News and Views

First test flight from Kannur greenfield airport will take off on February 29, Minister for Excise, Fisheries and Ports K. Babu announced in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Airport would start commercial operations from September this year. During the first stage from 2016-19 to 2025-26, facilities would be provided for landing of aircraft from UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Opposition today boycotted the Assembly after zero hour on Tuesday.

The boycott followed Speaker refusing permission to Mathew T. Thomas and others from the Opposition to move an adjournment motion seeking to discuss the issue of Minister Shibu Baby John making disparaging remarks against Solar Inquiry Commission.

Thiruvananthapuram: A coconut climber created a stir at the Kerala Assembly complex on Tuesday by climbing on to a coconut tree in the compound and shouting slogans from atop the tree.

The Nava Kerala March, led by CPI (M) polit bureau member Pinarai Vijayan concluded here on Monday.

Inaugurating the valedictory function, which began with inspection of a parade by Mr. Vijayan, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri said that the LDF would come to power in the State. Only the left could be an alternative to communalism.

Kerala Assembly paid homage to poet O. N. V. Kurup on Monday. This is the first time that the House made an obituary reference to a cultural leader who was not a member of the Assembly or political personality.

Making the reference, Speaker N. Sakthan said that ONV’s poetry was noted for their diversity and simplicity. His growth as a poet was rooted on his experiences and awareness of life.