Convention urges Keralam govt. to establish State law university
Kerala Police to Honor Outstanding Officers and Citizens Monthly
Kerala Police will recognize exceptional officers and citizens each month in a new initiative aimed at boosting morale and community cooperation. Kerala Police to Honor Outstanding Officers and Citizens Monthly
KSTA takes out Secretariat march in Keralam
Govt. stays implementation of minimum marks in Keralam schools
After classes VIII and IX, 30% minimum marks in the theory component of each subject in school examinations was to be implemented in class X this year
Keralam minister returns friend's luxury car amid row
Keralam Minister K M Shaji has returned an ultra-luxury Range Rover, belonging to a friend, which he was using as his official vehicle. The move comes amidst controversy and allegations of violating his oath of office, with the opposition questioning the use of a private luxury car instead of a government-provided one.
If someone is benefiting, Im happy: Former Kerala DGP Sreelekhas message draws attention
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 (IANS) Two days after former DGP Tomin J. Thachankary was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, another former DGPs social media post about the facilities at Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail has attracted considerable attention. Retired IPS officer R. Sreelekha, who became Keralas first woman DGP and is now a BJP councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, posted on Saturday that the hospital block of the Central Jail was much cleaner and better equipped than the regular cells. She listed the facilities at the hospital block: good beds, mattresses, pillows, fans, clean toilets, separate accommodation, a well-maintained garden and special food. Then came the line that caught attention. I had improved all this when I was DGP of the Prisons Department. I am happy if someone is benefiting from it now, she wrote. Sreelekha did not name anyone in the post. But the timing, and the fact that Thachankary is currently housed in the hospital block after being taken to the Central Jail following his conviction, led many of those commenting on the post to read it as a pointed message to her former senior colleague. The two officers had a long overlap in the Kerala Police hierarchy. Sreelekha retired from service in 2020, while Thachankary retired in 2023, also serving as a DGP-rank officer. The timing was particularly striking. The Kottayam Vigilance Court on Thursday convicted Thachankary in a disproportionate assets case dating back to 2003-07 and sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh. Thachankary, who has reported health problems, was subsequently lodged in the prison hospital block. His transfer to a regular cell will depend on medical advice, according to prison officials. Sreelekhas post, therefore, offered an unusual footnote to a dramatic week in the careers of two former top police officers, one recalling how she improved a prison facility, and another now having to use it. Thachankarys bail plea is to come up for disposal on Tuesday at the High Court.
Keralam MLA Unniyadan says he was hurt over not being considered for ministerial berth
The Kerala Congress leader, who is the Irinjalakuda MLA, asserts that he remains a Kerala Congress member and will continue to stand with the Congress-led United Democratic Front
Keralam MLA Unniyadan says he was hurt over not being considered for ministerial berth
The Kerala Congress leader, who is the Irinjalakuda MLA, asserts that he remains a Kerala Congress member and will continue to stand with the Congress-led United Democratic Front
How A Kerala Homemaker Turned Coconuts Into A Rs 20 Lakh-A-Month Global Business
Homemaker-turned-entrepreneur Sumila Jayaraj started off her business from a shed next to her home in Kerala.
Tourists climb holy cross in Keralams Munnar, sparking outrage
Church authorities file complaint with Munnar police demanding strict action after four youths climb a holy cross and take photographs at Pallivasal near Munnar in Idukki
Tourists climb holy cross in Keralams Munnar, sparking outrage
Church authorities file complaint with Munnar police demanding strict action after four youths climb a holy cross and take photographs at Pallivasal near Munnar in Idukki
500 Kathiru farming clubs to be opened in Keralam schools in Phase I
The Agriculture department has invited entries from schoolchildren for designing the logo of the clubs
500 Kathiru farming clubs to be opened in Keralam schools in Phase I
The Agriculture department has invited entries from schoolchildren for designing the logo of the clubs
Keralam power crisis: daily consumption touches 99 million units on two consecutive days
Around 80% of the demand on September 18 was met through electricity imports from outside the State, with internal hydropower generation hobbled by the weak southwest monsoon
Too Early To Criticise UDF Govt Over Keralam Power Crisis: Suresh Gopi
Asked about allegations that his refusal to criticise the UDF government is linked to a Congress-BJP deal, Gopi rejected the charge
Long-Fugitive Murder Suspect Arrested in Kerala After 14 Years
A murder suspect who evaded capture for 14 years was finally arrested by police in Kannur, Kerala, following a lengthy investigation. Long-Fugitive Murder Suspect Arrested in Kerala After 14 Years
Kerala TET September Notification 2026 Out - Registration Opens 23 September
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan has released the notification for the September 2026 Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET). Online registration begins on 23 September, and the exams will be held on 14 and 15 November.
KSEB Employees Install Free Power Connection for Elderly Keralam Woman
KSEB workers under its Peruva section office carried out the wiring of the house free of cost, installed lights and a fan and erected an electricity post to provide the connection
Keralam Finance dept sanctions 1,438 crore to local bodies under road, non-road maintenance funds
Bangladeshi Employee at Indian Naval Academy Arrested in Kerala
A Bangladeshi national working as a temporary employee at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala near Payyannur, was arrested on Saturday, taking the number of Bangladeshi nationals detained in Kannur district this week to six. The accused, identified as 32yearold Viplav Soren, had reportedly been working at the academy for about a year. He was [] The post Bangladeshi Employee at Indian Naval Academy Arrested in Kerala appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Bangladeshi national held at Ezhimala Naval Academy with forged documents
Digital Desk | Kannur, Sep 19 (IANS) A Bangladeshi national who had been working for nearly a year in the Naval laundry section of the highly secure Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala using alleged forged documents, was arrested by the police and Intelligence agencies, raising serious questions over security verification at the strategic military establishment. The accused, 32-year-old Soren, was taken into custody from the academy following confidential inputs received by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Police and Intelligence officials are now questioning him to establish how a foreign national managed to secure employment and remain at the naval establishment for nearly a year without being detected. Soren had allegedly used a fake Aadhaar card showing him as an Indian citizen and a fake Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) purportedly issued by the police in West Bengal to obtain the job. Preliminary investigation has indicated that Soren is a Bangladeshi national who entered India through West Bengal after allegedly obtaining forged documents. The circumstances under which he secured employment at the Naval Academy are also under investigation. Police are looking into the role of the contractor or agency through which he was engaged and whether proper background and identity verification was carried out before he was allowed to work inside the sensitive establishment. The arrest comes amid a wider police crackdown in Kannur following the detection of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying in the district using forged Indian documents. Four Bangladeshi women were arrested in Kannur in the past few days after police raided a rented house at Odenparambu. They were allegedly working at a spa in Kannur city. Police recovered Bangladeshi identity cards as well as suspected fake Indian identity documents from the women. During interrogation, they allegedly told investigators that they had obtained the forged documents from Assam before travelling to Kerala in search of employment. With the arrest at Ezhimala, police are investigating whether there is an organised network involved in bringing Bangladeshi nationals into Kerala and arranging forged identity documents and employment for them. The investigation will also focus on whether there were lapses in the verification process followed by contractors and agencies recruiting temporary workers for the Naval Academy.
India shifts counter-terror strategy, moves to bust terror plots before attacks
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) India's counter-terrorism operations have undergone a strategic shift, transitioning from a reactive security apparatus to a pre-emptive, intelligence-driven doctrine aimed at dismantling terror modules before execution, according to senior security officials. Since coming to power, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. A significant shift has been the move by the security establishment handling terror-related cases towards a more pre-emptive approach, aimed at identifying and neutralising threats before they can materialise. An official said that recent events relating to terror clearly indicate that the national counter-terrorism strategy policy for Response against Hostile Activities and Radicalism, or PRAHAAR, that was introduced in February this year has already started to take effect. The official said that the clear directive to the agencies is not to wait for an incident to take place and then react to the same. The focus is on preventing terror attacks and ensuring that terror modules do not grow to such an extent that bringing them under control becomes a Herculean task, the official added. An Intelligence Bureau official said that this is the same pattern that is being applied across the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has been in overdrive mode and plotting big strikes in the Valley. In the last several months, it has tried to work on its overground worker (OWG) network, while also trying its best to get the infiltrations moving. However, the success has been very low thanks to the new doctrine that focuses on busting these plans rather than reacting after something has taken place, the IB official said. In the past couple of months, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have neutralised terrorists, busted multiple modules and ensured that the overground worker network remains grounded. These have been among the major challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, and the agencies have ensured that plotting and carrying out terror attacks is now harder than what the ISI may have anticipated, the official added. Another official said that while terror attacks remain one part of the problem, the bigger challenge confronting the country is radicalisation. He said the issue is not confined to any particular region but has spread across the country. Although unconnected, these radicalisation modules have thrived in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Kerala, the official said. The Islamic State, in particular, has focused only on radicalisation and has been largely successful in infiltrating the minds of the youth in a big way. As the security agencies realised the scale at which the problem was taking place, immediate action was taken, and these modules were busted. The busting of the pan-India radicalisation module in Andhra Pradesh is an example of how the agencies have been handling such cases. The module was threatening to become a massive problem but was nipped in the bud in the nick of time. Officials said security agencies no longer wait for terror modules to grow before taking action. If intelligence is actionable, the agencies move immediately to disrupt the module and prevent it from developing further, the officials added. Similar action was reported in Gujarat when a Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked module was busted. This was a self-styled module that subscribed to the views of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The security agencies, after busting this module, found extremist material in large numbers. This module was becoming a ticking time bomb, but was busted just in time. The approach has been the same when it comes to tackling terror and radicalisation from the Bangladesh side. Multiple attempts made by the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and the Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been thwarted. These groups were looking to target West Bengal and the northeastern states. An official said that this was an important shift in Indias counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation strategy. While PRAHAAR has ensured a pre-emptive, rather than reactive, strategy, it has also ensured seamless integration between the Intelligence agencies, the state police and the central agencies, an official said.
Keralam to revise its land laws to push industrial, tourism development
Revenue department to expedite steps to remove outdated legal hurdles and make land available for industrial and tourism purposes, says Minister A P Anilkumar
When an arrest is procedurally illegal, a Kerala High Court remedy stands as a precedent. At its heart lies the oldest question in a constitutional democracy: how much power can the State exercise over an individual, and what must it do before it exercises that power? The post An Arrest Of Illegality appeared first on India Legal .
He rejects allegations of a deal between UDF government and BJP
AJ Hospital Successfully Performs Rare Skull Base Surgery on 15-Year-Old from Kasaragod
AJ Hospital Successfully Performs Rare Skull Base Surgery on 15-Year-Old from Kasaragod Mangaluru: AJ Hospital & Research Centre, Mangaluru, successfully performed a complex and high-risk skull base surgery on a 15-year-old boy from Kasaragod district, Kerala, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA). The challenging procedure was led by Dr Ajay Kumar, Consultant Surgical [] The post AJ Hospital Successfully Performs Rare Skull Base Surgery on 15-Year-Old from Kasaragod appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Despite zoonotic disease threat, Keralams proposed veterinary public health wing yet to take shape
A dedicated veterinary public health section was among the recommendations of Gita N. Potty panel cleared by Oommen Chandy Cabinet in 2016
Keralam government receives legal opinion on ED FIR request against Pinarayi Vijayan and family
The News Mill
Kerala: Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine handed over to Excise custody for a day
Digital Desk | Wayanad, Sep 19 (IANS) Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Corporation, who is in judicial custody in connection with a liquor seizure case, was on Saturday handed over to the Excise Department for 24 hours by a court in Wayanad for further interrogation. The development comes a day after the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Sulthan Bathery rejected Augustine's bail plea. The Kerala High Court had also declined to grant him interim bail on Friday and posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday. Augustine was arrested by the Excise Department in the early hours of Thursday from the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery following the seizure of liquor allegedly recovered from his ancestral house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad. Excise officials said around 67 litres of liquor and wine were found during a search conducted on Wednesday. According to the department, the stock included foreign-made liquor, wine and other alcoholic beverages allegedly not authorised for sale in India. A case has been registered under Sections 55(a), 55(i) and 58 of the Kerala Abkari Act, which deal with alleged illegal possession and handling of liquor. An Excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached the Reporter TV office at around 2.30 a.m. on Thursday and arrested Augustine. He was later taken to Wayanad and produced before the Bathery court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. The arrest came shortly after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities linked to the proposed visit of football star Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to Kerala conducted searches at the offices of Reporter Broadcasting Corporation and premises associated with Augustine and his brothers in Kochi and Wayanad. Investigators seized documents and other records during those searches, including material related to Kaloor Stadium. Authorities have clarified that the police probe into the proposed football event is separate from the Excise case. A separate tax-related inquiry has also raised questions over alleged financial irregularities involving Reporter Broadcasting Corporation. Augustine has denied the liquor-related allegations and maintained that he cooperated with the SIT investigation by providing all documents sought by investigators. Following the 24-hour custodial interrogation, he is expected to be produced before the court again.
Traffic wing of police has forwarded details of around 100 private bus employees to district special branch for verification
Keralam power crisis: KSEB clears pact with Germanys GIZ, WRI India on energy storage
MoU, to be inked after securing Keralam govts approval, has been proposed under Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Integration in India project implemented by GIZ in collaboration with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Keralam power crisis: KSEB clears pact with Germanys GIZ, WRI India on energy storage
MoU, to be inked after securing Keralam govts approval, has been proposed under Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Integration in India project implemented by GIZ in collaboration with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Court grants one-day Excise custody of Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine in Abkari case
Excise Department had sought his custody for four days. However, after hearing prosecution and defence counsels, Wayanad court grants custody for one day
Asked whether Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will discuss the case while meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, Chennithala says there is no need for such a discussion
Rare Gesture: Congress MLA Invites LDF Predecessor To Inaugurate Bridge
The Erumely-Amakunnu bridge was sanctioned when Kulathunkal, a Kerala Congress (M) leader and part of LDF, represented Poonjar, with Rs 80 lakh allocated from his MLA asset fund for its construction
Karnataka to Decide on Kasturirangan Reports Area Survey After Public Hearing
The Kasturirangan Committee had recommended declaring 37 per cent of the Western Ghats, covering around 60,000 sq km across six states-Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu-as an Eco-Sensitive Area to balance environmental conservation with development
Reimagining Keralam sets implementation roadmap for 35 transformational projects
The state government was committed to leveraging the economic potential of Keralams coastal ecosystem, which stretches over 500 km
Delhi-NCR likely to stay mostly dry; air quality remains in satisfactory category
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Delhi and most parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) are likely to experience predominantly dry weather on Saturday, with no major spell of heavy rain forecast for New Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and several other areas, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency has forecast partly cloudy skies over Delhi, with the maximum temperature expected to remain between 34 degrees celsius and 36 degrees celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to settle in the range of 22 degrees celsius to 24 degrees celsius. The forecast comes at a time when the Southwest Monsoon is showing signs of retreat from northwest India. According to the IMD, atmospheric conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of the monsoon from some parts of West Rajasthan on Saturday. However, Delhi is expected to continue witnessing largely dry conditions in the immediate forecast period. For New Delhi, the IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies and has issued no weather warning. The wider Delhi region is also expected to remain free of significant rainfall, with temperatures staying within the forecast range. Some parts of the NCR could, however, see isolated changes in weather. Gurugram is likely to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of one or two spells of rain or thundershowers during the day. No warning has been issued for the city. Meanwhile, several districts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Dhule, Jalgaon and Nandurbar, are expected to receive rainfall on Saturday. Rain is also likely in areas including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Latur, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna and Osmanabad. The IMD has forecast scattered monsoon showers and thunderstorms over Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and West Rajasthan on Saturday. East Uttar Pradesh may also experience similar conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive isolated rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms through September 24. Central India is also expected to remain active weather-wise. West Madhya Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh may witness fairly widespread to widespread rainfall along with thunderstorms on Saturday. Chhattisgarh could also receive fairly widespread rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning in several areas. In southern and coastal regions, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep are likely to experience fairly widespread rainfall through September 24. Parts of Karnataka may also see similar conditions during the period. North Interior Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka and Telangana are likely to receive rainfall on Saturday . Coastal Andhra Pradesh may witness isolated to scattered rainfall between Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the air quality of Delhi remained in the satisfactory category. CRRI Mathura Road (131), Burari Crossing (99), North Campus DU (125), IGI Airport (T3) (102), Pusa (89), Aya Nagar (75), Shadipur (79), ITO (88), DTU (94), R K Puram (128), Ashok Vihar (91), Dwarka-Sector 8 (116), Narela (120), Rohini (107), Chandni Chowk (98), and IIT Delhi (131).
Operation Toofan to trace drug money through UPI, crypto wallets
Operational framework focus on dismantling supply chains, targeting financiers and strengthening rehabilitation
Kerala University Unveils New Code of Conduct to Ban Student Politics
Principals and department heads can suspend students for up to 30 days on prima facie evidence.
Kasturirangan report: Karnataka govt to decide on physical survey after discussion with officials
Digital Desk | Udupi (Karnataka), Sep 18 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday assured residents of the Malnad and coastal regions that the state government would discuss with officials and take a decision on conducting a physical survey of areas covered under the Kasturirangan report. Shivakumar made the assurance while interacting with local residents at Hebri in Udupi district on the merits and demerits of the Kasturirangan report. Local organisations and elected representatives had urged the state government to conduct a physical survey and consider the Kerala model while deciding on the implementation of the report. You have explained the Kasturirangan report and the ecologically sensitive areas and brought the problems you are facing to my attention. We have to send our decision to the Centre by September 27. We have come here so that your opinion becomes our opinion. You have suggested the Kerala model and recommended an expert committee. We have accepted your suggestions and will discuss these issues in the Karnataka Assembly, Shivakumar said. He added that the state government had convened a three-day special session to discuss issues concerning farmers, drought and the Kasturirangan report. The report would be discussed on the first day of the Assembly session, he said. I will also visit Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru and listen to the sentiments of the people there, he added. On the Forest Rights Act, Shivakumar said there was a provision prescribing different time limits, including 25 years for some and 75 years for others. The state government would consider taking a decision to prescribe a uniform 25-year limit and send it to the Centre, he added. He said that he had instructed Forest Department officials not to cause difficulties to people residing in forest areas. We will not do politics based on emotions. We are concerned about your lives, Shivakumar added. He said that important decisions had been taken regarding fisheries and that representatives from the region had sought a zonal management plan and a taluk hospital in Hebri. The state government would discuss these demands with officials and take decisions in the coming days, he added. I do not want to make announcements before you and then forget about them. I will do whatever service I can with the opportunity I have received. I will come to Udupi in the coming days and discuss the issues with elected representatives, he said. Shivakumar added that the people of Tulu Nadu region were an asset to the country and assured them that the state government would continue to seek their suggestions. He said a special Cabinet meeting had been held in Mangaluru after discussions with legislators and representatives of all parties from the region. Of the 60 decisions taken at the meeting, 40 were related to the coastal districts, he added. He also referred to the Cabinet decision to recognise Tulu as the second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. He said the state government had given priority to tourism in the coastal and Malnad regions and approved several development measures to attract investment and prevent migration. Representatives of various organisations and elected representatives urged the state government to constitute an expert committee and conduct a physical survey before taking further decisions on the Kasturirangan report. They said the report covers around 13,000 square km in Kerala and around 20,000 square km in Karnataka. According to them, Kerala conducted a physical survey through a high-level officials' committee, separating inhabited areas from forest areas and reducing the area covered by the report to around 9,000 square km. They claimed that a similar exercise in Karnataka could potentially exclude around 5,000 square km from the report's coverage. The representatives said the Kasturirangan committee had relied on satellite and GPS-based surveys and had not conducted a physical survey. They also raised concerns over the inclusion of areas with more than 100 residents and regions with less than 20 per cent protected forest cover. They said the report had created apprehension among residents that they could eventually be displaced and urged the state government to create awareness about its actual provisions. The representatives urged the state government to conduct a physical survey and place its findings before the Centre, the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal to resolve the concerns. It can be noted that the Kasturirangan Committee was set up by the Union government in 2012 under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan to examine the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on protecting the Western Ghats. The committee recommended identifying parts of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). It proposed restrictions on certain activities such as mining, quarrying, large construction projects and some industrial activities in ESA areas. The recommendations cover parts of six states: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In Karnataka, the recommendations have faced opposition from residents, farmers and local organisations, who have raised concerns about restrictions on agriculture, development and property rights
Excise seizes suspected banned tobacco products from Perumbavoor
The contraband seized in around 26,000 packets is reportedly worth 26 lakh
SFI, KSU claim victory in union elections at polytechnic colleges in Ernakulam
Traders forum in Keralam to boycott UPI transactions on October 15
CSL lays keel for Navys next-gen missile vessels
The ships are envisaged as high-speed vessels with an array of weapons and sensors, including a surface-to-surface missile system, anti-missile defence system, and air surveillance and fire control radars
Thachankary contends that the prosecution had miscalculated his rental income, property income, payments made by his relatives, and properties acquired by his wife
Alleged drug trafficking: police zero in on mule accounts belonging to deceased persons
Police say such accounts accessed by alleged drug traffickers were used to divert the money mobilised from drug trade
Four get life term for murder in Kannur
Tomin J. Thachankary shifted to hospital block at Poojappura Central Prison
The retired police officer was sentenced to four years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of 30.84 lakh after being found guilty of accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income
ED inventing new stories as old ones have crumbled, says CPI(M) Keralam secretary M.V. Govindan
He says ED attempting to pursue Exalogic-CMRL pay-off case using the Congress-led United Democratic Front government, having realised that it does not have enough material to proceed
Warehouse storing plastic products gutted at Veerakeralam in Coimbatore
In an affidavit before High Court, govt. says the circular was not intended to prohibit the practice of any religion or to curtail the religious rights that the Constitution guaranteed
Eight MLA wards gain attention as local body bypolls near in Keralam
These wards fell vacant following the election of incumbent representatives to the State Assembly
Eight MLA wards gain attention as local body bypolls near in Keralam
These wards fell vacant following the election of incumbent representatives to the State Assembly
Over 10,00 land titles ready for distribution under 100-day programme: Revenue Minister
Inaugurating the district-level Patta Mela in Kannur, Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar said that over 35,000 applications seeking land conversion had been disposed of as part of the 100-day action programme.
Devikulam range in Keralams Idukki witnesses three deaths due to wild elephant attack in four months
Devikulam range in Keralams Idukki witnesses three deaths due to wild elephant attack in four months
Suspected Bangladeshi national held at Ezhimala academy
SFI secures massive victory in Kerala University union elections
SFI wins 29 out of 31 contested colleges in Thiruvananthapuram district, wresting control of four significant campuses from the KSU. The elections at two colleges were postponed due to disputes over nominations, leading to a dramatic standoff between both sides.
Keralam effects reshuffle in Forest department
Several senior Indian Forest Service officers have been reassigned
The service was stopped following an order from the Beypore Port Officer after a social worker complained to the District Collector that the existing ferry was old and being operated after temporary repairs, posing a potential safety risk. The Collector subsequently directed the authorities to inquire into the complaint and submit a report
SNDP microfinance scam: Kerala HC to consider whether sanction is necessary to prosecute accused
While the Backward Classes Development Secretary informs court that sanction is not necessary, the petitioner and Special Public Prosecutor for Vigilance contend sanction is required
CPI Keralam secretary Binoy Viswam slams LDF for discriminatory policies
Accuses the previous administration of adopting double standards towards toddy shops and bars in Keralam
Amendments made to industrial land allotment regulations in Keralam
To facilitate optimal utilisation of industrial assets subleasing in industrial parks and estates will now be permitted for a maximum of 10 years subject to certain conditions. Renewal of sublease will require new written approval of KINFRA or KSIDC, the land allotment agencies
Kochi to host 13th edition of Kerala Travel Mart on September 24th
Of the total, 1,200 buyers will attend as hosted buyers, while 300 will participate as non-hosted buyers, taking the total to 1,500 buyers
Row over insect in food: hotel owner alleges conspiracy
Seeking action against three suspects, he submitted CCTV visuals from the hotel where three men were allegedly found placing the insect in the food ahead of locking horns with the hotel management
Keralam Forms Anti-Narcotics Team to Intensify Operation Toofan
At a press conference, Chennithala said the special team will operate through three dedicated units based in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode.
Kerala CM cracks down on GST evasion, Rs 7.56 crore unearthed
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS) The Satheesan government has stepped up its crackdown on tax evasion, with the State GST Department detecting alleged evasion of Rs 7.56 crore in vehicle parking services at railway stations across Kerala. The Chief Minister's office brought the evasion to light on Friday. The GST Intelligence and Enforcement wing detected the evasion during a statewide operation on September 16. Officials inspected 69 locations linked to 22 taxpayers providing parking services on railway premises. The inspections covered their main business premises, residences, and additional business locations. The department found that the turnover declared in GST returns was substantially lower than the actual revenue generated from parking services. Preliminary investigation indicated suppression of turnover worth Rs 42 crore and tax evasion of Rs 7.56 crore. The inspections also detected the use of multiple QR codes to collect payments. Investigators collected transaction details for 13 taxpayers from software systems, while obtaining information for others from books, registers, and mobile phone chats. The investigation is continuing, and the operation is set to widen beyond railway stations. The State GST Intelligence wing has collected details of more than 1,000 vehicle parking facilities operating at KSRTC premises, hospitals, shopping malls, and theatres across the state. Further inspections will be conducted at locations where tax evasion is suspected. The action comes as the government seeks to strengthen revenue collection by plugging leakages and bringing more transactions into the tax net. Satheesan, who also holds the Finance Ministers portfolio, is overseeing the states revenue administration. The government has invited the public to report suspected tax evasion in the parking sector confidentially. Information can be sent to inform.sgst@kerala.gov.in. The State GST Commissioner said enforcement and investigation against establishments involved in tax evasion would be strengthened. The railway parking operation could therefore be the first phase of a wider exercise. With more than 1,000 parking facilities already identified for scrutiny, the GST department is preparing to extend its tax-evasion hunt to other high-footfall parking centres across Kerala.
Kerala Tourism showcases unique offerings at Arabian Travel Market 2026
Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh interacts with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, UAE, and Abdulla Niyas, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Maldives
Kerala University imposes blanket ban on campus politics under new code of conduct
Regulations introduce strict disciplinary mechanisms, swift inquiry timelines and severe financial liabilities on political organisations
Kerala Tourism to develop 100 new tourism destinations in five years, says Minister
Chief Minister to inaugurate Kerala Travel Mart 2026 on September 24
Keralam mulls floating solar projects to meet power demands: Minister Sunny Joseph
The power crisis can be addressed with innovative projects that are feasible given the States unique geographical and climatic conditions, Sunny Joseph said
Former Keralam DGP Tomin Thachankary Sentenced 4 Years in Prison
Thachankary was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. He was later shifted to Poojappura Central Jail
Kerala Crime Branch armed with legal opinion, PSC faces fresh test
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS) The standoff between the Kerala Crime Branch and the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) over alleged irregularities in the State Planning Board examinations appears headed for a fresh confrontation after the investigating agency secured a legal opinion backing its authority to question PSC members. According to sources, the legal opinion states that the constitutional status enjoyed by the PSC does not exempt its chairman or members from appearing before investigating officers at a venue specified by the probe agency. The Crime Branch is expected to formally communicate the opinion to the Commission in the coming days. The latest development could compel the PSC to reconsider its earlier stand that its members need not appear at the Crime Branch headquarters for questioning. The Commission had argued that its members occupy constitutional positions and had instead offered to facilitate recording of their statements at the PSC office. The PSC had also cited an earlier Kerala High Court order that granted relief to PSC officials when they were asked to appear before a Legislative Assembly committee. However, the Crime Branch has maintained that constitutional status does not provide immunity from a criminal investigation and that PSC members are duty-bound to cooperate with the probe. The latest legal opinion is widely seen as strengthening the Crime Branch's position in the ongoing tussle. The PSC is now expected to examine its legal options, with the possibility of seeking judicial intervention if it decides to challenge the investigating agency's stand. The dispute stems from an investigation into alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the PSC for senior posts in the State Planning Board. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch has reportedly detected serious lapses in the conduct and evaluation of the examinations and recommended a review of appointments made on the basis of the test. Investigators are also examining whether the irregularities were procedural in nature or part of a deliberate attempt to favour certain candidates. The SIT has already issued notices to the PSC chairman and its members for questioning. One member, S.A. Saif, failed to appear before the Crime Branch on September 15 despite being directed to do so. What began as a probe into alleged examination irregularities has now evolved into a broader contest over the extent of the PSC's constitutional protections and the powers of criminal investigators. With the Crime Branch armed with a favourable legal opinion, the focus now shifts to how the PSC responds.
CPIs Binoy Viswam Criticises Previous LDF Govt Over Liquor Policy
Viswam questioned the logic behind the different distance limits prescribed for toddy shops and bars from schools and religious places in Keralam under the previous LDF government's liquor policy
With just a day left for contract to end, Kerala CM Satheesan caught in bind over chopper politics
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS) Kerala's government helicopter is once again at the centre of a political storm and this time the decision is sitting on Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's desk. The lease of the helicopter hired during the previous LDF government expires on Saturday, September 19. The State Police Chief has already recommended extending the contract, leaving Chief Minister Satheesan to decide whether the chopper should continue flying or finally be grounded. The DGP has reportedly recommended continuing it at the existing rate for another two years. The irony is hard to miss. When Pinarayi Vijayan was Chief Minister and Satheesan was Leader of the Opposition, the Congress leader had repeatedly attacked the helicopter arrangement, questioning the wisdom of spending Rs 80 lakh a month on a government chopper when the state was facing financial pressures. In 2023, Satheesan criticised the monthly rental for the helicopter, which covered a fixed number of flying hours. Then the political seats changed. Satheesan became Chief Minister and Vijayan became Leader of the Opposition. And when Satheesan took his first flight in the government helicopter, the Left Opposition was quick to remind him of his own words from the Opposition benches. However, Chief Minister Satheesan's defence was equally pointed, whether he flew or not, the government had to pay the contracted monthly rent until September 19. The helicopter was already under lease and flying it within the contracted hours did not mean any additional expenditure, he argued. In other words, the chopper had already been paid for, so it might as well fly. Now comes the more uncomfortable part. The police want the helicopter to stay. The DGP has cited its usefulness during emergencies, including disaster response and other urgent operations, and has recommended renewal. The existing arrangement costs Rs 80 lakh a month for the contracted flying hours, with additional charges for flying beyond the stipulated limit. That puts Chief Minister Satheesan in the hot seat. If he renews the contract, the Left can point back to his Opposition era criticism of the very arrangement he is now allowing to continue. If he scraps it, the police will have to do without a dedicated helicopter and the government may have to depend on fresh hiring whenever an emergency arises. So the helicopter that once gave Chief Minister Satheesan political ammunition against Vijayan has now handed him a political dilemma of his own. The chopper may be running out of flying hours under the present contract. But its political mileage appears nowhere near exhausted.
Former Thodupuzha municipal chairman accuses police of framing him in drug case
George claims that while police seized drug paraphernalia from his two-wheeler, no MDMA was found. He accused certain officers with links to CPI(M) of targeting him due to his political affiliation. Idukki District Police Chief dismissed Georges allegations as baseless, asserting that the arrest was based on solid video evidence
Kerala Government to Launch Knowledge Valley and Research Park to Boost Higher Education
Kerala plans to establish a Knowledge Valley and Research Park to enhance its status as a global education hub, as announced by the Higher Education Minister. Kerala Government to Launch Knowledge Valley and Research Park to Boost Higher Education
From a modest Kurichya tribal settlement in Wayanad and a four-kilometre walk to school, Sreedhanya Suresh has risen to become Keralas first tribal woman district collector.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleges match-fixing between the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to hush up the corruption allegations in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case
Kerala: CPI intensifies criticism of Pinarayi and LDF after poll defeat
Digital Desk | Kottayam, Sep 18 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second-largest constituent of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), is turning up the heat on its larger ally CPI(M) in the aftermath of the Lefts crushing defeat in the Assembly elections. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam has now trained his guns directly on the previous LDF government and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing the government of failing to protect the toddy industry and its traditional workers. His latest attack comes as the LDF, now in Opposition, is under pressure to explain why it lost several of its traditional strongholds. The CPI(M) itself faced sharp criticism over the electoral debacle at its recent extended state committee meeting. On Friday, speaking at the state conference of the Kerala State Toddy Workers Federation (AITUC) in Vaikom, Viswam said the CPI had repeatedly raised the toddy sectors problems at LDF meetings. The CPI had sought a reduction in the 400-metre distance restriction for toddy shops from places of worship and educational institutions. But the government did not act, he said. At the same time, the distance restriction for bars was reduced to 50 metres. This amounted to two different standards for toddy shops and bars, Viswam alleged. He said Vijayan had admitted at an LDF meeting that the CPIs demand was justified, but nothing was done during the governments five-year term. It is not enough to say that something will be corrected. It has to be corrected, Viswam said. The CPI leader also delivered a broader message on the election defeat. He said the LDF must conduct an honest introspection. Even the Lefts own people did not vote for it in the election, he claimed. The fact that party workers did not vote for the LDF was wrong, he said, but the leadership must also ask why they reached that point. Did we give our comrades enough importance? Did we listen to them? Did we understand them? Viswam asked. He said the LDF should not have lost traditional strongholds such as Vaikom, Taliparamba, Payyannur, Kodungallur and Ambalappuzha. Defeat is defeat. If there was a failure, we must admit that it was a failure, he said. The remarks underline the CPIs growing insistence that the Left cannot explain away the electoral setback without examining the previous government's functioning and its relationship with its own cadre and supporters. For the CPI(M), already facing an internal debate over responsibility for the defeat, the latest criticism from its principal ally adds another layer to the post-poll reckoning.
Kerala Government Launches Major Initiative Against Drug Trafficking with Special Investigation Team
Keralas government expands its anti-drug campaign, forming a special investigation team to tackle international drug networks. Kerala Government Launches Major Initiative Against Drug Trafficking with Special Investigation Team
PM Modi fostering resilience, innovation to achieve Viksit Bharat@2047: Rajnath Singh
Digital Desk | Kochi, Sep 18 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is serving the nation with a special focus on fostering resilience, innovation and a sense of national identity among citizens to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Speaking at an event in Kochi, Kerala, the Defence Minister asserted that before 2014, India faced challenges such as corruption and misgovernance, which had weakened the morale of the people, and the nations progress in the last 12 years has been shaped by its ability to convert challenges into opportunities. Over the last 12 years, the world has faced a pandemic such as Covid-19 and witnessed several wars, which have had a profound impact on the global economy. Despite global challenges, we are moving steadily on the path towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation, he said. Rajnath Singh stated that Operation Sindoor is proof of Indias willingness to cross the border to eliminate those who threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the country. He added that Maoism, too, has been brought to an end. On the governments aim to continuously bolster indigenous capabilities, the minister stated that indigenous defence production, which was just Rs 40,000 crore in 2014, has now reached nearly Rs 1.80 lakh crore. He added that defence exports have risen from nearly Rs 600 crore to around Rs 40,000 crore, with Indian equipment reaching around 100 countries. Voicing the nations resolve to work tirelessly towards its goals with courage and determination, Rajnath Singh described youth as the countrys greatest strength. Our youth are building start-ups, creating unicorns, developing drones, building hydrogen trains, and making rockets and satellites. They are leaving no stone unturned to make India a developed nation, he said. Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of making the younger generation more aware of Indias history, culture and heritage. He said greater awareness among youth would contribute to stronger national consciousness and help build confidence in Indias place in the world. He called upon the youth to contribute to Indias economic, social and technological transformation, saying that a confident, capable and socially inclusive India can emerge as a developed nation and play a greater role in shaping the future of the world. On the crucial role of media in todays times, the Defence Minister stated that journalism is rightly called the fourth pillar of democracy, terming an independent and impartial press as one of the strongest instruments for ensuring accountability. The role of the media is not merely to report the news. It is also to ask difficult questions, bring the truth before the people, and hold those in power accountable, he said.
Kerala Government Considers Floating Solar and Storage Solutions Amid Energy Crisis
Kerala faces a severe energy crisis, prompting the government to explore floating solar projects and storage options to meet rising demand. Kerala Government Considers Floating Solar and Storage Solutions Amid Energy Crisis
Kerala PSC Final Answer Key 2026 - Download Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II
Kerala PSC Final Answer Key 2026 has been released on 17 September for Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II and Project Officer exams. Download the final answer key PDFs, check exam dates, question paper codes, and answer details here.
Kerala govt to roll out knowledge valley, research park
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS) Kerala will roll out a Knowledge Valley and Research Park to turn the state into a global knowledge hub, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John said here on Friday. The project will build on Keralas existing higher education and research base, seek greater participation from the private sector and explore partnerships with international universities. The proposal was discussed at a roundtable on the concluding day of the three-day Reimagining Keralam event. John and Higher Education Principal Secretary B. Ashok led the discussions. John said the project would not be another standalone institution but would create a platform linking education, research, industry and global opportunities. The aim, he added, was to create economic value and more opportunities for young people. Ashok emphasised that the focus should be on converting Keralas research capabilities into practical applications and economic opportunities. The proposed Research Park will have strong links with industry, provide shared advanced infrastructure and centres of excellence, and support technology transfer, prototyping and deep-tech development. Participants stressed the need for closer links between universities, research institutions and industry, saying research should move beyond conventional academic structures. They suggested PhD programmes could give greater importance to real-world problems and industry-linked research instead of being largely dissertation-based. Healthcare research was cited as one area where industry partnerships could help. Such links could turn research into products, services and commercial opportunities. A large amount of academic research in Kerala remains underused. Participants proposed a systematic review of postgraduate dissertations to identify promising research. Artificial intelligence could be used for initial screening, followed by expert assessment. Retired professors could also be involved in reviewing and developing promising research. The Knowledge Valley could be linked to the Centres University Township programme, bringing domestic and international universities together with shared laboratories and infrastructure. A global virtual classroom was another proposal. Participants also proposed a knowledge audit to map Keralas research institutions, expertise, infrastructure and intellectual assets. Kerala has about 47 research institutions working in areas including space, agriculture and minerals, which could become part of the proposed knowledge network. The project will also explore the use of underutilised spaces in existing colleges and universities, reducing the need to create new physical infrastructure. The government wants the initiative to produce measurable results over the next five to ten years and create a distinctive knowledge-led growth model for Kerala.
Ramesh Chennithala defends actions of Kerala Policethat raided the office of Reporter TV and maintains that the governments approach has been entirely transparent
Operation Toofan enters second phase, takes fight to grassroots: Chennithala
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS) The Kerala government is taking its anti-drug campaign Operation Toofan to the ward level, while setting up a specialised investigation team to go after high-value narcotics networks with inter-state and international links, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced on Friday. Home Minister Chennithala said an Anti-Narcotics Investigation Team has begun functioning. The team, headed by Toofan nodal officer and North IG Putt Vimaladitya, will have three units based in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode. Each unit will comprise 10 police personnel, including a DySP, two Circle Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors, and other officers. The specialised teams will focus on high-value drug trafficking cases and networks with links outside Kerala and abroad. The government said the move was aimed at making investigations more scientific, focused and coordinated, particularly in cases involving major suppliers and sources. At the other end of the campaign, the government will establish Toofan Jana Jagratha Samitis at ward level in association with the Local Self-Government Department. The committees will involve elected representatives, Kudumbashree members, ASHA workers, Haritha Karma Sena, youth organisations and other community groups. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the state-level launch of the ward-level initiative at Vengara in Malappuram on September 28. Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty will preside. The second phase will also shift greater emphasis towards reducing demand and rehabilitation, besides continuing the crackdown on supply. Under Toofan Care, around 35 major hospitals have expressed willingness to join the programme, while a rehabilitation protocol will be implemented with the Indian Medical Association. A Toofan app is also being developed to enable people caught in drug abuse to seek help and speak openly about their problems. Amrita University's IT division is providing technical support. Chennithala said Operation Toofan had brought down drug supplies to Kerala by 20 to 30 per cent, according to the government's assessment. The operation, he said, had now moved beyond distributors and was reaching the sources of supply. Those who provided financial assistance to the accused for purchasing drugs will also face action, Chennithala said, indicating that the investigation would extend beyond the immediate drug suppliers to the financial network supporting the trade.
