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

On comparing Kerala, Somalia

It is money, not art

Fame and, of course, dotage can change a person from his principle, a lot. Noted film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s latest  movie ' Pinneyun' starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan  is an indication in this direction. Dileep and Kavya are a subject of  discussion for quite long since  wife of former, ace actress Manju Varrier deserted him and latter divorced her husband. The duo were hot cake for media men and any news relating them received added attraction. The romantic movie produced by Adoor is thus intended to cash out in this backdrop.  His last film ‘Oru Pennum Randanum’ released in 2008 was a flop.
It is not art but money that rules the roost.

-K A Solaman

Cine actors' poll

If any one feels so serious about Kerala Assembly election it is not that much in Pathanapuram constituency. There, it is only a cine actors' play where. Mohanlal and Priyadarshan campaign  for Ganesh Kumar ignoring other two actor candidates  Jagadeesh and Bheeman Raghu.

Stars of the silver screen are, of course, a lucky lot but their craze for  amassing wealth and power is astounding. Mohanlal saying that he has come to seek votes for Ganesh Kumar not as a film star, but as his elder brother, is incomprehensible. Regarding education and behaviour Jagadeesh is far better a candidate than Ganesh. Jagadeesh is neither related to infamous Saritha Nair nor has divorced his wife.

All the political parties are to be blamed for making Kerala election scenario  a cine actors' play turf.  The newly incarnated RS member Suresh  Gopi hurling all the abuses on both major fronts and actor Jayaram campaigning for selected candidates of all the three fronts are really joking.  And in that case women cine actors are to be congratulated for not making such hue and cry in the Assembly poll.

-K A Solaman 

Chopper campaign

Thr SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan is neither a BJP member nor a BDJS elected leader. Hence BJP arranging a chartered helicopter for Vellappally Natesan's campaign in the Assembly elections is unwarranted. This absolute extravagance will not yield any substantial gain for NDA in Kerala. Kerala is a literate state and Vellappally is not a much wanted leader.

Planking on a communal leader who opens his mouth only for hate speak, is detrimental for BJP in this election. When BJP cries for starving and homeless millions in the country it is highly objectionable to spend crores for chopper campaign.

Vellappally's campaign against Achuthanandan in Malampuzha is an added advantage for the latter to increase his margin.

K A Solaman

Bring him back

Vijay Mallya's resignation from Rajya Sabha  and the subsequent turning down of his of resignation by the Ethics Committee are not the real issues.  What is real is his loan default of over Rs 9,400 crore from Indian banks. How could this fraud cheat the banks without the connivance of political bosses and bank higher ups? Possibly Mallya has paid half of the loot money to bank bosses and country's politicians. So to recover money what is needed is: bring back Mallya to India and put him behind the bars. In addition consficate the assets of Mallya's fake loan beneficiaries.

-K A Solaman

The Governor's role -Memory

The constitutional issues involved in Governor M. Fathima Beevi's decision to appoint Jayalalitha Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu will be analysed by the Supreme Court soon ("The Governor's prerogative", June 22). But there is a controversy in Kerala over the advice reportedly given by Governor S.S. Kang to Chief Minister A.K. Antony not to include R. Balakrishna Pillai in the Cabinet. Balakrishna Pillai, a former Minister who was convicted in a corruption case, has questioned Antony's decision to drop him from the list of Ministers and claimed that the Governor did not raise any such objection. The Governor has not commented on this issue. If Balakrishna Pillai's version is correct, it would be improper to compare the Kerala developments with those in Tamil Nadu.

K.A. Solaman
Alappuzha, Kerala

The Frontline, July 7-20, 2001

Is court a political playground?

Courts in Kerala often asks political parties not to make court their political playground. This question prompts one to think this situation has been brought out by courts themselves.

Of late in Kerala, politics has become a tool not for the use of common man but for the personal gain of politicians. Courts admit all and sundry cases filed by politicians and comment on it. These comments are then used by one group to beat the other and the play then repeats. This would stop only if the court pays the same attention to layman's cases. The priority given to political cases must be stopped and all cases should be heard and settled in their order of registration. When innumerable cases filed by common man are pending for disposal in courts it is highly objectional to give importance to political cases.

If the cases are heard in the order of registration there is no need for the court to play politics by asking questions of the sort: " Is court a political play ground?"

K A Solaman

Facebook war

War of words through Facebook among political leaders of Kerala has culminated to the maximum with the latest entry of Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan into it. While he is putting posts and making continuous changes in them, other leaders like V M Sudheeran, Oommen Chandy, Pinarayi and Kummanam are also busy with it. Almost all of them receive lakhs of likes along with no less abuse remarks. The other visual and print media forgetting their importance, now abundantly keep vigil on Facebook.
And one's reasonable doubt is that how many of the voters are connected to FB? It is only one in 100 or 200 possessing a smart phone or a laptop. The FB has become a source of daily abuse for many leaders inwhich the ordinary voter is least intetested. In that case the stances of KC leader KM Mani and BDJS leader Vellappally are more acceptable as they are not making any hullabaloo over Facebook .

K A Solaman

Bribe–based liquor policy

The Kerala Government decision to allow six more bars in the state is contentious. It looks like all the petty shops will become five star hotels soon and Kerala will have the largest number of 5 star hotels. Clearly the Chandy Government has made a loop hole for the bar owners to keep their business going. The election expense and some easy money might have prompted UDF to take this quick decision.

Then one wonders how does the Election Commission, which even restricts drinking water supply, permit the Government to take such a decision that involves huge money turn out? Is it not a violation of Election Code of Conduct? The Opposition accusation of bribe-based liquor policy of UDF cannot be ruled out.

K A Solaman

Too cruel!

The Central government cutting down one crore plus work days for Kerala under NREGS is too cruel.
The number of work days in rural job guarantee scheme has been slashed to 6.01 crore from last year's availed 7.42 crore.
In fact NREGS is one intended to feed underprivileged people without any specific job. These people are often aged and many of them are ailing. There is none to look after them. The rural work guarantee scheme provided a chance to earn their livelihood without begging. The present cut is a cruelty on the part of central government to make these people jobless.

When liquor barons Vijay Mallya are allowed to loot thousands of crores it is unbecoming on the part of the government to take back 300 or 400 crores spent for feeding the poor by way of NREGS.

K A Solaman

Grave offence

Permission given to pyrotechnics display killing 109 people and severely burning many at the Puttingal temple, Paravur, Kollam is a grave offence and hence the persons responsible for the disaster should be arrested and jailed. Then only in future this would become a lesson to those who are still thinking of such dastardly act. The decision of Thrissur district administration to sanction four tons of fireworks to Thrissur Pooram festival is also not agreeable. Do they think that four tons of explosives is inadequate to kill a hundred plus people?
It seems that the Puttingal tragedy has not taught any lesson to the lovers of fire works.

K A Solaman

Puttingal tragedy report

The move made by the Home Minister to seek a report from DGP regarding the Kollam Puttingal temple fire accident, over ruling Home secretary Nalini Netto's report, is not in the right direction. The report submitted by Home Secretary had recommended action against senior police officers for dereliction of duty. And by seeking another report from police the minister is ignoring just officers

It is said that undue collusion of certain Congress leaders with Kollam police to defy the orders of the the Collector is the reason for the tragedy. Instead of punishing the guilty, the attempt on the part of minister to target the just officers is too cruel and that must boomerang in the next election.

If this is the attitude of the government towards the tragedy then the dead ones will soon become culprits and the just officers including Home Secretary and Collector have to reach judicial forums to safeguard themselves.

K A Solaman

Home Secy Report Ignored

Controlled fireworks.?

All-party meeting recommendation for controlled use of fireworks at the Thrissur Pooram scheduled on April 18 is a farce as an immediate control is not at all possible. Pooram preparation often starts immediately after the halt of previous Pooram. The dynamites and other high decibel fireworks are prepared and kept safe months back and hence an immediate reduction in noise level of fireworks is not possible. In that case how can the Pooram organisers reduce the sound of crackers?

Do they mean that they attach immediately silencers to all the dynamites made for Pooram show?

K A Solaman

Kill pill

A recent directive from the Union health ministry has sought a ban over 300 cocktails of two or more drugs, which, medical experts allege, have no therapeutic value (“Drug-cocktail ban opens can of worms”, March 15). These drugs are called fixed-dose combinations and include popular cough syrups such as Corex, Phensedyl and so on. Health experts are of the opinion that “irrational drug cocktails” such as these provide no medical help to the patients. But, in some cases, they can lead to drug resistance and inhibit the building up of immunity to infections.

The Union health ministry should be congratulated on this bold decision. While it is true that the drug industry might face an estimated loss of more than Rs 2,000 crore, such a predicament is unavoidable. Drug manufacturers, in connivance with unscrupulous medical practitioners, make huge profits through the sale of such harmful medicines. The pharmaceutical companies should make medicines to save people instead of causing them harm.

K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala

The Telegraph, Calcutta, Mar 24, 2016

Running away

 

The Bangalore bench of the debt recovery tribunal temporarily restrained the British multinational alcoholic beverages company, Diageo Plc, from paying $75 million to Vijay Mallya ("Mallya suffers a setback", March 8). It has now been reported that Diageo has already paid a part of this sum. Mallya, who owes huge debts to various Indian banks, should have been barred from leaving the country. What is unclear is why the banks failed to take the necessary steps at the appropriate time to ensure that he was held accountable for his actions. If proper disciplinary steps had been taken against Mallya, he would have been arrested before he left India. This would have served as a warning to individuals who, like Mallya, have taken huge loans from banks and are intentionally failing to repay them.

K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala

The Telegraph, Calcutta March 22, 2016

Paravur temple fire

The Kollam  temple fire disaster is one of the worst man made disasters in Kerala.  It  has been reported that about 106 persons were killed and over 350 injured in the  fire that broke out at the Paravur Puttingal Devi temple near Kollam. The people responsible for the tragedy are  Devaswom authority and the local government administration.

Pyrotechnics in temples and churches are banned by several court orders  but are blatantly violated. Compensation by central and state governments are  good gestures nevertheless  it is  not a remedy for replication of the disaster. So manufacture of fire woks should be immediately restricted and no permit should be given for pyrotechnics  on religious or other traditions.

-K A Solaman

Letter written or not?

With the Assembly Election in  the offing ,  Kerala News Channels have nothing to deliberate seriously on issues related to common man. That is why they concentrate on silly matters like T N Prathapan's letter to Congress High Command and his candidature. Prathapan is,    of course, a better politician compared to his contemporaries and the letter row will not hamper his image  as a good leader.  The  youth congress leader Dean Kuriakose coming against Prathapan based on rumour is a matter of grave indiscipline.
-K A Solaman

Gouri Amma humiliated?

It may be true that the JSS leader and veteran woman campaigner, who had spent major part of her life time for the growth of Communist party in Kerala, has been humiliated by Marxist party by denying seats to her party in the next Assembly poll. However, it is a fact that except she there is none in her party competent enough to make an equitable fight with opponents in the rival group. Gouri Amma's dotage is the prime reason for the pathetic cast of her party in the present scenario.

K A Solaman