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Friday, Mar 11, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Briefly

Satyagraha continues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM MARCH 10. The 51-hour-long satyagraha launched in front of the Secretariat by a 501-member team from Idukki entered the second day on Thursday. The agitators are demanding a special agricultural package for the district, steps to check the crash in prices of agricultural produce and payment of assistance of Rs. 1 lakh each to the families of farmers who had committed suicide. The leaders of the satyagraha said that blockades were being organised in seven centres in Idukki district in support of the action. Leaders of the CITU and AITUC visited the agitators today and extended their support for the cause.

Teachers take out march

Teachers of Government engineering colleges took out an Assembly march under the aegis of the Kerala Gazetted Officers Association today in protest against the "unilateral" amendment made to the special rules governing them by the Government for enabling promotions through open selection bypassing the seniority of PSC appointment. They expressed fear that it would lead to nepotism and corruption and would scuttle the principle of reservation being followed in appointments. They demanded the withdrawal of the "anti-democratic" amendment, which was made without the knowledge of the service organisations.

Metro rail project accepted

The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, today said that the Government had accepted `in principle' the proposal to implement a metro rail project in Kochi. Replying to a calling attention motion moved by the former minister, K.V. Thomas, in the Assembly, Mr. Chandy said a detailed project report for the metro rail project was being prepared. The Asian Development Bank had promised to extend its assistance for another project for developing the infrastructure facilities in Kochi city.

Results of NTS examination

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has published the results of the State-level National Talent Search (NTS) examination conducted by it on November 28. Of 9,130 candidates who appeared for the examination, 200 have been declared successful. Only these students will be eligible to appear for the NTS examination- 2005, to be held at the SRV Government Model Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam, on May 8, according to an official release.

Award for Veerendrakumar

The Managing Editor of the Mathrubhumi daily, M.P. Veerendrakumar, MP, has been selected for the Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam's Literary Award for 2005. Announcing this at a press conference here today, the chairman of the judging committee, Perumbadavom Sreedharan, said Mr. Veerendrakumar has been selected for the award considering his contributions to the literary field. The award, carrying a purse of Rs.10,000 and a citation, will be presented to Mr. Veerendrakumar at a function to be held at Abu Dhabi next month, according to the general secretary of the Samajam, Kaniyapuram Sainuddin.

Leadership meeting

A two-day State leadership meeting of the Shiv Sena will begin at Nooranad in Alappuzha district tomorrow. The meeting will finalise the programme of the leader of the party Bal Thackeray, who is scheduled to visit the State in November and the policy to be adopted in the local bodies elections to be held in the State towards the end of the year. The meeting will be inaugurated by the Kerala Rajya Pramukh, M.S. Bhuvanachandran.

Selected for award

The noted writer Rose Mary has been selected for this year's Muthukulam Parvathy Amma Literary Award. It is her collection of autobiographical essays titled "Vrischika kattu veeshumbol" which has won for her the award. It consists of a citation and a purse of Rs.5,000.

Probe demanded

The Kerala Civil Supplies Officers Association has demanded a vigilance probe into sale by the Civil Supplies Corporation at Rs.19 a kilogram through Maveli Stores and Labham Markets of the sugar supplied by the Centre for distribution to BPL card holders during the months of October, November and December. The Association felt that it was responsible for the spurt in the price of sugar in the open market.

Additional charge

The Government has given full additional charge of the Managing Director of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation to A. Retheesh, the Managing Director of the Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Cooperative Society (CAPEX).

`I' group conclave

KOLLAM March 10. `I' group supporters in Kollam went into a conclave here today to analyse the situation in the group following the suspension of the former KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan from the party. The meeting was chaired by the DCC president, Sooranad Rajasekharan. Sources said that the success of the Kozhikode rally has put the group in an upbeat mood in Kollam. However, a majority of the members expressed fear whether such developments will lead to a split in the party. Many said that they were not prepared to leave the Congress. The meeting also decided to make the Thiruvananthapuram regional rally of the group a success.

Dakshinachitra Virudhu awards

Thrissur March 10. Koodiyattom maestro Ammannur Madhava Chakyar and his disciple G. Venu have been selected for the Dakshinachitra Virudhu Awards for Lifetime Achievement.

The awards, instituted by Dakshinachitra, a heritage museum, and the Madras Crafts Foundation, will be presented by the Bharathanatyam dancer Padma Subramaniam at a function at Muttukadu in Tamil Nadu.

Development programme

KOLLAM March. 10. The Kollam Mayor, Sabita Beegum, inaugurated the Computer DTP Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the Syndicate Institute of Rural Entrepreneurship Development (SIRED) at Kottiyam near here on Wednesday. The SIRED is a unit sponsored by the Syndicate Bank.

Novel project

KOZHIKODE MARCH 10. The Kerala Pouravakasa Samrakshana Vedi has launched a novel project, `Janasree Samrambham'. The State president of the vedi, M. Ashokan, said in a press release here today that the sphere of activity of the project included a marriage bureau, employment consultancy, real estate, blood and eye donation. It would also offer services to people during natural calamities, communal riots and disasters.

Ration dealers' plea

The district committee of All Kerala Retail Ration Dealer's Association has suggested that the Civil Supplies Corporation procure paddy directly from the farmers and distribute the rice through select Maveli stores and ration shops. The corporation could work out this method by taking a few rice mills on lease to convert the paddy procured from farmers. This would solve the problems of the paddy farmers. A resolution to this affect was adopted at a meeting of the association here today.

Workshop

MALAPPURAM MARCH 10. The Women's Polytechnic, Kottakkal, and the Vazhakkad Grama Panchayat will jointly organise a workshop on indigenous products making at Darussalam Madrasa Hall, Vazhakkad, on Saturday and Sunday. The workshop will be part of the community polytechnic scheme.

Man held

Thrissur March 10. The Town East police today arrested Jolly of Kuttamom, 26, who is wanted in several cases of theft. He was arrested by a police patrol party led by the circle inspector, Shahul Hameed.

Dance recital

The Dharani School of Performing Arts will present a Bharathanatyam recital at the Regional Theatre here on March 12 under the auspices of the Thalam Cultural Trust. The dancers are K. V. Rajesh, Anita Jose, Neena John, Soumya Suresh and Priya Pappally. The nattuvangam is by Syamala Surendran, says a press release.

Donation

Inmates of the Viyyur Central Jail have donated Rs. 17,980 from their earnings to the Chief Minister's Tsunami Relief Fund. The amount was handed over by the inmates to the District Collector, K. S. Premachandra Kurup, according to a press release.

One held

The Town West police today arrested a 54-year-old man, Ashok Kumar, on charges of posing as a food inspector. Ashok Kumar visited a hotel in the town, threatened the staff and demanded a `bribe' of Rs. 500, the police said. The suspicious hotel staff informed the police.

Reception panel

ALAPPUZHA MARCH 10. The CPI (M) Alappuzha district committee will organise a meeting here on March 17 to discuss about the formation of a reception committee for the All India CITU general council meeting which would be held here from May 20 to 23. The CITU leaders, E. Balanandan, K. N. Ravindranath and P. K. Gurudasan and CPI (M) leaders will participate in the meeting.

Ration dealers' plea

KOZHIKODE MARCH 10. The district committee of All Kerala Retail Ration Dealer's Association has suggested that the Civil Supplies Corporation procure paddy directly from the farmers and distribute the rice through select Maveli stores and ration shops. The corporation could work out this method by taking a few rice mills on lease to convert the paddy procured from farmers. This would solve the problems of the paddy farmers. A resolution to this affect was adopted at a meeting of the association here today. The State working president, A.V. Basheer, and the district general secretary, T. Mohammedali, among others, participated in the meeting.

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