State expenditure curb

Job seekers of Kerala have a tough time ahead as expenditure curbs have been announced as part of the fiscal consolidation efforts of the State government.

According to a government order, new posts will be created only after conducting a work study and all departments exploring redeployment options. This will take time and it means those who are in PSC rank list can go ahead with protest meets or can visit temple- church-mosque to offer prayer for changing the mindset of atheist ministers. It all goes with the whims and fancies of Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. When Isaac says there is cash, there is it and when says no, there is no cash. And there is no other source to know the actual financial state of the government.

However, the government will go with extravaganza such as spending crores for cyber warriors for promoting govt programmes, hiking salary of ministers and MLAs, buying Crysta cars for ministers, keeping intact the otherwise useless Youth Commission, organising public meets for celebrating anniversary of the govt. etc.

K A Solaman

Needed uniform approach

The protection of identity of rape victims is considered to be a requirement under criminal law. Section 228 A of the IPC prohibits the publication of the identity of rape victims. The prohibition under the section has been worded to prohibit the publication of not only victims’ names but also any matter which could make victims’ identities known. Those who violate the publication prohibition under section 228A, IPC, are liable to be punished with imprisonment for up to two years and are be liable to be fined.

This law has been seemingly protected in the case of Nirbhaya of Delhi and the fifteen year old victim of Jing  district of Haryana. However in the cases of Jisha and 8 year old Katuva girl, this has been outrightly violated. When print media stood with the law by not publishing  photo of victim the social media took a different stand bringing huge damage to victim's family and the country.

Perhaps the publication of the photo may be due to the reason that  victim is dead or a minor. But the way of approach to different cases are different. In some cases identity was disclosed and in some others not. Don't we need a uniform approach in rape and murder cases to prevent social victimisation or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offence and her family?

Be tough towards brute doctors

The government doctors in Kerala are an independable lot. They have no concern about poor patients in the state. They work for their benefit and also for the benefit of private hospitals.

The indefinite strike called by doctors in government hospitals is unwarranted. Their protest against increase in OP timings at family health centres in connection with Ardram Mission, is objectionable. Will the sky fall if they sit   one hour more at OP time during duty hours?

The strike which, most of the public was unaware of, is cruel. It led great difficulty to many. The government should take stern action against this brute force who are in frequent play with poor man's life.

K A Solaman

Dalit hartal damage

Dalit sponsored hartal has become a success by the overreaction of the government, KSRTC,  private bus owners and the traders. All these initially coming against the hartal urged dalits to make it a success.

Traffic was disrupted widely across the state as part of the hartal. KSRTC, private bus owners and the traders stepped back from their earlier promise to boycot the hartal.  Dalit organization activists laid siege to road at many places. Violence was reported from some places in the southern districts of Kerala. The hartal supporters  blocked  the KSRTC, private buses ard bikers making immense hardships to even applicants  writing PSC examination.

"Do nothing against hartal" is the ever accepted policy of the government. A marked deviaton during dalit hartal, therefore,  brought huge damage to the state.
K A Solaman

Profesor needs treatment

The Kerala  state government  decision  to initiate legal action against  Botany professor Rajith Kumar who often makes derogatory remarks against womanhood, is in the right direction. Who permitted him to speak all these rubbish in public?

Earlier, at Women's College, Thiruvanankapuram he had made disparaging remarks against girls wearing jeans that they were likely to damage their womb in doing so. The girls pooh-poohed him and walked out in protest. Now he says women wearing jeans and shirts will give birth to transgenders. As transgenders are treated with equal status with men and women Rajith Kumar's remarks is a direct insult to not only women but also transgenders. His say that children of parents who are not of good character turn out to be autistic and suffer from cerebral palsy, is also deprecating.

In fact Rajith  has been propagating superstition and making anti-women remarks continuously. This misinformed  botany professor urgently needs medical treatment for his mental imbalance.

K A Solaman

Fuel price hike!

The price of one litre diesel touching an all-time high of Rs. 70.08 is stunning. The price of diesel and petrol rises day by day. This would sky rocket the price of essential commodities.

In the last four years oil rates have come down in the international market. But the Indian consumer is untouched by the relief. Who is to be blamed for it? The answer involves our complicated taxation system, the governments– both Centre and states – heavy dependence  on fuel as a source of revenue.

The governments should take measures to reduce tax on fuels. The oil marketing companies should be brought under scanner and pricing of fuel should be monitored. It is the prime duty of the goverments  to check the sudden spurt in the price of essential commodities that may happen from fuel price rise.

K A Solaman