This refers to the report, “Tighter security arrangements for Kannur bypoll: Collector” (October 26). The newly-appointed District Collector for Kannur, Mr P B Salim, has rightly understood the need for tight security measures in the Kannur Assembly constituency bypoll. Doubling the number of security personnel on duty this time and making arrangements for keeping a close watch on voters trying to reach the polling stations indicate Mr Salim’s sincerity to ensure a fair election. When voters will be photographed and have their thumb impressions recorded at the polling booth, no one will be able to rig the election.
KA Solaman
27 Oct 2009, The Pioneer New Delhi
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
High prices of essential commodities
The sky-rocketing price of essential supplies and vegetables has crippled the common people of Kerala at present. Even a single cup of costs Rs 5 at a way-side tea vendor which was Rs 3 two months back. The tea shop owner could not be blamed as he is not able to sell below this price as the cost of milk, sugar and tea has soared up. The rice and even tapioca cost high. The disorder in the current market created by traders and hoarders are a sufficient reason for this high price. The failure of the government to arrest the price rise of essential commodities is very much visible. Certainly prices have an uptrend all over India, but the local government finds it time to abuse the Central Government instead of taking action to control the high level price. There is not even a single instance of police raid at hoarders’ premises to locate the illegal storage of food items aimed at increasing price of commodities. Locally produced vegetables in Kerala too costs high because of flood or draught elsewhere in the country.
To arrest the price hike of essential commodities and vegetables steps such as vigilance raid may be conducted at selected destinations. . A refusal of highly priced commodities can be also practiced by common people for the time being. When sardine fish costs only Rs 30 per kg why people run for code fish that costs Rs 300 per kg? The unauthorized tax collection on commodities by some corrupt persons should be regularly cracked down by the government with iron hand. The Food and Civil Supplies department should keep a watch on the price of essential commodities and verify the traders’ justification of price hike. The so called ‘corruption free’ paraphernalia introduced by the Finance Minister of Kerala at border sales tax check posts should be overviewed by the Chief Minister and an amicable way out for the present imbroglio at check posts should be sorted out. As corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy are the main reasons for all mishaps in the State, with strict implementation of rules corruption can be checked and price rise could be effectively controlled.
Chief Minister VS, though not an economist, is able to understand the misery of the common people. Nevertheless, his econometrical and realty- business friendly colleagues do not allow him to perform. One hopes his next step is to cut short the failure of his government and to contain the price rise and the bureaucracy as well.
K A Solaman
To arrest the price hike of essential commodities and vegetables steps such as vigilance raid may be conducted at selected destinations. . A refusal of highly priced commodities can be also practiced by common people for the time being. When sardine fish costs only Rs 30 per kg why people run for code fish that costs Rs 300 per kg? The unauthorized tax collection on commodities by some corrupt persons should be regularly cracked down by the government with iron hand. The Food and Civil Supplies department should keep a watch on the price of essential commodities and verify the traders’ justification of price hike. The so called ‘corruption free’ paraphernalia introduced by the Finance Minister of Kerala at border sales tax check posts should be overviewed by the Chief Minister and an amicable way out for the present imbroglio at check posts should be sorted out. As corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy are the main reasons for all mishaps in the State, with strict implementation of rules corruption can be checked and price rise could be effectively controlled.
Chief Minister VS, though not an economist, is able to understand the misery of the common people. Nevertheless, his econometrical and realty- business friendly colleagues do not allow him to perform. One hopes his next step is to cut short the failure of his government and to contain the price rise and the bureaucracy as well.
K A Solaman
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bogus votes in Kannur
It is a surprise to see the huge number of additions of names in the Kannur Assembly constituency in the updating process in just five months since the last Lok Sabha elections. The total number of new name additions in the list is 9,357 voters. Where were these voters at the time of last Lok Sabha election? The list seems to be rather controversial and would invoke several litigations after the election. So, it would be better for Election Commission to conduct voting based on the last Lok Sabha poll voters’ list about which the leading political parties have no conflict.
No doubt the rigging in the voters’ list is a new invention especially in the by-election. The Election should also take decision to put an end to namesakes of the prominent candidates contesting in the election.
K A Solaman
No doubt the rigging in the voters’ list is a new invention especially in the by-election. The Election should also take decision to put an end to namesakes of the prominent candidates contesting in the election.
K A Solaman
A fitting reply
The high turnout of voters in the recently-concluded Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh is a befitting reply to China’s bogus claim on the State. The Government of India should use this opportunity to strengthen its case against China’s illegitimate claim and its audacity to object to the Prime Minister’s visit to the State.
K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 21 Oct 2009
K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 21 Oct 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Apt respond by Arunachal voters.
The just concluded Assembly elections in Arunachal went without much notice in the rest of India. The large-scale partaking of the electorate in the Assembly polls there is an apt respond to China's bogus claim on the state. The Government of India needs to be more diplomatic in dealing with the annoyance created by China. China has no right speak against Indian Prime Minister and other leaders visiting the state.
Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in the North-East, is five times bigger than the Kashmir Valley. It is a very rich state with profuse natural resources and China’s eagle eye is on this reserve. Patriotism is embedded in the blood of every people of Arunachal Pradesh and there is no need to rekindle it. It is our effort to take action to make every person of Arunachal Pradesh to feel as Indian Citizen with valid identity proof. Lobbying within the country for China by some political outfits should be seriously viewed and checked.
K A Solaman
Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in the North-East, is five times bigger than the Kashmir Valley. It is a very rich state with profuse natural resources and China’s eagle eye is on this reserve. Patriotism is embedded in the blood of every people of Arunachal Pradesh and there is no need to rekindle it. It is our effort to take action to make every person of Arunachal Pradesh to feel as Indian Citizen with valid identity proof. Lobbying within the country for China by some political outfits should be seriously viewed and checked.
K A Solaman
Friday, October 16, 2009
For ephemeral pecuniary benefits.
More and more people coming to sell lottery tickets and unemployed youths resorting to self immolation are indications of the present scenario of persistent unemployment in Kerala. The present LDF Government does little for creating fresh employment. The ludicrous pension unification scheme and the subsequent ban on employment made the fate of educated youths miserable. The youth organizations crying wide mouth for silly matters have no concern about the future of youths. On the other hand those employees in service make all gimmicks to lure the ministers and legislators for taking decision for enhancing their retirement age.
Many youths with high qualifications are working as commission agents of banks and financial institutions with little financial benefits. There is absolute insecurity in the minds these youngsters because of the callousness shown by the government in giving them jobs. Asking highly educated youngsters to plough field , and to do manual jobs like catching stray dogs for getting unemployment wage is a cruel joke. The Kerala Government should do something to provide jobs and thereby to remove frustration of youngsters. I really hope that the government should not introduce retirement age hike just for ephemeral pecuniary benefits of the State. Though the honorable H C endorsed the retirement age unification act of the Government it was a foul play for getting a short-lived fiscal advantage for the government
K A Solaman
PublishaLetter.com Oct 16,2009
Many youths with high qualifications are working as commission agents of banks and financial institutions with little financial benefits. There is absolute insecurity in the minds these youngsters because of the callousness shown by the government in giving them jobs. Asking highly educated youngsters to plough field , and to do manual jobs like catching stray dogs for getting unemployment wage is a cruel joke. The Kerala Government should do something to provide jobs and thereby to remove frustration of youngsters. I really hope that the government should not introduce retirement age hike just for ephemeral pecuniary benefits of the State. Though the honorable H C endorsed the retirement age unification act of the Government it was a foul play for getting a short-lived fiscal advantage for the government
K A Solaman
PublishaLetter.com Oct 16,2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Madani-not a party this time.
Just after six months the Parliament Election the CPM of Kerala found that Madani’s PDP is untouchable. It endorses V S Achuthanadan’s stance towards Madani’s party and at the same time disapproves Pinarayi Vijayan’s appearance with Madani on the stage of a Lok Sabha election convention at Malappuram. PDP is now destined to plays a hide and seek game. They oppose openly the CPI candidate at Alappuzha whereas there stance at Kannur and Ernakulam is doubtful. The CPM approach towards PDP indicates that there is no enduring policy in politics. It can change from time to time and that too with no reason.
K A Solaman
K A Solaman
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Who is responsible for Thekkadey boat tragedy?
The Thekkadey boat tragedy was worst in the history of Kerala. Along with lives of 44 people the state has lost crores of rupees as future revenue from tourism.
Evidently the reasons for the Thekkadey tragedy are the following.
1)The boat was faultily made with inferior plastic fibre and other items.
2) The boat was made with an inbuilt slant.
3)The boat was over-crowded.
4There were plastic chairs added on the boat in order to accommodate extra passengers.
5)The boat tilted on one side while turning and all those sitting on the chairs slid on one side, leading the boat to capsize.
6)The passengers were not given any life jackets.
The Department and the KTDC are equally responsible for the tragedy. Punishing boat driver and his assistant alone is a way to hoodwink the people. The Minister and KTDC Chairman should take responsibility and resign in order to avoid future recurrence such incidents.
K A Solaman
Evidently the reasons for the Thekkadey tragedy are the following.
1)The boat was faultily made with inferior plastic fibre and other items.
2) The boat was made with an inbuilt slant.
3)The boat was over-crowded.
4There were plastic chairs added on the boat in order to accommodate extra passengers.
5)The boat tilted on one side while turning and all those sitting on the chairs slid on one side, leading the boat to capsize.
6)The passengers were not given any life jackets.
The Department and the KTDC are equally responsible for the tragedy. Punishing boat driver and his assistant alone is a way to hoodwink the people. The Minister and KTDC Chairman should take responsibility and resign in order to avoid future recurrence such incidents.
K A Solaman
Monday, October 5, 2009
Personally public comment
Obviously RSP general secretary TJ Chandrachoodan is playing an Achuthanandan in his party whereas state secretary V P Ramakrishna Pillai, the Pinarayi.
Chandrachoodan said: “The Government here doesn’t know what is happening in the State, where people are afraid even to go out for morning walks”. His comment is observably true; however, Ramakrihana Pillai said in retort, “It is only a personal opinion of Chandrachoodan”. Is then Pillai’s statement a public opinion?
K A Solaman
Chandrachoodan said: “The Government here doesn’t know what is happening in the State, where people are afraid even to go out for morning walks”. His comment is observably true; however, Ramakrihana Pillai said in retort, “It is only a personal opinion of Chandrachoodan”. Is then Pillai’s statement a public opinion?
K A Solaman
Friday, October 2, 2009
Land of tragedies-The Pioneer
The Bhoothathankettu reservoir boat accident in February 2007, which claimed the lives of 18 school children and three teachers in Kerala, is still fresh in the minds of the people. According to media reports, makeshift boats carried the schoolchildren for sightseeing well past the permitted hours. A similar negligence was the cause of the tragedy at Thekkady Lake in Idukki district of Kerala. A complete disregard for rules was behind the death of 42 tourists at Thekkady Lake. If modern fibre boats are unfit for use on water bodies like this lake, they should have not been allowed for use in the first place. It proves that there is no proper regulatory body for ensuring the safety of tourists. To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future, boating in all reservoirs in the State should be banned.
K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 3 Oct 2009
K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 3 Oct 2009
Cost of the experiment
Modern fibre boats are light. They are unfit for service on water bodies like Thekkadi Lake. The Government of Kerala experimented and arrived at this result. The cost of the experiment is the life of 42 innocent people!
K A Solaman
K A Solaman
Shocking boat tragedy
It is not too late to forget the shocking boat accident in Feb 2007 which took place near Thattekadu at Bhootathankettu reservoir, killing about 22 persons, most of them school children. The people of the state then had left with no words to console the heartbroken parents. Reports of that accident specifed that the boat was overcrowded and was well past sight-seeing hours.
Though the government of Kerala brought in strict time schedule for sight seeing it was ignored at Thekkadi. The time of accident was the same as that of Thattekadu tragedy and it marred effective rescue operations. The divers of the Indian Navy had to suspend the search operations because of darkness. In Thekkadi rules were not respected and rulers did not ensure that they were properly enforced and that was the reason for the death of 42 people. The KTDC chairman Cheriyan Philip owning up the moral responsibility for the tragedy is a gimmick of imitation. If modern fibre boats, which were light, were not fit for service on water bodies like Thekkady Lake, then who permitted fibre-boat service in Thekkadi lake?
To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future boating in all reservoirs in the state should be banned. The Government should enquire the reason for not implementing commission recommendations relating accidents at Thattekkadu and Kumarkom?
K A Solaman
Though the government of Kerala brought in strict time schedule for sight seeing it was ignored at Thekkadi. The time of accident was the same as that of Thattekadu tragedy and it marred effective rescue operations. The divers of the Indian Navy had to suspend the search operations because of darkness. In Thekkadi rules were not respected and rulers did not ensure that they were properly enforced and that was the reason for the death of 42 people. The KTDC chairman Cheriyan Philip owning up the moral responsibility for the tragedy is a gimmick of imitation. If modern fibre boats, which were light, were not fit for service on water bodies like Thekkady Lake, then who permitted fibre-boat service in Thekkadi lake?
To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future boating in all reservoirs in the state should be banned. The Government should enquire the reason for not implementing commission recommendations relating accidents at Thattekkadu and Kumarkom?
K A Solaman
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