rules, has now been appointed as the Industrial Relations and Project Finance Consultant in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary. Joseph’s case did not stand in the Central Administrative Tribunal and the High Court and his appointment is in violation of service rules,” Achuthanandan said.


Achuthanandan alleged that the appointment of a former IAS officer, who was dismissed by the Central Government, giving him all powers of the Additional Chief Secretary was improper and illegal.

League communalising education sector, says SFI

The 31st state conference of the SFI which concluded here on Sunday elected 12 new faces to the 16-member secretariat, including a new president and secretary.


J S Shiju Khan is the new president and T P Bineesh the secretary. The 16-member secretariat consists of four vice-presidents K Sabeesh, Chintha Jerome, Sheetal Davis and R S Balamurali and four joint secretaries Dhanya Vijayan, K Rafeeq, M Shajar and P G Subidas. The other members of the secretariat are R Rahul, P Jiji, Aneesh M Mathew, Ribinsha, Dinesh Babu and Sarin Shashi.


One slot in the secretariat, representing Kollam district, has been left vacant and it will be filled later. Of the 16-member secretariat, only K Sabeesh, Chintha Jerome, Dhanya Vijayan and K Rafeeq are members of the previous secretariat of the SFI. The remaining 12 are new members. However, all the 16 members were members of the state committee of the SFI.

Youth Congress blasts state Congress leadership

What’s the similarity between King Yayathi and Congress leaders in the state? According to a political resolution of the Youth Congress passed here on Sunday, Congress leaders in the state, who deny youngsters party positions, are as cruel as King Yayathi, who asked his son to lend him his youth in exchange of his old age.


The political resolution passed in the ‘Yuvadarshan 2012,’ the state leadership camp of the Youth Congress, criticised that the senior Congress leaders were speaking of reorganisation of the party like Yayathi’s promise of returning youth to his son after 1000 years.


 ‘Hundreds of youths who quit leadership posts in the youth and student organisations of the Congress party are standing in front of KPCC office with begging bowl. To end this discrimination and rejection, youths should form suicide squads.

Skull, skeleton found

KASARGOD: A skull and parts of human skeleton were found inside a forest at Kotyadi, near Mulleria, under the Adur police station limits in the district. According to the police, a team of Forest Department personnel who entered the forest to mark dried up teakwood found the body parts. The skeletal remains were found 30 m away from the place where the skull was found. A pair of plastic footwear and pieces of clothes was also found. The officials alerted the Adur police, who sent the skull and the body parts to the Pariyaram Medical College Hospital for detailed forensic examination. The police have begun an enquiry.

One killed as fishing boat capsizes

KOZHIKODE: One person was killed and four others injured, when a fishing fibre boat capsized in the sea off the Kodikkal beach near Koyilandi in the district on Sunday night. The body of Fasalu Rahman 43, who lost his life in the mishap, is kept at the Koyilandy Thaluk hospital. The police identified the injured as S Usman 50, V.P. Rasheed 38, V.P. Mahmood 50 and B.V. Shamsu 40.

Aranmula Vallasadya begins Monday

ARANMULA:  Head of the erstwhile Royal family of Travancore, Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, will inaugurate Aranmula Vallasadya, a feast to be held at Sree Parthasarathy Temple here Monday. Preparations for Vallasadya during Onam festival was inaugurated by Aranmula MLA K Sivadan Nair by lighting a lamp with the fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum. The fire from the lamp was then transferred to the hearths prepared at the temple Oottupura (kitchen complex). The annual ritualistic feast, Vallasadya, is an important ritualistic offering of a sumptuous feast by the devotees to the presiding deity at the Aranmula temple during the annual Onam festival.

SNDP demands Social Economic Survey

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SNDP General Secretary Vellapalli Natesan demanded the government to conduct a Social Economic Survey in the state. Addressing a public programme here, Natesan said the government should conduct the Social Economic Survey to know the real social and economic status of the majority communities in the state. Alleging that government failed to deliver equal social status to all communities, irrespective of caste and religion, he said a majority of communities were sidelined in the development processes due to lack of political power and lack of unanimity among the majority communities.

47 feared dead, 28 hurt as fire erupts in Tamil Nadu Express

NELLORE: At least 47 passengers, mostly from Chennai, were feared dead and 28 others were seriously injured in a fire accident in train no 12622 New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express between Nellore and Vedayapalem Railway stations on Vijayawada-Gudur Section of Vijayawada division at 0414 hours, early today.


Railway sources said 12 charred bodies were removed from the ill-fated coach. The fire that broke out in S-11 coach of the train was noticed by Deputy Station Manager, Nellore, and the train was brought to a halt immediately.


The fire was put off by 0520 hours, the sources said, adding the other coaches of the train were isolated.

Aided status to schools: CM should make his stance clear, says V Muralidharan

KOZHIKODE: BJP State President  V Muralidharan has demanded chief minister’s stance in giving aided status to 35 schools in Malappuram.


He alleged that the minister has become the binami for Muslim League and the Emerging Kerala investors meet is just a method of filling the wallet of the league.

Court discontented with VS’s petition

KOZHIKODE: First class magistrate court has fixed the hearing on the petition submitted by the leader of the opposition against the submission of investigation report on the ice cream parlour sex on September 1.


The court is apparently displeased with the petition and has sought the cooperation of the petitioner in finalizing the case.

Water cannons used against DYFI activists

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A minor scuffle broke out in the march staged by the DYFI activists to the office of the power regulatory commission demanding withdrawal of power tariff hike. The police stopped the activists by lifting aloft the barricades in front of the office. When the activists refused to disperse, the police used water cannons. The activists later squatted on the roads and protested.


In Nedumangad, the DYFI activists barged into the KSEB office voicing the same demand. The police arrested and removed them from the site.

Chandy criticises Air India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy criticised Air India’s conduct of cancelling flights without prior notice.


As citizens of Kerala mostly rely on the country's national carrier, he voiced that it is unfair on the part of the airlines to cancel flights and hike tariffs.


He was speaking in the meeting of members of parliament held in the capital city.


The minister also spoke against the policy of banks which makes educational loans exclusive for students who secure merit seats for professional courses.

Govt bans freedom parade in two districts

KOCHI: The government informed the Kerala High Court that they have banned Freedom Parade of the Popular Front in Kollam and Kottayam districts.


Meantime, the government informed the court that they have not received any application to conduct freedom parade legally in other districts.

AIYF members barges into minister’s residence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AIYF activists under the leadership of state committee member B S Biju barged into the official residence of Minister of Electricity Aryadan Mohammed in protest against the hike in power tariff.


A rebellious trio who evaded the notice of security guards reached near the car porch of Manmohan Bungalow in Kowdiar and shouted slogans in protest.


Members of the minister’s personal staff and youth congress took a combined effort in restricting their entry to the house.


Police, who reached within a short span of time, arrested the activists and cleared the scene.

T V Rajesh appears in Shukkoor murder case

KANNUR: T V Rajesh, MLA, appeared before the investigating team for questioning in the Shukkoor murder case. He, along with his advocate reached Kannur Town circle inspector’s office at 11 am Monday morning.


He told reporters that he is not willing to respond in connection with the questioning. His advocate was not allowed to enter the hall where the questioning will take place.

Migrant workers clash at Thumba

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  An inebriated group of migrant workers fought each other on Sunday at 9.30 pm in the labour camp in Arasummoodu, Thumba. Nine people were injured. The primary report states that workers from Bengal and Odisha fought each other. The workers belong to Consolidated Constructions Consortium. A seriously injured person was rushed to Medical College Hospital.

New faces to lead SFI

PALAKKAD: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has been reshuffled by including some new faces in its State Secretariat on Sunday. The 16-member State Secretariat now has 13 new members.


J.S. Shiju Khan (Thiruvananthapuram) has been selected as the new President and T.P. Bineesh (Kozhikode) was selected as the new Secretary of the students’ organisation.


Shiju Khan, a student at Law Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, hails from Nedumangad.  He was a member of the last State Committee. Bineesh is a student of Kozhikode Law College. He is awaiting his results. Presently, he is the Kozhikode District Secretary of SFI.


The other office-bearers are: -


Vice Presidents: K. Sabish, Chinta Jerom, Sheethal David, R.S. Balamurali.


Joint Secretaries: Dhanya Vijayan, K. Rafeeq, M. Shajar, P.G. Subi Das.


Secretariat members: R. Rahul, P. Jiji, Anish M. Mathew, Ribin Shah, Dinesh Babu, Sarin Sasi,.


A 77-member State Committee has also been elected. The elections were conducted under the supervision of E.P. Jayarajan, who is in charge of SFI in CPI (M).

Police registers case against P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh

KANNUR: The Payyannur Police on Sunday registered cases against CPI (M) Kannur District Secretary P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh MLA for conducting marches towards Payyannur police station.

It's Sudheeran's personal opinion: Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reacting to Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran’s criticism that there are some ministers in the state cabinet who are not good and it’s their personal staffs who run the ministries, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday told media persons here that it was the personal opinion of Sudhakaran.


Chandy said all the cabinet members work in harmony and he is proud of them. He said he (Chandy) will be responsible person if any minister do mistake. It is the joined effort of the ministers behind the success of UDF government, he clarified.


Four time legislator and former assembly speaker V.M. Sudheeran had said while addressing a camp of Youth Congress workers here Sunday that “While some of the ministers are capable ones there are others who are not good and it's their personal staff who run the ministries…. (Some of the ministers) rely more on e-mails and computers and if this goes on, then what happened in Uttar Pradesh will happen,"

Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test - August 2012 modified

The following modifications are made in the Prospectus published by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan for the conduct of Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test August 2012




1. The minimum educational qualification required for appearing K-TET I is modified as follows:


Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure), Regulations 2002
OR
Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)




2. The minimum educational qualification required for appearing K-TET II is modified as follows:


B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com. and 2 - year Diploma in Elementary Education/ Trained Teachers’ Certificate (TTC) [by whatever name known] conducted by Board of Examination, Govt. of Kerala or its equivalent.
OR
B.A./ B.Sc./ B.Com. with at least 45% marks and 1 - year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) regulations issued from time to time in this regard
OR
Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
OR
Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year B.A./ B.Sc.Ed or B.A. Ed or B.Sc.Ed




3. The minimum educational qualification required for appearing K-TET III is modified as follows:


B.A./ B.Sc./ B.Com. with at least 45% marks and 1 - year Bachelor Degree in Education (B.Ed.) in the subject concerned.
OR
B.A./ B.Sc./ B.Com. with at least 45% marks and 1 - year Bachelor Degree in Education (B.Ed.), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) regulations issued from time to time in this regard
OR
Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
OR
Higher Secondary/ Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year B.A./ B.Sc.Ed or B.A. Ed or B.Sc.Ed


4. Relaxation in the qualifying marks for special categories. 


Relaxation of 5% in minimum qualifying marks is admissible for reserve categories such as SC/ ST and Differently abled Candidates. (as per the norms or as desired by the Govt. of Kerala).
A relaxation of 3% in the minimum qualifying marks is admissible for OBC and OEC candidates for category II and III, and 2% minimum marks for category 1


5. Teachers who have qualified CTET, NET, SET and who have M.Ed, M.Phil or Phd in the respective subject are exempted from K-TET. Claimants on or before 01.06.2012 as per chapter XIV A Rule 51A and B are also exempted.


     
6. Last date of submission of online application for K-TET is extended upto 02.08.2012, 5 pm


Note : The candidates who posses the qualifications as per the modification now made in the prospectus should submit fresh application for the categories to which they are eligible to apply.

Teacher Eligibility Test, Application,Training

The Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET) will be held on August 25. Those who want to become teachers up to the 10th standard in the State will have to clear the test.


There will be separate tests for primary, upper primary and high schools at different times the same day, and a candidate may take all three. Applications may be submitted online on www.keralapareekshabhavan.in till July 31. A link on the site to an application form for chalan will help one choose the State Bank of Travancore branch to pay the examination fee of Rs. 500 each.


Submit the application online and take a printout of it to be sent, along with documents, to the Secretary, Pareeksha Bhavan, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram – 12. The hall tickets will be issued online from August 15. Those who have passed Plus Two with minimum 50 per cent marks and have TTC certificates can appear for K-TET I. K-TET II requires a degree and TTC certificate and K-TET III MA or M.Sc. degree with minimum 45 per cent marks and a B.Ed. degree. Those awaiting results of the qualifying examinations may also apply.


The website carries detailed syllabi of the tests. Candidate should score minimum 60 per cent marks to qualify. There will be 150 multiple-choice questions of one mark each, with no negative marks for wrong answers. The K-TET certificate will be valid for seven years.

Aided status to 35 schools to create financial liability

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister PK Abdu Rabb Sunday said the cabinet will look into a report by the Finance Department that aided status to 35 schools will cause a financial liability of Rs one crore to the state government.


The Finance Department has submitted a report in this regard to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, suggesting that aided status should not be given to 35 schools in Malabar.


The aided status would cause Rs one crore liability to the government, the report said. Reacting to the report by the Finance Department, the Minister said the report would be discussed in the Cabinet. Earlier, Opposition parties also alleged that the Education Minister had sabotaged the Cabinet decision.

India's Olympics mystery woman revealed

LONDON: Everybody must be wondering who the mystery woman clad in red and blue was walking with the Indian contingent at the London Olympics opening parade on Saturday.


Now, here we reveal that the lady in red is Madhura Honey, a post-graduate from Bengaluru. As soon as she made an appearance in global TV space, there were questions all around asking who she was.


DC sources say that her friend from the college was also baffled seeing her with the Indian contingent. She has been living in London and before she went with the Indian team, she had displayed her Olympic passes on her Facebook account. But once this became an issue, she had deactivated her Facebook account.


Acting chef de mission of the Indian contingent Brig P K Muralidharan Raja is understandably agitated that a person who was not part of the delegation was allowed to accompany the team and hog the limelight in the process.


"She had no business to walk in with the Indian contingent and we are taking up the issue with the organisers. We don't know who she is and why she was allowed to walk in. It is a shame that she was with the athletes in the march past", Raja told PTI in London.


"We were initially told that she would accompany the contingent till the track but she went on to take the entire lap. There was another man also but he stayed back and did not enter the stadium," Raja added.


"We have taken strong exception to this. The march past is for the athletes and officials attached to the contingent. We are totally taken by surprise how a person could just intrude into the track," he wondered.

RSS man held in blast case

KOZHIKODE: An activist owing allegiance to the right wing Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSSS) was arrested Sunday in connection with a bomb explosion at Koyilandi in Kozhikode. Police said Joshiram (23), hailing from Dharmadom in Kannur, was arrested in the afternoon. His rented house at Maramukkam Street near Koyilandi was damaged in the blast yesterday. His mother, who sustained serious injuries in the blast, is battling for life in Kozhikode Medical College.

RSS man held in blast case

KOZHIKODE: An activist owing allegiance to the right wing Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSSS) was arrested Sunday in connection with a bomb explosion at Koyilandi in Kozhikode. Police said Joshiram (23), hailing from Dharmadom in Kannur, was arrested in the afternoon. His rented house at Maramukkam Street near Koyilandi was damaged in the blast yesterday. His mother, who sustained serious injuries in the blast, is battling for life in Kozhikode Medical College.

Some in cabinet incapable, says Sudheeran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior leader V M Sudheeran has unleashed severe criticism against the top leadership in the state, alleging that there are some in the state cabinet who are incapable.


The criticism from within the Congress comes at a time when the Congress-led ruling UDF in the state is seen as becoming a stable government after its recent win in the Neyyattinkara assembly by-election, and getting a political boost as the Opposition Communist Party of India Marxist got its image tarnished when a number of its members were arrested in connection with the murder of rebel communist leader T P Chandrasekharan.


Sudheeran, who has in the past been seen as one of the upright leaders in the party alongside A K Antony who is now the federal defence minister, did not mince words in his criticism of the state’s top leadership. He said some of the ministers were held captive by their personal staff, while others were incapable of performing in their portfolios. However, he gave some credit to the leadership, saying there were some competent ministers in the cabinet.


Ironically, Sudheeran’s comments came during a leadership training programme for Youth Congress members. Sudheeran had last week asked the state power regulatory commission to take a relook at the decision to hike power tariff by 30 per cent, and also hinted that the state government was not doing enough to rein in the real estate mafia.

Malayalam film ‘Namukku Parkkan’ released

After a short delay in release, Aji John’s new movie ‘Namukku Parkkan’ is in theatres. Featuring the hit pair of ‘Beautiful’ Anoop Menon and Meghna Raj together in the lead, this is a sweet family story about a couple’s attempt to built a house of their own.
Tini Tom, Kaviyoor Ponnnamma, Nandhu and Kalabahavan Shajon appear as other important characters in this small movie which carries good preview reports.
The songs of the movie are already chart toppers and the movie has invited much interest due to its fine posters and teasers.


Produced by Joy Thomas Shakthikulangara in the banner of Jithin Arts, ‘Namukku Parkkan’ is being screened at 40 plus centres across the state.

KPCC chief flays selection of PSU chiefs on political grounds

KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said that the service organisations should desist from the practice of placing their representatives at the helm of Public Service Undertakings (PSUs) when they were part of the ruling dispensation.


Inaugurating the Kerala Public Sector Officers’ Congress state delegates’ meet here, he said that the PSUs would be able to deliver well only if experts, who had proved their mettle in the respective fields, headed them. “The political allegiance should not be a parameter in determining the heads of the PSUs. If just by looking at the political background a person is appointed then it would lead to the poor performance of the organisation,’’ Chennithala said.


He said various workers’ unions, which resort to strikes over petty issues, are now thinking about how to avoid them and its a paradigm shift that the state has witnessed. N Peethampara Kurup MP presided over the function.


KTDC chairman Vijayan Thomas and those employees who got promotion were felicitated at the meet.


INTUC district president K Mohan Kumar, Kerala Congress (J) district president V R Prathapan, KEPSOC working president M Sundareshan were among those who participated in the function.

Financial fraud: KSRTC sacks five conductors

Five empanelled conductors were sacked from service and four others were disengaged from duties at the KSRTC depot at Sulthan Bathery  after they were found swindling collection money by manipulating Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs).


Shajahan, a senior clerk of the depot and the kingpin of the racket, has been placed under suspension. KSRTC chairman and managing director K G Mohanlal has issued orders to this effect on Friday evening.


The racket came to light the other day after higher officials detected that the collection from select schedules varied abnormally when some conductors were on duty. The senior clerk, who was adept in manipulating the ETMs, enlisted the services of the conductors, sources said.


The senior clerk, hailing from Kollam district, was so clever with a modus operandi that none of the conductors in his ring knew the racket in between them. Accounts were manipulated within the ETMs itself and often, an excuse of printer fault is given while handing over the machine at the end of a day’s duty. The senior clerk alone took care of the end game. According to reliable information, at least one third of the daily collection of each of the conductors were siphoned off in this manner.  Mohanlal told ‘Express’ that the financial liability caused by the action of the fraudsters was being calculated. The Corporation is also keen to initiate criminal cases against them on the basis of the liability. It is suspected that the detected fraud is only a tip of the iceberg, since similar acts could not be ruled out in other depots also.

Man gets another life term for killing second wife

A 52-year-old man, who had earlier undergone life term for murdering his first wife, was convicted again to life imprisonment for murdering his second wife. 


The Thiruvananthapuram Fast Track Court on Friday awarded the life term to Soman of Edava. The court also ordered that the convict should not be given parole for 17 years. The court said that capital punishment was not awarded taking into account his age.


Soman was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Rabiya. He had murdered his second wife Sara Beevi of Kottur in January 31, 2010 after he was released from the Nettukaltheri open jail in the first case. While undergoing sentence at the open jail, he sought remission after the then LDF Government decided to grant remission to those who had been serving prison term for more than 14 years. Though the district probationary officer recommended against granting Soman remission, the Prison Department recommended remission for Soman and he was released in 2008.


Both the wives were hacked to death suspecting infidelity.

KSRTC brings smiles to Guruvayur passengers

Bringing an end to the woes of the KSRTC passengers along the Guruvayur-Ernakulam route, the KSRTC has decided to run all the Guruvayur-Ernakulam bus services in the sector in a chronological order. According to Ernakulam ATO Venugopal, the decision was taken after the officials found out that there was heavy lag in the timings of the buses in the region. 


“Currently, at least five to ten buses begin or conclude services from Ernakulam at nearly the same time without as much as a five-minute gap. Then, for nearly an hour there are no buses in the route. This inconsistency has affected the public hugely,” he said. At a meeting held at the Ernakulam ATO office on Thursday, the officials have decided to run buses to Guruvayur every ten minutes from the Boat Jetty Stand. 


“We are also planning to run buses from Vyttila to Guruvayur every thirty minutes. This will end the woes of the public. We will begin running these services in the said chronological order from August 5,” he said.


The decision was taken at a meeting held under Thrissur Zonal Officer, Ernakulam Zonal officer and the Circle inspectors from three  depots - Kodanagalloor, Paravoor, Guruvayur on Thursday.

Housekeeper’s death: Kin write to Vayalar Ravi

The relatives of Kochiite Mary Joseph, who died in Kuwait under mysterious circumstances, have written to Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi to unravel the truth behind her death. They said that Mary was perfectly healthy when she went to Kuwait and  alleged foul play in the whole affair.


According to her son-in-law Basheer F M, they even did not know where her death happened and where her body is currently kept.


“We got a call from Kuwait on Thursday from a person called Kavitha saying that my mother-in-law died on July 22 (Sunday) owing to high blood pressure and heart attack,” Basheer said.

Sex racket: Girls taken to gulf on forged passports

The Crime Branch team investigating the sex racket, in which young girls were taken to the Gulf, received information that about 12 girls were transported with the assistance of Kochi airport officials by forging the passports. 


The Crime Branch investigation was held on the basis of the complaint from a girl who escaped  the clutches of the racket and reached Mumbai. The sex racket operating in the Gulf has links across the country and also has agents operating in the state’s major cities, the team said.


The investigating team took statements from the girl who had escaped the racketeers after she was taken to Dubai via Muscat. A passport belonging to a woman in Kattapana was forged for the purpose. “The girl in her statement said that she met several other Keralites in Dubai. There were girls from other countries also. She was taken to an isolated place in Dubai.


“The investigation held by the Crime Detachment Wing of the Ernakulam rural police revealed that about 12 girls were transported to the Gulf with the assistance of the airport authorities using forged passport in the last one year. We are trying to identify those girls,” a Crime Branch official said. 

MG University to restructure exam system

The Mahatma Gandhi University will restructure the existing examination system, considering the long pending demands from private registration students regarding internal mark issues. The MG University senate meeting held on Saturday decided to initiate steps in this regard.


Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets, for multiple choice questions system, will be used for internal valuation. Calicut University has already implemented a new system akin to the proposed system by the MG University. Grading will done according to the number of right answers. The senate meeting also announced to include BCom (Cooperation) course to the credit semester programme.


The meeting also expressed hope that an amount of `28 lakh will be allotted to the University from the Kerala Higher Education Council for the re-structuring of curriculum for Post-Graduate courses. The University will also consider the completion of course work of teachers, who register for PhD, during the leave period.


Vice Chancellor Rajan Gurukkal presided over the meeting. Pro vice-chancellor Rajan Varughese, syndicate members Prof N Jayakumar, C V Thomas, C I Adbul Rahman, M C Dileep Kumar, George Varghese, B Suseelan, K V Narayankurup and Baby Sebastian were also present at the meeting.

‘Moral Police’ will be treated as criminals: Thiruvanchoor

Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has warned those who try to act as ‘moral police’ that they would be treated as criminals.


Inaugurating the state conference of the Kerala Police Officers Association here on Saturday, the minister said anybody with “five-feet-five-inch height and sporting a turban” could not function as police.  Stern action would be taken against the self-styled moral cops, he added. Pointing out that the police force in the state has been elevated to the status of the best police force in the country, Thiruvanchoor said that every police official has the duty to hold aloft this honour.


This is the result of the combined efforts of the cops, and the Director General of Police has played a significant role in obtaining this distinction, the minister added.


Honest officials in the Police Department often had to face criticism from a section of people. But this shouldn’t be taken seriously. The basic duty of the police is to maintain law and order in the state and the government has to offer protection to their lives also, he said.


DGP Jacob Punnoose, who is going to retire from the service, was presented with a memento at the function. Babu George, state vice-president of the KPOA, presided over the conference.


Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan, Thrissur Range IG S Gopinath, ARC Commandant Abdul Nissar, Sunny Joseph MLA, K V Krishnan and U Preman were among those who spoke.

Foreign Liquor Rules: Government to move SC against HC order

Excise Minister K Babu on Saturday said that the state government would move the Supreme Court against the High Court order quashing the amendments brought to the Kerala Foreign Liquor Rules by the government under the Kerala Abkari Act.


He was speaking after inaugurating the state meet of the Kerala State Excise Staff Association at the District Cooperative Bank Auditorium.  The government will convene a meeting of advocate general, law secretary and ministers concerned in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at Thiruvananthapuram on July 31 for discussing the future course of action on the subject, he said.


Terming the High Court verdict disappointing, the minister said the government had announced the new excise policy with an aim to bring down the alcoholic consumption in the state in a phased manner.


The policy restricts new bar licences only to four and five star hotels from 2013-2014 and denies fresh bar licence to three star hotels in the state. “But, the latest court verdict had clipped the wings of the state’s excise policy,” he said. The High Court on Friday struck down as discriminatory and arbitrary the amendments to the Foreign Liquor Rule, 2011, which deny bar licence to new three-star hotels and prescribe distance norms for sanctioning bar licence to new hotels having four-star rating and above.


Association state president K Subramanyan presided over the function.


Cooperation Minister C N Balakrishnan, Mayor I P paul, MLAs Thermabil Ramakrishnan and P A Madhavan, district panchayat president K V Dasan and excise commissioner Anil Xavier also spoke.