Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Central Electricity Authority to probe Moozhiyar blast

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet has decided to order a detailed inquiry into the explosion at the generator IV of Moozhiyar power station of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectrict project.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who briefed the media on the Cabinet decisions on Friday, said the Central Electricity Authority would be requested to conduct the probe.

The Chief Minister also announced that Rs.5 lakh each would be granted to the next of kin of the victims.

Besides, one member from the family of each victim would be given a job in the State Electricity Board under the dying-in- harness scheme.

Mr. Achuthanandan also announced that the government would write to the Centre calling for an extension of the date for completion of the restructuring of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) by another year.

He said consultations were under way on the food security project.

There were no issues requiring a rapprochement between the CPI (M) and the CPI, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

The Cabinet, he said, approved the proposal to grant special pay and special allowance to government doctors with effect from May 2008. Doctors will get a benefit of Rs.3,400 to Rs.5,000 by way of special pay, increment and allowances.

The benefits of pay revision in government service, effected in 2006, will be extended to the employees of the Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants.

The Cabinet also decided to extend the moratorium on repayment of loans taken by fishermen by six months. It recommended to the Governor the promulgation of an Ordinance for constituting a welfare fund for agents of State lotteries.

Besides, it cleared a proposal for creation of 86 posts of non-teaching staff in Kannur University.

Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Paul Antony will be posted as Principal Secretary (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes).

Taxes Secretary P. Mara Pandiyan will be given charge of the Commissioner, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

Replying to questions on the talks he had with agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan on Thursday, the Chief Minister said Dr. Swaminathan had clarified that his commission’s recommendations were for special packages for Idukki and Kuttanad.

The packages would not form part of normal Central assistance to the State, the Chief Minister said.

Dr. Swaminathan had told the Chief Minister that the farmers had a right to special assistance because of the fall in prices of agriculture commodities.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

TRAC to conduct medical camps
Asianet Digital TV offers new channels
Animation films by children
UDF’s ‘wake-up call’ to the government
Central Electricity Authority to probe Moozhiyar blast
Nod for institute of medical education
Greening drive to be launched on June 5
Water conservation Act to be amended
Schools fete
‘Change minimum marks norm’
Full alert against chikungunya in northern districts
Farm crisis in Palakkad linked to labour shortage
Stir over sanctuary notification
Traffic to be blocked
Deccan’s offer
AI announces cheap fares
Children’s literature workshop
Motorbike theft: two held
Protest marches disrupt life in city
City schools score high in CBSE, ISC exams
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu