Thiruvananthapuram, June 14 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is set to place “Good Governance with Empathy” at the heart of his administration and the state budget to be presented on June 19, according to remarks and policy signals that emerged in the early weeks of the new UDF government. As Leader of Opposition, Satheesan had frequently spoken about the need for a governance model that combines efficiency, accountability and compassion. Since assuming office as Chief Minister, h…
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Thiruvananthapuram, June 13 (IANS) Devaswom Special Government Pleader K.B. Pradeep, whose appointment had created a major embarrassment for the V.D. Satheesan-led UDF government, resigned on Saturday. The resignation came after Chief Minister sought his removal amid criticism over appointing the lawyer of a company linked to the Sabarimala gold theft case to handle crucial Devaswom matters.Pradeep’s appointment as Special Government Pleader for the Devaswom Department in the Kerala High Court…
Thiruvananthapuram, June 12 (IANS) With Kerala staring at a public debt burden exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore and the new UDF government preparing to present its maiden Budget on June 19, a veteran public finance expert has suggested an alternative path to shore up state revenues,without imposing fresh taxes or burdening citizens with higher fees.In a chat with IANS, Dr Biju Jacob, a former Principal Accountant General of Kerala and former Director General in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)…
Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 (IANS) Former Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the Congress-led UDF government of facilitating attempts to “saffronise” Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Kottayam, alleging the involvement of the Governor’s office.In a social media post on Tuesday, Vijayan said secular and democratic forces must come forward against what he described as efforts by the Sangh Parivar to gain control over the state’s higher education sector.He …
Thiruvananthapuram, June 8 (IANS) The Kerala government’s ambitious scheme to provide free travel for women in KSRTC buses will come into effect from June 15, but the benefit will initially be restricted to ordinary services alone.The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Transport Minister C.P. John, considering KSRTC’s financial constraints and operational challenges.John said the full details will be revealed by CM Satheesan, as the cabine…
Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (IANS) Kerala’s Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday termed the UDF government’s decision to dismiss tribal mentor teachers as a ‘grave injustice’ and demanded that they be reinstated immediately, saying the move would adversely affect the education of tribal students. Vijayan said the mentor teacher programme was introduced by the LDF government to prevent school dropouts among tribal children and provide them with academic support.As many as 308 mentor tea…
Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the UDF government’s policy address, alleging that it was a document prepared to mislead the people of Kerala and accused the Congress-led-UDF government of remaining silent on corruption allegations and the Sabarimala gold theft controversy. Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters, BJP MLAs Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and B.B. Gopakumar said the policy address failed to pres…
Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 (IANS) In a major gender focused announcement that immediately grabbed statewide attention, the new Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Friday proposed up to three days of monthly menstrual leave for schoolgirls as part of an ambitious women and child-centric welfare roadmap.This was unveiled in Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s maiden policy address in the Assembly.The announcement, made during the first policy declaration of the government headed by Chief…
Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 (IANS) The very first working day of Kerala’s newly constituted Assembly on Friday witnessed an early confrontation between the Congress-led UDF government and Lok Bhavan, with a controversy over the rendition of Vande Mataram ahead of the Governor’s policy address.The flashpoint came even before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar began reading out the government’s maiden policy declaration.As part of the ceremonial reception accorded to the Governor, the Keral…