» Suzlon Group Signs Contract for wind Power
Kochi | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Suzlon Group, the world's fifth leading and India's largest wind turbine manufacturer has signed a contract for a 100 MW wind power project, comprising 48 units of Suzlon's latest S97-2.1 MW wind turbines, featuring DFIG technology, with CLP, India. The contract of the project, to be executed under its end-to end-business model, would be set up in the state of Rajasthan at a cost of Rs 600 crore was expecting to be commissioned by January 2013, a press release said here today. CLP India Managing Director Rajiv Mishra said the accelerated development of the Indian's power sector was central to realizing the country's GDP growth potential and requires investments across all sources of renewable and conventional energy. This will help achieve an energy efficient and sustainable economy. Renewable energy sources would play a vital role in building adequate power infrastructure over the next few years, he said, adding wind had been a key area of thrust for his company over the past four to five years and were committed to growing this part of their portfolio in India by 200 to 300 MW every year. In his speech CLP India Renewable Business development Director Mahesh Makhija said that 'In line with the Group's Climate Vision 2050, CLP India is committed to reducing carbon emissions to match the agreed global level so that the effects of catastrophic climate change can be minimized'. Suzlon Group chairman Tulsi Tanti opined that ''this order from CLP India reflects the trust instilled in Suzlon and our latest S9X turbines by a globally renowned utility IPP. We have proven end-to-end capabilities in India, including low cost manufacturing set-up, as well as a strong pipeline of projects in all windy states.' UNI CGV VV KSR2035 NNNN

 » Air Services to Singapore Commence
Kochi | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Singapore based the Tiger Airways, the cheapest service in Asia will commence its services to Kochi from Singapore from April 28. The company would operate four flights in a week from Nedumbassery airport, and the first flight will operate to Singapore from Kochi on April 28, a CIAL release said here today. Currently, the Airways is operating services to five cities in India and the company would operate more services to Kerala, because of its great tourist potential, Tiger Airways Managing Director Stewart Adams said. The company started its online booking today. The Airliner would operate flights (TR-2649) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to Singapore from Kochi and from Singapore the flights (TR-2648) would be operated on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The aviation company has announced attractive fares for passengers between April 28 and October 30. The one way fare during this period would be 85US dollars. Currently 15 aviation companies are operating international services from the airport and with the operation of more flights to Singapore, tourism sector would flourish, the relese said. UNI CGV VV AK1945 NNNN

 » Man held for attempt to rob women passengers
Kochi | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Police arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with an alleged attempt to harasses some women passengers in a ladies compartment of Ernakulam-Kottayam Passenger at Kuruppamthara today. According to police, the arrested was identified as Sadananda Deshmukh, a native of Pune. The incident took place when the Ernakulam-Kottayam passenger bound for Kottayam, was detained at Kuruppamthara railway station for another train to cross. the person entered the ladies compartment and allegedly tried to snatch the girls' bags and attempted to physically harass them. The girls were shocked and two of them fainted in the compartment. They were admitted the hospital. The arrested man had intentionally got into the ladies compartment and tried to snatch the bags, police said. Meanwhile, DYFI activists gheroed Kottayam Station Master for not providing adequate police protection in the ladies compartment. UNI CGV VV AK1920 NNNN

 » NIA files charge sheet
Kochi | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case relating to enrolling youths from in Kashmir for anti-national activities, framed charges against 17 people, including Thadiyantevida Nazir, who is also an accused in the 2008 Bangalore blasts case, at the NIA Special court here today. The accused, sometime in 2006, during 2006 and 2008 in Kannur and other places in India and outside, had entered into criminal conspiracy under the leadership of third accused T Nazeer, Shafas, Abdul rahim, Ibrahim Moulavi and others with the intention to incite facilitate and advocate terrorism and there thereby to wage war against government of India with Lashker-e-Toiba (Let), a militant Organisation in Pakistan, the charge sheet said. The charge sheet, which was read out by NIA Special Court Judge S Vijayakumar, also said all the accused persons had committed offences punishable under sections 120(B), 121, 121(A), 122, 123, 124(A), 212, 465, 467 r/w section 34IPC and section 3 r/w 13(2) 16, 17, 18, 19, 38, 39 40 of UAP Act 1967. The case was later posted to February 18 on which date trial would commence. MORE UNI CGV VV AK1730 NNNN

 » Bar licence only for 5 star hotels
Kochi | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Kerala Excise Minister K Babu today said from the year 2013, the government would receive applications for bar license only from five-star hotels. Inaugurating the concluding function of 'liquor-free' campaign organized throughout the state, he said the government was implementing regulations for issuing bar license in a phased manner. Stating that the objective of the government was to bring down the consumption of liquor in the state, he said the government would not give permission to open new outlets by Beverage Corporation, which was dealing the wholesale and retail IMF in the state. The government had already taken a decision on issuing bar license to three-star category hotels, he said and added the government was also taking steps to give back the rights of the local bodies the right to controll the functioning of liquor outlets. Pointing out that the consumption of liquor had become the main reason for social issues, he said through a joint operation with police, Excise and forest department to check the consumption and illegal distribution of liquors. UNI CGV VV AK1950 NNNN

 » CM's intervention sought to end nurses stirke
Kochi | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Demanding that the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the government should intervene immediately to end the ongoing strike by nurses in private hospitals in the state, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Kerala Unit President R Chandrasekharan today said his organization would extend all protection to the agitating nurses.

 » IRSM begins
Kochi | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
The XVIth Inter Region Sports Meet (IRSM) of Indian Oil Corporation Limited began here today. As many as 210 participants, including 52 women, from five regions, including Head office, South, West, North and East was taking part in the five-day event, which was inaugurated by Indian Oil official M Nene. The meet was being conducted to encourage sports within the employees of Indian Oil not recruited under the Sports Category, Senior Manager, Marketing Division, Southern Region Suresh N Iyer said. Employees from four regions were participating in the tournaments of Table Tennis, Badminton, Carroms, Chess and Bridge, he said, adding the tournament was held once in two years. The closing ceremony would be held on February 10. Indian Oil General Manager, Kerala state office General Manager A Pandian presided over the function. UNI CGV AKM RSS1505 NNNN

 » P C Thomas begins padayatra for Mullaperiyar
Kochi | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Demanding an immediate solution to the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, Kerala Congress Leader and Former Union Minister P C Thomas today began a ''Padayatra'' to Mullaperiyar in Idukki District. Mr Thomas, who led the march, would arrive at Mullaperiyar on February 16, covering more than 250 km across Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki Districts. As many as 250 pary workers were also accompanying him. UNI CGV GM 1546 NNNN

 » Intl Aqua Show from Feb 10
Kochi | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
The 6th India International Aqua Show will be held here at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here from February 10 to 14. Informing this at a news conference, Kerala Excise Minister told reporters here that the object of organising such a mega event, which would be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, was to boost the ornamental fish export, which had a huge potential in the market and find a suitable place for the country in the global market . Though more than Rs 70,000 crore business were being done across the world in the industry, the share of the country was very meagre Rs six crore, he said, adding share of the state was only Rs 35 lakh only. In view of promoting and encouraging people in the sector, the government had constituted an 11-member expert committee to formulate a policy in this regard, he added. MORE UNI CGV AKM RSS1510 NNNN

 » Campaign for efficient cargo clearing in Cochin Port Trust
Kochi | February 06, 2012 10:23:07 AM IST
A high level meeting was held on 3-2-2012 in the Conference Hall of Cochin Port Trust for efficient cargo clearing in Cochin Port Trust

 »  Dad's goodwill gave me a head start: Mammootty's son
Kochi |Sunday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
"Second Show", the debut film of Mammootty's son Dulquar Salman, has hit the theatres and the newcomer says his father's goodwill has given him a head start, but admits that he will have to work hard to carve a niche for himself.

 » PWD rules/regulations to be dynamic: Minister
Kochi | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Kerala Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju today informed the rules and regulations in the PWD would be revised in a timely manner to make them suitable for the States. After completing the PWD manual reformation, the government had also taken steps to revise the code and data book, he said while inaugurating the e-tender mechanism in pre-qualification category in the PWD. Pointing out this was the first step towards the goal of a corruption-free administration in the state, he said the e-tendering system would pave way to complete the tender process at the earliest in a more effective manner. The contractors could be able to read the tender documents and participate in the tenders, which would ultimately ensure more competition, he claimed. In view of the introduction of e-tender system, all tenders in the pre-qualification section for roads and bridges, buildings and national highways would be published and received through the e-tendering website, he said adding after the pre-qualification, e-tendering would be introduced in other works. In his address, Union Minister of state for Food Prof K V Thomas said that Kerala could not go ahead without adopting modern technologies. Pointing out the 2000-odd Food Corporation godwns were connected with computer network, he said it had helped to bring down the loss of grains. UNI CGV GM 2022 NNNN

 » Govt committed to people's interests: Chandy
Kochi | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Stating the government was committed to protect the interests of those who give their land for developmental projects, Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy today said the government was devising a system to make available the benefits of development to them instead of giving compensation. Since the value of the land would increase manifold once the development projects were completed, the object of the government was introduce bonds to make available its benefit to the land owners, he said while dedicating the rail overbridge at Edappally, near here, to the nation. "This is to negotiate the fluctuation in the prices of land. Currently when land is acquired, the owners are given existing market price. "But the prices soar when the project gets completed," he said adding such methods should be adopted to cross over the hurdles while acquiring land for developmental projects. However, it is up to the land owners to decide whether they should be paid in cash or bonds, he added. Mr Chandy also said the government was also considering allowing concessions for parties in terms of building rules. Union Minister of State for Food Prof K V Thomas presided. In his address, he said the state had requested the Centre to aid in evolving a new approach to development projects. The Centre was positively considering it and an approach paper in this regard would be prepared before the next Union Budget, he added. UNI CGV GM 2018 NNNN

 » Antony refuses comment on Gen Singh's age row
Kochi | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Refusing to make any comment on the Supreme Court ruling on Army Chief Gen V K Singh's age row, Defence Minister A K Antony today said the matter was before the Apex Court and asked the media to show some patience. When media asked about his reaction on his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of Gen V K Singh's age row and the Apex Court's ruling on the issue, the Defence Minister, who was here in connection with a bridge inauguration said ''my dear media friends, please show some more patience. "The matter is before the Supreme Court. So please wait,'' he said. It may be recalled the Supreme Court had yesterday questioned the government's decision on Gen Singh's statutory complaint and gave three options on resolving the issue. The Apex Court posted the case to February 10 for further hearing. UNI CGV GM 1930 NNNN

 » Many pvt hospitals not implementing Minimum Wages Act: John
Kochi | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Kerala Labour Minister Shibu Baby John today disclosed the government had conducted inspections in 450 private hospitals and the Minimum Wages Act was implemented only in 24 hospitals in the state. Talking to reporters here, he said the government would take stringent action against those not implementing the Act in the hospitals. Since it was the duty of the labour officials in their respective area to ensure whether the private hospitals were implementing, severe action would be taken if they failed to do their duty. Stating the government would approach the Kerala High Court and file a petition to vacate the stay awarded to the private hospitals to escape providing arrears to the nurses, he said the government would also request the High Court to issue necessary orders to provide the minimum wages to even trainee nurses. MORE UNI CGV GM 1909 NNNN

 » Defence wings at doorsteps of people to serve them: Antony
Kochi | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Defence Minister A K Antony today assured that the Defence wings like Navy, Air Force and Army were at the doorsteps of the people to serve them in their need. Dedicating the Venduruthi Vikranth bridge to the nation here, he said the Defence wings would be at the service of people on war footing basis in case of any eventuality However, the government and people should be with the Defence whenever they required help from them, he added. Stating that the Centre was ready to provide as much as help to the state in developmental activities, Mr Antony said the state government should also cooperate in the huge development it could bring to the state. In his address, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that he was obliged to the defence department in providing its share of Rs 12.5 crore towards the cost of Rs 37.5 crore for the bridge. Kerala PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, Excise Minister K Babu, Union minister for food Prof K V Thomas, P Rajiv, MP, Vice Admiral K N Susheel were among those present. UNI CGV RP1815 NNNN

 »  Chirag up against Sporting Clube
Kochi |Saturday, 2012 7:05:05 PM IST
Chirag United Kerala would host Sporting Clube de Goa in an I-League football match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here Sunday.

 » Cochin Shipyard delivers 'Skandi Hawk' to DOF Rederi, Norway
Kochi | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
Cochin Shipyard (CSL) today delivered a platform supply vessel 'Skandi Hawk' to DOF Rederi II, AS, Norway here.

 » Rendezvous sports assures revival
Kochi | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd, who are Co-owners of the Kochi franchisee of IPL have assured cricket lovers of Kerala that they would get the Kochi team back into IPL. We will try every possible way to bring Kerala back into the Indian Premiere League said Prashant Mishra, one of the officials of Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd (RSWPL). Representatives from RSWPL were in Trivandrum for three days to seek support from the Chief Minister and Sports Minister of Kerala State, a KCA release said here today. They also met and discussed the issue with the authorities of Kerala Cricket Association and. Mehul Mistry, one of the spokesperson from RSWPL said We have received tremendous support and overwhelming love from God's own country and RSWPL will make sure that the morals of the cricket fans here The player's auction which is on 4th February, 2012 have hurt the sentiments of cricket lovers in Kerala. There is a plea from the mass of the state of Kerala to remove the Kochi Tuskers players out from the upcoming auction. People in Kerala have appealed to keep the team alive with the player's retained. MORE UNI CGV VV AK1912 NNNN

 » I was only Felicitator: Tharoor
Kochi | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
Stating that it was too late to provide oxygen to the sinking Kochi Tuskers, former Union Minister and a mentor of Tuskers Sashi Tharoor today said he would make all efforts to revive the IPL team from Kerala. Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the press club here, he said it was too late to take any action for the revival of the team as only 24 hours reamained for the auction of the players for the 2012 season. However, Mr Tharoor, who was the architect of the formation of kochi franchise team from the state, assured that he would make efforts in his personal capacity to take steps for giving the team a fresh lease of life. Mr Tharoor said Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had spoken on the issue and asked what he could do for the team. He assured that he would take all possible steps in this regard. He said if he had more information about the team, he could have taken up the issue with the BCCI in his personal capacity He alleged that it was mismanagement that lead to the disaster. Regarding his resignation as minister following the controvery on team formation, he said he had no involvement in it not had he received any money for his effort. All he had done was taking the initiative for Kerala to have a team in IPL as it would help local players to play with senior players across the world. UNI CGV VV KSR1925 NNNN

 » Customs dept expecting Rs 1.47 lakh crore in financial year
Kochi | Thursday, Feb 2 2012 IST
Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax (Kerala Zone) Chief Commissioner Ashok K Kaushal, IRS, today said the Customs department was expecting to add a revenue of Rs 1.47 lakh crore in the financial year to the state exchequer.