Kerala launches scheme to reimburse tech license cost to startups
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has launched a scheme to reimburse the expense incurred by the nascent startup ventures to procure technology licenses from government research institutions in the country to commercialise and scale up their products. Under the project titled ‘Technology Transfer Scheme’, implemented through Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the government will reimburse upto Rs 10 lakh […]
Kerala government seeks moratorium on repayment of loans
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has approached the Centre to put in place a moratorium on repayment of loans till December 31 in order to provide relief to individuals in the unorganised sector, MSMEs, agriculture and others adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. Kerala has sought a moratorium of loans without accrual of […]
Covid-19 revival package of Rs 20,000 crore, no fresh taxes in Kerala’s budget
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala announced a Rs 20,000 crore revival package and allocated Rs 1,500 crore for free vaccination in its ‘health oriented’ budget on Friday, while not imposing any fresh taxes. Special loan schemes for financial rejuvenation, relief package for conservation and infrastructure improvement in the […]
Monsoon to make early arrival over Kerala
NEW DELHI: The southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala on May 31, a day earlier than its normal onset date, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The normal onset date of monsoon over Kerala is June 1. “This year, the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala is likely to be […]
Chopper carrying Lulu Group head crash lands in Kerala; taken to hospital
NEW DELHI: A helicopter carrying seven people including NRI businessman M A Yusuf Ali crash-landed at a marshy land near here on Sunday morning, police said here. All passengers including Yusuf Ali, his wife and three staff members of his Lulu Group and two crew members on board the chopper owned by Lulu Group have […]
HDFC to acquire 10% stake in Kerala-based asset management firm
NEW DELHI: Mortgage lender HDFC Ltd on Monday said it will acquire 9.90 per cent stake in Kerala-based infrastructure fund management company KIFML. “…the Corporation has today invested in 3,88,303 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Kerala Infrastructure Fund Management Limited representing 9.90 per cent of its share capital issued on a private placement […]
Kerala gets new Chief Secretary
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior IAS officer V P Joy on Sunday took charge as the 47th Chief Secretary of Kerala. He replaces Vishwas Mehta who retired today. A 1987 batch Kerala cadre, Joy was on Central deputation before assuming the new charge. He took over from Mehta at the Secretariat here, official sources said. Mehta handed over […]
Five assembly polls to begin March 27, West Bengal to have 8 phases, counting on May 2
NEW DELHI: Voting for five assembly elections will begin on March 27, the Election Commission announced Friday with West Bengal set to hold eight-phase polls and Assam three. Counting for all the seats will be held on May 2. To be held till April 29 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the elections are expected to witness a […]
18 Tourism projects launched in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ramping up tourism facilities state-wide with an aim at boosting the sector, hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kerala government on Sunday launched 18 projects, completed at a cost of Rs 40.46 crore. The projects inaugurated by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran through videoconferencing, include destination development of Kovalam Phase 1 — Samudra Beach […]
Bird flu: Modi government asks all states to be prepared for any eventuality
NEW DELHI:The Narendra Modi (Centre) on Thursday said bird flu has been confirmed only in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh so far, but all states should be prepared for any eventuality. States have been told to ensure sufficient stock of PPE kits and accessories required for culling operations. They have also been asked […]
Kerala, West Bengal also choose Option 1 to meet GST implementation shortfall
NEW DELHI: The governments of Kerala and West Bengal have now accepted Option 1 to meet the revenue shortfall arising out of GST implementation. With this, the number of states who have chosen this option has gone up to 25. All the three Union Territories with Legislative Assembly (i.e. Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry) […]
Gold smuggling case: BJP demands Kerala CM’s resignation
NEW DELHI: BJP strongman in south and Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, has hit out at the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Front government in Kerala over the recent gold smuggling case, and demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation. Muraleedharan, while addressing the media from a BJP podium, alleged that Vijayan has lost the moral […]
Kerala to witness ‘massive’ road infrastructure development
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the state was going to witness “massive development in terms of road infrastructure” with several projects being launched as part of the Rebuild Kerala Programme. “This government is moving forward with quality assurance, use of new technology and a corruption-free regime for road construction. It is […]
Kerala Chief Secretary given send off
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Secretary Tom Jose, who is retiring after 36 years of service on May 31, was given a warm send off by the state government on Saturday evening. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan lauded the services of Jose, who has held several important positions, including Managing Director of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and […]
Kerala opens to a new normal after lockdown
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Monday, across most Kerala districts it was like a curtain raiser for the new normal, as the good old days of absolute freedom will now go down into history as the old normal. Barring public transport and auto-rickshaws, roads in Kerala witnessed traffic as markets and shops opened. Also opened offices in the […]
Over 1. 5 lakh Non-Resident Keralites register to return to Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over 1.5 lakh Non-Resident Keralites (NRK)s, stranded in various countries, have registered online for returningto the state, once the Centre gives the nod and air services resume The Norka (Non Resident Keralites Affairs) department had commenced the registration process at around 6pm on Sunday and within an hour 25,000 had registered, government sources said. […]