Penalty unwarranted

People having interest in stamps, coins, currency notes etc collect them and use for antique purpose.
In that case jail term or penalty in keeping demonetised notes in possession is out of the ordinary. So,  there should not  be jail term or penalty for holding demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and the ordinance approved by the Union Cabinet in this regard should be immediately withdrawn.

Day after day the Union Cabinet and RBI are issuing contradictory orders denying the fundamental rights of citizens. What is the harm if a person holds a few demonetised notes? Will the government stop the stupidity of penalising them?

It is admitted by all that the current demonetisation was a thoughtless act. The black money seized is only about 4200 crores. On the other hand money eroded from Indian banks alone is more that one lakh crore. The loss to Indian companies augments to several lakh crores. The wage loss for workers is more than this. It is better for the government to admit the failure and stop further harassment. 

K A Solaman

Drill continues

Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS) rebels clamouring for the resignation of party leader K R Gowri Amma is interesting.
JSS activists secretary B Gopan asking Gowri Amma to resign from the party is ridiculous.
JSS , in fact,  is Gowri Amma and that party is known by her name and not by the name of any other leader. Many fortune seekers had come and left, still the party exists because of Gowri Amma. The rebels' claim that 90 per cent of party members are with them, will not annoy Gowri Amma as she has seen many ups
and  downs
Gowri Amma is an icon and her image could not be tampered by silly people.

K A Solaman

Kulappulli trust dissolved

Kulapulli trust dissolved.

With the sudden demise of Cheria Achan (Jagannatha Varma) the sarcastic  three member Kulappalli trust of 1997 block buster film Araam Thampuraan  has been dissolved. He was the only surviving member of the trust since other members Kulappulli Appan Thampuraan(Narendra Prasad) and  Subhadra  Thampuraatti (Sreevidya) had left the scene  quite early. The three were ace actors of their time and will be remembered by all cine goers.

Varma had acted in a number of Malayalam movies performing roles of a senior police officer, judge, bishop etc.  He was a good Kathakali artist and also a percussionist. His demise is a great loss for Kerala artistic scene.

K A Solaman

Going Cashless

Most people are comfortable with currency transaction. This country  continues printing currency notes. Then what is the fun in going cashless? All propaganda about cashless transaction is intended to hide the folly made by Modi Inc with demonetisation by withdrawing 86 percent of the total currency.

Though cashless transaction has some advantages its disadvantages outweigh. The first one is higher risk of identity theft. With the rising incidence of online fraud, the risk of hacking will only grow.  Secondly redressal mechanism in the country is inadequate.With the poor  grievance redressal, people will have no easy recourse if they lose money online. There is no stringent legal process to deal with this kind of fraud. Add to it the mass identity theft from banks'  databases  can turn into a financial nightmare.

Thirdly, since the customer is  dependent on smart phone for all transactions on the move, losing it can prove to be  harmful.. It can not only make one susceptible to identity theft, but could also be rendered helpless in the absence of physical cash or any other payment option. Another drawback is that even a poor man should buy a high end phone and it is to be kept constantly charged. If the phone dies no money, no transaction until it is charged.The digital medium may prove a challenge for the tech unfriendly, aged, and illiterate who will need time to adapt. And the most dangerous demerit is it could open a spending trap. According to behavioural finance theorists, the pain of parting with money is felt more acutely if one uses physical cash.

K A Solaman

Demonetisation thus far

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that demonetisation and cashless transactions will make the country corruption-free is never going to work. The remark is bound to make people uncomfortable as it is said that each electronic transaction will result in a user bearing an additional service tax of Rs.25 depending on whether it is under National Electronic Fund Transfer or Real Time Gross Settlement. It is also estimated that only 2 per cent of the population is truly interested in a cashless economy despite innumerable advertisements that are attempting to promote it. Mr Modi needs to understand the country’s needs and wishes. His comment is insensitive.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala
The Hindu Business Line, Dec 19, 2016

Cruel joke

Indian Prime  Minister Narendra Modi 's remark that the present demonetisation and cashless transaction can make the country corruption free is never going to work.  The remark is bound to make the people  uncomfortable, because each transaction causes an additional service tax of Rs 25. Moreover, so long as currency notes are printed and distributed and only two percent of the Indian population are interested in cashless economy despite innumerable advertisements it would take decades  for the country to fulfill Modi's dream. Mr Modi needs to be educated to understand which way the country lopes. The Prime Minister’s comment is insensitive and indeed a cruel joke on the poor.

K.A. Solaman

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Disease of excess freedom

Disease of excess freedom

The formal rendition of Indian National Anthem  takes only fifty-two seconds and any delegate from abroad visiting India is bound to honour it by standing up 52 seconds while it is sung. And in that case International Films Festival of Kerala (IFFK), Director and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Kamal saying that  it is unfortunate for the viewers to stand before every show, is unwarranted. He is, therefore, unfit for the post he occupies and  should relinquish it.

National Anthem should be respected by all  and people must stand up when it is played. The police action against those viewers of IFFK  who refused to stand up while rendering national anthem, is in the right direction. It is the responsibility of the  police to ensure law and order.

The very appearance of seven arrested at IFFK,  Thiruvananthapuram tells that they are not bound by any law. However, their behaviour would be entirely different if they were in Saudi Arabia, where the law enforcement is a little more tough. These youths suffer from the disease excessive freedom.

K A Solaman

Protest natural

The PM Modi speak in 'jan sabha' that he was not permitted to speak in Parliament  by Opposition, is a direct slap on the face of Indian democracy. Soon he is likely to speak that he is not allowed to enter into the Parliament. If PM is not permitted to speak in or enter  the Parliament there is something very undesirable happening in the country. And  it is the President, PM and Speaker to take collective action to put an end to this imbroglio.
It is true that the thoughtless action of quick demonetisation of currency has disturbed the economic growth of the country and innumerable workers went jobless. The protest in and outside the Parliament, therefore, is quite natural.
K A Solaman

Give Your PAN

Which is more corrupt - public sector banks or cooperative banks? Enforcement Department enquiry at  public sector banks across country answers this question. There are reported financial crimes post demonetisation and hence the ED launched the enquiry operation at over 50 bank branches across the country. The enquiry is to  detect money laundering and hawala dealing instances of public sector and new gen banks. However no cooperative bank is involved in this corruption as coop banks are denied exchange of demonetised currency.

All bank branches in India are now seemingly busy with demanding KYC  from clients. Does it mean that bank did business all these time with out knowing the customer? What the banks actually needed is the PAN number of the customer. So the present impetus in KYC drive may be conveniently changed to GYP- Give Your PAN.

K A Solaman

Beginning of the end

Apart from usual scolding aired at Kejriwal and others the Hindu Mahasabha has realised the fact and come against Modi saying that Centre’s demonetisation move would be the beginning of the end of Modi rule. The saffron organisation alleged that the policy introduced Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anti-Hindu.
In fact Modi's demonetisation move without proper homework is anti-people. The purpose of the scheme is yet not known and is changing day by day. Initially, it was against  black money and later turned to total digitalisation and cashless economy. The cashless economy is a crafty idea to woo multi- national  companies making smart phones and thereby to get hefty commission

Poor people, who earn Rs  200-300 every day or those who live on paltry government pensions need not require costly cell-phones and the service of high- tech banks. Their bank is a bit of ditty cotton cloth kept below the carpet they sleep. Most of them are uneducated or undereducated  and have no expertise in handling a smart phone even if it is available free of cost. It is also reported that demonetisation has made no impact on the rich as certain weddings are performed spending several crores.

Selling the country to mobile manufacturers and network providers  in the name of demonetisation would mark the beginning of the end  of Modi rule

K A Solaman

Hartal Kerala

Protest against the perils of demonetisation on the cooperative sector is admissible, however government sponsored hartal in Kerala is incomprehensible. No other state like Kerala is in India where a government calls hartal to put its people in trouble.. No buses  operated, no factories opened,
all passengers  stranded at various bus stands, all shops and establishment closed, all fish and vegetable merchants with no work, all schools and colleges not working, all daily wage workers with no money, the hartal brought immense difficulty  to common man while political bosses remained happy in their glass houses with snacks and drinks. Common man's plight is not a concern for ruling and the opposition leaders.

One interesting matter is; exemption of tourism sector from hartal keeping in mind of the peak tourist season. Is tourism a matter of top priority when even cancer patients are denied transportation to  hospitals? The central government's thoughtless act  of paralysing cooperative sector was certainly a misery, nevertheless it was augmented with the hartal call by state government.

K A Solaman

Utopian dream

Today's India population exceeds 125 crores and that more than 90 percent of the Indian population are ignorant of English. It would require  decades for English knowing population to increase significantly. Furthermore, about ten percent of the population are sixty five plus people who are  unable handle a communication gadget like smart phone or computer. As cashless transaction can be done only with electronic gadget and knowledge of English, the Modi Inc. proposal for only online transaction is a difficult task for majority Indians. PM Modi, therefore, needs more experts and good economists in his company in order to avoid further embarrassment.

Fish vendor Mariyamma of Cherthala market swiping a debit card in her machine kept in the fish basket and selling sardine for rupees fifty  is of course a utopian dream.

K A Solaman

Kindly cooperate

Demonetisation is a historic event that would check the black money menace. But denial of currency exchange by co-operative banks has put Kerala into a real financial crisis. The cooperative banking system in Kerala holds more than ₹60,000 crore in deposits and has disbursed more than ₹30,000 crore in loans.

This sector has been paralysed because both the Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry are suspicious of its dealings. Unlike in the case of nationalised and private banks, it’s not a question of long queues, but a total collapse.

The politics played by the CPM, Congress and BJP should not damage the co- operative sector in Kerala.

KA Solaman
Kerala
The Hindu Business Line
Nov 18, 2016

Speak rubbish

O Rajagopal, the lone BJP member of Kerala Assembly speaking  that the co-operative banks in the state have become a safe haven to convert black money into white, is rubbish. In Kerala no banks other than cooperative banks cater the need of people of low income group. No other bank could claim such a popular support. If any person has back money in co-operative bank it could be investigated  and action could be taken. Interestingly, it is hi-tech banks whom the RBI had given permission to exchange currency, are involved in most of black money deals .

Demonetisation move of the Centre is a novel attempt to curb the use of black money but it should not be by putting poor man into utter difficulty. Co-operative institutions are the back bone of majority country men and hence any attempt to paralyse its function, is intolerable.  

K A Solaman

Law degree or journalists

Law degree for journalists is a must.

It is unwise to permit all and sundry to report about court proceedings and in that case the  Kerala High Court issuing  new norms for accreditation of the journalists covering court proceedings is in the right direction. If  any journalist or reporter covering the High Court proceedings, possesses a degree in law he will never indulge in reporting  silly matters and will keep dignity of the court.

The court  saying that journalist should have five years of court reporting experience is certainly an added attraction for such reporting. The channel friendly politicians like V D Satheesan or  advocate of the rebel  group A P Udayabhanu coming against HC decision is unwarranted.
The news channels should stop airing abusive remarks against lawyers  because they did not own a channel to convey  their experience to the general public. Reporting should not be one-sided.

K A Solaman

Cooperative damage

Demonetisation is a historic event that would of course check the black money menace. But denial of currency exchange by co-operative banks took Kerala  into a real financial crisis. The cooperative banking system that holds more than Rs 60,000 crore in deposits and has disbursed more than Rs 30,000 crore in loans has been paralysed because both the Reserve Bank of India  and the Finance Ministry are suspicious of its dealings. Unlike in the case of nationalised and private banks, it's not a question of long queues, but a total collapse.
So what is needed is an immediate verification of shady deposits, if any, in co-op banks by RBI or IT  department and give permission to operate them normally. The politics played by  CPM, Congress and BJP should not damage the co- operative sector in Kerala.

K A Solaman

Staff created turmoil in banks

The bank employees had a tough time with exchange of demonetized currencies across the length and breadth of the country. Many staff spent extra hours in banks after their scheduled duty time in support of government's firm action to contain black money. However,  a few employees had turned their back to the endeavor. The 12th state Conference of Bank Employees Federation of India(BEFI) was on these days compelling a few staff to keep away from bank. About 450 bank employees from across the state who are supposed to  work in their respective banks to mitigate the problems relating demonetization drive were away for the meet. The currency boxes and ten rupee coin containers issued by RBI to bank branches still remain unopened. What the available staff done was issue of 2000 rupee notes.

The turmoil in banks was thus a planned service dereliction of  some staff and they are to be  be blamed for the trouble caused to the people. The argument that BEFI conference did not affect the functioning of the banks, is is not correct.

The extra ordinary difficult situation in bank branches was thus a planned action created by some  unscrupulous bank staff.

K A Solaman

Abuses shocking

Abuses shocking

The demonetization move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been hailed by most of the financial experts and common man. Experts have opined that scrapping high denomination notes will help in the fight against terrorism and the black money menace. The corruption will also decline due to this bold measure.

However, the Finance Minister of Kerala and a few CPM cadres are seemingly annoyed with Government decision, their Facebook posts tell in that direction. The words used by some Facebook writers  against the Prime Minister are really shocking and do not suit the stature of any civilized Indian citizen.

It may be true that there is temporary  difficulty for common man by the decision of demonetizing but  it is a decision  taken in better interest of the country. After a few days of inconvenience everything will come to normalcy. It is not about how much cash a common man had stashed in his home, but its about underworld, Pakistan Terrorism, Dawood Ibrahim, Naxalites, Communal outfits, Corporate foul players, mischievous  co-operative bank holdings  and many anti social elements.

As demonetizing decision is a collective one by the government higher-ups, hurling all abuses on PM alone is unwarranted. The abusers  including certain channels  should  be severely dealt with. Could all and sundry abuse the honourable PM of India?
K A Solaman

Traders' decision false

The traders' decision to shut down  shops indefinitely from Tuesday in the wake of the currency shortage will not make any impact. Traders are a class that find joy in fishing in troubled waters. And it is the practice of them to open shops just after one day, if closed.

It is some unscrupulous  traders, business men and bank managers who are responsible for the extraordinary outflow of fake currency in the country. The present demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes  will give real value for hard earned money and boost our economy.

Meanwhile the government can make more arrangements to reduce the shortage  Rs 100 and Rs 50 notes. Like commercial banks  the co-operative banks and societies also should be permitted to deal with currency collection and distribution.

K A Solaman

RIL will not pay a single coin

Kerala speaker's regret

Kerala Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan's  regret to Governor P Sathasivam for not inviting him to the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala formation day seems curious. If the regret is to become genuine the Speaker has to explain the technical issues behind the denial of invitation. As Governor did not express in open his displeasure the Speaker seeking the co-operation of the Governor for all its future programmes and also for the functioning of legislature, is out of the ordinary.
Besides Governor, three former  Chief Ministers V S Achuthanandan, A K Antony and Oommen Chandy were also not invited to the function.The technical snag behind their exclusion also need clarification.

K A Solaman

ODF State?

There is no wonder to see why Governor Justice Sadasivam did not attend the function in which  Kerala had been declared  open defecation free state. Governor is aware of actual situation of the state that there are lakhs of homes with out toilets.
The announcement of the sort is intended make people aware of the need for toilet. However, this awareness can be done in a meaningful way without hiding facts. No wonder Kerala is becoming a fools' own country day by day.

-K A Solaman

Nobel gesture by police

Policemen participating  in the cleaning up of Kozhikode Medical College is a novel gesture.
Standing in hideouts and jumping upon helmet less bikers has brought no less notoriety to Kerala police. Repeated  lock up killing also invited wrath of people against police.

However  policemen in their uniforms removing  plastic waste and garbage heaps from a public place is praiseworthy and should be appreciated. If such events are replicated in other parts of the state the lost image of the police can be regained. The people will start to think police as their friends.

K A Solaman

Twin dangers !

The consumption of liquor and the mania for the lotteries are death traps for poor and ignorant people of Kerala and the Government that is bound to restrict it stand as a mute spectator. Common man is falling prey to this social evil and is spending all  hard earned money without caring children and the ailing old ones in home It is not campaigns and awareness programmes that are needed to check the danger but strict law enforcement. If a few people are not able to sustain without lottery, make alternative arrangement for re - habilitation.

K A Solaman

Maneka's call

I endorse Union Minister Maneka Gandhi's call that Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) should be used against those who kill stray dogs. The two business men of Kerala are exploiting the situation created by stray dog menace for their personal gain and fame. As Meneka put, these business men are suffering  from mental disorder which can be termed as ' killing syndrome'.

The business man  Kochuouseph Chittilapally asking Maneka  to worriy for her son is unwarranted. Like a few wood headed, Chittilapally has also believed the fake video about Varun Gandhi in social media. Chittilappally should bother about his son before putting nose to the personal life of others standing for a cause.

As no existing law permits  business men to kill or export stray dogs what they are doing now is criminal offence and should arrested under KAAPA

K A Solaman

Drug abuse and addiction

Many people are drug addicted and addiction has become chronic disease. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, just like smoking for most people, but repeated drug use  leads  to brain changes. Most drugs affect the brain by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This  system controls the body's ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviours. This overstimulation of the brain causes  people to take  drug again and again. Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

There are many factors that compel a person to get addicted to drugs.Gender, ethnicity, influence of drug makers, stress, early drug use. mental disorders etc, influence risk for drug use and addiction.

However, drug use and addiction are preventable. Prevention programmes involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction.  Education and outreach are important in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health workers have significant role in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

K A Solaman

Where is Swachh Bharat?

 

It was a hopeful act  in October 2014 by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to stimulate all Indian sweepers to take up a scheme to clean the country. And with this the market has witnessed a huge price surge for broom sticks! Nevertheless, even after two years streets of India  remains unclean. The fish vendors, hoteliers, and street dwellers have made streets unsuitable for an evening walk.

And in support to PM's gesture  former minister and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor joined  campaign  in a cleaning program at Vishinjam. The ex-minister who opts to stay in luxury hotels and find time to ridicule cattle-class flight travellers  really surprised many.  Tharoor holding a dead rat in his hand was viewed as endorsement of  Modi's 'Swachh Bharat' campaign. 
Tharoor now went into oblivion and no one is talking about Swachh Bharat. All fish- meat vendors abandoned their original sell place and flocked on public roadsides making the street a filthy hell.

K A Solaman

Fiddling in disaster

'Did Nero really play fiddle while Rome was burning?', is a question still remains unanswered. However, similar incidents in history are not rare. For instance look at the present happenings in the little state of Kerala.
While its Industries Minister E P Jayarajan is on his way to resign amidst the raging row over nepotism,  the Finance Minister Thomas Isaac is busy taking selfies with Guinness  celebrity  small cow at Mavelikkara. Jayarajan's refusal to talk to the media is meaningful but the channel friendly vociferous Isaac not uttering a single word to protect his central committee colleague, is conspicuous.

Fiddling in disaster is an all time phenomenon
-K   A Solaman

Decibel measurable

The finding that the loud speakers transcend their traditional religious purpose in the mosques is not correct. No religion prescribes loudspeakers for religious ceremony as loudspeaker is a later invention than any religion. A Kerala HC order emphasises in this direction

Kerala is a land of series of festivals and festival season is the time where patients, senior citizens, infants, pregnant women etc go through the ill effects of excessive sound pollution. There are rules for festival organisers and temple- church-mosque  runners to get a mike permission. It says 55 decibel sound at the maximum during day time and 45 decibels during night. This means the sound should not go beyond maximum distance 200 feet. Unfortunately, many agencies  function with least regard to these rules.
So the police should come forward with calibrated sound meter equipment to measure the decibel levels. If anyone found violating  rules he must be brought to book regardless of  religious or political backing.

K A Solaman

Hidden truth

The reports of recurring custodial deaths in Kerala are disturbing. The most recent case is that of Abdul Latheef. He died at the Wandoor police station. According to the police, Latheef was found hanging in the toilet. In 2010, an inmate named K. Nasar was also found hanging in the toilet of the Thalassery police station. It is appalling that such reports fail to evoke outrage among citizens. Human rights activists often find it difficult to frame charges against the culprits. The apathy of politicians has further worsened the situation. A thorough probe should be conducted into Latheef's death. The third-degree torture of prisoners must also be stopped.

K.A. Solaman,
Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Sept 21, 2016

Action needed

Cruelty against animals is in its peak in Kerala. Innumerable street dogs are caught and mercilessly slaughtered in many parts of Kerala, violating Supreme Court order. Who gave permission to this heinous act, is a point to ponder.

Killing of stray dogs in Kottayam by Youth Front  is a dastardly act. Police action should be taken against them. Acts of cruelty to animals like this one and that in Irinjalakkuda indicate a deep mental disturbance among some thugs who eat and drink profusely.

In stray dog menace what it matters is the street pollution by fish-meat vendors and hoteliers. The municipal and panchayath members should think of keeping street clean before jumping  to kill the hapless animals.

K A Solaman

Greetings

Lapses in Soumya case

From former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju to former Kerala Law minister K M Mani, all had said that there was lapses on the part of prosecution in Soumya case. It was due to the lapses on the part of the LDF government that Govindachamy, who deserved death sentence, got only life imprisonment.

Looking into the controversy on death sentence generated by Politburo member M A Baby and Kerala Law minister A K Balan, one can correctly say there was some sort of foul play in the Soumya murder case. How did Givindachamy become dearer to CPM leaders? What is his source of income to avail the service of highly paid advocate B A Aloor? Why the channels project Aloor as the ever brilliant advocate for attending murder case?
Govindachamy was sentenced to death by trial court and the HC on the basis of valid evidence. And loss of this evidence in SC is conspicuous.
A thorough inquiry would reveal who is behind Aloor and company to divert the initial verdict in the Soumya case. The LDF government should show guts to save its image before the public.

K A Solaman

Hartal day violence

The nationwide trade union hartal was total in Kerala but it witnessed sporadic violence. Incidents of clashes reported from various places are due to the backing of the hartal by the State Government. The protestors blocked vehicles, smashed glasses of cars, and forcefully closed hotels and business establishments. They know that no police case must be taken against them. The KSRTC cancelled all its services for the first time in the history of Kerala.

As the hartal was a preplanned one it was enjoyed as a festival day by organised employees with full salary. There was no dies- non and it is unlikely to declare one for the day. The government sponsored hartal was thus enjoyed by all except daily wagers, ailing and the aged ones.
And this drill will continue unabatedly for five- six days every year taking the state to shame.

K A Solaman

CPI Stand

The CPI stand to oppose any move by the LDF to partner with Mani Kerala Congress is in the right direction.

Mani Congress was one of the opponents in the last election and hence it is illegitimate to invite KC(M) to LDF fold. Partnering with the Mani will completely contradict Marxists' stand towards Bar Bribery and the secular fabric of CPM. Mani Congress is still a party existing with the blessings of clergies of eastern Kerala and for them there are no people in the west of Vembanadu lake.

K A Solaman

On surrogacy

On surrogacy

Surrogacy, the type of arrangement that is done between a couple and a woman to carry and to deliver a baby for the couple, has many disadvantages. Importantly surrogacy is a long and tedious process and there are a lot of medical and legal processes involved.

There have been issues when surrogate mothers have not wanted to let go of the child, thereby complicating the whole scenario.
Surrogacy is a very expensive procedure and can cost anywhere about Rs 20 lakh or more .
The couple has to ensure that all the legal procedures are in place before committing themselves to surrogacy or else they may face legal issues. Moreover the concept of sanctity of the mother hood is lost in the whole process.

K A Solaman

Birth day in Kangaroo court

To what extent the head of an office be unjust, is evident from the circular sent by the Kerala Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary. In an unusual circular to all Regional Transport Offices he asked to celebrate his birth day. Is Thachankary' s birth day so auspices as India's Republic day or Independence day? This is out and out an extravagance and misuse of power. Even if the laddoos distributed on his birth day is by Thachankary himself how could the time and loss of work be compensated? It seems that Kerala is a Kangaroo court where matters are decided not by elected ministers but by self styled and idiotic bureaucrats.

K A Solaman

Reasonable apprehension

• Seemingly Finance Minister and financial expert Dr TM Thomas Isaac's 'jack fruit economics ' has few takers in Kerala including his Cabinet Chief Pinarayi Vijayan. That is why Pinarayi appointed another financial expert Gita Gopinath from Harward University. Gita's appointment is without remuneration and she will not visit Kerala and never get involved in Kerala policy decisions. Then, what for this exercise? Pinarayi is unnecessarily making confusion among his own men.

  The small state of Kerala, in fact , does not need a Harvard economist advocating liberalisation policy as the Financial advisor to the Chief Minister of Kerala. Her attitude of market economy and finance is unsuitable to Marxist ideology. And hence apprehension of the Pinarayi detractors about her appointment is reasonable.

  K A Solaman

  

Partition deed fee

It is good to hear that the newly introduced fee for property deals such as partition deed among family members is going to be revised. The stamp duty may also be lowered to Rs.1000 for such transactions. The credit goes to Registration Minister G Sudhakaran for bringing it to public debate. The budget proposal for partition deal fee was exorbitant and that is why the state witnessed an all-time record in property registrations just before the new transaction fee coming into effect.

Other than this, there still remains proposals like high tax for atta, maida, soochi etc which need immediate withdrawal.

K A Solaman

Kabali fun

• 
  

  The release of the Rajnikanth movie Kabali that broke many records much before hitting the screens, has been marked with funny matters. One among them is: certain business houses in southern India have given their employees one day off on the first day of the release of the film so that they can attend screening on the first day itself. This indicates how silly are our work forces and their attitude towards job.

  For many employees their job is only a part-time business and they are more interested in silly things such as watching films. As it is impossible for every one to see the film on the first day itself why these people spoil one day for a futile exercise? If they are particular to watch Rajanikant film immediately they can opt for 'Linga or Paayum puli' now and wait for 'Kabali' on another day.

  K A Solaman

  
• m · 

Code of conduct for govt staff

Kerala Service Rules (KSR) and Kerala Education Rules (KER) are the two prominent rule books available for the code of conduct of government staff and teachers. According to rules, officials should behave politely with common man and stay away from any sort of corruption. If strict adherence to these rules are made then what is the implication of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying a code of conduct would be introduced for government officials?

It is true that there is delay in the implementation of projects and lack of quality in service. Most a often an application receives attention from an official when applicant by himself or by agent approaches the official. This should be stopped. All applications/ petitions received in an office should be settled as per 'first come first serve' basis. The transfer of government officials should be based on principles and never as a punishment like one we saw in the case of two PWD road engineers transferred from Harippad.

When good service rules exist it is meaningless to announce fresh ones.

K A Solaman

Is Kerala not in India?

The expectation for BJP in Kerala election was ten assembly seats but won only the Nemom seat. Infuriated BJP central leadership, therefore , denied berth for any Keralite in the central ministry. Absence of one from Kerala in the 19 newly selected central ministers is a pointer in this regard. The more humiliated person is actor turned politician Suresh Gopi who was dreaming for a ministerial berth for quite long. 

During the assembly election campaign in April, several national leaders of the BJP had hinted that if the state leaders put up a credible performance, one of them will be given a central cabinet berth. O. Rajagopal's victory is creditable one nevertheless the central leadership backtracked from their promise.

K A Solaman

Thuglak model

Ever since the High Court verdict regarding helmet use came into effect two- wheeler riders in Kerala are in a run. The government with the assistance of police and RT officials have squeezed heavily from them. Bikers have become a source of ready money for the police and the government.

Now going one step further they are denied petrol from pumps if not wearing helmets. The directive in this regard has been issued by Transport Commissioner Tomin Thachankary even without consulting the minister because the minister's comment is not in tune with that of commissioner.
The riders have still a choice. Let them carry a can with them. Petrol will be given in can to all persons whether they are bike riders or not. To avoid confrontation bikers should keep their vehicle beyond the line of sight of pump operators.

K A Solaman

Luckiest state car 13

Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac getting No 13 state car is not a big issue. Isaac being a non-believer there is no problem for him in using the car. Problem arises when this car meets with an accident.

Ours is a state with more than fifty percent believers and the rest non- believers. It may be true that during the previous UDF regime, there were no takers for state car No 13 because they are all believers. Belief has some advantages and at the same time disadvantages. A medicine becomes effective only when the patient has a trust in it. Faith in God prompts many people to abstain from bad habits.

It may be also noted that initially no minister of the LDF was ready to accept car number 13. It is only after criticism Isaac sought this number.
Let minister Isaac make this most unlucky number luckiest for him, and for the people of Kerala.

K A Solaman

All is not OK

Who said there is no politics in Kerala police? The top-level reshuffle in the Kerala police compels one to think that even if there is no politics in Kerala police the ruling political bosses  find it in them. Otherwise the senior  DGP Sen Kumar will not be transferred  from his present post to chairman and managing director of Police Construction Corporation.
The second senior most Jacob Thomas also has been ignored. Based on seniority Jacob Thomas should have been given the post of DGP Law and Order when SenKumar relinquishes post.

Thus it has been proved that "every thing will be OK " under LDF regime is only a slogan to hoodwink the public. The high-level shake-up in the police force signals everything will not be OK. The shifting of top police officials ignoring  proper rules and regulations is controversial.

-K A Solaman

True genius

It is he who ran more distance than any one across the length and breadth of Kerala to canvass votes for the LDF. But he lost in the final lap to win Chief Minister's cup. The reason is his dotage according to his party men. However with true sportsman spirit comrade V S Achuthanandan congratulated chief minister designate Pinarayi Vijayan on his oath-taking ceremony.
Aldous Huxley said "The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing his enthusiasm". Leader VS is a true genius.

K A Solaman

On controversial orders

It is known to all that the victory of LDF is not by their merit but by the fault of UDF. UDF were also unsuccessful in getting abkari money for election campaign. However, the forming of Cabinet sub-committee to review the controversial orders issued by the UDF government, is in the right direction. But this committee is unlikely to reach anywhere as beneficiaries of UDF decisions include LDF members. More over most of agitations by the LDF during UDF regime are purely on the basis of adjustments.

K A Solaman

K A Solaman Blog: Criminal MLAs ?

K A Solaman Blog: Criminal MLAs ?: It makes no Keralite much happy the 62 per cent newly-elected legislators have criminal cases against them. The findings were shared by t...

Criminal MLAs ?

It makes no Keralite much happy the 62 per cent newly-elected legislators have criminal cases against them. The findings were shared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) based on their analysis. The MLAs declared about criminal cases against them while submitting affidavit. Possibly many of them think that the MLA post will give them shield against punishment.

Interestingly MLAs having criminal cases against them include 91 per cent from CPM, 63 per cent from CPI and 41 per cent from Congress. Would these figures increase or decrease by next election?

K A Solaman

Tharoor not correct

Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor saying the BJP-BDJS alliance is unlikely to open its account in Kerala, is his own views and it lacks ground reality. The BJP-BDJS alliance are almost at four seats and counting. Even if they do not get any seat they have given a tough time for the Congress-led UDF and the CPM-headed LDF. The voters of the NDA are not new born ones but came from UDF and LDF.

During election all leaders ignore writing on the wall, talk in their favour and Tharoor too. And many have to swallow their words immediately after the election results.
It is true that the controversial Somalia remark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has not made any impact on BJP's prospects in the state.
-K A Solaman