PSC decision unfortunate.

As put by the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy a few members of the Kerala PSC are playing party politics by not extending the tenure of rank list till April 30 despite the request of the Government. Who is going to benefit from this decision -job seekers or those already in service- is known to none.

Presently PSC and some Universities play a super government by ignoring the directives of an elected government. They even amend laws for their personal motives. For instance in MG University, Kottayam the minimum age limit for appointment in affiliated colleges as assistant professor is 23 when the government stipulates it as 22.

By ignoring the directives of the government, the PSC is denying the opportunity of many youngsters searching for a job. The PSC should review its decision of rejecting the recommendation, the Cabinet had put forth twice.

Meanwhile the Government should take stern action against those department heads who had not reported vacancies under them till date.

K A Solaman

Imminent anarchism in Pakistan

Reports from Pakistan is not much pleasing for India as Pakistan government is seriously contemplating the removal of powerful army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI head Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha against the backdrop of a standoff on a memo alleging an army plot to seize power. As the Pakistan army decides matters there for quite long, is it Kayani or Prime Minister Gilani going out of power, is the curious question for people in and around Pakistan.

The government's unhappiness with Kayani and Pasha is longer a secret and the net result would be imminent anarchism in that country. The unavailability of a genuine democratic government in Pakistan is the root cause the never ending turmoil in that country.

K A Solaman

Jokepal and Lokpal

The draft Lokpal or Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill-which will come to existence, is like asking: will present Mullaperiyar dam be abandoned or proposal for new dam be abandoned? Whatever it may be they would be of little use for the common man.

At present in India all State governments and the Central Government are surely a liability for the people. The governments intended for problem solving create new problems. A government which is not bothered of checking petrol price hike by oil companies and the consequent price rise of essential commodities is not for common people but for corporate heads.

India has celebrated when the government, along with all political parties, accepted clauses of Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill. Nevertheless the Government has gone steps backward and diluted clauses in the draft bill. If the Jan Lokpal Bill or its proxy is passed by the parliament, it won't be able to end corruption. The fight against corruption will go on and our judicial forums will be converted into places of red –tapism and absolute inefficiency. The rampant corruption is not because of the unavailability of rules but the snail speed of redressal of grievance in courts. With the enactment of Lokpal the Judicial forums will turn into haven of disputes where the judges would brood over innumerable petitions. If the government claims that much audacity to end corruption then it would take immediate action to settle down all cases in courts.

The Guinness record of hearing petitions by Kerala State Chief Minister Ommen Chandy is not a case for Opposition parties to ridicule. He has sent a good message to all who brood on files including judicial forums. Oommen Chandy’s Mass Contact Programme can be taken as a test case to dispose all the pending cases in judicial forums. The petitions in courts are not forever. It should be immediately settled to reduce corruption and for that Lokpal is not at all a necessary.

The Lokpal should not turn as tool for counsels in courts to book a good buck and hope that Lokpal's office itself should not get involved in sloppiness.

K A Solaman

Cheap politics

The Supreme Court’s observation that the two states — Tamil Nadu and Kerala — are making things worse on the Mullaperiyar dam issue is absolutely right. It is true that the safety of the dilapidated dam has been a matter of concern for the people of Kerala. However, instead of finding a practical solution, some local leaders from both states are pressing the panic button. If required, the Tamil Nadu government can reduce the water level to below 120 feet until a solution is found.
K.A. Solaman
Kerala
Published
The Deccan Chronicle, on 24 Dec2011
The Asian Age, London on 25 Dec2011 

Grand Kerala shopping festival success!

It is a curious news item to read that Kerala Lalit Kala Academy auctioned a painting, drawn by former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran, for Rs 5.1 lakh.  If it is  bought by a person other than a fan of Karaunakaran it is a grand Kerala shopping festival success. It is rare in the history the sale such a small painting by a dead political leader for such a hefty sum.

It is also interesting to see that the Academy has donated another painting of Karunakaran to Padmaja, daughter of Karunakaran, ignoring the credentials of his dear son K Muralledharan. Is Academy a self-ruling body to donate its belongings to persons they wish?

If Karaunakaran’s possessions are so valuable for the public, then it would be wise to conduct auction for his old  jubbas, dhothis, spects, chappals and what else. And it gives an idea to other political leaders not to throw away their used gadgets; I mean things like old razor.   Money is of no value these days.

K A Solaman

Maintain peace

Tuesday, 20 December 2011 23:25 

The Pioneer Daily Published, New Delhi, KA Solaman | Alappuzha

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Sir — Following the footsteps of Tamil Nadu, the Government of Kerala has issued newspaper advertisements appealing to the people of both States to maintain peace and restraint over the Mullaperiyar dam dispute.
What happened all this time is that the war of words between thoughtless leaders of both the States has destroyed peace and harmony among the people. The people of the two States have behaved as if they are from different countries.
There were incidents of Tamil labourers working on Kerala plantations and devotees going to the Sabarimala temple being attacked. Keralite-owned business establishments were damaged and students from Kerala studying in professional colleges in Tamil Nadu were forced to return. A few money-lending institutions were compelled to close down and others were looted.
Unless the local politicians use restraint it will be difficult for the people of Tamil Nadu to comprehend Kerala’s new motto: ‘Water for Tamil Nadu, safety for Kerala’.
K A Solaman 

Shocking liquor consumption

Who said the State of Kerala is not in the path of sustained growth?  Over the last two census periods, liquor consumption in Kerala has grown a shocking 140 percent. As a result, experts say, liver ailments are on the rise in the state. The easy availability and growing social taking of alcohol among all groups, including women and children, has led to increased liquor consumption as well as liver disorders in Kerala. The credit goes not only to Oommen Chandy and company but also for its predecessors. 

As one of the most literate states in the country Kerala has the highest rate of consumption of alcohol, alcohol-induced liver diseases like alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis are on the rise, medical reports say. In 1986, the average age of a first time drinker was 19 and it came down to 17 years in 1991 and further came down to an alarming 14 years, in 2007 according to the report. No doubt our Excise Minister and healthcare policymakers will come with flimsy arguments in rescue of the boozers. 

K A Solaman

Parting shot

The Supreme Court was correct to observe that the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, currently warring over the Mullaperiyar dam issue, are aggravating matters instead of finding a solution. Leaders like P.J. Joseph, the water resources minister of Kerala and the Tamil leader, Vaiko, have raised a hue and cry. The safety of the dam is vital for everyone in the region, but local leaders are making people panic.

K.A. Solaman, The Telegraph, Kolkata Dated 20 Dec 2011