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Emigration Act may be amended

Thrissur: Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has said the 1983 Emigration Act is likely to be amended to check recruitment frauds. Addressing a reception hosted by the District Congress Committee here on Sunday, Mr. Ravi said that a new system to book fake recruitment agents would be introduced, with the support of State Governments and local bodies. "The Government is committed to protecting the interests of the 2.5 crore Non-Resident Indians,'' he said. Mr. Ravi alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was being led in the State by Hindu fundamentalists. "The CPI(M) stand on the Narendran Commission report is unclear.'' Mr. Ravi claimed that different sections of society had benefited from United Democratic Front (UDF) Government's welfare schemes. Earlier, Mr. Ravi told reporters at Guruvayur, near here, that steps were being taken to formulate a system by which NRIs could vote. — Staff Reporter

Pannian's plea to Manmohan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pannian Ravindran, MP, has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to hold talks with representatives of Central Government employees to avert their proposed strike from March 1. In a memorandum to Dr. Singh, Mr. Ravindran said all unions of Central Government employees, including that affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress, had given notice for the strike, seeking constitution of the Sixth Pay Commission, grant of interim relief, lifting of recruitment freeze, hike in Provident Fund interest rate and restoration of benefits taken away from employees. — Special Correspondent

JSS plenary session

ALAPPUZHA: The Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS) plenary session here expressed on Sunday the resolve to take forward the struggle to provide social justice to socially backward sections in society, such as Adivasis, backward communities and minorities. Minister for Agriculture K.R. Gouri, who moved the political resolution, said a nationwide resistance movement should be built against the growing predilection shown by the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre towards the U.S. The Government was more pro-US than the previous National Democratic Alliance Government. JSS president A.N. Rajan Babu supported the resolution. JSS State secretary P.E. Narayanji moved the organization resolution. — Staff Reporter

Tantrik arrested

Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu): Four persons, including a Kerala-based `Tantrik,' were arrested on Sunday for cheating a person of Rs. 2 lakhs, which was recovered from them, the police said. The police said the victim was facing difficulties after suffering a loss in his business and approached the Tantrik, through a friend, for help. The Tantrik agreed to help and asked the man for Rs. 2 lakhs in cash, promising him that he would double the amount using his powers. — PTI

Youth groups flayed

Thiruvananthapuram: Plachimada Solidarity Committee, part of the anti-Coke movement in Kerala, expressed surprise on Sunday over what it called pro-Left youth organisations' silence on exploitation of drinking water by multinational giants. ``It was surprising that pro-Left students and youth organisations in the State were silent on exploitation of drinking water by multinationals and environmental pollution caused by them when the stir against them was spreading even in the United States,'' its convenor, R. Ajayan, said in a statement here. — PTI

Education programme launched

KOLLAM: G. Mohan Gopal, Member, Planning Board, on Saturday inaugurated the Shiksha Sahay Pariyojana programme being implemented by the Kerala Rural Development Agency (KRDA) for students in the tsunami-hit areas of Alapad panchayat. In his inaugural address, Dr. Gopal said educational schemes that would help students compete at the international level would be given importance in the annual Plan of the State from next year. KRDA chairman M. Ibrahim Kutty presided over the inaugural function — Staff Reporter

Action sought against police officer

KOLLAM: The district unit of the Action Council of State Employees and Teachers will take out a march to the Collectorate on February 15 demanding action against Kollam SP Santosh Varma who had ordered the lathicharge against CPI(M) activists during the Collectorate siege on February 1. In a statement here, district convener of the action council Basil Joseph said the demonstration would be inaugurated by Kollam MP P. Rajendran. Other demands included withdrawal of all police cases registered in connection with the incidents during the January 25 strike and arrest of those who had attacked the employees on that day. — Staff Reporter

Karunakaran Nambiar's contributions hailed

THRISSUR: The contributions of veteran journalist and the former associate editor of the Malayalam Express daily late V Karunakaran Nambiar were hailed at a function organised here by the Kerala Press Academy on Sunday to coincide with his death anniversary. Inaugurating the function, social and literary critic Sukumar Azhikode said Nambiar could break the walls that restricted journalistic profession and could broaden its horizons. Journalist P. Sreedharan delivered the `Karunakaran Nambiar remembrance talk'. Press Academy Chairman Thomas Jacob presented the Karunakaran Nambiar Memorial award to journalist Johnson Poovathuruthu of the Deepika daily. — Staff Reporter

Endowment inaugurated

KOCHI: The Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II endowment was inaugurated in Aluva on Sunday. The inauguration coincided with a memorial for Baselius Mar Thoma Mathews II organised under the aegis of the Angamaly West Diocese of the Orthodox Church. Catholicos Mar Thoma Didymus I presided over the memorial meeting at which Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi delivered the keynote address. Sebastian Paul, MP, inaugurated the endowment. — Staff Reporter

Award for police official

THRISSUR: DIG B Sandya has been presented with the `Lioness Mahilarathna' award instituted by the women's wing of the Lions Club. Lions Club office-bearer from Kolkota Sangeeta Jatia presented the award to Dr. Sandya at the `Lioness meet' here on Saturday evening.

Karunakaran Nambiar's contributions hailed

THRISSUR: The contributions of veteran journalist and the former associate editor of the Malayalam Express daily late V Karunakaran Nambiar were hailed at a function organised here by the Kerala Press Academy on Sunday to coincide with his death anniversary. Inaugurating the function, social and literary critic Sukumar Azhikode said Nambiar could break the walls that restricted journalistic profession and could broaden its horizons. Journalist P. Sreedharan delivered the `Karunakaran Nambiar remembrance talk'. Press Academy Chairman Thomas Jacob presented the Karunakaran Nambiar Memorial award to journalist Johnson Poovathuruthu of the Deepika daily. — Staff Reporter

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