Rs 1kg rice to all BPL card holders

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy assured that all holders of BPL cards in the State will soon provided Rs1 kg rice. And it is an extension of Rs 2 rice offered by the erstwhile LDF ministry. A sardine costs Rs 2, then why Government needs Rs 1 for a kg of rice. Why can't it be given free for BPL card holders? The two fronts - the UDF and the LDF weep for the poor. The recent street battle between SFI and the police of the State originates from the initiative of the LDF - UDF for MBBS admission of poor students in self financing private colleges.

Could one enlighten me how many poor students is available in the rank lists of medical entrance for admission to MBBS among BPL card holders? The Front in power and the Opposition should be kind enough to publish the list of eligible candidates for entry to MBBS from BPL card holders and then justify their claim. Do not try to fool all the people all the time.

K A Solaman

Kerala again to debt trap

The growth rate is reduced, the availability of Central funds and its use has decreased, revenue expenditures soared sky, financial responsibility overlooked and budgetary control has disappeared. The State of Kerala came into the trap of debt. The report of the Comtroller and Auditor General (CAG) reads in this line. No offices of local bodies or departments of the Government introduced the audited report and no investigation has been conducted on it. The CAG adds the provisions of the twelfth Finance Commission was not observed. Who is responsible for this pathetic situation of the State finance? Does Amartya Sen II of the erstwhile Ministry, then Minister of Finance Thomas Isaac owe any liability for this financial muddle?

The CAG could have put on the table its report two months before enabling Isaac for a channel debate with Satheesan or Mani.

K A Solaman

AMMA to form cricket team

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) realized the need to form a cricket team. AMMA President Innocent will be captain, actor Mohanlal will be the vice-captain. Thilakan, who recently joined AMMA will be former Captain and if necessary writer-orator Sukumar Azhikode will be considered as former referee and that too if Azhikode withdraws his petition against Lal.

Decision of AMMA to participate in the twenty 20 Celebrity cricket tournament proposed with the fifth edition of the IPL, April-May next year will be launched not only spoil the study schedule of all students appearing to the Board and the University examinations, but to launder black money available with them. IPL is the best way to convert black money white.

IPL curmudgeon should be banned with immediate effect.
K A Solaman

Roll back fuel price hike-The Pioneer Daily

This refers to the news report, “Diesel, LPG prices hiked” (June 25). Repeated increase in the price of LPG and kerosene shows that the Government has no concern for the poor or even the country’s middle class. The price hike has hit the common man like a bolt from the blue. In the past year alone, the Government increased the price of oil nearly 10 times.

Hence, the present hike in fuel prices will only add to the miseries of the aam aadmi who is already bearing the brunt of spiraling food inflation. That a hike in fuel prices will also have a directly proportional impact on the prices of other essential food items only makes matters worse.

KA Solaman

Kerala The Pioneer Daily dated 27 June 2011

Blood sport in Kerala streets.

Though the situation in Self Financing College scenario is not different, at present from that in month back, now only the SFI understood the need for an immediate agitation. They seem to be badly in need of blood-spattered agitation and that is one see in different places in Kerala. Young blood often craves for blood sport and hence the leaders of the Marxist Party are responsible for the present commotion. The persons responsible checking the youngsters arewatching eagerly the spoil sport. The Chief Minister Oommen Chandy too feels that the SFI leaders have forgotten the taste of lathi and grenade and hence they should be straight away made aware of the tang of lathi. The police also determined to use fiercely the gadgets with them to teach a lesson to their former little bosses.

The present commotion, in my opinion is due to the harsh attitude of the Inter Church council. They need to see more blood flowing in streets. How can one expect a wise and peaceful move from clergies who ask the faithful to procreate more and sent their children to Inter Church schools and colleges only.

May it be due to the wish for Ommen Chandy and company to please the clergies or Pinarayi Inc to teach clergies a lesson, it is students, policemen and media persons are the real losers. They are the people admitted hospital with severe injuries.
K A Solaman
Published Deccan Chronicle dated 28 June 2011

Oil price hike

The price of the LPG, which is used by all strata of people increased by Rs 50. In addition, the price of kerosene has also increased by Rs 2. Apparently, the Central Government have no concern out of the poor. Common people are in great difficulty by the rise in fuel prices.

Fuel prices are already high in India, and the current increase will serve the interests of the oil mafia. In the last year, the Government increased prices of oil 10 times. While the common man is bearing the brunt of price rise the Government now added fuel to the fire. On the increase in the price of diesel by Rs 3 a litre, it would have an effect on the prices of most products, including vegetables, cascading as they are transported by road.

Rise in the price of fuel is unacceptable and an immediate cancellation is required.

K A Solaman, The New Indian Express, published on 27 June 2011

A white paper needed for private college recruitment.

The Minister of Finance for Kerala K M Mani when he has to say about the publication of a white paper on the state of the finances of the State, I was seeking the meaning of this paper. Now only I understood that it is a report that helps to solve a problem. White papers are used to inform readers and help people make decisions and are often requested and used in the technical and political sectors.
So is the case, I request the Government to publish a white paper on recruitment of assistant professors in all Aided colleges in Kerala, where the salary is paid from the State Exchequer. I place this before the authority because the management of the NSS College invited fresh applications from candidates for the appointment in colleges under it. Previous notification to this effect was only nine months earlier and the number of candidates that they have appointed is a puzzle. Unlike other management who collect Rs 500 or 700 as application money the NSS collect a nominal fee, Rs 235 per application which is quite affordable as it is equal to the cost of only kg a star fish. Nevertheless, the most intriguing question is no candidate of other beliefs is named in NSS College, even if the money from candidates of other castes is acceptable.
The experience of the candidate who went for the interview at Perunna has an interesting story to tell. He told me that when he submitted his certificate at the desk person handling it he said “Why do you waste money by sending such applications? Appointments, like other private managements, whether Inter Church and SN Trust, are done for a price and here it is reserved for only those names ending with a tail ‘nair, pillai, menon, kurup, panicker etc,.” “ But Sir, my marks, Ranks!” the candidate asked. “ Who need them?. Yes, you came all the way from your place to here. Take the coffee and attend the interview. The world never ends in Perunna. There are a good number of colleges and a few of them are not money mongers. Best wishes”.
The candidates, their parents and the vast populace are, therefore, eager to know what is happening in these colleges. Would the government ask these Managements to publish a white paper stating the names with caste of the candidates appointed in these colleges? Of course the money they collected is a business secret, nevertheless, if they publish the actual names of the candidates, the new aspirants could take a judicious decision about where to apply and when. Could a management, as a fund collection campaign, often issue notifications for appointment without making any appointment ? I hope a white paper in this direction would tell all the details.

K A Solaman

The UDF joke

Emphasis of Governor R S Gavai in the Assembly that his government (UDF) would be a transparent and corruption-free one, for the next five years is apparently inquisitive. This is quite evident from the discordant stand of Mani, Joseph and Jacob on one side for the Inter Church Council and some Congress and League leaders standing against them. One understood only now, Joseph who shared table with previous LDF Government for more than four years, is an ardent disciple of the clergies.
As the interest of the poor is petite, the Governor’s statement that “the outlook of my government will be to devise programmes for cautious development without sacrificing the interests of the poor'', is meaningful. The development is intended for the Front leaders.

K A Solaman

Raid in Village Offices

Recent raid by Department of Vigilance in the offices of Village in Kerala reveals that most of these offices are operating with a huge sum of money as bribe. The rates are fixed for the issuance of certificates of possession, certificate of income etc. in these offices. "First come, first serve base" is unknown to the village offices, where the services are carried out in accordance with the capacity of the client spending. And the people who are willing to pay more are served first. The case is not different in Panchayat and registration offices. The registration and road tax officials, however, do not directly collect money rather their agents do the job. Clients meet often huge loss in these offices because more money is needed in meeting commission of agents too. Computerization etc. arrangements in these offices have not given any good result.

And in some cases, the Government itself persuade officers to collect the money. For example, in every August Local Self Government and Registration officials are directed to raise funds through the sale of tickets for the Nehru Trophy Boat race. This is another case of taking bribe and in many cases; customers are obliged to pay the ticket without accepting the ticket. Nevertheless, occasional inspection by the Department of Vigilance would restrict some officials guarding the concern during such inspections.
K A Solaman

Police criminals in Kerala

When the Kerala High Court observes that the police force in the state should be decriminalised, it is a direct indictment to the government. This charge points its finger not to one month old UDF government but the LDF government which ruled the state for the last five years. The lack of invigilation by then Home Department worsened the criminalisation in police force and law enforcers have turned law breakers in Kerala. The criminalisation in police is an outcome criminalisation in politics.
The acts of police criminals extend from attack on journalists, custodial killing, rape case, money chain fraud, association with real estate and sand mafia and others. The internal vigilance mechanism of the police is poor and, of late, they ignore when goons fight before their view. There should be a mechanism for the direct involvement of the police if a crime has been reported.

Important junctions, bus stops, roads and shopping localities would come under police surveillance. Roadside vendors should not be allowed to mock folks particularly those from schools and colleges. The police should crack down on organised crime, beggary and burglary and that too even without written complaints from the victims. The trend of police association to protect their members involved crime should also be discouraged. The police force is, of course, an association of sincere people not to be set up on trade union tenets.

K A Solaman

Deceitful Self Financing College Managements.

Year after year the self financing colleges imbroglio is growing murkier and the govt. finds no way out from it. The govt often draws flak from the High Court because of its failure to tackle the situation. The Kerala Self-Financing Medical College Managements Association withdrawing from the agreement with the government and their decision for admissions to all MBBS seats in colleges under it from the entrance test conducted by their consortium prove that Self Finance college managements are untrustworthy and they are just doing a profitable business with scant regard to vast populace in the state. The entrance test by the consortium is a farce and is intended prevent meritorious students seeking admission in their colleges. The lack of determination on the part of government made the situation murkier and an easy escape from this embarrassing situation is not in the immediate sight.
The Inter-Church Council with words mouthful for the uplift of all now saying that there is practical difficulty in giving 50 percent seats to the government this year is incomprehensible. . The Govt. should shut down all the Self Financing colleges that are unwilling to give 50 percent seats to Govt merit quota. Never wait for settlement in next year as Self Financing Managements are seemingly unreliable.

K A Solaman

Published: Deccan Chronicle Dated 22 June 2011

Red tape biting in M G University, Kottayam

The Mahatma Gandhi University has erected bureaucratic hurdles against certain affiliated colleges by denying the approval for the post of teachers appointed in colleges under it. For instance, the approval all teachers appointed in St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam in last September is still under red tape in MGU. Is there any time limit for disposing a file in MG University?

The reason for denying approval of the post one candidate is obviously curious that according to University she is under aged. At the time of appointment, her age was below 23 (of course above 22) and as per University statutes the minimum age required is 18. The University denied the approval stating that the College which made appointment in 2009, has not complied with University statute amendment in 2010. How could an affiliated college or any other appointing authority make appointment anticipating the contents of future orders of the university? The University order issued in 2010 stipulates minimum age limit for appointment in affiliated colleges as 23 and the order has retrospective effect from 2006 according to University. This inquisitive order was issued by the University when the Government stipulates minimum age as 22 for appointment in Government colleges.

The action of the University has been a most frustrating experience for the candidate as she joined the college after giving up her CSIR fellowship and one year research work. The University modifying the requirements for approval of the post of teachers with an order that originated quite later is questionable and it would not stand before judicial review.

If our Universities are centres of discontent and red-tapism MGU is another one. This leads to academic excellence falling prey to fake administrative norms. And this sort of negative attitude will only discourage young intelligent individuals not to choose the post of teachers in affiliated colleges. I wonder why the MG University has made an unfounded order about minimum age of appointment with retrospective effect. The ludicrous amendment instituted by the MGU has created unnecessary pressure on a gifted girl, with first ranks in degree and PG and also with JRF and Gate score.

K A Solaman

‘Never trust politicians’-is the lesson to all IAS officers.

If not a secret pact it is too cruel on the part of V S Achuthanandan to disown his close confidante K Suresh Kumar IAS by disapproving some of his actions during the 2007 Munnar mission. What Suresh Kumar done in Munnar was with the support Achuthanandan and now VS coming against him is incomprehensible to the people of the state.

Achuthanandan says Suresh Kumar had been given the mandate to nab big sharks who had encroached Government land in Munnar. Does he mean now that political parties that encroached Munnar land are too big sharks not to be dragged by eviction team? K Suresh Kumar, who had done a noble job based on the advice of Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan, is possibly remorseful now not for his act in Munnar but for trusting politicians.

Kerala has become a Kangaroo court otherwise Achuthanandan would not have shown the pluck to disown Suresh Kumar for doing he-man work by recovering state owned land and thereby protecting the image of the former Chief Minister. Suresh Kumar’s action to reclaim 3000 encroached forest lands and government plots and demolition of over a dozen illegal multi-storied buildings were shocking for Achuthanandan’s party bid-wigs in Idukky and for the safe sailing of the post of Opposition leader he has to now disown Suresh Kumar. The official faction of the CPM along with UDF leaders were also worried about Sureshkumar’s job then.

According to official report, half of the large-scale encroachments in Munnar are benami properties owned by politicians cutting across the party spectrum. That is why all, then Ruling Front and the Opposition need Suresh Kumar’s blood. The Oommen Chandy Government has not even given a good posting suited to his calibre.
Suresh Kumar once said “The CM has promised a new Munnar with a new vision of tourism after three months. I would try my level best to achieve that.’’ And now that CM became the Opposition leader and his vision blurred. The fate of Munnar will be decided by encroachers and fate of Suresh Kumar will be decided by he himself. Seemingly, no politicians would come for his rescue.

K A Solaman

Who said what?

It was really a puzzling time for readers to comprehend who said what in the exchange between actor Rajnikanth and DMK Chief Karunanidhi. Some news papers reported that it was Rajinikanth who advised DMK chief M Karunanidhi to focus on his health and nothing else, some other dailies reported in the reverse. Though Rajni congratulated Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for saving Tamil Nadu by making her party win the recent assembly polls he is not injudicious to ridicule Karunanidhi at this juncture. Karuna expressing happiness at the improvement of Rajni’s health is quite compassionate and is beyond any politics.

If Rajinikanth thinks that the state had been saved following Jaya’s massive mandate, one hopes that her police hereinafter never stop Rajni’s car and question him while on his way to home from shooting location.
K A Solaman

Stomach shrinking exercise of Baba Ramdev

With the demise of Satya Sai Baba, the people of India are in desperate need for another Baba. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev understood the gravity of the situation and jumped in the view as the saviour of all Indians. Ramdev’s fast against corruption turned into a shameful act and it has proven that his yoga is nothing else than a stomach shrinking exercise. It is estimated that a yoga practicing human could fast not less than 20 days without any food, nevertheless the yoga guru could not survive even 10 days. His heart rate dropped to 58 and BP reduced to 70/104. His claims that the yoga could cure cancer and AIDS even hasn't worked and his followers felt slaughtered at the miserable condition of their new Saviour.

However, his drama of fasting urged people to reflect on the corruption which is flooded over every nook and corner of the country and the panacea for its healing. If politicians keep in drawing a line under anti-corruption measures it would be detrimental for them in the future.

K A Solaman

Azhikode needs an alliance with KCBC.

Social critic and orator Dr Sukumar Azhikode is in desperate need for an alliance with KCBC(Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference) in the wake of Oommen Chandy rule in Kerala. Or else he might not have been called upon the church priests of Kerala to abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Azhikoke is toxically against pastoral letters issued by Catholic Bishops and asks church should be the voice of Christ. He reminds the church leadership of Christ's advice to the rich to distribute their wealth among the poor.

Azhikode knows pastoral letters are highly necessary for the priests to preach to the faithful about the spiritual dangers that are so prevalent today in the areas of humility and faith. The pastoral letter is a religious document intended to assist the priests in their responsibility to instruct their parishioners and any comment on it would attract the attention of clergies. Hence to avoid further argument, Azhikode believes, clergies would invite him for their functions.
Of late, Azhikode has not too many meetings for his oratory. The war of words with actor Mohanlal ended in disgrace. The SNDP has already abandoned him. The NSS is not much concerned in inviting him for functions and the Achuthanandan group in the Marxist party is next to Azhikode for he calling Achuthanandan ‘ a creature in the nest’. The godless parties, the advocates of “Jeevan without religion’, and a few thick-skinned congress leaders are the present takers of Azhikode, nevertheless the opportunity for his oral exposure is little.

And what is commendable with Azhikode is, of course, he praises the party that invites him for a talk on a price unlike ex-minister G sudhakaran who often scolds the organisers first.

K A Solaman

Lavish life of Defence Minister!

The monthly salary plus perks of a Cabinet Minister in India is not less than one lakh. The Defence Minister A K Antony who is number three in the Cabinet, is also earning the same amount. However, the asset disclosure statement puts only Rs 84000 as his total asset. What was then, he doing with all the money he earned? Was he playing the Wayward Son in Luke 15:11-32, of the Holy Bible? The Defence Minister gives no good lesson about earning and spending to the youngsters of the country.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Published on 14 June 2011

Needed more Government medical colleges.

It is very interesting to see the UDF led by the Congress and the CPM led LDF are the birds of the same feather at least in the case of controversies concerning the admission in the faculties of medicine in self-financing colleges. The UDF, which had fought the self-financing colleges policy of LDF and the latter who stood against the same policies of the UDF are on the same lunch table for sumptuous meals. The two Ministers who have bought seats in PG medical and the head of the DYFI who has purchased a MBBS seat for his ward with hefty sums are sailors from the same boat. Now, they have given up the trade on a complaint and all that for the poor people of this State. So my question is: how poor people obtain their medical requirements if the youth leader and Ministers abstain from making their wards physicians.
The relevant matter is, when ordinary people strive hard to meet their both ends how these political leaders without legitimate source of income are spending money in tune of crores.

Initiative of the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to publish assets of Ministers seems ridiculous when they have unwelcome assets. The acts of Ministers Adoor Prakash and Abdu Rabb and DYFI leader VV Ramesan are only the tip of the corruption prevailing in the self financing college sector. It is high time to transform all the self financing private medical colleges into government colleges. The Government should also consider to start its own medical colleges to accommodate more students.
K A Solaman.
Published Deccan Chronicle, dated 13 June 2011

Not much tears for M F Husain.

(M F Husain's Bharath Matha painting)






The great artist M F Husain passed away at 95. Since he was not an Indian citizen now, there is not much tear for him inside the country. His love for female body is infamous and he portrayed Hindu goddess Saraswati in a nasty way hurting the feelings of many believers. He conjured himself as a secularist free spirit and found time to mock Hindu gods leaving behind the fundamentalist concept of his religion. While pretending as a true Indian he saw no ilk in getting citizen ship in Qatar. The man who brought fame for modern Indian art could have been more sensitive while cornering film actress like Madhuri Dixit saying that she is epitome of female beauty. It was really an insult to all world women prettier than Dixit. The old man's findings were then treated as insensible.

M.F. Husain bid farewell from our midst not much wept. Possibly may be due to the sort of whimsical fancies of the great artist.
K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 11 June 11

Cancer signal !

Though the World Health Organization officials are of judgment that mobile phones are a cause for health hazards ranging from vomiting to cancer the Indian counter parts are not convinced with it. They would present their paper only after a thorough study and when would they complete the study is known to none. Cell phone is a convenient gadget which makes life easy and (sometimes miserable too) nevertheless latest research in this direction are not at all favourable. The harmful radiation of microwave frequency or less might cause cancer in the brain. Why can’t one bear in mind the heating property of microwave oven where food stuffs are cooked by passing microwave through water soaked food material? The region around one’s ear contains blood and the microwave from a cell phone in fact cooks the flesh round one’s ear. In addition these electromagnetic radiations create cancerous cells in the brain.

The mobile phone companies by their lavish spending in channels and news papers keep media promoters friendly. And that is why studies adversely affecting the sale of mobile phones are not seeing light. However, in the wake of UN study the mobile users have make an introspection and restrict the use of mobile phones for their own health. What is the use a cell phone once the brain cells are tampered? It is unwise to depend on mobile phone manufacturers for remedy as they are never going to provide any solution for the radiation hazard.

It is not for the first time warning about radiation hazard is being published. However, this sort of warning took a dimension only now with WHO findings. If people are unwilling to give up their bad habit of extensive use of cell phones, they should alone bear the brunt.
K A Solaman

'Rathinirvedam' in the remake-Repost

The Malayalam Film industry is on its way to the worst. The latest in this direction is the remake of old adult only films. First of these species is "Neelathamara" remade last year. Next is the remake of movie "Rathinirvedam" released 32 years ago. It is awfully repulsive to make alert the younger age band about the sex lessons of older generation.

There should be some legislation preventing all not to remake old films

K A Solaman

Heaven, afterlife are beyond human mind

Stephen Hawking believes there is no heaven (No afterlife, no heaven: Stephen Hawking, May 17). The Cambridge-based scientist said that the belief in heaven or an afterlife is a “fairy story” for people who are afraid of death. Being a scientist, it is natural for Mr Hawking to look at everything from a scientific perspective. But death and afterlife are abstract ideas and are beyond the ability of the human mind to fully comprehend. The renowned astrophysicist’s observation is unlikely to affect the prospects of clergies and swamis who live by preaching about life after death and heaven.

K.A. Solaman
Kerala
The Asian Age daily, London 31 May 2011