The Hindu : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 26, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Briefly

CRPF passing-out parade

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Feb. 25. The attestation-cum-passing out parade of the 143rd Battalion of the CRPF was held in the CRPF Group Centre at Pallippuram in Thiruvananthapuram district today. The ADGP (Law and Order) of the State, K. Sukumaran Nair, who was the chief guest took the salute. The IGP, CRPF, Pallippuram, P.J. Shetty, delivered the welcome address. There was a large gathering which included retired senior officers of the CRPF who had played a role in the raising of the battalion to witness the parade which was commanded by S. S. N. Nair, Second-in-Command of the 143rd Battalion. The 568 recruits have undergone intensive training for 44 weeks. They included physical endurance, unarmed combat, handling of various types of weapons, jungle camp training and counter-insurgency operation drill.

Panel for college selection

An expert committee constituted by the State Government has been directed to shortlist 75 applicants from a list of 291, to be issued No Objection Certificates for setting up B.Ed. colleges, as per the guidelines of the Kerala High Court.The committee headed by K. Mohandas, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, comprises B. S. Maoji, Director of Collegiate Education and M. Gopalan, officiating Director of Public Instruction. Mr. Maoji will also be the convener of the committee. The convener of the committee has asked the applicants to return to him the proforma issued by him, duly filled up before March 1. Along with the proforma, two copies of a CD containing details of the building plan and other relevant documents, will also be required to be submitted.The committee has also decided to hold sittings at which the applicants can depose and establish their claims, substantiated by relevant documents. The sittings will be held in four sessions at the Priyadarshini auditorium near the PMG Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, on March 4 and 5. More details are available on the website of the State Government or on the sites "www.kerala.gov.in" and "trainingcollegenoc.htm".

AHSTA to boycott camps

The Aided Higher Secondary Teachers Association (AHSTA) has decided to boycott the Plus Two valuation camps beginning on April 1 and lay siege to them to protest against the Government's indifference towards its charter of demands. The demands include regularisation of the Plus Two teachers service and effective steps to bring these teachers also under the PF scheme, among others.

SBT launches new scheme

The State Bank of Travancore has launched a loan scheme for the purchase of land for house construction. Those below 60 years with steady income are eligible for it. The loan amount is 24 times the net monthly income or two years annual income or 80 per cent of the cost of the site subject to a maximum of Rs 10 lakhs. The income of the spouse can also be considered and in such cases the spouse will be the guarantor. The borrower has to arrange a margin amount of 20 per cent.

Housing Board auction

Housing Board has earned Rs 15 crores through the auctioning of houses and flats so far. The Board attributed the achievement to the availability of loan at low interest and the handing over of the sale deed immediately after payment of the money. The auctioning will continue this week also.

Bakht's death condoled

The Kerala Public Service Commission members and staff met here today with the Commission chairman, M. Gangadhara Kurup, in the chair, to condole the death of the former Governor, Sikander Bakht. The Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) has also condoled the death of Sikander Bakht who, as Governor, was the patron of the KCHR.

Vendors' meet on February 27

The Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi is organising a convention of wayside vendors at Adoor on February 27. The CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, will inaugurate the convention.

KHSTU State meet

MALAPPURAM Feb.25. The third State meet of the Kerala Higher Secondary Teachers Union (KHSTU), will be held at the police auditorium here from February 26 and 27. The meet will deliberate on issues such as creation of posts of Principals for the efficient functioning of higher secondary schools, creation of non-teaching posts as envisaged in the special rules, appointment of permanent staff in higher secondary directorate among others.

Mannam samadhi observed

KOTTAYAM Feb. 25. The 34th Mannam Samadhi Day was observed today by the Nair Service Society (NSS). The day commenced with offering of floral tributes at the Samadhi of the `Samudayacharyan' at the NSS headquarters at Perunna. Rendering of devotional songs, fast, and community prayers were also held at the samadhi. The NSS members rededicated themselves to the ideals of the Founding Fathers on the occasion by reciting the original oath taken by Mannathu Padmanabhan and his 13 colleagues on the occasion of the founding of the Society on October 31, 1914.

Polytechnic festival

KANNUR Feb. 25. The five-day State Polytechnic `Kalotsavam 2004' organised by the Kerala State Polytechnic College Students' Union will begin at the Kannur Government Polytechnic at Thottada here on February 26. The organising committee chairman, M.V. Jayarajan, MLA, and the union chairman, M. Biju, told a press conference here today that nearly 2,000 students from 48 polytechnics in the State would participate in the festival.

Vellappally undergoes surgery

KOCHI Feb. 25. Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of SNDP Yogam, underwent a bypass surgery at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (AIMS) here today. Mr. Natesan was admitted to the hospital on February 23. The surgery was conducted by a team of doctors led by Shiv K.Nair and Suresh G.Nair.

Case against engineer

The CBI Anti-Corruption wing has registered a case against the garrison engineer attached to the Military Engineering Service at Thiruvananthapuram for accepting bribes from building contractors. According to sources, the engineer was intercepted last week while he was boarding a bus for his hometown in Karnataka. Currency notes running into lakhs were seized from him. The engineer was interrogated and had reportedly admitted to accepting bribes from contractors. The sources said the CBI had received information that the engineer had for long been taking bribes.

Holiday declared

ALAPPUZHA Feb. 25. The Alappuzha district collector has declared February 26 a holiday for government offices and all educational institutions in Mavelikkara and Karthigappally taluks in connection with the Kumbha Bharani festival at Chettikulamgara Devi temple.

Conference

KOTTAYAM Feb. 25. The ninth State conference of the Kerala State Madyavyavasaya Thozhilali Federation, affiliated to the CITU, will be inaugurated here by the CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Thursday. The conference would deliberate on the rise of communal organisations in place of class organisations at the seminar scheduled for the evening. The conference would conclude on Friday evening with a rally, which will be addressed by the opposition leader, V.S. Achuthanandan.

KAU ranked third

THRISSUR Feb. 25. The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has been ranked third in academic excellence, at the national level. A cash component of Rs.5 lakhs and a trophy were received by the KAU vice-chancellor, K. V. Peter, at a function in New Delhi last week.

The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant Nagar, were ranked first and second respectively. The performance of 34 agricultural universities was assessed, a press release said.

Explosives seized

KASARAGOD Feb. 25. The Manjeswaram police today seized explosives from a house at Sarantadukka near Paivalige near here. The seizure includes 11 kg of gun power, electrical detonators and other electrical devices. The house-owner, Anthunji Haji, was arrested and produced before a court today.

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