It has been reported that 10 electric buses rented by KSRTC are incurring huge loss. According to KSRTC each bus incurs a loss of Rs 7,140 per day. Then what is the advantage of buying new E-buses?
Hence, the plan by Kerala Government to buy 3,000 electric buses at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore smacks.of corruption..The consultancy deal was given to Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a London based company This company is fighting .many legal battles for corruption in the past. When Mls Tata, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra like Indian companies make E-buses, Kerala Government planning for a purchase abroad, is suspecious.
K A Solaman
Lockdown norms violation is high among politicians in Kerala. This is evident in the cases of Dean Kuriakose, Adoor Prakash, Kadakampally Surendron and others. But when police takes action it is often appears one sided. If Dean's is a sufficient case for a police case, then that of Kadakampally is not a lesser one.
Another draconian way of penalising common man is the fine for not using face mask. It is Rs 200 for first time offence and Rs 5000 for second time offence, which means a scale factor of 25, quite unheard in any petty case. Of late, Govt hospitals have become a place for rescue people while public places are one for punish people. It is high time to develop a better programme to create awareness among people instead of imposing hefty fine in this lockdown period .
This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.
In this context Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping Chennai meet is of great significance. The meet will give great momentum to
bilateral ties between India and China. Any improvement in India-China relations would avert boarder tensions and benefit the people of the two countries and the world. And in that case Modi and Xi will follow the path paved by Abiy Ahmed Ali
K A Solaman
It is first of its kind in the world that a leader complains for non-receipt of Nobel prize. US President Donald Trump airing one of his oldest grievances at the United Nations that it is unfair he never got the Nobel peace prize, is interesting With this demand Trump has once again proved that he is a funny man with varied fancies. However, he has to remember facts related to Nobel prize issue.
Though there were controversies related to selection, Noble Peace Prize is by far the only biggest prestigious award which is having an unmatched pride. Suspecting an unfair play couldnot be accepted.
The selection is.always followed by some or other form of strict criteria The selection committee need to make sure of every new development and contributions that has hit in the year. If contribution by someone else outweighes that of Mr Trump, it means he has not reached the limit to get the prize.
K A Solaman
Bizarre are the innovations of postal department in the state. The one among them is the 7196 postmen in the state going to act as mobile ATMs . A new system allows money withdrawal and deposit upto Rs 10000 through postmen.
However, this scheme will unlikely to materialise or if materialised it will end up in disaster. This one says because postmen in Kerala are overloaded with work. Complaints are plenty against them for not delivering postal articles in time. The periodicals coming via post receive scant regard from postmen and they are not even delivered. In that case money handlig will bring them a tough time in their work.
The prime duty of the postman is to deliver postal articles promptly. Making Item bankers invite unforseen problems
K A Solaman
Who said universities in Kerala are independent bodies where external influence is little? The alleged violation of noms by minister for higher education K T Jaleel shows that all the unversities are under his control and he is capable of raising marks of failed candidates. The alleged violatiion of norms to intervene and pass a B Tech student who failed in one subject despite revaluation, is a solid evidence in this direction.
There are usually allegations against one or two ministers in a cabinet. But allegation of corruption against all the ministers in a cabinet is new to Kerala.
A minister forming special evaluation committee for providing. sufficient marks to pass the student for the subject in which the student could not score pass marks even after revaluation, is a dangerous form of corruption.
K A Solaman
It is an out and out disrespectful act on the part of state government of Kerala to convene an all party meeting to discuss the Maradu flat issue. The politicians and bureaucrats are beneficiaries in the fake venture of constructing Maradu flats and that is why ruling and opposition parties demand not to execute the apex court order.
More interesting is the surfacing of the flat builders by giving letter to the municipal secretary clarifying that they have no responsibility in the issue. After cheating all the flat buyers, it is the sponsored programme of builders to tell new stories.
K A Solaman
After opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran, UDF convenor Benny Behanan has also raised sharp criticism against MP Shashi Tharoor for his comments that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be praised for doing the right things. Tharoor, considered as a potential candidate for AICC president, suffering this humiliation from Congress leaders is undesirable.
Why the flunkey leaders of Congress do not understand Tharoor's plight to avert a possible fall in the case related to suspecious murder of his third wife Sunanda Pushkar? Moreover, his darlingest Mehr Tarar in Pakistan waits for him for an immediate nuptial knot. Without prime minister Modi's blessings these are all beyond the bounds, Tharoor believes.
So, an immediate return to power is very remote, Congress leaders should think of acting like Tharoor to get some reward. There is enough time to return to Congress when matters come in favour.
K A Solaman
Kerala flood
There are many factors that brought the severe rainfall and consequent flood in Kerala in 2018 and 2019. On 16 August 2018, severe floods affected Kerala, due to unusually high rainfall during the monsoon. It was the worst flood in Kerala in nearly a century killing 483 people. A report by J P. Alex, an amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala high court, said the devastating floods of 2018 was the result of bad dam management by the state government. This finding is acceptable to the people all around. This year also there was unprecedented heavy rainfall and overall damage is not too high.
It is believed that climate change is reason for heavy rain fall. Though it is difficult to attribute any single event to climate change, its possible reasons are deforestation and thoughtless quarrying. However, the reason for the immediate flood after heavy downpour is the little death of rivers. The quarry owners and M-sand mafia have played foul with selfish politicians not to mine river sand. This made rivers shallow and the the immediate impact after rain is, flood. The rivers are made shallow not to hold water and hence overflows. To avoid such floods in future river sand mining can be reconsidered
K A Solaman
Sons of prominent leaders of Kerala are at receiving end. For instance, Binoy, son of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, is under threat from Bihari woman for compensation for rape and illegitimate fathering. Binoy, though against his father's belief, sought the possible help of Lord Ayyappa by visiting Sabarimala.
Another prominent son, BDJS leader and NDA candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, Thushar is under arrest in Ajman in UAE on a bounced cheque case. He was sent to the Ajman Central Jail. A dishonoured cheque of 10 million Dirham (about 19.5 crore rupees) is a serious criminal act in UAE.Thushar is the son of SNDP Yogam Secretary Vellappally Natesan.
In fact, it is a handicap of these Kerala leaders that all their kids are born completely naked.
K A Solaman
It has been reported that a group of members in BJP demanded to seek an explanation from B Gopalakrishnan for his remarks against film personality Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Who are these members, however, is missing in the report.
BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan has given a fitting reply to Adoor for his writing to PM based half baked truths. Adoor and company had also forged the signature of film director Manirathinam.
Adv B Gopalakrishnan's comment was seemingly not controversial and such fitting replies are absolutely necessary to shut the mouth of Modi detractors
K A Solaman
The police courting trouble because of their arrogance, is no news in Kerala. Latest is the lathi charge against CPI protestors who marched to Kochi Range IG Office.
Several leaders and workers including Muvattupuzha MLA Eldo Abraham got injured in the police lathi charge. The MLA’s hand broke as the police thrashed him using lathi. CPI district secretary was also injured in the police attack.
An MLA of the ruling front getting injured in police action is new to the state. As Eldo reacted, there is no one in the state to control the police. Of late, lathi-charge and water cannon have become daily ordeal in the state to handle protesters.
Perhaps, under Pinaryi regime, police has to prove that no one is above the law. Not a politician, not a student, not a teacher, not a priest, not an advocate. All are all subjected to police action except CPM leaders
K A Soleman
The heavy rush for admission to undergraduate and PG courses of autonomous colleges has nothing to do with the quality of teaching or overall discipline. The only reason is: the college is autonomous.
The admission procedure in autonomous college is different from that of affiliated or non- autonomous colleges. Single application is sufficient for admission to non- autonomous colleges as they practice single window system. But each autonomous college demands separate application. and this places a huge burden on applicants. Moreover, one autonomous college will be in tie- up with adjacent autonomous college regarding question paper setting and valuation. This generates simple question papers and high marks to students which non- autonomous college students could not imagine. In fact an autonomous college student gets high marks but his standard is low compared to non- autonomous student.
So, the only way to protect standard of autonomous colleges is to conduct examination by the university. Valuation of answerscripts should done by examiners unknown to automous college teachers. Heavy rush and students' difficulty in getting admission can be avoided by introducing single window system for admission procedure in autonomous colleges.
K A Solaman
The India equity market moved down after the Union Budget. Though the budget is rational and development oriented down trend prevails in the market. Possibly this is due to the foul play by some big operators.
Though there are measures to improve growth, reduce income inequality, strengthen bank performance and bring about a transparent and honest regime, the nose-diving of prominent scrips is to be examined. It is time for FM to alert SEBl and warn foul players of the Indian stock market.
K A Solaman
The power tariff by the Kerals State Electricity Board Is again on a hike. The proposed hike is ten percent. It was two years back the charge for single phase connection has been increased to Rs 30 from Rs 20. The fixed charge for three phase connection has been hiked to Rs 80 from Rs 60. With that hike, the board has garnered extra revenue of Rs 550 crore. There is no valid reason for the present hike except Chairman N S Pillai's ego.
Interestingly the highly priced Kerala power lacks quality. Though said there is no cut, power supply is intermittent. Tree touching removal is the new phrase for the present power cut
This price hike and others are a marked backtrack from the declared stance of LDF Government during its inception. The manifesto by the LDF published on April 2016 reads: "If LDF forms a government, it will ensure that there will be no rise in prices of essential items". The manifesto also promises corruption-free, and clean governance. And, of course, power tariff hike is not covered by the manifesto.
K A Solaman
One of the aspects that Excise Department officials find most alarming in Kerala is rise in drug abuses related to schools. School students form a large part of the customer base for narcotic drugs.
Nearly 70 percent of school children in the state are vulnerable to narcotics abuse. Not only students use narcotics, a few of them act as a supplier to schoolmates.
So in this context Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu saying that the government alone would not be able to tackle the problem of growing drug abuse, is significant. The parents, teachers and the entire society would have to be involved to check the menace.. The State should set up special cells to deal with the problem and honest and sincere officers are to be posted to deal with the situation.
K A Solaman
It is a tragic end for the acting career of award winner cine actor Vinayakan as he was booked over a sexual harresment complaint from an activist and model. This I say because of the acting career of Alansiar who was booked over a 'me too' case. Alansiar is nowhere in the cinema world at present.
The woman in her complaint alleged that when she phoned Vinayakan to invite him for a programme, he verbally abused her. He abused her mother also and she has a valid proof in this regard.
The incident shows celebrities, especially male ones, should take caution while dealing with persons of courage and integrity. Vinayakan's misbehaviour ended in a call record which is a valid evidence against the actor. The whole incident tells:
Celebrity was a long time in coming; it will go away. Everything goes away.
K A Solaman
The inquiry into the death of violinist Balabhaskar in a car accident goes leaden day by day. Investigators are seemingly cluless as people associated with Balabraskar have allegedly criminal background. The new track of the CB inquiry targets Prakashan Thampi and Vishnu Somasundaram, both fixtures in Balabhaskar’s music circuit and accused in the smuggling case registered by the DRI. Though Lakshmi, Balabhaskar's wife has denied that they are her husband’s business associates, the whole story puts Balabhaskar's dealings shady.
The rift between his friends and relatives prompts one to think that the whole drama is a bit complicated. As one television actor had alleged the accident may be a gold smuggling-related crime.
There is a dark side of everyone- it is the side people do not really get to see. One thinks everyone has that.
K A Solaman
Possibility for potential floods in future haunts the LDF government in Kerala. So government plans to construct four more major dams in the state. The sites identified for the construction are Peringalkuthu, Pooyamkutty, Achankovil and Kuriyarkutty.
The reason for such a decision is two fold. One is: to make people convince that last August flood was natural and no minister or the KSEB has involvement in making the flood by opening simultaneously all the dams. Second is: an eye on the huge commission it would generate in the purchase of cement and steel rods. Also, there is an eye in the sale of trees in dam sites.
Whatever it may be, this crafty plan is unlikely to work out in Kerala in the immediate future because the new generation is not unaware that the ecological damage that dams make is unfathomably complex and dire.
K A Solaman
Kerala Women's Commission should function irrespective of political affiliations. This is the opinion of newly elected Alathur MP Ramya Haridas. And it is also the opinion of many other like-minded people. It is true that Women's Commission did not book suo-moto case against LDF convenor for making offensive comments on Remya Haridas. In P. K Sasi's case also they took similar attitude.
The Kerala Women's Commission is a statutary body and it performs on all matters relating to women's problems.The commission is to inquire into the complaints of any unfair practice to women and to recommend to the government, what action to be taken. Unfortunately the Commission acts are partisan because of obvious reasons.The commission should ensure equal opportunity for disputes redressal to all women irrespective of caste, creed and political interest.
K A Solaman
The blow to the LDF this time is so severe. It has not only lost all its traditional bastions such as Alathur, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasargod, Vadakara and Attingal but also majority in 75 of the 91 Assembly segments it had won in the 2016 elections. The UDF, on the other hand, has gained sizeable majority in 123 Assembly segments. The Pinaryi government has no moral right to continue.
However, the CPM has started with damage control exercise. Theyhave come to the conclusion that Sabarimala is a major reason for the shameful defeat. There was also big leakage of Hindu votes. The question is: are they ready to restrict those thoughtless women who still want to make surprise in Sabarimala?
Interestingly, the CPM Secretariat has asked district committees to submit reports on reasons for the defeat. The district committees then will ask area committees to report. The area committees, in turn, will ask branch committees about the debacle. This routine drill will continue and finally conclusion will be; people didn't vote, so lost. The UDF, for its victory, owes very much to LDF because it is the folly of the latter that helped the UDF.
K A Solaman
Report from Muvattapuzla that clothes inside a house in Valakam caught fire without any reason, is amusing. No matter where the clothes are kept, it caught fire for no reason. The police and fire force are clueless to find the reason for this strange incident.
The answer to question is well explained in the Fazil film Manichithrathazhu, where Ganga, a psychic patient in the house, is naturally programmed to do this job. If the police is still clueless they can think of in this direction. And also ask the members of the family whether anyone among them has seen the Fazil film recently or has the habit of handling metallic sodium.
K A Solaman
The man who said: "There are no illegitimate sons, only illegitimate fathers" is no more. His death is, indeed, shocking.
It was a wonderful tirade by
Rohit Shekhar, son of N D Tiwari and Ujjwala Sharma for his quest to not be called a ‘bastard’. As none is born without a father it is highly humiliating to use the word ‘bastard’ against a man. It was not Rohit Shekhar alone in the country who had gone through such a humiliating experience. Rohit was a trailblazer to many who had undergone bitter experience. He once said: “I am not the illegitimate son, he(Tiwari) is my illegitimate father". This was absolutely right. The wishy-washy Tiwari had hoodwinked the entire country with his political poses as minister, governor etc, but finally admitted his fault. Rohit Shekhar had become successfuel for 'giving birth' to his illegitimate father. There are no illegitimate sons, only illegitimate fathers, according to him.
It was this Rohit Sekhar who met with a mysterious death. Rohit's mother accuses his wife and her family of trying to usurp the property of her son. Delhi Police investigating the case would reveal the truth, it is hoped.
K A Solaman
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan along with higher officials, will be on a 10-day foreign tour, after election. They are not to communist countries like China or N Korea but to capitalistic countries like Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Britain. Finance minister Thomas Isaac will also accompany the team to participate in the KIIFB masala bond listing in London.
Masala bond is not for a meagre sum. It is intended to collect a sum in tune with Rs 50000 crore and the present collection of Rs 2150 crore is only a tip of the iceberg, according to Finance Minister Thomas Isaac's lecture class before a less cheerful audience, possibly party cadres, in the party channel. Though the participants of the discussion were not seen impressed, Isaac was pretendedly smiling all time because of the thought of hefty sum likely to come via masala sale.
One pertinent question is: Do the present ministers have the mandate of the people to collect and spend such a huge amount with in a span of 2 years. Is it right on the part of the goverment to make future generation permanent debtors to western countries? Is there any approved modality for repayment of masala bonds? If so who approved it and when?
With available fund the govt. has done little to flood hit people. It is then unwise to think new models will be implemented for post-flood renovations with borrowed money.
K A Solaman
The man with yellow and red cards is now seemingly desperate. His adventure with election politics has ended nowhere. Now his own department, the Vigilance, has booked a case against him. The man is Jacob Thomas, the former Vigilance Director of Kerala. He is alleged for corruption when he was the Ports Director.
Jacob was allegedly involved in corruption of more than of Rs 14 crores in the purchase of a dredger. In the investigation the finance department has found a loss of Rs 14.96 crores. Based on this, vigilance investigation is initiated.
History repeats first as a tragedy then as a comedy
K A Solaman
APRIL 08, 2019, The Hindu
Not all public service commission examinations have serious questions. A few of them are quite funny. For example, an objective-type question paper set for assistant professors in the Kerala Health Department had this: “Who were the first women to have entered the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple as per the Supreme Court ruling?” Is this what future assistant professors of psychiatry need to know?
K A Solaman,
Kerala
Kerala's Opposition party is a toothless tiger. Instead of agitating over serious matters their targets are always silly stuffs. For instance, a few days back Opposition leader Remesh Chennithala has said that the lions share of the masala bonds of KIIFB was brought by CDPQ, a firm that has connections with the controversial SNC Lavalin. If so what? The aim of the bond issue is to get fund and that has been done successfully. It is not seller's head-ache to check the history of the buyer.
The grave mistake done by the government is the killing of 450 people by an artificially created flood in August, last year. Disregarding the gravity of this crime, Opposition often saves the face of government by switching over to another lapse and the action cascades. In fact the Opposition never sticks to the spot and has become an agency to support the government.
In the absence of a credible opposition party, the government will go berserk. And that is what happening in Kerala.
K A Solaman
Making Malayalam feature films is a child's play now. Anyone with a movie/mobile camera along with a few bucks and thugs could make a film. Teen love, cutting genitals and open defacation etc, are the main scene of such films. No rules and regulations are obeyed and morals are observed in the shooting of such cinemas
Seeking of explanation by the Central government from the state Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Wild Life Department, regarding granting permission to deposit foreign red soil on Parthakochi reserve forest under the Kasargod forest range for shooting a film, is an example in this direction. Overnight erection of a beverages shop at Pathirapally, Alappuzha, is yet another rule violation by film makers. Who gave permission to them to make an advertisement promoting the use of liquor ?
The act of the forest officials in allowing shooting inside the reserve forest and allowing shooting near NH by obstructing traffic are gross violations of forest laws and local self government guidelines. Nuisance on thoroughfare is a punishable oftence under Panchayat Act.
Stringent action , therefore, is needed against the forest officials and panchayat officer for allowing shooting in public area disturbing people and animals.
K A Solaman
It is time for we all Indians to pay homage to 44 CRPF jawans who were martyred in the terror attack in Pulwama, near Avantipura city on Thursday. The need of the hour is to express solidarity with the government demanding stringent action against terrorism.
If US could eliminate Osama Bin Laden, Israel could wipe out all miscreants within their territory, India could also eliminate the mastermind of the attack who was being protected by Pakistan.
Martyrdom of our brave hearts was indeed heart-breaking. Time has come for the India government to take stringent action against those who carried out the attack and killed innocent Indian jawans. The real tribute to martyred soldiers would be when India struck back with vengeance against the coward perpetrators of the dastardly act.
K A Solaman
The action of Kerala CM against DCP Chaitra Theresa John for raiding the CPM district committee oftce, Thiruvananthapuram, is unwarranted. Is this office, a place beyond the reach of police?
By taking action against the police officer, the government undermines the gravity of the crime committed by offenders. A gang of party workers pelting stones at the Medical College police station and allowing them to hide in the party office, are serious crimes. The DCP's action, therefore, was in the right direction. The criminal within the police who leaked out the raid news should be booked first.
Being a good police officer is one of the most difficult, dangerous, idealistic jobs in the world. Nevertheless, officers like Chaitra Theresa John place some hope about police in the minds of general public. Her action is a morale boost to the police force.
K A Solaman
Mata Amritanandamayi's statement that the state administration has mishandled the Sabarimala issue, is in the right direction. The advisors of state rule do not know anything about the rituals and customs of temples. Amritanandamayi said the poojas, customs and traditions of each temple are different and this is one major issue which has to be addressed.
Based on her statement CPM Secretary and his cadres coming against her is out of the ordinary. It is an indecent act to undermine her service to humanity.Indiscriminate review about a good person based on petty politics is an exceptionally thankless act.
K A Solaman
DMK president M K Stalin vowing to make Congress chief Rahul Gandhi the country's next prime minister, is laughable. The PM of India is not elected by the proposal of a regional party leader on the occasion of unveiling his father's statue. It is not Stalin or Vazhappadi or Kamal Hasan to decide the fate of TN and subsequent elevation of Rahul as PM. It is Rajnikant to decide who would rule TN after next election
Stalin appealing to other party leaders like TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu and CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan to strengthen the hands of Rahul, is also interesting. How could it be possible for Pinarayi to strengthen Rahul's hand when his party is the bete noire of Rahul's party in Kerala? Stalin saying government led by Modi has turned India's clock back 15 years, is ridiculous. Where from he got this clock?
K A Solaman
For the past few days Kerala assembly witness uproar because of varied reasons. What M K Muneer MLA said about the Women's wall is right. On close analysis it is obvious that people behind women's wall are communal outfits excluding Muslim's, Christians, Nairs and all Lord Ayyappa worshippers.
Members of both fronts, the ruling and the opposition have no consideration about the decorum of the house. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan who expressed displeasure over the uproar in the assembly, was once a participant in creating utter commotion in the house.
The members of house are elected for effective running of the government, Since they are miserably failed to do their duty they are not eligigible for any pay. The speaker should so decide that no member of the house is eligible for cry DA or TA for days for which the assembly was disrupted. The members should should also show the willingness to not accept any remenuration for the days lost.
K A Solaman
.
Students' concession in private and ksrtc buses is an age-old practice and the ending of it is unacceptable. A report, therefore, in this direction submitted to chief minister Pinarayi Vijyan by KSRTC MD Tomin J Thachankary, is out of the ordinary. A bureaucrat has no right to place proposals on policy matters.
It is a part of government committment not to increase concession ticket rates of students even though private bus operators continue demanding for a hike in it. Perhaps the ksrtc MD had a closed door meeting with the private bus operators.
Terminating students' concession is not an option to save KSRTC from the financial crisis. There should be other tangible measures to cut short the expenses. The. KSRTC and other government estatishments should not forget their social responsibility.
K A Solaman
Severe cyclonic storm 'Gaja' has claimed the lives of six persons in Tamil Nadu. Around 82,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas as 'Gaja' crossed TN coast, bringing with in heavy rains in coastal regions. TN has taken utmost care to contain Gaja
Here in Kerala too gusty winds due to the cyclonic storm has resulted in hundreds of trees and electricity poles being uprooted. There were heavy rain also.
But not showing scant regard to Gaja, the Kerala government has not taken any precaution and is running after Trupti Desai and Sasikala. Seemingly Trupti and Sasikala are more dangerous storms than Gaja for Pinarayi and company.
It is unwise to rely fully on Kerala weather forecasting: is the lesson we learned during August flood.
K A Solaman
The apex court had decided to consider the review petitions on Sabarimala Verdictt in an open court on January 22.
Till then it is the prime
duty of the Government not to do anything harmful to the faith of believers. All forceful attempts by women below 50 to enter Sabarimala should b e restricted.
A court sentence for execution of a person will not be effected if there is SC sanctioned review on it.
K A Solaman
Yet another Tuglak model is on the anvil in Kerala Higher Education sector. It is the move by the Department of Higher Education to appoint teachers in the colleges and universities on tenure-based contract for five years.
The Higher Education sector in Kerala is in a highly delapilated state as majority of the courses are run with the help of guest teacherട. As guest teachers deliver little to the present system of teaching most of the courses are run with low standard. The government saying that it has no financial capacity to fill the permanent vacancies, is a farce
The conditions that contract validity is for five years and continuation of the post will be decided after assessing the service of contract teachers during the five years etc., appear curious. Of course the select committee will be from politicians & union leaders who are capable of doing wonders.
K A Solaman
Hartal in Pathanamthitta district today is the result of thoughtless act of State Government of Kerala. The hartal was declared after an Ayyappa devotee was found dead at Laha. The mystery behind the death of devotee should be probed into.
It is true that SC has permitted woman entry in Sabarimala based on constitutional grounds but certain traditions prohibit women there. It is the women to decide whether to visit or not the holy place. The verdict did not ask the government to give protection to each and every woman in Sabarimala and it is quite unbecoming on the part of government to send police troop along with every woman visitor to Sabarimala. If any untoward incident happens then it is right on the police to interfere. But what happened in Sabarimala is police high-handedness which might have resulted in the death of the devotee. Earlier another devotee ended his life because of sheer despair caused by the action of Govt.
There is, of course, injustice on the part of government in dealing with Sabarimala issue.
K A Solaman
The new order by Kerala Finance Department relating to salary challenge by excluding no-consent letter of employees and making consent letter mandatory, is a puny attempt to save face from the humiliation that it received from SC. The new order was issued on the basis of supreme court verdict over salary challenge. As per the new order those who are willing to donate one-month salary to Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund have to give a consent letter to the department.
By this time, those employees who were willing to contribute to CMDRF have already done it But the callous attitude of Finance Department has made the situation worse. By the new order the government is unlikely to bring any good result. Donate or not to donate, is a ones' personal matter and no agency has right to compel anyone. Collecting of consent letter from employees will make a divide among them, which is totally unnecessary.
K A Solaman
The huge fund collected to rebuild the state in the aftermath of the worst flood disaster, is likely to go otterwise. The proposal Rs 80 crore apartment complex for state legislators should be viewed in this direction. The proposed plan is to demolish an old building in the Legislators Complex and build a multi-storeyed housing complex in its place.
It looks like that Legislators Complex was demolished in flood.
The flood caused severe damage and brought in untold miseries to people of various districts. Thousands of people went homeless. Estimates say the floods has caused a destruction of over Rs 40,000 crore. The people from all walks of life have contributed liberally to relief fund. So it is not right right on the part of government to divert the amount for other purposes
K A Solaman
The Supreme Court alloweirg sale and use of firecrackers with specific conditions, is in the right direction. A total ban ot fire crackers is undesirable as many people earn their livilihood by working with fire cracker industry.
Supreme court fixing 8 pm to 10 pm time schedule for bursting of firecrackers on Diwali and other festivals, is also welcome as rest of the day can protected from high dB sound. However, the big handicap is, most users of fire crackers will not follow the time schedule. No police officer is seen to take iterest in checking sound pollution, The permission for sale and manufacture of "green" crackers which have low emission seems good but a clear demarkation between green crackers and others, is practically difficult.
Interestingly all agencies function with least regard to sound pollution rules.
So the SHOs should come forward with calibrated sound meter equipment to measure the decibel levels. If anyone found violating the rule regarding time schedule and dB levels of crackers, he must be brought to book regardless of religious or political backing.
K A Solaman
Tomin Thachankari, the MD, is seemingly the last action hero of KSRTC. The lightning strike by KSRTC employees and the subsequent withdrawal, is the solid example of mismanagement in KSRTC. The misinformed MD will likely to ruin KSRTC.
KSRTC employees in various districts had called for a lightning strike in protest over the decision to assign Kudumbashree to handle the reservation counter. Bus service from these depots was disrupted. Then the question is: who entrusted Thachankari to take a decision that adversely affect the normal functiohing of the Corporation.
Perhaps Thachankari is of opinion that woman entry to Sabarimala is a hot topic of discussion and the government sponsors it. So if a similar woman entry is made in KSRTC through backdoor he will also get acclades. May be this wrong perception put KSRTC in trouble.
Kudumbashree also need discipline to not enter the sectors where there are permanent employees.
K A Solaman
Bizarre are the inventions of Kerala police. One such is the issue of ISI-marked helmets to replace the damaged helmets in accidents. This will be given if the mishap happened within Kozhikode city limits. The helmets are given away under a programme by the Kozhikode city traffic police in co-ordination with Suzuki Motors Pvt Ltd.
The interesting aspect is, in order to avail the new helmet, one just has to reach the police station after the accident along with a complaint and the broken helmet. In fact, this programme is unlikely.to run as there would be no buyers for helmet from police station after a serious helmet broken accident.
If the Kozhikode police so desire to announce their name in public let them come with programmes such as giving black tea to night drivers etc. Think practically and introduce feasible programmes.
K A Solaman
Kerala won’t reduce tax, then what Is the fun in asking the Centre to reduce tax?
Finance Minister Thomas Issac saying that the state government will not reduce tax on petrol and diesel, is deplorable. The Centre has reduced Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol and diesel. It is then obligatory for State Government to bring down price proportionately. Instead of doing this, the F M saying that the Centre first reduce the full amount it hiked and the state government would then think about reducing tax, is ridiculous.
If thirteen states of India could adhere to the words of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking the state governments to reduce Rs 2.5/litre of VAT, the Kerala Government that is determined to set everything right, also should reduce the fuel tax.
K A Solaman
Adminstration of contaminated oral polio vaccine to children in Maharashtra, Telengana and Uttar Pradesh, is a serious lapse. The makers and distributors of this vaccine should be punished. Along with there must be surveillance to trace any aftereffect due to the use of this vaccine among children.
It is a pity that in many countries disease kills people and its medicine kills more.
K A Solaman
