Trade unions plan campaign against UPA Government

Staff Reporter

"Government is reneging on promises given in Common Minimum Programme"

KOCHI: CITU president M. K. Pandhe on Monday said that the central trade unions were planning to launch a joint agitation against the "anti-labour policies" of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

The Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions will meet in the first week of February in New Delhi to chalk out a campaign plan, Mr. Pandhe said at a press conference here. The 34-lakh strong Central Government employees have already decided to launch an indefinite strike from March 1.

Mr. Pandhe alleged that the UPA Government had reneged on all promises given to the working classes in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). None of the assurances given in the CMP was being implemented in its true spirit, he said.

The UPA Government had gone back on its promise on many key issues, including labour laws, privatisation of profit-making public sector units, the Bill regarding agricultural workers and many other issues, said Mr. Pandhe.

He said the Government had tried to introduce a Bill concerning small and medium industries in Parliament without discussing it with the trade unions, even though the CMP had stated that no labour legislation would be implemented without consulting the trade unions. The unions were consulted only after the Members of Parliament insisted that they would not discuss the bill unless it was debated with trade unions first. The Bill seeks to replace inspection by labour officials at small and medium industries with self-certification.

Mr. Pandhe said the Government seemed to believe that the problems in the small-scale sector were caused by trade unions, and not by the Government's policies. The earlier system of giving preferential credit to small industries had also been withdrawn, he said.

Though the Government had promised not to implement the `hire and fire' policy, two Bills prepared by the Government giving power to employer to fire any worker without giving any reason and for engaging contract labour in many more sectors, in effect, encouraged the policy, Mr. Pandhe said.

He alleged that the Government had reneged on its promise not to privatise profit-making public sector undertakings, through its decision to privatise the Delhi and Mumbai airports. If these two airports were taken out of the Airport Authority of India (AAI)'s control, the authority would inevitably become a sick unit, as more than 75 per cent of its income was generated by these two airports.

Another major issue was the slashing of the Employees Provident Fund interest rate to 8.5 per cent. He said Provident Fund was not a bank deposit, but a social security measure. While all the trade unions, including the BMS, were united in opposing the Government stand on PF interest issue, the INTUC alone supported the Government decision.
(The Hindu-31/01/06, Monday)

Film technicians form trade union

Staff Reporter

New outfit to focus on labour, industry issues

* New organisation named MACTA Federation
* MACTA will continue as parent organisation
* The federation will represent 16 trades in the industry

KOCHI: Technicians associated with the Malayalam film industry has decided to form a trade union, under the name of MACTA Federation.

The Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA) will continue to function as the parent organisation, focussing on cultural activities, while the new outfit will focus on labour and other industry-related issues.

A unanimous decision was taken in this regard at the general body meeting of MACTA here on Saturday, according to the film directors Sibi Malayil, MACTA chairman, and Kamal, general secretary. The federation, which will be a member of the Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI), will represent 16 trades within the film industry.

These are direction, cinematography, writing, music direction, sound engineering and recording, editing, set designing, make-up, costume designing, publicity artists and public relations, still photography, dubbing and the work of production executives, production assistants, light assistants and unit drivers.

Dubbing artists, production assistants, light assistants and unit drivers have not yet been included in MACTA, but are being taken in to comply with the regulations of FEFSI.

Sixteen unions will be formed before February 16 and registration of the federation as a trade union will be completed before March 1. Each union can nominate three members, including the general secretary. Only the general secretaries will have voting right. The executive committee of the federation will be elected from these 48 members.

At least three year's experience in Malayalam film industry is mandatory for being nominated as general secretary, or as member of the federation. Each union should elect new office-bearers every two years before July 15.

The demand to form a trade union, which will handle labour disputes within the industry, had been strong ever since the inception of MACTA 12 years ago, according to Mr. Malayil and Mr. Kamal. They said MACTA leaders were not out to pick fights with anybody, but only wanted to ensure the financial and job security of the members.

The model bylaw prepared by a special committee was adopted unanimously by the general body meeting. The decision to form the trade union was taken after studying a report prepared by a 10-member special committee, headed by the scriptwriter John Paul.

The former MACTA chairman K.G. George, Mr. Paul, Lenin Rajendran, Thampi Kannanthanam, B. Unnikrishnan, Vinayan, Sajan, Harikumar and others spoke at the meeting. The membership fee of each union has been decided.

There will be active and associate members. Apart from the membership fee and deposit, the members will have to pay an annual fee of Rs. 500. The deposit amount paid while joining the organisation will be handed over to the federation, and will be returned to the member on leaving the organisation.
(The Hindu-29/01/06, Sunday)

Panel's 'no' to rock sand unit at Koorumala

Renu Ramanath

A victory for people's struggle

KOCHI: The struggles of the residents of the Elanji panchayat against a rock crusher and artificial sand manufacturing unit proposed at Koorumala in the panchayat have received a backing with an expert committee, constituted by the panchayat to make the environmental impact assessment, coming out heavily against it.

The committee, with P.R. Sreemahadevan Pillai, national president, Indian Environmental Congress, and chairman, Environment Council of India, S. Satish Chandran Nair, director of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), and S. Sreekumar, was appointed by the panchayat in the face of mounting public protest.

The local people had been holding campaigns against the unit in the last couple of months.

All the three reports filed by the experts highlight the damage the proposed unit can do to the ecology of the area as well as the pollution to land, air and water. Another report, filed by the District Officer of the Groundwater Department also highlights the hazards to the groundwater system of the area.

The reports concluded that preventing the rock crusher and sand-manufacturing unit was advisable considering the environment and socio-economic aspects of the issue.

Dr. Pillai, in his report, pointed out that the area was not supposed to be an industrial area and should remain an area for agriculture. He outlined the possibilities of water, land and sound pollution as well as the other consequences that could be caused by the unit.

"As the area is facing acute shortage of drinking water, the debris from the quarry might pollute the entire sources of water, both surface and transmitted," he pointed out.

Besides, artificial sand requires washing with at least 2,000 litres per cube of sand, which will lead to huge discharge of polluted washout water. While the water requirements may affect the drinking water supply to the area, the washout water will further affect the meagre resources of water.

On the sociological aspect, it was pointed out that though a few settlements would be evacuated initially by offering lucrative offers, later on, more people living on the fringes of the plot would have to leave, due to noise and air pollution. At that point, they would have to be content with whatever the company offered.

The Groundwater Department's report also highlighted that the debris from the unit might cause threat to the water body in the area. It demanded that the valley on the foothill of the proposed blasting area on the south bank of the Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP) Canal would be kept out of any industrial activity including deposition of debris.

The Groundwater Department demanded that since the area faced acute water shortage, only domestic water requirement for the workers and staff of the industrial unit might be met from the available groundwater sources from the plot, that too, only 2,000 litres per day. The water required for the unit should be met from the surface water bodies in far-off areas.
(The Hindu-26/01/06, Thursday)

Koorumala rock sand unit: crucial meeting today

Renu Ramanath

People fear major impact on environment

KOCHI: The residents of Koorumala in Elanji panchayat are waiting with bated breath for the decision of the panchayat committee to be held on Wednesday on the issue of giving permission to the controversial rock sand-mining unit.

The fight of the Koorumala residents against a proposed rock sand-mining unit coming on top of Koorumala, the highest point in Elanji panchayat in Ernakulam district, had met with a temporary success last December as the Tribunal for Local Self-Government Institutions had set aside the former panchayat committee's decision to grant provisional no-objection certificate (NOC) to the controversial firm.

The tribunal had also ordered the Panchayat Secretary to stop the construction work of the factory building based on an NOC granted by the Secretary on August 22, 2005. Following this, a memo was issued by the panchayat committee to stop the work.

However, the tribunal had asked the panchayat committee to take fresh decisions on the application filed by Luke Antony Kochery, managing director of Luxury Sand Kerala Private Limited, for operating a granite sand production and metal crusher unit on top of Koorumala after conducting studies by experts.

Following this, the panchayat committee had appointed a three-member expert committee for preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report. The study had been completed and the report was submitted to the panchayat. Mr. Kochery had also submitted a report prepared by an approved geologist.

The panchayat had held hearings for both parties according to the directive of the tribunal, but Mr. Kochery had asked for more time citing that he had not got the copy of the judgement.

The tribunal, in the judgement, had pointed out that the Panchayat Secretary should not have issued the NOC without ensuring that it was not being used for the construction of the factory building. Besides, the tribunal had pointed out, even though the provisions of the Kerala Municipality Building Rules had not been extended to the Elanji panchayat, a factory building cannot be equated with a residential or commercial building.

The Panchayat Secretary had issued NOC stating that sanction from the panchayat was not required for constructing the building in the property, as the provisions of the Kerala Building Rules Act had not been implemented in Elanji panchayat. Meanwhile, another organisation, Kooru Samrakshana Samithi, had filed a case with the Kerala High Court demanding ban on the activities of other quarrying units functioning in the nearby localities.

Mr. Kochery had submitted an application with the Elanji panchayat committee for starting a rubber-processing unit in the panchayat.
(The Hindu-25/01/06, Wednesday)

Strike hits functioning of offices

Staff Reporter

Striking employees take out a march to Civil Station

KOCHI: The one-day token strike called by the Left trade unions affected the functioning of Government offices in the district, with most remaining closed.

In the Civil Station at Kakkanad, 1,018 out of the 1,060 employees participated in the strike. In the Collectorate, 148 out of the 160 employees struck work. Only 12 people, including the District Collector, Additional District Magistrate and Deputy Collectors were present.

At the District Treasury, 74 out of the 75 employees took part in the strike. The strike was complete at the Principal Agricultural Officer's Office, Office of the Deputy Director of Education, Regional Transport Office, Labour Office, District Planning Office, SC/ST Development Office, Factories and Boilers Department, Ground Water Department and others. All these offices remained closed.

The striking employees took out a march in front of the Civil Station.

In the city, 1,250 out of the 1,753 Government employees in different offices participated in the strike. The striking employees took out a march to the Kanayannur Taluk Office.

Other offices including taluk offices and various courts too were affected by the strike. The passenger ferry services of the State Water Transport Department were also affected.

Three persons were arrested at Thrikkakara in connection with the strike.
(The Hindu-25/01/06, Wednesday)

'Woes of Yasodhara'

The anguish of Yasodhara, the abandoned wife of Buddha, is not a common subject for Mohiniyattam. But, on the concluding day of the Kalotsavam here on Monday, her woes were portrayed by at least three students at the main venue in Marine Drive.

Madhavi Chandran, a student of Darsana HSS, Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, who won the first prize in the event, began her dance with 'Buddham Saranam Gachhami... ' Interestingly, it was composed by her own mother and well-known dance teacher Girija Chandran. Madhavi has also won first prizes in Flute and Ottanthullal.

There were a total number of 20 participants for Mohiniyattam, with six students performing with the support of appeals. The common songs including 'Pannagendra... ,' and 'Devanampriya... .' were presented at the competition. Fourteen participants were given `A' grade.

Reforms successful
Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer has said that the reforms effected in the festival manuals for the 46th State School Kalolsavam have been successful. Talking to reporters at the media centre of the festival he, however, said the continuing flood of appeals was the major problem affecting the conduct of the festival.
R.R.
(The Hindu-24/01/06, Tuesday)

Down memory lane

Usually, the souvenir volumes published in connection with the State school youth festivals contain drab material— mostly photographs of the organisers, office-bearers, students and some vignettes of the performances.

But, this year's Souvenir Committee of the State School Kalotsavam has brought out a comprehensive volume that includes memories of the past festivals. The committee, chaired by Kalamassery municipal chairperson V.M. Arifa and James Mathew as convener, has chosen writer Payipra Radhakrishnan as the chief editor of the souvenir.

The souvenir, titled `Ninavu,' contains writings, responses and memoirs of noted writers and cultural personalities of Kerala about the youth festival. It has become a sort of documentation on the past festivals. For many, it has turned out to be a stroll down the memory lane.

Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan recalls his primary school days at Government Lower Primary School, Kottara. Writer Zachariah writes about his introduction to the world of books as a child, even though reading was not a popular pastime in the Christian homes of his childhood.

The satiric sloka by the old poet Oduvil Kunjikrishna Menon describing a meal in a restaurant in the Ernakulam of those days finds an interesting reflection in a more modern poem by N.K. Desam. Writer Vysakhan remembers Ernakulam. The memories of the late writer V.V.K. Valath are also included.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, K. Padmakumar, DIG, Central Zone; K.S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit; and film star Mammootty recall their memories of childhood stage experiences and participating in competitions.

A discussion, on improving the standards of the youth festival, with Balachandran Chullikkad, Sukumar, Binni Krishnakumar, Cherthala Thankappa Panicker, Kedamangalam Sadanandan, Kalamandalam Sumathi, V.M. Kutti, Kavya Madhavan and Sankaran Namboothiri, is included in the souvenir. There are also short stories and articles by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Kovilan, M. Mukundan and K.L. Mohanavarma.

But, the most interesting information found in the souvenir is the details regarding some of the past competitions where the superstars of today had won the prizes. Like, Yesudasan Palluruthy winning first prize in vocal music and P. Jayachandran Kuttan winning first prize in mridangam in the second youth festival held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1958.

In the youth festival held at N.S.S. High School, Changanassery in January, 1962, it was the present Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer who won the first prize in elocution.

A brochure of the souvenir, titled `Vilambarakkurimanam,' was released by the Education Minister at the Media Centre on Monday morning.

"This is for the first time that the festival souvenir is being brought out as a literary journal, containing so many articles by the noted writers of Kerala," said Mr. Radhakrishnan.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - 24/01/06, Tuesday)

Thrissur tops in Sanskrit fete

Staff Reporter

Malappuram emerge champions in Arabi Kalotsavam

* Malappuram placed second in Sanskrit Festival
* Kollam district are the overall champions in TTI Kalotsavam
* Ernakulam district are the overall champions in PP TTI Kalotsavam

KOCHI: Thrissur district emerged overall champions in the Sanskrit Festival that concluded here on Monday as part of the 46th State Schools Kalotsavam by winning 232 points. Malappuram district secured the second place with 224 points and Palakkad district came third with 222 points.

SC HSS, Ranni, Pathanamthitta was adjudged the best school with 91 points. HSS, Valayanchirangara, Ernakulam district, stood second with 82 points and Raja's HSS, Neeleswaram, Kasaragode district came third with 73 points.

In the Arabi Kalotsavam, Malappuram district were the overall champions with 205 points. Thrissur came second with 197 points and Kozhikode followed in the third place with 194 points.

The prize for the best school in Arabi Kalotsavam was won by GHSS, Kallar, Idukki district, with 109 points. WOV HSS, Muttil, Wayanad, came second with 105 points and SMV HS, Poonjar, Kottayam district, was in the third place with 69 points.

Kollam district became the overall champions in the TTI Kalolsavam that concluded here on Monday as part of the 46th State Schools Kalotsavam winning 109 points. Ernakulam got the second place with 105 points and Thrissur followed in the third place with 103 points.

DIET, Thodupuzha, in Idukki district, which won 77 points, was judged as the best institution in the TTI Kalotsavam. The other two top-scoring institutions were Valummal TTI, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, which won 45 points, and Kadambur TTI, Kannur, which won 42 points.

In the Pre-Primary Teachers' Training Institute (PP TTI) Kalotsavam, Ernakulam district became the overall champions with 106 points. Kozhikode and Pathanamthitta districts shared the second place with 90 points each, while Thrissur was in the third position with 88 points.

Marthoma Nur TTI, Manjadi, Pathanamthitta and Government PP TTI, Kozhikode, were adjudged the best institutions in the PP TTI Kalotsavam winning 90 points each. Govt. PP TTI, Alappuzha and PP TTI, Nenmara, Palakkad district won the second and third places with 82 and 76 points respectively.

Meanwhile, Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer said that the reforms effected in the festival manuals for the 46th State School Kalotsavam have been successful. Talking to reporters at the media centre of the festival on Monday morning, he, however, said the continuing flood of appeals was the major problem affecting the conduct of the festival. The Minister said the reforms committee would meet soon after the festival.
(The Hindu - 24/01/06, Tuesday)

CROWNING MOMENT: The Palakkad district team with the Golden Cup of the State Schools Kalotsavam that concluded in Kochi on Monday. Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achutanandan and Minister for Education E.T. Mohammed Basheer are seen along with the vic torious students. - Photo: Mahesh Harilal

Palakkad lifts Golden Cup

Staff Reporter

Ernakulam secures second spot; Thrissur in third place

KOCHI: Palakkad district emerged as the overall champions of the 46th State Schools Kalotsavam that concluded here on Monday evening, winning the 117.5-sovereign Gold Cup for a second consecutive year.

The cup was received by the Palakkad district team, led by the Deputy Director of Education, from Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer and Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan at the main venue of the Kalotsavam at the Marine Drive.

Palakkad district won the championship by winning 600 points in the competitions held for 74 items in the five-day-long festival that began on Thursday. Ernakulam district won the second place with 596 points. Thrissur was placed in the third position with 595 points.

Meanwhile, Thrissur district, complaining that it was not allowed to appeal, decided not to accept the trophy for overall championship in the Sanskrit Festival. Thrissur district won the first prize in the Sanskrit Festival.

Mr. Achuthanandan, who inaugurated the event, said that from next year, the shortcomings of the revised manual should be corrected, taking lessons from this year's the experience. He called upon the Government to extend enough support to the budding talents who come up during the youth festival.

Mr. Basheer, who spoke before distributing the prizes, said that the suggestion made by Mr. Achuthanandan would be looked into with the utmost earnestness and that the manuals would be revised.

Industries and Social Welfare Minister V. K. Ebrahim Kunju presided over the function. The Gold Cup was brought to the stage by the convener and members of the Trophy Committee and Baby Usha Kiran, District Education Officer of Ernakulam. It was received on the stage by the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) A. Ajith Kumar and Additional DPI J. Beena.

The Festival souvenir, titled `Ninavu,' was released by K. Chandran Pillai, Rajya Sabha Member, and T. H. Musthafah, MLA, received the first copy.

Secretary of Public Instruction Lida Jacob; district panchayat vice-president K. N. Sugathan; Johnny Nelloor, MLA; Kalamassery municipal chairperson V.M. Arifa; Tripunithura municipal chairperson Renjni Suresh; district panchayat standing committee chairperson Bini Davis; councillor Vinni Abraham' Wakaf board member Abdulla Haji Ahammed Sait; film director Vinayan; Athira R. Nath, last year's Kalathilakam; reception committee convener N. A. Salim and Deputy Director of Education V. Sanu also spoke.

Durga HSS, Kanhangad, was awarded the prize for the school winning the highest points (164). NSS HSS, Kalpetta, Wayanad, secured the second place with 116 points, followed by Silver Hills HSS, Kozhikode, and Kanikkamatha CEM GHSS, Palakkad in the third place with 115 points each.

Meanwhile, hundreds of appeals made life hell for the organisers of the festival. More than 100 appeals were recorded during the five-day festival. Despite making rapid changes in the festival manual, the number of appeals failed to come down.

(The Hindu-24/01/06, Tuesday)

Tough time for young artistes

The students who participated in the Kathakali (Group) competitions in the Kalotsavam were in for a rude shock when they arrived at the venue at Rajendra Maidan. While it is a great idea to have the Kathakali performances in an open air auditorium, it is not always so great having to don the make-up also in the open!

The organisers had simply forgotten that Kathakali needed hours of make-up, that girls were also among the participants and that they would need some covered areas for the make-up. As time was running out, most of the participants began donning their make-up right under the trees by the backwaters in the open grounds.

But, lying on the ground with open eyes proved a trial for the students.

With dust falling in the eyes, it was impossible to lie down and the dust was also getting into the `manayola' and `chayilyam' used to paint the face as part of the `chutti.'

The girls were lying down with their body covered with sheets. As protests rose, the organisers tried to hastily put up a makeshift make-up room with coconut leaves.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu- 22/01/06, Sunday)

Minister promises inquiry into irregularities

Staff Reporter

Complaints of DDE allowing appeals at Kalotsavam

KOCHI: Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer has said that departmental inquiry will be conducted on the complaints that there are irregularities regarding the Deputy Directors of Education (DDE) allowing appeals of the candidates for participating in the State School Kalotsavam.

He was talking to presspersons on Saturday night at the venue of the 46th State School Kalotsavam being held here.

The Minister said that from next year, steps would be taken to make the rules and regulations regarding the appeals stricter. He was referring to the continuing flow of appeals from students for participating in the State-level Kalolsavam even after the change in the festival manual this year.

The Minister said that from next year, even if the students who participate through appeals win a first place, his or her points would not be added to the overall tally of the district.

It is also being considered whether allowing appeals should be left to the discretion of the High Court alone.

This would be decided after holding consultations with legal experts, he said.

From next year onwards, the results would be completely computerised, said the Minister. He also said that from next year, magic would be included as an item in the competitions.
(The Hindu - 22/01/06, Sunday)

Palakkad wrests lead

Staff Reporter

Ernakulam, Thrissur close behind in State schools arts fete

KOCHI: Palakkad district was leading with 324 points when the results of 40 items were announced at 10 p.m. on the third day of the 46th Kerala State Schools Kalotsavam on Saturday. Ernakulam was close behind with 316 points and Thrissur was third with 314 points. The points scored by other districts are Kozhikode 290, Kottayam 285, Malappuram 279, Kasaragod 267, Kollam 267, Kannur 266, Thiruvananthapuram 261, Alappuzha 251, Wayanad 234, Idukki 231 and Pathanamthitta 228.

High School
Band: CCPLM, Perumanoor, Ernakulam.
Light Music (Boys): Krishnajith Bhanu, Mubarak HSS, Thalassery, Kannur.
Short Story (Malayalam): Namitha A.P., Government HSS, Avittanelloor, Kozhikode.
Painting (Oil Colour): Sathna T.V., Azhikode HSS.
Cartoon: Rahul P. Nath, St. Thomas HSS, Kallara.
Kavyakeli: Prajin K.K., GHSS, Kunjimangalam, Kannur.
Light Music (Girls): Nayana Sivadas, St. Mary's GHSS, Pala, Kottayam.
Ottan Thullal (Boys): - Sreeraj A., HSS, Kadamabazhippuram, Palakkad.
Recitation (Tamil): Nisha A., KKM HSS, Vandithavalam, Palakkad.
Panchavadyam: - Prajosh P.J. and party, HS, Peringode, Palakkad.
Drama: Shonima Das and party, GHSS, Payambra, Kozhikode.
Oppana (Boys): Azeem H. and party, AV BHS, Thazhava, Kollam.
Essay Writing: Nishana K., GM HSS, Calicut University Campus, Malappuram.
Classical Music (Boys): Vishnu Tharavath, CMD VHSS, Palakkad.
Bharathanatyam (Girls): Sruthi Jayan, SH CGHSS, Thrissur.

Sanskrit Festival
Aksharaslokam: Krishnan M.S., Sree Krishna HSS, Guruvayoor, Thrissur.
Prabhashanam: Swathy T.A., Raja's HSS, Neeleswaram, Kasaragod.

Arabi Kalolsavam
Caption Writing: K.K. Hibathullah, RA HSS, Kadameli, Kozhikode.

TTI Kalolsavam
Short Story Writing: Rashmi K., DIET, Malappuram.
(The Hindu-22/01/06, Sunday)

Kuchipudi draws crowds

The Kuchipudi competitions for boys and girls at the 46th Kerala State School Kalotsavam attracted a huge crowd at the main venue at Marine Drive. There were also many foreigners among the audience, who chose not to lose a chance to enjoy the classical dances held in the open air.

The first prize in boys' category was shared by S. Anand, Silverhills HSS, Kozhikode, and Sandeep P.V., SNVV HSS, Aloor, Thrissur. Anand has won first prizes for Ottanthullal and Bharatanatyam also.

Though the `Appeal Syndrome' had considerably lessened this year, it continued to cast shadows over the performances, especially the dance items. So, the Kuchipudi (Boys) had 20 participants. Five of them had reached the State level with the support of appeals and court orders. Fifteen participants were originally selected from the district level competitions, with two being selected from one district. Even Anand, one of the first prize winners, had participated in the State level through appeal.

The Kuchipudi performances centred mainly on Sri Krishna stories, and the `Dasavataras.' Most of the participants presented the intricate steps on the brass plate, which is celebrated as a unique aspect of the classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh.

With the increased number of participants, the boys' category prolonged beyond 2.30 p.m., even though the girls' competitions were slated to begin at 1.30 p.m.

The first call for the girls' competitions began around 3 p.m.

Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu-22/01/06, Sunday)

Biggest pandal at youth festivals

The huge pandal that has come up at the Marine Drive— the main venue of the 46th State School Kalotsavam— will perhaps be the biggest pandal in the history of youth festivals.

It covers an area of 45,000 square feet.

Fourteen green rooms have been arranged behind the stage, seven each for boys and girls.

Toilet facilities have also been arranged near the stage.

This year, the pandal measures 300x150 feet while the pandal last year measured 250 x 120.

The pandal here is decorated with the portraits of 46 leading personalities from social, cultural, literary and political fields, including that of the late Kathakali music maestro Kalamandalam Hyderali and the former Union Minister P.M. Sayeed.

Both the main venue and the organising committee office at St. Albert's HSS have been insured.

Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu-2o/01/06, Friday)

Serving food for thousands
Feeding thousands of people at a single stretch is no mean job. Every youth festival venue throws up a big challenge for the organisers in feeding the thousands of children, teachers and organisers who throng the venue for days.

The vast dining hall set up in the compound of St. Albert's HSS to serve food for the participants of the 46th State School Kalotsavam came alive on Thursday morning. Meticulous arrangements have been made to provide meals and refreshment for the participants and organisers who have arrived from all over the State.

The 90-member team of cooks led by Pazhayidam Mohanan Namboodiri, is busy in the temporary kitchen and storeroom set up in the St. Albert's HSS compound. The work for the next day's lunch has to start on the previous afternoon itself. The kitchen and store for a mega event like this has to work non-stop.

Mr. Namboodiri, hailing from Kurichithanam near Uzhavoor in Kottayam district, had ventured into professional cooking 18 years ago. For years, he assisted Malaman Neelakantan Namboodiri, who had been cooking for youth festivals for over 30 years.

This is the first time Mr. Namboodiri is cooking for the festival. But he has no panic, armed with the experience of having served for events like the State Schools Science Fair, State Higher Secondary School Festival and Malayalappuzha Sathakodi Archana.

The budget earmarked for feeding 20,000 people per day for five days is Rs.8 lakhs, which is lower than last year's allocation. The requirements are huge, with 9,500 kg of rice, 1,000 kg of tuvar dal, 1,250 kg of coconut oil and 400 kg of sugar are needed. Nearly 7,000 kg of vegetables is required for the event. "But the quantities will fluctuate," Mr. Namboodiri says.

The rice and other materials will be supplied by the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, while the Horticorp will supply vegetables.

The menu will include curries like sambar, pulisseri, aviyal, thoran, koottukari, mulakushyam, theeyal, vellarikka pachadi and rasam apart from pappadam, pickles and buttermilk. Dosa, idly, uppuma and appam will be served for breakfast. The evening tea will have snacks like laddu, bread roast, bajji and pazhampori.

From Friday onwards, payasam will be served with lunch. The payasam on Saturday has been sponsored by the Deputy Director (Education) of Ernakulam V. Sanu and other staff of the Education Department in the district. For breakfast, the organisers expect around 5,000 people everyday, with 8,000 people for lunch and around 7,000 for breakfast. The breakfast will be served from 7.30 a.m. - 10 a.m., lunch will be from 12 to 2.30 p.m., evening tea from 4 to 5.30 p.m. and dinner from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Renu Ramanath

(The Hindu-20/01/06, Friday)

Colourful start to school arts festival

Renu Ramanath

Financial aid for needy artists likely

KOCHI: The 46th Kerala State School Kalotsavam began with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy lighting the lamp at the colourful main venue at Marine Drive here on Thursday evening.

In his address, the Chief Minister called upon youngsters ``to imbibe the values of our cultural heritage.'' He expressed happiness at the implementation of the revised manual for the arts festival and hoped that this would do away with the unhealthy competition that marred the reputation of the festival.

Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer, delivering the presidential address, said the Government was considering the option of providing scholarship to financially backward students who performed well in the festival. The Government would also consider the option of providing financial assistance to needy students for taking part in the festival.

Mr. Basheer's suggestion was endorsed by the Chief Minister in his address.

The inaugural session, which began after a colourful cultural procession of schoolchildren, started with a welcome song and stage presentation. Public Instruction Secretary Lida Jacob welcomed the audience. Sports Minister Dominic Presentation gave away the prize for the winner of the competition held for selecting the festival logo. K.M. Hassan, art teacher in Government Higher Secondary School, Pezhakkappilly, received the prize. Mayor Mercy Williams was present. Director of Public Instruction A. Ajith Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.
(The Hindu-20/01/06, Friday)

Auto, taxi strike total in district

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The State-level indefinite strike launched by the autorikshaw and taxi car drivers was total in the district on Thursday.

The strike is being held under the joint action council of the trade unions, including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, BMS and STU, raising various demands. The demands include a hike in the auto and taxi fares taking into consideration the hike in the fuel price and the price of spare parts.

The unions are also demanding an increase in the welfare fund of the drivers and to withdraw the condition to install digital meters in autorikshaws. The striking drivers took out a march from the premises of the CPI Mandalam Committee office at Kaloor. The march concluded at High Court Junction. CITU leader K.A. Pushpakaran inaugurated the public meeting held after the march.
(The Hindu-19/01/06, Thursday)

Drive to check beggary menace

Staff Reporter

Corporation to take stringent measures

KOCHI: The Cochin Corporation has decided to take stringent measures to curb begging in the city. It has initiated several steps towards this end, including sending back beggars from other States to their hometowns.

A meeting held on Tuesday, with Deputy Mayor C.K. Manisankar in the chair, decided to conduct a campaign to create awareness among the public that begging has been banned in the city.

A five-day campaign will be held from January 20-24 to help beggars from other States to return to their homestate.

The Corporation will open a Control Room at the Corporation Office to inform the police about the beggars. ]The Control Room will be equipped with four-digital mobile service system.

The Deputy Mayor has called upon the public not to encourage begging by giving alms. Giving alms to child beggars will promote the isolation of these children in society with the result that they turn into criminals later.

Those wishing to support the orphans and the needy should take the assistance of institutions such as the Palluruthy Relief Settlement run by the Corporation, Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan, Valsalya Bhavan Night Shelter or Janseva Sisubhavan.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the City Police, Railway Police, Child Line Coordinator, Janaseva Sisubhvan, Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan, Human Rights Law Network and People's Council for Social Justice and District Probation Officer.

The meeting was held in the background of reports regarding a gang that was employing child beggars.

Cases have been reported regarding attempts to force children into begging by mutilating them.
(The Hindu 18/01/06, Wednesday)

District gets farm projects under Technology Mission

Staff Reporter

Priority areas identified to give boost to agriculture activities

Kochi: Agricultural development projects estimated at over Rs.2 crores have been allotted for the district under the National Horticulture Mission schemes, as part of the Union Government's Technology Mission for technology intervention in various fields.

The schemes will focus on area expansion projects, improving infrastructure facilities for farms and plantations and for promotion of procurement and processing, according to N. Vijayan, Principal Agriculture Officer.

Promotion of vermicomposting has been identified as a major area, with Rs.90 lakhs being set aside for setting up 300 units. A subsidy of Rs.30,000 will be given for each unit.

Another priority area has been the commercial cultivation of turmeric, for which Rs.22.5 lakhs has been set aside. The target is to promote turmeric cultivation in 200 hectares in the district. Each hectare will get Rs.11,250 as subsidy.

The production of vegetable seeds on a commercial level will be promoted, with Rs.6.50 lakhs being allotted as subsidy for this scheme. The farmers ready to produce seeds of common vegetables including bitter gourd, snake gourd and others will get a subsidy of 50 per cent.

One unit to produce seed should at least have area of one hectare. Six such units in the district will get subsidy at the rate of Rs.1.50 lakhs per hectare.

Area expansion and improvement of infrastructure of floriculture is another major segment and Rs.3.5 lakhs have been earmarked for the area expansion of floriculture including orchid/ anthurium cultivation.

The area target in the district is 10 hectares. Each hectare will be given a subsidy of Rs.35,000. The floriculture nurseries of the government farms at Neriamangalam and Aluva will get Rs. 3 lakhs each.

Another major area of development is the construction of greenhouses for floriculture farms and Rs.65 lakhs has been earmarked for this scheme. The target area is 20 hectares. Each hectare will be given a subsidy of Rs.32.50 lakhs.

Other infrastructure development for floriculture including the provision of shade and net will get Rs.70,000 subsidy per hectare. The total amount for the target area of four hectares in the district will be Rs.2.75 lakhs.

An amount of Rs.1.23 lakhs has been earmarked for setting up model medicinal plant garden in schools. Eight schools will be selected in the district for this project. Each school will be allotted Rs.44,000 for setting up demonstration plots.

Giving training to farmers is an important part of the project, for which Rs.25,500 has been set aside.

Three camps will be held to create awareness among officials regarding the projects for which Rs.31,800 has been set aside.

Expansion schemes
As part of the area expansion schemes, 2,500 mini-kits will be distributed to farmers. Each kit will contain locally needed planting material and basic in-puts for cultivation worth Rs.100.

Organic cultivation of pineapple is another major area of focus. The target is to develop organic pineapple cultivation in 300 acres. Manjaloor and Koothattukulam panchayats have been selected for the expansion of pineapple cultivation.

The schemes will be implemented through krishi bhavans and farmers interested in participating should contact the local krishi bhavans, according to K.K. Moideen, Deputy Director (Technology Mission).
(The Hindu-18/01/06, Tuesday)

Kalotsavam torch lit

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The festival torch of the 46th Kerala State Schools Kalotsavam was lit at the compound of the organising committee office at St. Albert's Higher Secondary School here by film actor Mukesh on Monday afternoon.

The torch, lit from the memorials of the cultural personalities in the district, was received at the organising committee office by V. Sanu, Deputy Director (Education) and general secretary of the organising committee. The torch was handed over to Mr. Mukesh by K.J. Maxi, Corporation Education Standing Committee chairperson and film actor Vijayakumar.

The flames were lit from the memorials of the late singer Mehaboob at Mattancherry, writer C.J. Thomas and poet Mary Beninja at Koothattukulam, Kesari Balakrishna Pillai at North Paravur and Changampuzha Krishna Pillai at Edappally.

The signature film for the festival was also released at the function by Mr. Mukesh.

The Gold Cup given to the district winning the highest points in the festival will arrive from Palakkad, last year's winners on Tuesday. The cup will be received at the border of the district at Karukutty at 10 a.m.
(The Hindu- 17/01/06, Tuesday)

Experts decry fall in standards at youth fete

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Well-known scholars and teachers of dance and music have decried the deterioration in standards of the State Schools Youth Festival.

A seminar, organised by the Kerala Fine Arts Society at the Fine Arts Hall on the occasion of the 46th State Schools Kalotsavam, drew attention to the erosion in aesthetic qualities of the cultural forms presented at the school youth festivals and discussed the pros and cons of the youth festival culture.

Dance and music scholar C.P. Unnikrishnan, who presented the topic, said that the culture of rampant competition and rivalry between participants, parents and teachers had caused a lot of damage in the sociological aspect.

"At the same time, there are schools, especially from rural areas, who view the festival without much sense of competition and as an occasion for experiencing newer forms of cultural performances."

In this context, he said, it was also very difficult to separate what was good and bad regarding the youth festival culture.

However, he pointed out that the practice of taking legal steps to solve disputes regarding the awarding of prizes in the youth festival was not a good system.

Dance researcher and teacher Nirmala Paniker said that there should be steps to locate flaws in the present system of youth festivals and solve them, instead of criticising the whole event as such.

She pointed out that even with all its defects, youth festivals had helped in the survival of many languishing art forms. Even many of the new `varnam-s' in mohiniyattam were composed under the influence of the youth festivals, she said.

Sreekumari Ramachandran, writer and executive committee member of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, said that the selection of judges for the youth festivals should be done carefully as a first step to avoid criticism and complaints.

She was of the opinion that only a spirit of competition could ensure good performance at such events.

Kalamandalam Gopinath, dance teacher, said that the responsibility for the deterioration of the youth festivals was with the Government.

He said that the presence of dance teachers were marginal even at the workshop held for restructuring the festival manuals a few months back.

He demanded that an examination in theory also should be conducted to ensure that candidates had the necessary information and knowledge on the forms, which they performed.

Ottan Thullal artist Kalamandalam Prabhakaran and poet R.K. Damodaran also spoke.
(The Hindu-17/01/06, Tuesday)

5,000 students to compete in 155 events at arts festival

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister to inaugurate the extravaganza on Thursday

KOCHI: The State School Kalotsavam (arts festival) will be inaugurated here by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Ernakulam on Thursday. The festival will be held in 14 venues till January 23.

Announcing the details at a press conference here on Sunday, Minister for Education E.T. Mohammed Basheer said changes made to the festival manual were expected to reduce unhealthy competition among students and parents, the norm till last year when the event was known as school youth festival.

The amendments were also expected to help poor children get an equal opportunity to participate, he added.
Flag hoisting

The programmes will begin with the hoisting of the festival flag in the morning by Director of Public Instruction A. Ajith Kumar. A cultural procession will begin from Maharaja's College Grounds at 3 p.m. and end at Marine Drive. District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish will flag off the pageantry.

Public Education Secretary Lida Jacob will welcome the gathering at the inaugural session, which will begin with the rendering of the welcome song by the playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan.

Mr. Basheer will preside over the function. Minister for Fisheries and Sports Dominic Presentation will present a prize to the designer of the festival logo. Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams will present prizes for best floats in the procession.
The prizes for winners in the competitions will be distributed at the Main Venue at Marine Drive every evening.

The valedictory session will be inaugurated by Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan. P.C. Thomas, MP, will distribute prizes. K. Chandran Pillai, MP, will release the festival souvenir, by handing over the first copy to T.H. Musthafah, MLA.

5,000 participants
The Kalotsavam has been conceived by merging the youth festival, Sanskrit festival and Arabi festival, held separately till last year. More than 5,000 students from 14 districts will take part in the festival.

Competitions will be held in 155 events — 74 in the high school category, 28 in the Sanskrit group, 23 in Arabi, 16 in Teachers' Training Institute (TTI) and 14 in pre-primary TTI.

Festival torches will be carried from the memorials of leaders in the cultural field in the district on Monday and kept on a stage in St. Albert's Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam. The torches will be lit at Kesari Smarakam at North Paravur; memorials of Mehaboob, singer, at Mattancherry, and C.J. Thomas, writer, at Koothattukulam; and Changampuzha Krishna Pillai Memorial at Edappally.

The Golden Trophy of the festival will be brought from Palakkad district, last year's winners, to the border of the district at Karukutty on Thursday morning.

The trophy will be received by Karukutty panchayat president, the district panchayat member P.V. Jose and the festival's general convener V. Sanu.

The cup, made of 117.5 sovereigns of gold, will be received by Ms. Williams at the organising committee office.
As part of the festival, Vidyarangam and Sanskrit seminars will be held on Friday at S.R.V. Higher Secondary School Auditorium and Hindi Prachar Sabha Hall, respectively. An Arabi seminar will be held at Government Girls' Higher Secondary School on Saturday.

The venues are Marine Drive; Pappali Hall; St. Antony's High School, Kacheripady; Ernakulam Town Hall; Rajendra Maidan; Women's Association Hall; Adhyapaka Bhavan; Hindi Prachar Sabha Hall; Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam; two stages at St. Albert's School; SRV Lower Primary School; SRV High School; and Durbar Hall Grounds.

District panchayat president P.S. Shyla; K. Babu MLA; Ms. Williams; Mr. Ajith Kumar and Mr. Sanu were present at the press conference.
(The Hindu16/01/07, Monday)

Preparations on for Kalotsavam

Staff Reporter

Events to held at 12 venues; main pandal at Marine Drive

KOCHI: All arrangements are being finalised for the 46th Kerala State Schools Kalotsavam, to be held in Ernakulam from January 19.

The run-up to the event will begin on Friday, with Minister for Education E.T. Mohammed Basheer releasing an audio CD of the welcome song at the District Panchayat Conference Hall, said District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish at a press conference here on Tuesday.

V. Sanu, Deputy Director (Education) and general convener of the Kalotsavam, explained the progress of the preparations.

The welcome song, sung by the playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan, has been written by Gopakumar, teacher of Aravind Public School, Mamalakkad, with music composed by Babul Kamath, an MBA student.

A torch rally for the festival is slated for January 16. The torch will be lit on St. Albert's School ground by flames carried from the houses of literary and cultural leaders of yesteryear in the district, including Kesari Balakrishna Pillai, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai and Edappally Raghavan Pillai.

A rally carrying the Golden Trophy will start from Palakkad district on Tuesday. The trophy, kept at the Government Treasury, Palakkad, will be brought to Karukutty, border of Ernakulam district, from where it will be carried in a rally, with receptions arranged at various schools on the way.

All arrangements for the main pandal at Marine Drive and other venues, as well as the food pandal on St. Albert's School grounds, are being finalised. A team, lead by Pazhedam Mohanan Namboothiri, has been entrusted with cooking. An average 10,000 people will be served food daily.

The media centre at the main venue will be inaugurated on Friday. The centre will have telephones, computers with Internet connection, fax machines and photocopiers.

The events will be held at 12 venues: Marine Drive (main venue); St. Albert's Higher Secondary School (organising committee office and food pandal); Pappaly Auditorium (behind St. Albert's College); Ernakulam Town Hall; St. Antony's Higher Secondary School, Kacheripady; Rajendra Maidan; S.R.V. Government Model Vocational Higher Secondary School Auditorium; Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam; Hindi Prachar Sabha Auditorium; Durbar Hall Grounds; Adhyapaka Bhavan; and Women's Association Hall.

The venue of the band display has been changed from Maharaja's College grounds to Durbar Hall grounds. Accommodation for students will be provided at 20 schools in the city, with 10 each for girls and boys.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has been requested to arrange special services from its bus stand and railway stations to the main venue. School buses and hired vehicles will be used to bring participants from accommodation centres to the main venue and the food pandal.It was also decided to provide the participants with detailed maps of venues as well as a list of autorickshaw fares between them.
(The Hindu 11/01/07, Wednesday)

Central aid to promote floriculture in district

Renu Ramanath

Scheme to be implemented through farmers' groups

KOCHI: Ernakulam district will get Rs.100.45 lakhs this year for promoting floriculture, cultivating medicinal herbs, intercrops and mixed crops.

This scheme, coupled with the Flower Collection Centre coming up in Aluva, is expected to offer a big support to the flori-cultivators in the district.

The additional Central-assisted scheme for Floriculture, Medicinal Plants and Intercrops and Mixed Crops Cultivation offers a subsidy of 90 per cent to the farmers, which is the highest subsidy offered so far for floriculture projects in the State. The earlier schemes had offered up to 50 per cent subsidy at the maximum, according to Rani Roselynd, K.R., Deputy Director (Floriculture). Farmers have to bear only the remaining 10 per cent of the total project cost. The collection centre, coming up near the Aluva market, will be opened in February. The centre, built at a cost of Rs.7 lakhs, will have facilities for storage of flowers, including temperature-controlled rooms. An apex society of the flori-clubs in the district will also start functioning in January.

The scheme will be implemented through farmers' groups. There can be a maximum of 115 groups in the district. The assistance will be given for the cultivation of five items, namely orchid/anthurium, bush jasmine, loose flowers, medicinal plants and inter-crops/mixed crops.

A total number of 2,885 units of the different flower crops will be cultivated in the district as part of the scheme.

The schemes will give preference to unemployed youth, especially women. However, only those farmers who have their own land are eligible to apply for the schemes. Those who cultivate on leased lands are not eligible. Only one member from one family can apply for the scheme.

The target for the cultivation of orchid/anthurium flowers in the district is 1,675 units, with each unit including 100 plants. A subsidy of Rs.5,400 will be given for each unit. Among the 100 plants included in each unit, 50 per cent should be near to the flowering stage and the remaining 50 per cent should be in a six-to-seven leaves stage. This is to ensure immediate revenues for the cultivators.

For bush jasmine cultivation, at least 125 plants in five cents of land are needed to make up a unit, for which Rs.1,250 will be given as subsidy. The target is to have at least 320 similar units in the district.

The loose flowers category includes the various flowers like marigold (jamanthi), gomphrena, nerium (arali), crossandra (kanakambaram) and others. The project targets to set up 400 units in the district, with each unit including 1,000 plants in five cents of land. Each unit will get an assistance of Rs.500.

For the medicinal plants, Rs.1,000 will be given as subsidy for one unit. Each unit should have at least 25 cents of land. Any widely accepted varieties of medicinal plants having local market could be cultivated. The scheme targets to have 250 units in the district.

The inter-crops/mixed crops scheme aims at cultivating crops in coconut groves. The crops can include anything from bananas, pepper, nutmeg, clove, ginger and others. At least 25 cents of land is needed to make up one unit. Each unit will be given a subsidy of Rs.625 each. The target is to have 240 units in the district.

The farmers' groups, including 25 farmers in each, can be registered at the local Krishi Bhavans. Only one unit of a single item will be allotted to one person, but a combination of different items will be given.

Principal Agriculture Officer N. Vijayan requested the farmers to contact the local Krishi Bhavans or Block Offices for taking part in the scheme.
(The Hindu-11/01/06, Wednesday)

Smart City: ultimatum to landowners
Staff Reporter
They are asked to handover documents before January 16

* Those who refuse to hand over documents to face acquisition proceedings
* Cheques will be given for land on January 20
* Collector to recommend job preference for those who give land
* Landowners' forum rejects price offered by Collector

KOCHI: January 16 has been fixed as the last date for the owners of land earmarked for the Smart City Project to hand over their documents. Those who refuse to hand over the documents by this date will have to face acquisition proceedings, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

Speaking at a discussion with the action council of landowners at Kakkanad on Monday, the Collector said it was decided to double the basic price for the land fixed at present.

Rehabilitation
It was also decided to rehabilitate those who would lose their residences due to the acquisition in three cents of poramboke land. Thirty-six families are estimated to lose their houses in the proceedings. The poramboke land for rehabilitation was yet to be identified.

The Collector said that those who would be ready to cooperate with the acquisition proceedings by handing over the documents on January 16 would be given the checks on January 20. Regarding the claim of the land owners for preference in job opportunities coming up in Smart City, the Collector said that he would request the State Government for giving preference to those who give land for the project in the employment schemes.

No more discussions
There would be no more discussions regarding the issue in future, said the Collector. Information Technology Secretary Anand Singh also participated in the meeting.

However, the landowners' action council said that they would not settle for the offered amounts and decided that those who would lose their residences would start an agitation. They demanded raising the basic price to Rs.1.5 lakhs. At present, it has been fixed at Rs.29,000 per cent. The Government offers to give double this amount.

The owners are demanding Rs.80,000 per cent for filled land and Rs.50,000 for paddy fields, while the Government price is much below these amounts.
(The Hindu 10/01/06 - Tuesday)

Fruit, vegetable fair price outlet opened

Staff Reporter
Functioning on the Civil Station compound in Kakkanad

KOCHI: The Agriculture Department's Fruits and Vegetable Procurement and Retail Outlet started functioning on the Civil Station compound in Kakkanad on Monday.

The centre will procure vegetables and fruits from farmers and sell them at a fair price to consumers, according to N.Vijayan, Principal Agriculture Officer, Ernakulam. Produce from the local farmers will be procured at the centre at profitable price to the farmers. The fruits and vegetables thus procured will be sold at the outlet itself, accounting only for the handling charges and loss due to damage of the produce.

The outlet is the fourth unit of the Ernakulam District Karshikolppanna Sambharana Vitharana Kendram (Agricultural Produce Procurement and Retail Centre) in the district. Registered in 2003, the centre has three other outlets in Edakkattuvayal, Thirumaradi and Muvattupuzha. An apex body of the 15 Haritha Sanghams in the district, the centre has its headquarters at the EEC-aided Agricultural Rural Wholesale Market at Muvattupuzha.

The outlet was inaugurated on Monday by K. Babu, MLA, with Edappally Block Panchayat president P.M. Ikkoran presiding over the function. Thrikkakara Grama Panchayat president Sabitha Kareem inaugurated the first sale. District Panchayat Standing Committee chairman Anil Kanjili, District panchayat member M.E. Hassainar, Kendram treasurer M.A. Raveendran Nair and executive member K.P. Kuriakose also spoke on the occasion.

Brisk sales were seen at the outlet immediately after the inauguration. However, as the centre was just opening, the vegetables and fruits that were put for sale on Monday were brought from Muvattupuzha. The authorities expect more people to approach the centre for selling their produce.

The centre has been allotted Rs.25,000 as initial revolving fund for purchasing vegetables. The fund need to be reimbursed within 15 days and there is also provision for increasing the allocated amount in case of necessity, according to M. Laskhmi Devi, Assistant Director (Marketing).The centre was constructed by Nirmithi Kendra at a cost of Rs.2.31 lakhs. This amount includes Rs.1 lakh from the MLA Fund of Mr. Babu.

The remaining amount came from the Agricultural Department's fund. The centre, along with the other three outlets, is managed by a nine-member executive committee elected from among the members of the Haritha Sanghams.
(The Hindu -10/01/06, Tuesday)

KWA issues warning against use of hand pumps

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Assistant Executive Engineer of Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Kochi Division, has warned people in West Kochi area against using hand pumps and motors to draw water from KWA supply lines in view of the reports of spread of diarrhoea in the area.

A note from the KWA office warned that the use of electric motor or hand pumps could lead to breakage of pipelines and subsequent intrusion of polluted water into the drinking water supply lines.

Besides causing pollution, the practice of drawing water using electrical motors or hand pumps can also lead to obstruction and free flow of water through the supply lines.

The note also said that the KWA strictly adheres to norms for supply of drinking water and that the water being supplied is free or contamination.

However, practices described above could lead to rampant pollution, it warned.

It also warned that if the malpractices continued, the Water Authority would resort to legal measures against those who engaged in such action.
(The Hindu 09/01/06, Monday)

Thripunithura wrests lead in School Kalotsavam
Staff Reporter
Aluva sub-district emerges winner in Arabic Kalotsavam

KOCHI: Thripunithura Educational Sub-District outdid the Ernakulam Sub District in the points tally of the Revenue District School Kalotsavam being held at Thripunithura on Sunday by scoring 335 points when the results of 43 items were declared.

The Ernakulam Sub-District, which was maintaining a lead till Sunday, fell back to the second place with 326 points. Aluva Sub-District was in the third position with 293 points.

In the high school section Arabic Kalotsavam that concluded on Sunday, Aluva Sub-District, which scored 168 points, became the champion. Perumbavoor, winning 162 points, claimed the second place.

In the upper-primary level Balakalotsavam, Aluva Sub-District was leading with 152 points when the results of 19 items were announced on Sunday. Thripunithura was in the second place with 146 points, while North Paravur followed in the third place with 143 points.

When the results of 27 items in the upper-primary level Samskritholsavam were declared on Sunday, Perumbavoor Sub-District remained at the top with 214 points. Thripunithura, with 204 points and Aluva with 202 points followed in the second and third places. Result of one more item was remaining to be announced.

In the high school level Samskritholsavam too, Perumbavoor Sub-District maintained the lead with 209 points. Kolencherry and Angamaly followed in the second and third places with 198 and 197 points respectively, when the results of 26 items were declared on Sunday. Two more results remained to be announced in this category.

Unexpected rains
Unexpected rains on Sunday afternoon dampened the Kalotsavam. The main venue at Government Boy's HSS, Thripunithura, was filled with ankle-deep water within minutes of the rain. The participants had to wade through the water in full make-up with the help of parents and teachers to move among the venues.

Though the rain was a welcome relief from the dust and heat of the previous days, the participants and organisers were caught unawares. Most of the people did not even have an umbrella as the climate changed unexpectedly.

The delay in starting the Chenda Melam competition at Layam Grounds caused ire among the participants and teachers. The event was delayed by more than an hour, as the judges arrived late. The competition, slated to begin at 11 a.m., eventually started by 12.30 p.m.

The list of students who qualified to take part in the State School Kalotsavam winning the first place in various competitions is given below:

High school section: Folk Dance (Boys) - Lipin C. , St. Francis of Assissi School, Asokapuram. Ottan Thullal (Girls) - Priyanka Nair, St. Mary's HS, Thalakode; Chakyar Koothu - Vineeth V. Chakyar, St. Thomas H.S.S., Ayiroor; Elocution - Jyothis Kumar, FMCT HSS, Karumaloor.

UP Kalotsavam: Folk Dance (Girls) - Sujana Violet Theresa, St. Mary's AIGHS, Fort Kochi; Ottan Thullal - Minu Jacob, St. Joseph's HS, Karukutty; Elocution - Varkkichan Punnassery, Anita Vidyalaya, Perumbavoor; Sanskrit Drama - RMHSS, Vadavukode.

For the little kids of RMHSS, Vadavukode, this was the second time they were qualifying for the State School Festival in Sanskrit Drama. Last year also, they had garnered the first prize in the district level. They had performed a play named `Jyothirgamaya.' The CCPLM, Perumanoor had won first prizes in Duff Muttu, Kolkkali and Arabanamuttu.
(The Hindu 09/01/06, Monday)

Herbal gardens planned at schools

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish has said that the distribution of bonus to the paddy farmers in the district will be conducted more efficiently.

Presiding over the District Agricultural Development Committee meeting here on Thursday, the Collector said that the herbal gardens planned at Krishi Bhavans would also be initiated at schools. Government and aided schools will be given priority in this scheme.

Saju Paul, MLA, said that it should be ensured that the bonus was distributed to the deserving farmers alone. He said that only Government and aided schools should be considered for the scheme.

A total number of 11 projects in the agricultural sector worth Rs.1.79 crores under the State Government schemes are being implemented in the district.

Of this, Rs.1.21 crores had already been spent; and Rs.45.17 lakhs from the Central-sponsored schemes of Rs. 54.37 lakhs had also been spent.
(The Hindu 06/01/06, Friday)

New road from Kakkanad to Kothamangalam soon

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: A new two-lane road will be constructed from Kakkanad to Kothamangalam which will reduce the distance between these places by about 11 km.

The decision was taken at a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, which was presided over by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

This road will offer a shorter route from Kodaikkanal to Ernakulam via Top Station and Munnar. The road, which will be 27.32-km long, is estimated to cost around Rs.84 crores.

The road will pass through the undeveloped areas of Kanayannur, Kunnathunadu and Kothamangalam taluks. This will help in the development of the industrial and agricultural sector in Ernakulam district. The detailed pr oject report will be prepared soon. The emergency notification for the acquisition of land will also be issued immediately. The land acquisition for this project will be un dertaken with a view to expanding the road to four-lane in the future.

Public Works Minister M.K. Muneer, V.J. Paulose, MLA, Industries Department Principal secretary T. Balakrishnan, Finance Department Principal Secretary Jose Cyriac, Tourism Principal Secretary E.K. Bharath Bhushan, Public Works Principal Secretary Gyanesh Kumar and Ernakulam District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish were present.
(The Hindu 06/01/06, Friday)

Chowara project to be commissioned by month-end
Renu Ramanath
KOCHI: The villages in the Vypeen region, facing an interminable water scarcity, will get a succour when the Chowara Water Supply Scheme will be commissioned by the end of January.

The Chowara Scheme, with a capacity of 63 mld (million litres per day) of water, is nearing completion fast in spite of minor delays, according to V.D. Satheesan, MLA. The scheme was slated to be commissioned by the end of December, 2005 and the trial run was expected to have started by December 15, 2005. However, the unexpected rains in October and November, coupled with a lockout in the Kolkata factory from where the pipes for the remaining length of the project were to be purchased, caused a delay of about 50 days.

Mr. Satheesan claims that the work has progressed in record speed, unlike any other recent project of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). The work had started in April, 2003.

The implementing agency is the Kerala State Construction Corporation. The project is being executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management System.

The lockout in the Kolkata-based Electrosteel Castings, during November - December, had interrupted the supply of the pipes. However, the supply was resumed by mid-December and the laying of the pipes for the remaining stretch had started from December 20. Already, 1,500 metres of pipes have arrived, but 4,000 m are yet to arrive. Two or three loads of pipes are arriving daily. The work is progressing as per the arrival of the pipes and before January 20, laying of the pipes is expected to be complete. The trial run is expected to start in the last week of January. The pipelines will have to be cleared of all debris and waste by pumping water continuously for a couple of days before commencing the supply of purified water.

The work on the 11 KV electric sub-station at Chowara is also nearing completion. The electric work alone for this project costs Rs1.66 crores. The entire project costs around Rs.60 crores.
(The Hindu-04/01/06)

Revenue adalats from today
Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The district-level inauguration of the revenue adalats to be held at the 117 village offices from Tuesday till January 20 will be performed by Fisheries and Sports Minister Dominic Presentation at the Elamkulam Village Office in the morning.

The inauguration of the adalats at all the village offices will be held on Tuesday morning. Adalats will be held at 14 villages per day in the morning and evening.

K.V. Thomas MLA will preside over the district-level inaugural function at Elamkulam. Industries Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, Sebastian Paul, MP, Ludy Luis, MLA, and others will take part, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

The adalats will be conducted by officers in the level of Deputy Collector. A total of 4,115 complaints have been received for the adalats. The highest number of complaints is from Kunnathunadu Region. In Kochi taluk, Puthuvyppu village office has received the highest number of 296 complaints.
(The Hindu-03/01/06)

KWA project: Jacob against inauguration at Thripunithura


Says scheme conceived for Chottanikkara, Thiruvankulam panchayats

KOCHI: The former Water Resources Minister T.M. Jacob MLA has protested against holding the inaugural function of the Augmentation Project of the Kerala Water Authority for Thripunithura Municipality and nearby panchayats at Thripunithura instead of at Thiruvankulam.

In a statement, the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) leader charged that holding the inauguration at Thripunithura was with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly polls.

According to Mr. Jacob, the Thripunithura Scheme was conceived during his tenure as Water Resources Minister. The bank loan of Rs.50 crores from Federal Bank was also sanctioned while he was still in office in 2004. The scheme was actually initiated when the Kochi Refineries Limited (KRL) had informed the State Government that they no longer needed the water supplied to the KRL by the Kerala Water Authority. This happened in 2001.

Mr. Jacob pointed out that it was he who took the decision to use this water for expanding the existing water supply scheme for Chottanikkara and Thiruvankulam panchayats. It was then that the people's representatives of Thripunithura, Maradu and Udayamperoor Panchayats requested him to include those regions also in that scheme.
The decision for implementing the present Augmentation Scheme was arrived at a meeting held on April 8, 2002 at Ernakulam, presided over by him, Mr. Jacob pointed out. He alleged that holding its inauguration at Thripunithura instead of at Thiruvankulam, where the major portion of the scheme will be located, was part of a political game. He also alleged that in case the scheme was being implemented in the present form, people in this region will not get water even after four years.

(The Hindu-02/01/06)

hi everybody,
this is my new blog. it is basically for my articles. here, i'm going to put down my articles, that appeared in the hindu. there might be some unpublished items as well. or those which went unpublished. i hope to keep kind of a record of all these articles that keep appearing daily. i can access them at one click, that's the best part.