Tag: Kerala

Mamata Reminds Kerala CM Of His ‘duty To Criticise’ The Kerala Story; Slams For ‘casteism’

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP for backing the film ‘The Kerala Story’ and alleged that they are propagating ‘distorted stories.’ She also went after the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan for not criticising ‘The Kerala Story’ and accused him and the BJP of practising casteism. CM Vijayan had earlier criticised the movie and called it an attempt to malign Kerala’s image.

“BJP is doing casteism and divide and rule politics. Why this Kashmir Files? To humiliate one section,” CM Banerjee said in her address to the media. “What is this Kerala Files? I don’t support CPI people. I am talking about people, not the CPI(M) party because they are working with the BJP. Instead of me, it was their duty to criticise it but they work together,” she said.

“I am sorry but I will request the state government CM…very sad your party is working with BJP. And that BJP is showing the Kerala files… distorted stories,” the CM said while further lashing out. Additionally, she accused the BJP of preparing a film called ‘The Bengal Files’ and alleged that the party is trying to defame Bengal. “They are now defaming Kerala and its people. Every day they are creating narratives to defame Bengal also. Why is the BJP creating communal politics?” she questioned.

BJP National President JP Nadda attended a special screening of the movie in Bengaluru and called the film an eye-opener on how youngsters are brainwashed into terrorism. “I think we all should watch The Kerala Story,” he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also supported the movie and said that it highlights real social issues in India. The film has also had the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. “The film ‘The Kerala Story’ is in vogue these days. How terroristic conspiracies are being nurtured in Kerala, a state which is otherwise known for being a beautiful land of hardworking, talented, and intellectual people? The truth is being unveiled by this film,” PM Modi said during one of his Karnataka election rallies.

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May 8, 2023
Kerala: 22 Dead After Tourist Houseboat Capsizes In Malappuram, Rescue Operations Underway

Twenty two people, including women and children, were killed in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday, when a houseboat with more than 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area, the state government said. The rescue operation is still underway as of today morning.

Monday has been declared a day of official mourning and all government programmes stand postponed as a mark of respect to the victims.

A senior district official told PTI that all the 22 people whose bodies have been recovered have been identified. “We have requested the help of all agencies. NDRF and Coast Guard teams have already reached the spot. We have also sought the Navy’s help,” the official said.https://d-2672324256672635721.ampproject.net/2304212144000/frame.html

More people are believed to be trapped under boat this morning and rescue operations are underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each victim. “Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.https://d-2672324256672635721.ampproject.net/2304212144000/frame.html

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too issued a statement condoling the deaths and directed the district collector to carry out a coordinated emergency rescue operation. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the Tanur boat accident in Malappuram. Have directed the District administration to effectively coordinate rescue operations, which are being overseen by Cabinet Ministers. Heartfelt condolences to the grieving families & friends,” he said in a tweet.https://d-2672324256672635721.ampproject.net/2304212144000/frame.html

Cause yet to be determined

Earlier, PK Kunhalikutty, an MLA of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), said the toll is expected to go up as rescue operations continue. “It is a very tragic and unfortunate incident,” the former minister said.

Speaking to reporters from a government hospital near Tanur, he said overcrowding is believed to have been the reason behind the vessel capsizing. Boats are not supposed to go out for rides after 6 pm but it is believed that the rule was violated in this case, he added.

The incident occurred around 7 pm near an estuary close to the Thoovaltheeram beach in Tanur, the police said. Those rescued were admitted to nearby private and government hospitals. The exact cause of the accident is not known at present, they added.

(With inputs from PTI)

May 8, 2023
Kerala: 20 killed as houseboat capsizes in Malappuram

cMalappuram: Twenty people, including women and children, were killed when a houseboat with more than 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area of Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday, the state government said.

Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said 20 deaths were confirmed on the basis of information from various hospitals where those pulled out from the water and inside the boat were admitted.

Four people in critical condition have been admitted to a Kottakkal hospital here, Abdurahiman said.

Of the 20 bodies, 15 have been identified, the minister added.

“The boat is being hauled ashore and more bodies are expected to be recovered from inside,” he told PTI.

Abdurahiman said many of those who died were women and children who had come for a ride amid the ongoing school vacations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each victim.

“Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.

May 8, 2023
CM lashes out at the movie ‘The Kerala Story’; calls it propaganda of the Sangh Parivar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The movie ‘The Kerala Story’ furthers the propaganda of the Sangh Parivar by portraying Kerala, which is the land of secularism, as the epicenter of religious terrorism, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

Cautioning people of the state to be wary of attempts to spread unrest in society through propaganda, the Chief Minister warned of legal action against any such ‘anti-social’ acts.

The teaser of the movie ‘The Kerala Story’, written and directed by Sudipto Sen, was released recently. The film claims close to 32,000 women allegedly went missing in Kerala and that they converted, got radicalised, and were deployed in various terror missions.

“It is only deliberate that the movie is based on ‘Love Jihad’, a claim that was rejected by investigative agencies, courts, and the Union Home Ministry. This is done by the Sangh Parivar to demean Kerala before the world, destroy its secular atmosphere and sow the seeds of communalism,” the Chief Minister said in a Facebook post.

Pinarayi said the Sangh Parivar has come up with a movie based on falsehood as its politics was not fruitful in Kerala. The movie’s teaser puts out a huge lie that 32,000 women from Kerala were converted and enrolled in Islamic State. This is nothing but a false story produced in the Sangh Parivar factory of lies, he said.

“People who use cinema to create divide and factionalism in society cannot be justified in the name of creative freedom,” Pinarayi said. He added that creative freedom does not mean the license to communalise society and spread lies.

The ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress in the state had earlier lashed out against the controversial upcoming movie, calling it an attempt to destroy the communal harmony of the state.

April 30, 2023
Kerala High Court asks tax officials to use discretion

Kochi (IANS) | The Kerala High Court has pulled up assessing officers engaged in the implementation of taxation laws for passing orders mechanically without assigning reasons. A Division Bench of the Court held that the Assessing Officer should exercise his discretion while determining whether reasonable cause exists for demanding more tax from an assessee.

We consider it appropriate to remark that our country has a rule of law of which an integral part is the requirement of fairness. In cases of tax assessment, it is imperative that the Assessing Officer exercise his discretion regarding the various factors of tax assessment and give sufficient evidence to do so in his order.

The court said, in view of the taxpayer’s right to seek justice against the action of the government, it becomes imperative that this court acts to correct the unreasonable orders of the assessing officers so that the culture of propriety is maintained.

The court was considering a petition filed by Prodair Air Products India Private Limited (Prodair Limited) challenging the order of the Assessing Authority under the Kerala Value Added Tax Act (KVAT Act) imposing penalty on it for two assessment years under the KVAT Act. Made this comment.

Prodair Limited is a private company involved in the production and sale of industrial gases such as Hydrogen, Nitrogen and HP Steam.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) considered it necessary to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of Hydrogen, Nitrogen and HP Steam with specific properties to increase the production of its petroleum products. Therefore, he entered into a contract with Prodair Limited for the supply of the said gas.

According to the appellant, its obligation under the contract was to build, own, operate (BOO) and maintain a hydrogen and nitrogen manufacturing plant at its own cost on the land to be allotted by BPCL on lease basis. Its objective was to ensure uninterrupted supply of Hydrogen, Nitrogen and HP Steam at competitive prices to BPCL only and only.

As per the contract between the parties, the price of the gases consisted of fixed monthly charges as well as variable charges.

As per the agreement, BPCL had the option to take over the production plant if the agreement is not renewed on completion of the initial period of 15 years from the date of commencement of supply of gases.

When the Assessing Authority completed the assessment for two assessment years, it imposed penalty on the appellant under the KVAT Act.

Thereafter the appellant approached the High Court.

After careful examination of the contract between the two parties, the court held that the appellant shall construct, own and operate a plant on the land taken on lease from BPCL for the purpose of supply of specified gases to BPCL, and any transfer of property in the plant to BPCL as deemed by the Assessing Authority.

Therefore, the court, while allowing the appeal, pulled up the tax authorities for passing orders mechanically without explaining how the tax is made out in the case or why the claim of the taxpayer has been rejected.

–IANS

April 28, 2023
PM flags off Vande Bharat Express, Kochi Water Metro in Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express and dedicated to the nation various developmental projects, including the Kochi Water Metro, and said as states develop, the country will develop faster. The PM laid foundation stone and dedicated projects worth more than Rs 3200 crores at the Central Stadium here.

He said the central government lays emphasis on cooperative federalism and believes that if the states develop, it will help in the development of the country. “The central government lays emphasis on cooperative federalism. It believes that development of the states is the key to the development of the nation. So if Kerala develops, only then will India develop faster,” Modi said.

On a two-day visit of the southern state starting Monday, the PM earlier today flagged off the state’s maiden Vande Bharat Express service, which will connect the state capital with Kasaragod, Kerala’s northernmost district. Addressing a massive crowd at the stadium, Modi — dressed in a traditional Kerala attire of ‘kasavu’ mundu, shawl and kurta — said Keralites were literate, hardworking, capable, intellectual and aware about the economic situations in the countries across the world.

Despite global headwinds, India has been globally seen as the ‘Vibrant Spot of Development’, Modi said. The PM added there were several reasons behind the world’s belief in India and these were a decisive government at the Centre, unparalleled investments in the infrastructure development by it, investments for reaping demographic dividend, skilling of youth and the central government’s commitment to ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

He said one of the reasons for the growing stature of the country was the outreach efforts of the central government and it has benefited the Keralites living abroad. “India’s growing might is helping the Indian diaspora greatly,” he said.

Referring to development in the country, Modi said that in the last nine years, work on connectivity infrastructure has been undertaken at an “unprecedented speed and scale”. He said that in order to keep up the momentum, over Rs 10 lakh crore has been earmarked in this year’s budget for developing infrastructure.

Regarding the development of railways in Kerala, Modi said that compared to funds allocated to the state in the rail budget prior to 2014, the amounts have increased five-fold now.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed similar views when said at the event that prior to 2014 the southern state got only Rs 370 crore for railway development, whereas this year the allocation stood at Rs 2,033 crore. Both the PM and Vaishnaw highlighted the work being carried out to enhance the speed of trains, like Vande Bharat Express, on the tracks in the state. Vaishnaw said that within the next 18-24 months, the Vande Bharat service in Kerala can touch 100 kmph speed and clock about 150 kmph in 36 to 48 months.

Besides that, world class signalling and automatic train protection systems, railway stations and other facilities would be added to the rail infrastructure in the state, he said. The PM in his speech said that major railway stations in Kerala would soon be transformed into multimodal transport hubs.

He also referred to the Vande Bharat Express and said that it will ease travel to places of pilgrimage like Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kannur and without harming the environment. Modi further said that efforts were on to provide Made in India solutions as per local needs with regard to infrastructure.

Citing examples like semi-hybrid train, Regional Rapid Transport System, Ro-Ro ferry, and ropeway, he said these were situation-specific solutions that were made in India to address connectivity problems. Even the coaches of the Vande Bharat and the Kochi Water Metro and Kochi Metro were made in India, he said.

April 25, 2023
PM Modi inaugurates India’s first water metro in Kerala’s Kochi

KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated India’s first Water Metro that connects 10 islands around Kochi through battery-operated electric hybrid boats for seamless connectivity with the city. Kochi Water Metro, one of its kind project in the world connecting Kochi’s islands to the mainland is ready to start the service.

The country’s first Water Metro service will provide safe, affordable and pocket-friendly travel for people in and around Kochi and also tourists from across the world.

“It’s a different boat. Being an electric boat for the first time in India, we have many challenges. But we have received training at Indian Maritime University. So no problem. 12 trips per boat during peak time. It takes 20 minutes from one terminal to another. We can carry 96 passengers and 4 crew members so that 100 people,” Jayes, Boat master said.

Initially, Water Metro will start sailing with 8 electric-hybrid boats in two routes that are, Highcourt- Vypin and Vyttila- Kakkanad stretches. The single journey ticket fare for the High Court – Vypin route will be Rs 20. The fare for Vyttila- Kakkanad route will be Rs 30.

Other than the single-journey tickets, Kochi Water Metro will also have weekly, monthly and quarterly passes. As an inaugural offer, commuters can enjoy discounts for their purchase of various trip passes.

A weekly trip passes with 12 trips is priced at Rs 180 while the monthly trip passes are valid for 30 days having 50 trips would cost Rs 600. The quarterly pass is priced at Rs 1500 and passengers would be able to avail of 150 trips within a period of 90 days.

People would also be able to use Kochi One Card for travelling in Kochi Water Metro. Mobile QR tickets could be booked through Kochi One app. Meanwhile, Kochi Water Metro is set to start to sail with specially-abled children today shortly.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express which will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod. Apart from Kochi Water Metro, rail electrification of the Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

During the event, Prime Minister will also lay the foundation of various rail projects including the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Varkala Sivagiri railway stations; the comprehensive development of Thiruvananthapuram area including Nemon and Kochuveli and increasing of sectional speed of Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section.

April 25, 2023
Eight-year-old girl dies after mobile phone explodes in Kerala

KOCHI: An eight-year-old girl studying in Class 3 at a school in Kerala’s Thrissur died when a mobile phone on which she was watching a video exploded in her hand.

The incident occurred late Monday night and despite the best efforts of giving medical attention, she passed away. A team of local police officials have begun a probe and a forensic team also has been pressed into service.

–IANS

April 25, 2023
PM Modi flags off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express on Tuesday which will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod. PM Modi flagged off Vande Bharat Express at Thiruvananthapuram Central Station.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan were present on the ocassion.

According to Prime Minister’s Office, the Vande Bharat train will cover 11 districts namely Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. Vande Bharat Express is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high-speed, self-propelled train set.

The train has state-of-the-art passenger amenities, providing passengers with a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience. Prime Minister Modi, who is in Kerala today, will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various projects worth more than Rs 3,200 crore.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Kochi Water Metro, one of its kind project that connects 10 islands around Kochi through battery-operated electric hybrid boats for seamless connectivity with the city.

Apart from Kochi Water Metro, rail electrification of the Dindigul-Palani-Palakkad section will also be dedicated by the Prime Minister.

During the event, PM Modi will also lay the foundation of various rail projects including the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Varkala Sivagiri railway stations; comprehensive development of Thiruvananthapuram area including Nemon and Kochuveli and increasing of sectional speed of Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section.

Prime Minister will further lay the foundation stone of the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram.

April 25, 2023
8 year old girl died due to mobile phone explosion

Kochi (IANS) | An eight-year-old girl studying in Class III in Kerala’s Thrissur died after her mobile phone exploded. The mobile phone in the hand of the child got blasted. She was watching video on phone. The incident happened late on Monday night and despite the best efforts of the doctors, he could not be saved.

A team of local police officers has started investigation and a forensic team has also been pressed into service.

–IANS

April 25, 2023