News and Views

Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Judge and Inquiry Commissioner (Vigilance), Thiruvananthapuram, observed that there was no evidence of involvement of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in permitting the shifting of water authority pipeline at Pattoor to aid a builder, as of now before the Court. However, the builder had encroached upon government land.

Marking a milestone in the development of Kannur Greenfield airport, the first test flight landed on the runway on Monday morning.

The touching down of the pilot flight also marked the formal completion of an important phase in the construction of the airport. The airport is expected to be commercially operational in September.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Monday that the Central Budget had totally ignored Kerala’s needs.

As Kerala was going through an agrarian crisis, it had expected assistance from the Centre. However, the Budget belied hopes that Centre would provide Rs. 1000 crore to help the rubber farmers who were facing sharp decline in prices.

The outgoing Kerala Assembly has failed to take up discussions not only on the Budget for the coming year but also on many important legislation.

In fact, these are a record of sorts for the 13^th Assembly.

President of India Pranab Mukherjee launched various schemes of Government of Kerala at a function held at Kozhikode on Saturday. These include dedication of Kerala as Digital State, launch of a Digital Empowerment Campaign, opening of the UL Cyber Park, the first Cyber Park established by a labour cooperative; inauguration of a Gender Park and launch of the ‘Kanivu’ (Compassion) Scheme.