The Hindu : Kerala News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Briefly

Land acquired

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM FEB. 24. The Government has acquired 98.40 hectares under the fast track project drawn up for rail, road and airport development in the State. Of this, 25.78 hectares has been transferred for various projects under the Kerala State Transport Project. For rail development projects, 43.52 hectares has been taken over so far. The acquisition under the project had started on October 21 last year, an official release said.

General transfer

The Government has invited applications for general transfers in the departments of Homeopathy and Indian Systems of Medicine. The district medial officers concerned are to forward to applications to the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine before March 15 and to the Directorate of Homeopathy before March 25, an official release said.

`Squabbles not to affect INTUC'

The former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Muralidharan has said that the differences in the Congress will not affect the functioning of the INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress). Inaugurating the State council meeting of the Kerala Electricity Employees' Confederation here today, Mr. Muraleedharan said the INTUC should take the initiative to promote developmental activities in the power sector. The power authorities should examine the circumstances leading to the Prime Minister's adverse remarks against the functioning of the Kerala State Electricity Board, he added.

`Protect Prem Kumar's family'

The Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, has urged the Government to offer full protection to the family of Prem Kumar, who committed suicide owing to financial difficulties. In a statement here today, Mr. Achuthanandan pointed out that Prem Kumar was forced to take his life as he could not bear the cost of maintaining his ailing wife and five children. The entire family was in dire straits. The Government has the duty to protect them, he added.

Order to reinstate scientist

Kochi Feb. 24. The Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench, has ordered reinstatement of a scientist at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, whose service had been terminated on grounds of submitting a false caste certificate. The tribunal headed by its vice-chairman, A.V. Haridasan, passed the judgement while allowing an application filed by the scientist, Sudha Sukumaran, against the termination order.

According to her, she originally belonged to the Muslim Community. She converted to the Hindu Paravan Community after her marriage with A.S. Sukumaran, a scientist working under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for SC/ST conducted an investigation into her caste status on the basis of some anonymous complaints. It was found that her claim that she belonged to the schedule caste community was wrong and recommended that her caste certificate be cancelled. Her termination was ordered on basis of these findings. She contended that in fact she was not appointed against any vacancy reserved for scheduled caste candidates.

The tribunal found that it could not find any indication from the files that the appointment was against a vacancy reserved for scheduled caste community. Therefore, the action of the authorities concerned in terminating her service could not be justified, the tribunal observed.

Adalat postponed

KOLLAM Feb. 24. The Adalat of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) scheduled to be held at the Jala Bhavan here on February 25 has been postponed. The KWA assistant executive engineer said the Adalat would be held on March 5 at the same venue.

Elders' meet on February 27

The Kadavur Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here is organising a get-together for elders at the Kadavur Bishop Jerome Hall at 4 p.m. on February 27. The Bishop emeritus of Kollam, Joseph G. Fernandez, will inaugurate the programme. On the occasion, the Kollam Bishop, Stanley Roman, will honour 100 senior citizens of Kadavur.

Coaching class

The Food Craft Institute (FCI) here is organising a three-week coaching class for those students who are appearing for the entrance examination of the three-year Hospitality and Hotel Administration degree course. The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Delhi, is conducting the course. The coaching class will start on April 1. Phone: 0474-2767635 / 9447095163.

Arts festival

The film actor, Nadirsha, will inaugurate the two-day Kollam District ITC Arts Festival at the Jawahar Bal Bhavan here on February 25. The inaugural function will be presided over by the Chavara MLA, Shibu Baby John. The Additional Director of the Industrial Training Department, S. Sudarsanan, will inaugurate the valedictory session on February 26. The prizes to the winners will be given away by the mini-screen actress, Maya Nair.

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