November 2012 ~ KERALA NEWS

KSEB wants load shedding to be extended to six months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will demand the Electricity Regulatory Commission to extend the 30-minute cyclical load-shedding, both during the morning hours and evening hours, to six months.

According to the order of the Commission, term of load shedding ends on Friday. The load shedding during the evening hours, presently, is between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm. This will be changed to 6 pm and 10 pm.

The report was handed to the Commission by a technical member at the Board, Sulaiman Rawuthat. He has also demanded that the duration of each load shedding should be made 45 minutes. But the board was reluctant to alter the duration.

The report also recommends that those domestic consumers who use more than 200 units power have to pay the money equal to the amount which KSEB spends to buy from outside.

Appams should be made in hygienic place, says court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court observed that even if the number of appams made in Sabarimala is less, it should be made in hygienic place and there is no compromise in that. The court made the statement while going through the devaswom board’s explanation in connection with the fungus infected appam issue.

The report submitted by the food safety department has not claimed the presence of any poisonous fungi in the appam. The department said the appams got spoiled as the quantity of yeast was high.

The court directed the food safety department to examine the appams and aravana made once in every four hours.

The court said devaswom chief commissioner K Jayakumar has complete power in Sabarimala. Meantime, the board can decide on the policy matters. The mandala-makaravilakku festive season should be conducted under the guidance of Jayakumar, the court pointed out.

Most Sabarimala pilgrims, after paying obeisance to the presiding deity, make sure they return with the temple prasadam which consists of the appam and "aravana" (a variety of payasam).

Following media reports of the contaminated appam, the temple authorities last week destroyed huge quantities of it.

When the media reported about the spoilt appam being supplied, the TDB authorities contested the claims. The court while lauding the media dismissed the TDB's prayer to rein in the media for spreading "baseless news".

The TDB was reconstituted recently by the Oommen Chandy government and till then K.Jayakumar, who recently retired as the state chief secretary, was its chief commissioner.

After the new board took over, Jayakumar relinquished his post, but the court Tuesday asked him to continue till the present season is over.

VS’ plea in ice cream case deferred to Dec 26

KOZHIKODE: The Kozhikode Judicial First Class Magistrate Court postponed to December 26 considering the plea of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan requesting to hear his version before accepting the investigating team’s closure report in the ice cream parlour case.

Minister Muneer supports Joseph

KOCHI: Social Welfare Minister Dr M K Muneer has come to the rescue of Minister K C Joseph in connection with the row over Kudumbashree. Muneer said the statement of Union Minister Jairam Ramesh was too harsh.

Janashree was not formed parallel to Kudumbashree. Other NGO organisations too have the right to obtain National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) funds. MGNREGS funds should be allocated to other sectors also.

Minister K C Joseph yesterday came down heavily against centre’s decision to provide fund only to Kudumbashree. Joseph had criticised Jairam Ramesh for his stance that the central fund is only for Kudumbashree.

CPI (M) expels Chandran, Rajendran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI (M) in Kerala on Monday expelled two of its Maranalloor Local Committee members—Eruthavoor Chandran and K. Rajendran—for breaching party discipline. This was informed by CPI (M) district secretary Kadakampally Surendran. Left Front has lost the rule of the Maranalloor grama panchayat as the two kept away from the voting to elect the President of panchayat.

Mahila Morcha against screening Blessy film

THRISSUR: Director Blessy and actress Swetha Menon have been severely criticized for their new venture Kalimannu. The film is in the eye of the storm with politicians, celebrities and the common man venting their ire against the actress for allowing her delivery to be filmed live.

Mahila Morcha is against the film screening in theatres. Mahila Morcha chairperson Shoba Surendran said legislation should be brought to ban producing such kind of films. The actress’ act was an insult to motherhood and her attitude was equal to animal nature. The film will not be allowed to screen, the morcha said.

Policeman dies after Electric post falls on him

CHERUTHONI: A Civil Police Officer at Idukki police station died on Monday after an electric post fell on him, while he was riding a motorbike. He is identified as George (38), son of Varghese and Mary from Pandippara.

The incident happened at 12.30 pm at Alinchuvattil in Idukki. George was heading towards bank from police station. The electric lines got entangled in a truck coming from opposite direction which made the post fall on George.

George was taken to district hospital and later to a private hospital in Thodupuzha, but he died on the way. He is survived by wife Silja and two children, Albit (8) and Sipla (6).

Minister K C Joseph attacks Jairam Ramesh

KOTTAYAM: Minister K C Joseph has come to the fore harshly criticising Union Minister Jairam Ramesh. Addressing a press meet here, Joseph said the union minister’s attitude that central fund will be permitted only for Kudumbashree is to be criticised.

The minister said that he will resign if proved that the deal made by the Congress that the Kottayam Corporation’s chairman post will be shared is bogus.

No change in govt decision on cash transfer, says Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government Monday made it clear that it would go ahead with its proposal to distribute the ration subsidy through banks even as CPI-M led LDF opposition demanded a re-look into the issue.

Speaking to reporters after accepting a memorandum submitted by LDF, led by Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said decision of cash transfer was to ensure that the subsidy reached the beneficiaries.

Even after government spending about Rs 700 crore as subsidy on PDS, the price of rice in the open market was rising, he said, adding, government could not remain a mute witness to it.

Chandy also explained the need to bring in changes in the PDS to opposition leaders who met him. However, he said the issue could be discussed as suggested by Opposition in the assembly which was set to meet on December 10.

The decision to disburse subsidy through banks was taken on the suspicion that a large quantity of subsidised rice was getting diverted, he said.

Such a move would prevent black marketing of ration goods. If the subsidised rice distributed through PDS had reached people the price of rice would not have risen in the market, Chandy said.

The BPL category would continue to get 25 kg of rice a month at Rs one a kg. However smart cards would be made mandatory.

Government has taken a decision to give the subsidy amount of rice purchased through PDS by APL category through their bank account from January next.

13-year-old girl raped by father, brother, uncle for two years in Kerala

THALASSERY: The father, brother and an uncle of a 13 year-old girl from nearby Dharmadom in Kannur district have been arrested for allegedly raping the minor for the past two years.

The shocking incident came to light two days ago when the 8th standard student of a local school was seen crying and refused to go home even after school hours. When one of her teachers enquired, the petrified girl narrated her plight.

The school authorities immediately informed the police and a complaint was registered.

The girl's father, her 15-year-old brother and an uncle have been arrested, Thalassery circle inspector, MV Vinod Kumar, who is probing the case said.

The brother has been sent to juvenile home while the other two were produced in court and remanded to judicial custody.

The girl told police that she was sexually assaulted by the three since she was in her sixth standard.

According to Vinod Kumar, the victim has also told the police that her elder sister, who had committed suicide two years ago, had also been raped.

Meanwhile, Kerala vanitha commission chairperson, K Rosakutty told PTI that the incident was an 'insult' to Kerala's conscience. The commission would be writing to chief minister and home minister demanding re-inquiry into the case of the suicide of the victim's elder sister.

"This is a shocking case of two minor sisters being raped by family members. The elder sister, a standard 8 student, had committed suicide is the police version. But it needs to be probed as no proper inquiry was done then", she said, adding both the cases were related.

As uncertainty looms large about the victim's future, the commission was prepared to take her under its care, she said.

The victim has been presently housed at a home run by the child welfare committee. Efforts needs to be made to ensure that there were no interference in the case, she said.

Strongly condemning the incident, K Ajitha, president of "Anweshi", a women's organization, said anti-rape case clinics needs to be set up in the state as early as possible.

What Jairam Ramesh said is true, says VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan on Monday said that the statement made by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh on Kudumbashree is true.

Union Minister Jairam Ramesh had taken a firm stand that the central funds for the state-level poverty eradication and women empowerment missions would be made available to Kudumbashree alone.

His strong support to Kudumbashree has disappointed sections in the state Congress who have been complaining that Kudumbashree has been hijacked by the CPI (M).

Responding to Ramesh’s stance, Rural Development Minister of Kerala K.C. Joseph on Monday said “The state government is not a squatter before residences of the central ministers.”

V.S. Achuthanandan was responding to Joseph’s statement.

Kodiyeri visits Mani in jail

PEERUMEDU: CPM politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan MLA visited M M Mani, arrested and jailed in Peerumedu sub jail in connection with Ancheri Baby murder case.

Talking to reporters here, he said his arrest is the result of Congress enmity. The UDF fears defeat in the polls in Idukki. A move to arrest CPM Idukki district secretary K K Jayachandran is on.

Pillai stages dharna in front of police station

KOLLAM: R Balakrishna Pillai, Kerala Congress (B) leader staged a dharna in front of the Pathanapuram police station here Sunday alleging that one of his party's workers here was trapped in a police case. He said party local leader Aziz was arrested in connection with fixing of party flex boards and collection of party funds in connection with the inauguration of the party's local office here. He also alleged that his son and state minister K B Ganesh Kumar was acting against the party workers due to various political reasons.

Police registered false cases against many party workers recently following instruction from Ganesh Kumar, and this issue was brought into the notice of Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, he said. A written complaint in this regard was also given to the Home Minister, he added. Following the protest, Aziz was released from the police custody. Tension also prevailed in front of the police station when the supporters of both Balakrishna Pillai and Ganesh Kumar staged protest marches.

Antony softened speech to avoid infighting, says VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister A K Antony may have softened his speech to avoid infighting between the allied parties of the UDF, said opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.

Antony is dissatisfied with the party for favouring League, he said. VS said we are not overwhelmed at Antony’s speech praising the LDF.

He has also not withdrawn the recognition given to the previous LDF Government.

Two die, one missing while trying to bathe in Attukad Waterfall

MUNNAR: Two men died and one went missing while trying to have a bath at the Attukad Waterfall near Munnar in Idukki district. The deceased were identified as Sanish Antony (24) from Chithirapuram near Munnar and Satheesh (22) from Kadalar. Akhil (20) from Chithirapuram went missing. Rescue team are on a search to fish him out. Attukad, which is ideal for long treks, is located between Munnar and Pallivasal.

Antony clears the air on his Kerala statement

KASARGODE: After saying he did not have the courage to bring more units of his department into Kerala, Defence Minister A.K. Antony's said Saturday what he meant was that in his home state, politics overtakes everything and that does not augur well.

"The media did a lot of interpretation on my statement I made at the BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited. What I meant was that if what is happening (trade union activities) at BrahMos happens at other defence units, it will not do any good for the state, for other similar units and for new units of my department," Antony said while inaugurating the Strategic Electronics Factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited here.

In the speech at BrahMos, he complimented the help extended to him by the then chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan and then state industries minister Elamaram Kareem.

The media went to town about this compliment, saying that Antony was upset with how his close friend Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and state Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty were running the government here.

"I made the statement because my only objective is to see that development should come first in our state, and then politics. Today the state is kept alive by the diaspora here who work in the Middle East and West," Antony said.

He added: "The scene is fast changing there with the sons of the soil argument taking strong ground and if it happens then our people will have to return. If that happens and we do not have enough here to support all, mayhem would prevail. My concern is we have to step our state's industrialisation efforts."

He pointed out that in 2007 when the defence department decided to take over the ailing state-owned public sector Keltec to be converted into BrahMos, it was done because of numerous representations from various political parties and the then Left government.

"The thing that was being heard was that BrahMos is a private company, which is not true because the Indian government owns 50.5 percent shares and the Russian government 49.5 percent," added Antony.

He said the biggest problem in Kerala was that politics creeps into every sphere and plays spoilsport and debates rule the roost.
"Kerala is a debating society and it does not help in the development of the state," said Antony.

Mani has no right to respond against Antony, says VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan asked what right has Mani got to respond against Union Minister A K Antony.

Mani has the right to opine only as an allied partner. Antony is in the Number 2 position, right after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. If at all Mani responds, nobody will pay heed to his statement.

Can Uddhav carry forth Bal Thackeray's legacy?

MUMBAI: Well before his death Saturday, Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray had anointed son Uddhav Thackeray as the successor to his political legacy. Last year he went a step further and moved even grandson Aditya to the front-line, silencing any potential claimants to the party mantle.

A clear message went down the rank and file and to allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Republican Party of India (RPI), and the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party over who would be the next to carry the Sena Pramukh's mantle.

Yet, discreet efforts continued by some old Thackeray family retainers to bring back to the fold his estranged nephew, Raj Thackeray, who had walked out of Matoshri to independently launch the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Though initially Uddhav appeared to be reluctant at the rapprochement attempts, insiders claim he underwent a change of heart after his recent cardiac illness, but the duo will still have to contend with some hawks opposed to the move.

After all, the damages wreaked by the MNS on the Shiv Sena, BJP and RPI saffron alliance in the last Lok Sabha, assembly and even civic elections across the state are too recent to be forgotten.

Akin to several leading political families, the challenge to Uddhav is perceived more from within than outside. The so-called "outsiders" do not boast of the magical Thackeray surname.

Political analysts say Uddhav has his job well cut out after his father's demise. In the absence of Bal Thackeray's overwhelming personality, check the growth of its ally BJP, thwart attempts by the Congress-NCP to undermine Shiv Sena, and probably risk an understanding with the MNS to prevent further erosion of Sena votebanks.

However, Bal Thackeray's rhetoric, ability to incite strong passions on any issue, bewitching charisma and powerful oratory, seem to be elude Uddhav. Luckily, Uddhav may not even need these assets, given the changed social-economic-political scenario, increasing literacy, growing affluence of the average Maharashtrian, exposure to more than just the party mouthpiece Saamna, and affirmation that peace alone leads to prosperity.

Uddhav may be required to concentrate more on economics than politics, reconciliation rather than radicalism, nationalism more than parochialism to lure the younger generation of Maharashtrians to the party and its ideology.

After all, now the BJP and RPI could become more aggressive in demanding their pound of flesh, while Raj, often compared to his charismatic uncle, could prove more attractive to the Marathi voter and end up spoiling the party for Uddhav.

With the 'Hindu Hridaysamrat' (king of Hindu hearts) gone from the scene, the BJP will now attempt to project itself at the true flag-bearer of the Hindu nationalism, weakening Uddhav, although Raj, with a soft stance towards Dalits and minorities, may refrain from openly adopting the 'Hindu Rashtrawadi' line.

All this within barely 16 months before the next round of general elections in 2014.

And the clock is ticking away furiously.

Food poisoning

KOTTAYAM: Over 20 persons, some of them migrant labourers, who had consumed food from the canteen of MRF rubber factory at Vadavathoor were admitted with symptoms of food poisoning. According to health department officials, the affected persons had consumed rice and fish curry from the canteen.

Techies tidy up MCH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A few wards of the Medical College Hospital here received some much-needed help, that too from an unexpected quarter on Sunday when techies from Sanjeevani, the charity wing of Infosys, descended on the hospital with scrubbing machines, brooms and cleaning lotions. The group, which began work at 8.30 am, continued till 2.30 am, cleaning up, mopping and tidying up the fourth ward entirely, and parts of wards one, two and three as well.

Nine women and 13 men comprised the group of software engineers who took up the voluntary service on part of Sanjeevani, which had carried out a similar mission in the MCH last year. The efforts would continue, they said. Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar, who paid a visit to the hospital while the cleaning service was on, appreciated the efforts, and called upon other organisations to come forward for similar work.

Two SPs, 10 DySPs have Sand-Spirit Mafia links

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Intelligence Wing has found out that two SPs and 10 DySPs are among those who have links with Sand and Spirit Mafias in the state. This information has been entered in the report of the probe conducted by the Intelligence Wing on officers in all the 14 districts of Kerala.

Youth found dead inside car in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dead body of a youth who was reported missing since last Wednesday has been found inside a car near SUT Hospital at Pattom near here.

The person is identified as Arun G. Nair, son of Gopalakrishnan and Indira, of Pullayil at Kilimanoor. The dead body is four days’ old.

The body was shifted to the mortuary at Medical College Hospital and will be handed to the relatives today after post-mortem.

Medical Entrance: Move to sabotage single test

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first-ever National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses across the country which is intended to be held on May 5 next year is at risk. The self-financing managements in Kerala have started to organize themselves and sabotage the first single entrance test.

The move is to propagate rumour that there is error in NEET for PG courses which is to be carried out by the National Board of Examinations, thereby trying to earn benefits for Kerala.

One of the rumours is that candidates from Kerala who have registered for appearing NEET for PG courses will be made ineligible and that about 1500 candidates will not get examination centres. Other rumour is that candidates will have to go to other states like Jammu Kashmir, Assam, Gujarat and UP to write the exams.

Medical Entrance: Move to sabotage single test

Information Commissioner K Natarajan suspended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a rare move, the state government Monday suspended State Information Commissioner K Natarajan for allegedly intervening in a land gift case involving Communist Party of India (Marxist) stalwart and leader of the opposition in the state Assembly V S Achuthanandan. Official sources said here that Governor H R Bharadwaj, after consulting with legal experts, signed the suspension orders on the basis of a report submitted by the state government in this regard.

The government also recommended further investigation into the role in the supervision of the Supreme Court as the apex court's sanction was required to remove him from the post.

An inquiry was conducted by ADGP R Sreelekha following a complaint from a vigilance official that Natarajan had allegedly telephoned and asked him to spare VS from being made the first accused in the case relating to the alleged violation of norms while allotting of land to one T K Soman, an ex-serviceman and his close relative, when he was the Chief Minister.

Information Commissioner K Natarajan suspended

India Post extends special discount for gold coins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India Post has extended a very special festive discount offer on the occasion of Diwali to every customer who buys a gold coin from a Post Office, upto December 31, 2012. India Post is offering the special discount of 7% on gold coins of any denomination purchased through the post office during the period from October 8 to December 31, 2012, an official press release said. Gold coins are available with India Post Logo in tamper proof packaging along with certification by internationally recognized Assayers in the denominations of 0.5g, 1g, 5g, 8g, 10g, 20g and 50g of 24 carat with 99.99% purity.

India Post extends special discount for gold coins

Nurses to wear churidars

PALAKKAD: Accepting the persistent demand of nurses at government hospitals in the state, Minister V.S. Sivakumar on Saturday said that they would be allowed to wear churidar and overcoat. Those who wish to wear the present uniform can wear it.

The minister said this while inaugurating the tele-mobile ophthalmology unit at the district hospital here under the aegis of district panchayat.

He said there is deficiency of doctors in the government hospitals due to work load. He added that additional posts for 210 doctors and 525 staff nurses will be created.

Temple assets belong to everybody, but not anybody’s, says Uthradam Tirunal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The assets of the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple belong to everybody but it is not anybody’s, said Uthradam Tirunal Marthanda Varma of the Travancore royal family.

All problems can be solved if everybody thinks positively, he said. Everybody has the right to respond on the report of amicus curiae.

Kochi Metro: Where was Antony all these years, asks VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Where was A K Antony, who had so far not intervened in the Kochi Metro issue, all these years, asked opposition leader V S Achuthanandan. He did not attend the function understanding the deception in the case.

The problem will not be solved even if Antony intervenes in it. Nothing happened even after the presence of eight union ministers. Muslim League and the Kerala Congress are communal parties. The SNDP and the NSS have joined hands parallel to it. These two organisations are obtaining various benefits, he said.

The assets of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple are public property, he said. The attitude of the chief minister on the issue is not correct, he said.

Kochi Metro: Where was Antony all these years, asks VS

Temple assets should be kept in temple itself, says Chandy

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Disapproving CPI (M)'s contention that riches found in the vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here are 'public assets', Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said these belong to the temple and should be kept there.

"The government will not interfere in the administration of temple affairs and it is for this temple and its believers to take a decision on utilisation of the assets," he told reporters here Friday.

The government had already informed the Supreme Court of its stand and was ready to provide necessary security for protecting the assets at the temple, he said.

Chandy said the government did not agree with CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan's contention that control of the assets should not be restored to the Travancore Royal House and added that upkeep of the valuables for so many decades itself was clear proof of the honesty of the royal house.

"At a time when corruption scandals crop up, it is a credit for Kerala and for the Royal Family that they preserved the assets for many years," Chandy said.

On amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam's suggestion in the apex court that control of the assets be handed over to the royal family, Chandy said it was for the court to take a final decision on the matter.

The proposals were submitted in the apex court by Subramanium two days ago.

The Supreme Court had early this year ordered the cellars of the temple, closed for several decades, to be opened to prepare an inventory while considering a private petition.

The deity of Padmanabhaswami Temple is the family deity of Travancore royal family. Members of the erstwhile royal family had dedicated their kingdom to the deity and pledged to live as servants of the Lord. The shrine is run by a trust floated by the Travancore royal house.

A vast collection of gold, silver, precious stones and priceless jewellery was discovered in the cellars of the temple while preparing the inventory.

Man killed after being hit by bus

KASARGOD: A septuagenarian was killed after he was hit by a bus in which he was attempting to board at Kuthirappadi in Kasargod. Police said Sankara Pattali (75), a native of Kuthirappadi Temple Road, who sustained serious injuries, died in a nearby hospital this morning. The accident occurred when the bus, which he was approaching to board from the front, moved ahead hitting him grievously.

Murali attacks UDF convenor

KOZHIKODE: K Muraleedharan MLA asked UDF convenor not to control the Congress MLAs. The chief minister and KPCC president are there for it, he said.

Murali’s attack against UDF convenor P P Thankachan came soon after the UDF meet banned MLAs from making open criticisms.

Murali said that if the Congress is not re-structured, opinions will have to be made public. He asked the UDF convenor to clip P C George.

APL card holders to get rice subsidy through banks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: APL cardholders will get rice subsidy through banks, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. This scheme will come into effect from January 1 onwards.

If the details are given before March 31, 2013, they are entitled for the subsidy from January 1. If details are given after March, cardholders will get subsidy only from that date onwards, said Chandy at a press meet. The account balance of consumers should be zero.

These steps are taken to make transparent public distribution system. The government will make sure that subsidy rice will reach the deserved. Chandy said rice for Rs 2 is an additional liability for the state.

Man found dead

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 78-year-old man having a milma booth was found dead early Friday morning. He has been identified as Velukutty Nair of Valiyasala in Thycaud.

Estranged from his wife and children, he was staying alone and had a milma booth at Ambujavilasam in Pulimoodu. When people came to buy milk early morning, they found him lying dead. They immediately informed the Vanchiyoor police.

One more surrenders in Shukkoor murder case

KANNUR: Prakashan, the fifth accused in the murder case of Muslim League activist Abdul Shukkoor, surrendered before the Kannur First Class Magistrate Court here Friday. CPM Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan and TV Rajesh MLA are among the accused in the case.

Cinema strike ends

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The strike called by Kerala Film Exhibitors' Federation on November 2 onwards was cancelled on Thursday after a compromising talks held between the leaders of the Federation and Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Films will be exhibited today onwards.

Minister Balakrishnan calls on Pinarayi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Cooperation C N Balakrishnan Wednesday called on CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan at the A K G Centre. The minister told reporters that he went to invite the leader for the Co Operative Congress to be held in Thrissur.

Reports said the two also held talks in connection with the taking over of the Pariyaram Medical College. The minister said ‘no’ when asked whether talks were held on it. A panel with M V Raghavan as its convenor is there to take a decision on the issue.

The CPM had earlier stated that they are not against the taking over of the hospital.

Two killed as bus rams into auto

MALAPPURAM: Two persons, including an infant, were killed and another person wounded seriously when the auto in which they were travelling was hit by a bus near Poonkalappadimana at Vallikkappatta in Malappuram. Police said the dead were identified as Lakshmi (32) and a 3-month-old girl child, adding her mother Babita, who sustained serious injuries, was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College. The infant was being taken to a hospital in Perinthalmanna in the district when the tragedy struck, they added.