Petrol Diesel prizes hiked again

Friday, July 01, 2011: The government has hiked petrol and diesel prices by a marginal Rs 0.27 a litre and Rs 0.15 per litre respectively following increase in the commission paid to petrol pump dealers.
The government approved raising dealer’s commission paid on petrol from Rs 1.218 per kilolitre to Rs 1,499 per kl, resulting in a Rs 0.27 per litre increase in retail price with effect from midnight, an official said here.
Similarly, the dealers’ commission on diesel was hiked from Rs 757 per kl to Rs 912 per kl, resulting in a Rs 0.15 per litre increase in rates at retail level.
Petrol, at present, is priced at Rs 63.37 per litre in Delhi and will from tomorrow cost Rs 63.64 per litre. Diesel, whose rates had last week been hiked by Rs 3 a litre, will cost Rs 41.27 per litre instead of 41.12 a litre.

China Opens World's Longest Sea Bridge , images


Four of the world's six longest bridges opened to the public in China today.
Three of the bridges – including the two longest ever built – are part of the Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway which made its first commercial trip earlier today. The Jiaozhou Bay bridge, which is the world's longest over-water bridge at 26.4 miles, also opened today. This bridge connects the port city of Qingdao to the suburban Huangdao on the other side of the bay. China, with the world's largest population, deals with often-crippling transportation congestion issues, so the government has spent billions of dollars in recent years to alleviate these issues.

“It is a magnificent and very advanced bridge,” Li Qun, the local Communist party secretary, said at the bridge's opening ceremony, according to the Telegraph. “It is another stepping stone in the city's smooth and rapid development.”
Cost figures for the Jiaozhou Bay bridge, which is expected to carry 30,000 cars a day, vary widely: State-run CCTV reported that the cost was more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) and the Xinhua news agency put the cost at $2.3 billion, and some estimates have put the cost at more than $8.8 billion.
For that cost, the Jiaozhou Bay bridge is seriously sturdy. The Guinness Book of World Records announced that "the earthquake- and typhoon-proof bridge ... is designed to withstand the impact of a 300,000-ton vessel."
Although the bridge will be free to use for the next month, government officials indicated that they plan to eventually charge a toll of 50 yuan ($7.70).  The bridge has six lanes, is about 110 feet wide, and officials estimate that it will halve the journey from Qingdao to Huangdao to about 30 minutes.
The Jiaozhou Bay bridge is the sixth longest bridge ever built, and breaks the record for world's longest over-water bridge by more than 2.5 miles, beating the United States' Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana.
The Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway, is a project that began in 2008, and, in making that trip in under four hours, more than halved the previous 10-hour run time of a parallel train. It cost approximately $33 billion to build and is expected to carry 80 million passengers a year, doubling the route's capacity.
In building the railway, the Chinese government constructed three large over-land bridges: the 102-mile long Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, the 71-mile long Tianjin Grand Bridge and the 30-mile Beijing Grand Bridge – the first, second, and fifth longest bridges in the world respectively.



Eleven of the world's 15 longest bridges are located in China.


Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple secret chambers opened

Thursday, June 30, 2011: The seven-member committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to take an inventory of the six vaults (kallaras) at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here, on Thursday unsealed one more vault.
In today’s examination, the committee found out several valuables including jewels and precious stones from vault-B.
The officials’ attempt to open vaults- A, B in the temple failed on Wednesday. The panel continued their efforts to open the existing vaults today.
The examination of three of the six inner chambers in the sprawling temple complex in the city that completed on Wednesday showed that they contained gold chains, gold, a large number of silver and brass platters, ornaments, a stone-studded crown and glittering gold coated parasols and may other objects of great intrinsic and antique value, temple sources said.

Paravoor sex scandal case: two more held

Thursday, June 30, 2011: Two more person have been arrested in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor girl from North Paravur. The accused has been identified as Jamaal, hailing from Malappuram and Sunny, hailing from Kalady. With this, the total number of arrested has touched 47.
It is suspected that more than 100 men sexually exploited the girl, including her father, after promising her roles in films.
Four more persons have been apprehended by the Ernakulam Crime Branch team investigating the sexual exploitation of minor girl from North Paravur on Tuesday.

P Sasi likely to be expelled from cpim

The Commission appointed by CPIM comprising Vaikkom Viswan and A Vijayaraghavan to look into the sexual allegations raised against CPIM state committee member P Sasi has found him guilty of misconduct. He is likely to be expelled from the party.

Ruckus in Assembly

Thursday, June 30, 2011: Kerala Assembly on Thursday witnessed a ruckus between opposition and ruling members, who came to near blows over yesterday’s police lathichage on pro-Left organisations on the self-financing colleges issue.
Speaker G Karthikeyan called the watch-and-ward to prevent a commotion after three legislators rushed to the chair of the Chief Minister, and adjourned the House after the situation got out of control.
The trouble started after opposition Deputy Leader in the House Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, through an adjournment motion, raised the issue of “brutal” lathicharge on student activists who were protesting against “commercialisation of education” in the capital yesterday.
He said even R Rajesh, MLA representing Mavelikkara, came under attack by the police.
Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said there was no justification in the student struggle as there was absolutely nothing different between the policies of the previous LDF government and UDF government on self-financing issue.
He also denied the charge that Rajesh was injured in the police action. “A cover was made by the police under Deputy Commissioner of police Thomas Jolly Cherian to protect him,” he said.
On hearing this, CPI-M member Babu M Palissery rushed to the chair of the Chief Minister with a blood-stained cloth. Rajesh also followed him and showed the injury on his hand.
Ruling party members also got up and moved to the front benches. As both sides appeared to reach to near blows, the Speaker adjourned the House temporarily.

Thasni Banu assaulted: prime accused surrenders

Thursday, June 30, 2011: Thajudhin, the main accused in connection with the incident in which a woman techie and her friend on their way to office were assaulted by a 7-member-gang at Kakkanad, surrendered before Aluva Sessions Court.
Earlier, the Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Thajudhin. Thasni Banu who works in IT Company near Info Park, Kakkanad was approached by a group of people who showered abuses on her and assaulted her.
Thasni who was with a friend on a bike was slapped in the face by the gang, according to her complaint. According to Thasni, her assaulters were playing moral police and warned that the culture in Kochi is not the same as in Bangalore.

HC upholds Govt move to acquire 50% PG Seats

Thursday, June 30, 2011: The Kerala High Court on Thursday upheld the Government move to acquire 50% PG Medical seats. The High Court rejected the plea filed by Christian Medical Management Federation against the Government move to acquire 50 percent seats.
The order in this regard was issued by Justice Antony Dominic on two petitions by four self financing medical colleges and Pariyaram cooperative medical college on the issue of state quota.
Earlier, the Kerala government, through an order, decided to acquire over 50 percent PG seats of self-financing medical colleges. The government also cancelled the admissions conducted by the managements to these seats.

medical pg allotments starts at 12 o clock today

medical pg allotments starts at 12 o clock today
previous allotment canceled.

VS condemns police action on students

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan today came down heavily on the UDF led-state government in connection with the police action on the students. Speaking to the reporters here on Wednesday, VS added that the government cannot suppress the protests staged by the students using brutal force and grenades.
Condemning the police action, VS added that the government was trying to protect the vested interest of the Managements by suppressing the protest march led by the students of the SFI in connection with the self-financing issue.

Media is "accuser, prosecutor and judge” : PM

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Sharply critical of the media for being “accuser, prosecutor and judge”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday warned against creation of an atmosphere of cynicism in the country.
The Prime Minister began a 100-minute interaction with a group of editors here with his opening remarks which started with a comment that there was a growing perception in the media that the government was under siege and was not able to implement its agenda.
An atmosphere had been created in the country in which the media had become an “accuser, prosecutor and judge”, he said, adding that no parliamentary democracy can function that way.
Obviously referring to media’s coverage of recent scams, Singh said that sometimes the government did not know all the facts when taking a decision. Nevertheless, it had to take decisions.
Ex-post facto, whether it is the CAG, a Parliamentary Committee or any other body, they may have a lot more facts which were not available to those who took the decisions, he said.
If India “is besieged with constant sniping between the government and the opposition, or an atmosphere of cynicism is created allround, the growth impulses and entrepreneurial impulses of the people would not have full play,” the Prime Minister said.
“That worries me the most,” he told the group.

Paravoor sex scandal case: Four accused remanded till july 13

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: The four accused who were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor girl from North Paravur, were remanded to custody till July 13th.
According to reports, the investigation team has apprehended a woman believed to be an agent in connection with the case. The case is that a minor girl from North Paravur was sexually exploited by many, including her father, by promising roles in films.
Eldho K. Mathew, last among the three accused who allegedly took the girl to Thiruvananthapuram, surrendered before the Ernakulam Crime Branch office here on Tuesday. Thomas Varghese and Swaraj, who had been with him in the crime, were arrested earlier. Eldho, an employee of Cochin Refineries and union leader, was hiding for the last couple of days.
The car owned by Eldho, 38, in which the accused had travelled was taken into custody by the CB team from his residence at Kolenchery on Monday. He was former local committee member of the CPI (M) at Puthencruz and had been expelled from the party.
The team arrested Mohammed Salih, 29, of Plamootil House, Muvattupuzha and owner of PVM Gold Jewellery, Muvattupuzha in this case on Tuesday, along with two others. Lily, also known as Jancy, 56, of Kannampuzha, Thottumugham, was arrested on charges of taking the girl to many men and Beeran, 61, of Eloor, was arrested on the basis of information given by Lily.
She is also involved in the Mattannur sex case.With this, the total number of arrested has touched 45. It is suspected that more than 100 men sexually exploited the girl, including her father, after promising her roles in films.p

AISF calls for state wide Education strike on Wednesday

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: All India Students Federation (AISF) has called for a state-wide education strike as a protest against the police action on the activists who staged a protest march in front of the Assembly on Wednesday. The protest march was held in connection with the self-financing issue in the state.
The protestors tried to jump the police barricade erected in front of the Assembly. The police used water cannon and lathicharged the protestors to disperse the agitated mob. Several activists were seriously hurt in the police action.

FIR Against Radhakrishnan Malabar cements sumited by Vig.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) today submitted the FIR in a case relating to the irregularities in purchasing gunny bags to Malabar Cements Ltd. There are nine accused including controversial industrialist VM Radhakrishnan in the case.
The charge sheet said the contract was given without the prior approval of the board of directors of the company. The officials accepted the offer made by V.M. Radhakrishnan, contractor named in the charge sheet.

SFMCs : MES comes up with new formula

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: The Muslim Educational Society (MES) has come up with a new formula for solving the issue of admissions to self-financing medical colleges. According to the MES formula admissions to the government quota (50 per cent seats) should be made on a merit-cum-means basis.
MES chairman Fazal Gafoor said they were ready to give 50 per cent of Self-Financing MBBS seats to the government, but this would be the last time they would be signing such an agreement.
The government should consider the financial status of the students being admitted to the 50 per cent quota provided, he said
The government should give admissions to the students who are in the BPL category and does not fall in the creamy layer, he said. Thirty per cent of the government quota should be reserved for general merit, he said. Ten per cent should be reserved for SC/ST, 20 per cent for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 40 per cent for the community that runs the college.
Out of the management seats 15 per cent should be reserved for NRIs. Rs 9 lakhs should be the fee for this category.

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan lashes out at Govt. over police action against students

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Deputy leader of Opposition Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today came down heavily on the UDF government in connection with the police action on the students. Kodiyeri was speaking to the reporters here on Wednesday after visiting the students who were injured in the police lathicharge in the capital city.
He added that the government was trying to protect the vested interest of the Managements by suppressing the protest march led by the students of the SFI in connection with the self-financing issue.
Earlier report: -
The march taken out by the activists of the SFI to the Secretariat as a protest against the self financing issue in the State, turned violent today.
The whole area resembled a battlefield with the marchers fleeing from the police and throwing stones at the police. The police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the agitated mob. Many activists were injured in the incident and were rushed to the nearby hospitals.
Police accused the marchers of having triggered the violence while SFI leaders alleged that the violence was unleashed on protesters as part of a pre-planned strategy to suppress the agitation.
The police entered the University college campus and fired grenades at the protesters. Many students have been reportedly injured in the incident.

Tvm. Police violence against students

Tvm. Police violence against students.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Pro-Left student activists and police clashed here on Wednesday as protest march taken out by the campus agitators over the issue of self-financing college admissions turned violent.
Several students and policemen were injured as the march organised by SFI and AISF, campus wings of CPI-M and CPI, took a violent turn in front of the government secretariat after the marchers sought to press ahead breaching barricades raised by law enforcers.
Police lobbed tear-gas grenades, pumped water cannon and lathicharged the protesters, who kept on moving despite many of them suffering injuries and bleeding profusely.
Students were chased by police to the campus of the University College where many of the agitators had fled.
Police alleged that the situation got out of control after the agitators pelted stones at them.
The protest held up the traffic for over an hour. For the last few days, pro-Left student and youth outfits in the state have been on a protest mode accusing UDF government of having failed to rein in the managements of self-financing colleges which had declined to follow the policy of filling half the seats in their institutions from the state quota.

Pariyaram: V V Remesan expelled from DYFI

 
Tuesday, June 28, 2011: In an embarrassment to DYFI, the youth wing of CPM in Kerala, its state Treasurer VV Ramesan has been expelled from the party in connection with the Pariyaram medical college seat row.
The party has initiated action against Ramesan for securing an NRI seat in Pariyaram Medical College for his daughter despite the outfit being in the forefront of agitations against such self-financing colleges over the issue of capitation fee.
The DYFI meeting which met in the presence of Polit Bureau member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, decided to expel Ramesan,

Implement Wage Board proposal immediately : VS

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: Blaming the UPA Government for “forcing” media employees to agitate, CPM stalwart V S Achuthanandan today sought intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for immediate notification of wage board recommendations.
There was no justification for delaying pay revision for journalist and non-journalist staff of newspapers and news agencies as this was the only sector where the wages had been stagnating for long, the Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly said.
He was speaking at a day-long fast organised jointly by the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) and Kerala Newspaper Employees Federation (KNEF) here.
“It is a rare occurrence that newspaper employees are forced to agitate. As part of their duty, they often highlight the grievances of others. Now they are themselves forced to launch an agitation to press their genuine demand. The Union Government and Prime Minister can no longer ignore their protest,” Achuthanandan said.
RSP All-India general secretary T J Chandrachudan said denial of proper wages to employees in the news sector would ultimately undermine the very institution of the fourth estate as a supporting pillar of a democracy.
CPI-M leader and former Kerala assembly speaker M Vijayakumar, Congress leader and former minister Pandalam Sudhakaran, Lok Sabha members M B Rajesh and A Sampath, Kerala Press Academy Chairman S R Sakthidharan and leaders of various trade unions addressed the fasting members.

SC slams U. P over land accquisiton

The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for acquiring prime agricultural land to build luxury flats in Greater Noida and questioned the invoking of an urgency clause that bars farmers from raising objections. It noted it would step in to prevent “more Nandigrams.”
“Whose residential use are these flats for? Who is building them? What are the prices? We want to go into details of the case. This urgency clause is not automatically invoked…. We do not want more Nandigrams in all States,” a Bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and A.K. Patnaik said.
The court said it would not like a situation similar to Nandigaram in West Bengal, where such steps to acquire land by invoking an urgency clause led to large scale protests and violence.
“We will not keep our eyes closed. You take it [agricultural land] from one side and give it to the other. This has to go and if it does not go, this court will step in to ensure that. It is development of one section of society only,” it said.
The Bench made the observations while hearing petitions filed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and real estate developers and builders, including Supertech and Amrapali, challenging the Allahabad High Court order that quashed the notifications for land acquisition in Greater Noida.
The apex court expressed its annoyance over the invocation of the urgency clause for taking over the land on which high–cost residential flats were being constructed.

BBA First rank drishya sreedharan, BA Com.English 1st rank Mery sherin

BBA First rank Drishya Sreedharan from neyattinkara.
results available at:
www.keralauniversity.ac.in
B A communicative English 1st rank Mery Sherin Joseph

Degree admission interviews begin only on 4th July.

The University of Kerala has postponed the interview for admission to undergraduate courses in affiliated colleges and UIT centers  from 29th June to July 4th. It has come to the notice of the University that some colleges have not followed the methods of calculation of index marks, mentioned in the University Admission Handbook.  The University has directed all colleges to  strictly adhere to the formula mentioned in the Handbook. The date of  commencement of interview has been postponed to enable colleges to prepare the index marks afresh, in accordance with the directions in the Admission Handbook

ENGINEERING RANK LIST 2011 available for verification verify your marks

PREPARATION OF ENGINEERING RANK LIST 2011 :
MARKS OF QUALIFYING EXAMINATION PUBLISHED FOR VERIFICATION
For the preparation of Engineering Rank list 2011, equal weightage will be
given to the marks obtained in the Entrance Examination for Engineering (Paper I &
Paper II put together) and the grade/marks obtained for Mathematics, Physics and
Chemistry/Computer Science/Biotechnology/Biology put together in the Second
year of the qualifying examination (Plus Two or equivalent), after effecting the
normalization procedure as described in Clause 9.7.4 (b)(ii).
Those candidates who have qualified in the Engineering Entrance Examination
were directed to submit the marks obtained for Mathematics, Physics and
Chemistry/ Computer Science/Biotechnology/Biology in the Second year Plus Two or
equivalent qualifying examination through the website www.cee.kerala.gov.in
from 06.06.2011 to 17.06.2011 and to submit the duly signed copy of Mark
Submission Data and attested copies of Plus Two mark sheets on or before
20.06.2011 to the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations.
Accordingly the marks submitted by the candidates are now published on the
website www.cee.kerala.gov.in for verification. Candidates should verify these
marks and ensure its correctness. Changes, if any, shall be brought to the notice of
the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations on or before 5 pm on 30.06.2011
through the proforma available on the website. Requests for changes in marks will
not be entertained under any circumstances after 30.06.2011. The marks data as
on 30.06.2011 will be used for the preparation of Engineering Rank list 2011.
A few number of candidates who have submitted their marks online have not
submitted either the duly signed Mark Submission Data or attested copies of Plus
Two mark sheets to the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations in time. They will
have to verify the marks published on the website www.cee.kerala.gov.in and
should submit copy of the duly signed Mark Submission Data along with the attested
copies of Plus Two Mark sheets on or before 30.06.2011. The necessary proforma
for Submission of Marks Data is available on the website. Requests for changes in
marks will not be entertained under any circumstances after 30.06.2011. The
marks data as on 30.06.2011 will be used for the preparation of Engineering Rank
list 2011. In case these discrepancies are not rectified in time, the data submitted
online will be used for the preparation of Engineering Rank list and their rank will
remain 'Withheld'.
All communications in this regard shall be submitted directly to the
Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, 5th Floor, Housing Board Buildings,
Santhi Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 001 or by way of Speed post/Registered
post so as to reach him on or before 5 pm on 30.06.2011.
More information can be had on the following helpline numbers :
0471 - 2339101, 2339102, 2339103, 2339104.

Medical P G Admission on hold

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: The State government has today filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking more time in connection with the Medical PG admissions in Govt quota. The government has requested the Court to extend the time till June 30th.
Supreme Court had on Monday extended the time for the medical PG admissions in Karnataka. Admission process may be resume tomorrow.

N Sakthan elected as Deputy Speaker

N Sakthan elected as Kerala assembly Deputy Speaker 

Walkout from assembly over self-financing college issue

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: CPM-led LDF Opposition in Kerala on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Assembly protesting the recent police lathicharge on students agitating against UDF government’’s policy on self-financing professional colleges.
Seeking to move an adjournment motion on police action on students who were protesting against the policy in various parts of the state last week, former State Education Minister MA Baby alleged that the UDF government was hand in glove with the private managements of Medical Colleges and allowed them to fill all their seats overlooking merit.
Baby wanted the state government to put pressure on Centre to bring a central law to control private professional colleges in the country.
Police used brutal force to disperse activists of pro-CPI-M Students Federation of India during their agitation on last Friday, he alleged.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said government would not allow the private medical colleges to fill all seats on management quota.
Stating that government wanted to implement 50:50 ratio method for admission and a reasonable fees for merit students in private medical colleges, he said social justice has to be followed by these colleges.
The stand taken by managements of medical colleges run by Inter-Church groups that all seats would be filled from the management quota was not acceptable to government, he said.

Politicians should learn to overcome temptations : Azhikode

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: Writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode said.here that the politicians should rise above petty interests. He was delivering a lecture on ‘Tatvamasi – a modern view’ under the auspices of the Centre for Classical Studies.
“Social ills do not trouble politicians. But denial of Cabinet berths to them does. Recently, we came across the ire of a Congress leader who had not been selected as a minister,” he said. The politicians should learn to overcome temptations.
“Is any Minister in the UPA Cabinet worthy of comparison to one in the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet? For that matter, even modern-day sanyasis find temptations irresistible,” Mr. Azhikode said.
He noted that religion and caste existed in society only because they were being used for social and political purposes. “If you stop using them for your petty interests, they will vanish,” he said.
Kerala University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor K. Mohandas lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the lecture programme.

Mohanlal and Mukesh in an English film stills and images will be soon

Mohanlal and Mukesh will appear in an English film for the first time in their career. They will appear in pivotal roles in the film 'Krishna' a film directed by Sharath, based on the life of V K Krishna Menon.

This big budgeted film will feature Jimmy Meastry as Nehru, while Naseerudeen Shah will be in the title role of V K Krishna Menon.Mohanlal will appear in an equally important role in the film which looks into life and activities of the great leader through the eyes of a third person, who was very close to him.

The film will take of in a couple of months.

KTDFC irregularities: Former MD Rajasree Ajith named first accused

Monday, June 27, 2011: The Vigilance on Monday registered cases against former KTDFC Managing Director Rajasree Ajith and thirteen others into the alleged irregularities in the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC).
It has been alleged that major irregularities have been detected in the KTDFC while sanctioning loans.
Former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan had ordered vigilance probe into the corruption case against KTDFC on Aug 14, 2007.
The employees of KTDFC have urged Achuthanandan to order a comprehensive probe into the corruption charges in granting loans in violation of rules and steps to recover the money from those who had sanctioned the loans.
In a memorandum to Achuthanandan, the employees said the KTDFC, a Non-Banking Financial Company under the Reserve Bank of India and a State Government undertaking, was in financial crisis.
The memorandum alleged that crores of rupees were given as housing, vehicle and personal loans flouting rules and on the basis of forged documents and without adequate surety. The loans ranging from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 4.5 crore given to individuals, companies, jewellery shops, textile shops and studios had allegedly been taken using fake power of attorney.
The employees alleged that the Managing Director herself had taken an interest-free loan of Rs. 1 crore, Chief Manager, Finance (Rs. 35 lakh), Chief Manager Administration (Rs. 13 lakh) and Private Secretary to Managing Director Rs. 10 lakh. Although the maximum term of loan from KTDFC is 20 years, the memorandum pointed out that the Managing Director had taken loan for 29 years.

Four ministers facing vigilance cases

Monday, June 27, 2011: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today told the Assembly that four ministers in his cabinet had pending vigilance cases against them.
In a written reply, he said vigilance cases were pending against Food and Civil Supplies Minister TM Jacob, Health Minister Adoor Prakash, Cooperation Minister CN Balakrishanan and Education Minister PK Abdu Rabb.
Nine cases were pending against IUML leader MK Muneer and two cases were pending against Jacob, he said. Prakash and Balakrishnan had one vigilance case each, he added.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple secret chambers opened

Monday, June 27, 2011: Four of the six underground inner chambers at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here, where priceless jewels and articles of rare antiquity are believed to have been stored, were opened this morning in the presence of two former Judges of Kerala High Court.
The cellars, remaining closed for several decades, were ordered to be opened by the Apex Court to prepare an inventory while considering a private petition recently.
The examination was conducted but the media was kept away as its result was meant to be informed only to the Supreme Court.
The Apex Court had appointed Justices MN Krishnan and CS Rajan as observers.
Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, temple executive officer Harikumar, petitioner TP Sundararajan and a representative from Archaeology Department and two representatives of Travancore King Marthandavarma were also present while the chambers were opened.

DYFI march turned violent in Kollam

 Monday, June 27, 2011: The march staged by the DYFI activists at Sasthamkotta Post Office against the price hike in fuel turned violent in Kollam on Monday.
The whole area resembled a battlefield with the marchers fleeing from the police and throwing stones at the police. The police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the agitated mob. Several activists and policemen have been injured in the incident.

Govt. should withdraw levies on LPG :Says Issac

Monday, June 27, 2011: Former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Monday said that the government should also withdraw the extra taxes imposed on Kerosene and LPG. He was talking to the media persons after the walkout from the Kerala Assembly.
The argument that the oil marketing companies are incurring losses on account of the increase in prices of crude in the international market are baseless, Isaac said.

J Dev Murder case cracked, five detained: Mumbai Police

June 27, 2011: Sixteen days after crime reporter Jyotirmoy Dey was shot dead here, Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch today claimed to have cracked the murder case with the detention of five persons.
“We have cracked the case. At least five persons have been detained from the state as well as from outside the state,” a senior Crime Branch official said.
J Dey (56), working with the city-based English tabloid Mid Day, was shot dead by four motorcycle-borne assailants in suburban Powai on June 11.
Dey was shot at from close range, reportedly by professionals, and a total of 5 bullets entered his body. The murder of the veteran scribe had sent shockwaves and the Mumbai police were probing the case from all angles.
The police had also examined Dey’s laptop and a hard disk besides some important documents to get a lead in the sensational murder.
Various journalists’ associations have been demanding a CBI probe, but it was ruled out by the Maharashtra government

Walkout from assembly

Monday, June 27, 2011: The LDF opposition on Monday staged walkout from the Kerala assembly expressing dissatisfaction over Speaker’s decision to disallow their request to move an adjournment motion on the issue of price hike in LPG.

Civil Society not to be used again in drafting of Law says Kapil Sibal

Sunday, June 26, 2011: After a not so pleasant experience of engaging with Anna Hazare’s team in drafting of the Lokpal Bill, the government says that there will be no such experiment in the future.
HRD minister Kapil Sibal, one of the key members of the joint committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill, also maintains that it cannot be cited as a precedent.
He says the draft of the bill will undergo changes after consultations with political parties and other members of the civil society.
“I don’t say it is a precedent. In the given situation, the government was in, it is a decision that we took with open eyes and I don’t consider it to be a precedent, the government was in a particular situation,” Sibal said.

S. Sarma hits out at UDF over smart city

Sunday, June 26, 2011: The former Registration Minister S. Sarma on Saturday said the UDF government’s moves would only sabotage the Smart City project.
Speaking to the reporters here, Sarma said the agreement signed by the previous LDF government with Tecom, promoters of the project, did not envisage it as a multi-services special economic zone.
In fact, the agreement was signed after Tecom endorsed the conditions specified in the pact.
Therefore, the attempt of the UDF government now to set up a multi-service SEZ had created suspicion in people’s mind. He said the LDF government had taken steps to transfer 246 acres on the basis of the agreement. He pointed out that the Central government had granted SEZ status only for 136 acres though the LDF government had sought SEZ status for the entire land.

Kochi Metro meeting today

Sunday, June 26, 2011: A high-level meeting will be convened here today to discuss the implementation of the proposed Kochi Metro railway project. The meeting will be held at the Ernakulam Government guest house chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The meeting is expected to discuss the issues relating to the development of basic facilities and modes of project implementation. The delegates of the Delhi Metro Corporation will attend the meeting.
MLAs, Private bus operators’ union and Trade union members will attend. District Collector PI Shaik Pareeth informed that Union Minister KV Thomas, State Ministers Aryadan Muhammed, VK Ibrahim Kunju, K Babu, TM Jacob will also attend the meeting.

Parvoor Sex Scandal Case: Victim's statements to be recorded


Sunday, June 26, 2011: The statements of the minor girl from North Paravur, who was sexually exploited by many, including her father by promising roles in films, will be recorded again.
The Crime Brach has expanded the investigation team after the inclusion of 20 police officers including several Circle Inspectors and Sub Inspectors. According to police reports 40 persons have been arrested till now in connection with the case.
Meanwhile Thomas Varghese, an accused in the case was remanded to custody till July 8th. Varghese was apprehended by a probe team led by S. Surendran, Superintendent of Police near Kolenchery, on Friday around 3 p.m.
The team had taken into custody a woman agent for collecting evidence in the case and more arrests are expected. The woman was recently arrested by the Aroor police in connection with an immoral trafficking case and the Crime Branch team took her into custody.
There are reports that even some Tamil Nadu police officials are involved in the case. The Crime Branch is presently investigating the case. Many more arrests are likely to take place soon.
The girl was sexually exploited outside Kerala too in Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore. The incident came to light when the girl escaped from Coimbatore, where she was taken recently, and narrated the developments to a relative who lodged a complaint with the police and a case registered.

Mamata withdraws cess on LPG

Saturday, June 25, 2011: To provide relief to the common people reeling under hiked fuel price, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced her government’s decision to withdraw cess on LPG and thus save Rs 16 per cylinder for the consumers with immediate effect.
“I consulted with my Finance minister after midnight decision of the UPA government to hike prices of diesel, LPG and Kerosene oil and decided to withdraw cess collected by the state government on each LPG cylinder to give relief to common people”, the chief minister told reporters.
She said that the state government would not collect cess of Rs 16 per LPG cylinder and this would effectively put the burden of hike at Rs 34 and not Rs 50 on consumers in the state.

Wide Spread protest against hike in the prices of diesel and cooking gas

Saturday, June 25, 2011: Left parties and BJP today staged demonstrations across Kerala in protest against hike in the prices of diesel and cooking gas while the private bus operators threatened to organise a one-day strike on June 29.
Raising anti-Centre slogans, workers of CPI-M’s youth wing DYFI blocked a passenger train at Kannur as part of their state-wide protest against the fuel price hike.BJP workers took out marches in the state capital and other centres condemning the price increase.
Private Bus Operators Co-ordination Committee announced that all the services would be suspended on June 29 demanding an immediate fare hike in view of the diesel price increase.
The latest increase had come as a big blow to bus industry and immediate hike in minimum fares from Rs 4 to 5 was inevitable, its office-bearers said in Kozhikode.They said if their demands were not met by the government, they would think about launching an indefinite strike.
The Centre had yesterday hiked prices of diesel and kerosene by Rs 3 and Rs 2 respectively. The price of domestic LPG had also been increased by Rs 50 per cylinder.

VS Hits out at Center over hike in diesel prices

Saturday, June 25, 2011: Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan today came down heavily on the Centre for its decision to hike the diesel and LPG prices. Speaking to the reporters here on Saturday, Achuthanandan alleged that the Centre had hiked the fuel prices inorder to help the big private companies like Reliance.
Meanwhile the Kerala private bus operators have decided to go on a state-wide token strike on Wednesday as a protest against the increase in diesel prices. This was announced by the Private bus operators’ co-ordination committee after a meeting held here today.
The committee has also urged the State government to take a favourable stand for revising the bus fares. The Committee said that they will launch an indefinite strike if their demands are not met at the earliest.
The central government had yesterday approved a price hike for diesel, LPG and kerosene. Diesel prices will increase by Rs. 3 a litre, and LPG would cost Rs. 50 more per cylinder. The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister Pranbab Mukherjee, met on Friday evening and sanctioned the new prices.

Thasni Banu assaulted: one more held

Saturday, June 25, 2011: The police have arrested one more person in connection with the incident in which a woman techie (Tasni Banu) and her friend on their way to office were assaulted by a 7-member-gang at Kakkanad on Sunday night.
The accused has been identified as Jaison who had been absconding soon after the incident. Another accused identified as Anil Kumar was apprehended on June 23rd in connection with this case.
Look-out notices were issued against Anil Kumar, Thajudhin and Jaison on Wednesday. Thrikkakara ASI Mohan Das was suspended from service for not registering a case even though a complaint was given by Tasni Banu.
Meanwhile, the DCP informed that a special team has been appointed to probe the case. Thasni Banu who works in IT Company near Info Park, Kakkanad was approached a group of people who showered abuses on her and assaulted her.
Thasni who was with a friend on a bike was slapped in the face by the gang, according to her complaint. According to Thasni her assaulters were playing moral police and warned that the culture in Kochi is not the same as in Bangalore. She was admitted to the Ernakulam General hospital with minor injuries

SFI to observe Protest Day on Monday

Saturday, June 25, 2011: The SFI State Secretariat has decided to observe Protest Day on Monday as a protest against the lathicharge unleashed by the state police against the SFI protest march.
Several students and policemen were injured after a protest march taken out by, Students Federation of India (SFI), against the UDF government’s education policy turned violent on Friday.
Police lobbed teargas shells, used water cannon and lathicharged the protestors after they attacked them when they tried to prevent them from moving towards the state assembly complex, police said.
The protesters also vented their anger at a few government vehicles. The melee, which lasted for over an hour, halted traffic in the heart of the city.
Police accused the marchers of having triggered the violence while SFI leaders alleged that the violence was unleashed on protesters as part of a pre-planned strategy to suppress the agitation.

Private bus operators Strike on Wednesday

June 25, 2011: As a protest against the increase in diesel prices the Kerala private bus operators will go on a state-wide token strike on Wednesday. This was announced by the Private bus operators’ co-ordination committee after a meeting held here today.
The committee has also urged the State government to take a favourable stand for revising the bus fares. The Committee said that they will launch an indefinite strike if their demands are not met at the earliest.
The central government had yesterday approved a price hike for diesel, LPG and kerosene. Diesel prices will increase by Rs. 3 a litre, and LPG would cost Rs. 50 more per cylinder. The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister Pranbab Mukherjee, met on Friday evening and sanctioned the new prices.

PK Narayana Panicker elected as NSS President

June 25, 2011: PK Narayana Panicker has been elected as NSS President replacing PV Neelakanta Pillai.
G Sukumaran Nair has been elected as General Secretary. PN Narendranathan Nair re-elected as Treasurer.
The annual budget of the Nair Service Society (NSS) presented on Saturday provides for an income and expenditure of Rs 76.25 crore.

Fire at Moolamattom Merin Isaac dies

June 25, 2011: Merin Isaac (26), who was seriously injured in the blast that occurred at Moolamattom power house on Monday, has succumbed to her injuries. Merin, a native of Thodupuzha has been under treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam.
A fire broke out in the chamber of one of the six underground generators in the power house around 6.15 pm on Monday.

LDF Comes out against fuel price hike

Saturday, June 25, 2011: Slamming the government for the fuel price hike, the Left parties today demanded its immediate rollback and asked their units to organise protest actions all over the country.
Attacking the government for “striking another blow” to the ‘aam admi’, they said the hikes come at a time “when the people are suffering from all round price rise and the inflation rate has crossed nine per cent”.
Asking all their units to immediately conduct hartals, demonstrations and other protest actions, the CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc said it was “another cruel blow” to the common people as the increase in diesel price would raise the transportation cost and affect farmers, while those in kerosene and LPG cylinders would burden the poor.
In a joint statement, the parties said the withdrawal of five percentage points in customs duty on crude oil, imposed last year, “shows how such taxes are levied by the Centre to raise revenue and this is the main cause for the high prices of petroleum products”.
“Yet, the government refuses to restructure the taxes on petroleum products and give up the ad valorem tax”, the four Left parties said, demanding that the hike be withdrawn immediately.
The statement was signed by CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, CPI’s A B Bardhan, RSP’s T J Chandrachoodan and Forward Bloc’s Debabrata Biswas.
Earlier, CPI National Secretary D Raja accused the government of kneeling down before market forces and corporate houses and demanded immediate roll back of prices.
Observing that the move came immediately after the assembly polls, he said, “There is no transparency in the oil sector. No one knows what the spot price of crude is, the cost of refining it and the real component of taxes.”
Accusing the government of allowing corporate houses to plunder indigenous resources like natural gas, he said this has been recently exposed by the Kaveri-Godavari basin gas scandal.
“The Supreme Court has said that natural gases are national assets. How does the government gives this national asset on a platter to corporate houses.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury yesterday termed the hikes “completely unacceptable” and said “Government had committed to zero duty on petroleum products when it deregulated their prices. It has not stuck to its promise. Instead, it is imposing a burden on the people.”

SIMI commander held in Nedubasseri

 June 25, 2011: The Anti-terrorist squad has today arrested an alleged activist of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) from Nedumbassery on Saturday. The accused has been identified as Sainulabdeen, a former all-India president of SIMI.
He was apprehended while he arrived at the Nedumbassery International airport from Dubai. The special squad informed that Sainulabdeen is a native of Andhra Pradesh and was arrested in connection with blast cases in Madhya Pradesh.