Kerala   

Briefly

KSEB union alleges graft in pact

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Electricity Workers Federation has alleged corruption behind the signing of agreement by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to buy 115 MW of power from the thermal project being set up by the Nagarjuna Power Corporation at Uduppin in Karnataka. Federation working president A.N. Rajan alleged that the board had agreed to buy 10 per cent of the power generated by the station from 2009 so that the private sector enterprise could get mega project status. The board had filed an affidavit before the Central Regulatory Commission in this regard. This could not have been done without knowledge of the Government and the Power Minister, he said. — Special Correspondent

CPI(ML) flays

ADB aid for cities

KOCHI: The CPI(ML)'s Ernakulam district committee has said that Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Rs.1,000-crore loan to five municipal corporations in Kerala will land them in a debt trap. T.C. Subramnian, secretary, said the 20-year-loan at 5.05 per cent interest, was being given in the name of improving waste disposal, tax collection and water supply in these five cities. However, he alleged that the ADB's real intention was to promote privatisation by driving the public sector out of these services. The scheme would also throw the current municipal staff engaged in waste disposal and drain cleaning out of job. He said the servicing of the loan over 20 years would cost Rs.1,100 crores and that the five corporations, unable to repay the loan, would push them into a debt trap. — Special Correspondent

Entries invited for

Fr. Jose Alex award

KOCHI: The Rajagiri College of Social Sciences here has invited entries for the Fr. Jose Alex award for excellence in social work. Both individuals and social work agencies can apply for this annual award. The application forms are available from the convener of the awards committee. The closing date for submitting the applications is December 20. For more information visit www.rajagiri.edu or call 0484-2555564. — Special Correspondent

Ponjikkara

Rafi award

KCOHI: Pranatha Books is inviting applications for the Ponjikkara Rafi award for the best philosophical article in a periodical, which has not been published in book form. The entries for the Rs.10,000 award has to be sent to Pranatha Books, Ashirbhavan Road, Kochi-682018. — Special Correspondent

Revenue adalats

Thrissur: Revenue adalats will be held at villages offices in the district from January 2 to 12, 2006 and at the taluk offices from January 16 to 20, 2006, Collector K. S. Premachandra Kurup said at a press conference here on Saturday. — Staff Reporter

Training programme

Thrissur: A training programme for relatives of dementia patients and volunteers has begun at the Dementia Respite Care Centre at Kottappadi, near Guruvayur. The training programme is being led by Tip Sutcliffe, Britsol-based senior occupational therapist, and Josephine Hague, Care Manager at AIDS Care, Cornwall. Contact 98461 98473 for details, according to a press release. — Staff Reporter

Action sought

Thiruvananthapuram: The All India Students Federation has demanded the Mahatma Gandhi University cancel the affiliation of the School of Medical Education, Kottayam. In a statement here on Sunday, AISF State secretary Mahesh Kakkath said that the school was functioning in violation of the norms of the Medical Council of India. There were lots of complaints about harassment of students in the school.

The college authorities were trying to shield the accused in the case of ragging a student by ignoring the complaint of the victim's father, he alleged. Mr. Mahesh accused the college authorities of trying to protect a group of students who were involved in examination malpractices. — Staff Reporter

Pallithottam murder: trial begins tomorrow

KOLLAM: The trial of Pallithottam murder case will begin before the Kollam First Additional Sessions Judge, P. Mohandas, on Tuesday. The murder had taken place on the night of March 21, 2003. As per the Prosecution, the murdered man was Azad. He was in love with a girl who is the sister of one Manaf. Though Manaf had warned him against the affair, Azad went ahead with it. This had allegedly prompted Manaf to hack him. Paripally R. Raveendran has been appointed Special Prosecutor for the trial. Advocate E. Shahnavas

Anniversary fete

KOLLAM: Labour Minister Babu Divakaran will inaugurate the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Mundakkal Arts and Sports Club at a function to be held at the club hall here on November 23. The club will accord a reception to the Kollam Mayor and other councillors representing the Mundakkal area in the corporation council later on that day. — Staff Reporter

Sit-in today

KOLLAM: The Kerala Congress (Secular) will hold a dharna in front of the District Collectorate here on Monday in protest against the anti-farmer policies of the Central and State Governments. The dharna will be led by district president of the party Kallada Das and inaugurated by party leader Jacob Thomas Arikupuram. P.C. John, MLA, will deliver the keynote address. — Staff Reporter.

Model libraries

Kozhikode: Declaration of setting up model libraries in all schools in the State will be held on Monday. This project has been envisaged by the Department of Education to increase reading habit in schoolchildren. The project will be implemented in around 1,000 schools in Kozhikode district with the cooperation of local self-government institutions. Processions will be taken out in all schools on Monday, A. Arun Kumar, Deputy Director of Education, said. — Staff Reporter

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