Date:10/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/10/stories/2006061011700400.htm

Kerala

Briefly

Yechuri denies dispute over portfolio

HYDERABAD: Polit Bureau member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechuri on Friday denied that there were any disputes over portfolio allocation in Kerala. "People had high expectations from the Left Democratic Front Government. Hence it broke the tradition of limiting the Cabinet size to 15 and went for 19 even though the size could be 21 as per the Constitution," he told reporters here on Friday. As a result, detailed discussions took place on portfolio allocation, he clarified. Asked about groupism in the party, Mr. Yechuri said, "this only reflects healthy inner party democracy. In CPI(M), all are free to express their views and once the committee takes a decision, all will abide by it." "The Central Committee would certainly give its views on the goings-on in Kerala," he added. - UNI

M.V. Pylee Award for Rajasekharan Pillai

KOCHI: V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, former Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission, has been selected for the M.V. Pylee Award given for the distinguished academician in India 2006.

The award consists of a purse of Rs.2 lakhs, memento and a citation. It was instituted at the Cochin University of Science and Technology from an endowment created by Prof. Pylee. Dr. Pillai, who won the award, had served as Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University. He was also Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore. He is the founder director of the School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University. He is an active researcher in the field of chemical sciences. - Staff Reporter

Appointed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A.G. Bhadran, chief engineer, Kozhikode, has been appointed as member (transmission) of the Kerala State Electricity Board. — Special Correspondent

Protest against `Da Vinci Code' screening

Thrissur: Members of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) staged a dharna in front of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation-owned Sree Theatre here on Friday evening in protest against the screening of the English film `Da Vinci Code,' based on Dan Brown's controversial novel. The protesters were arrested by the Town East police and released later.

The film was released at Thrissur, Kunnamkulam and Kodungallur on Friday. — Staff Reporter

Recruitment rally

venue change

KOZHIKODE: The venue of the recruitment rally to be conducted by the Branch Recruitment Office (BRO), Kozhikode, from June 13 to 18 has been changed from Vikram Maidan in West Hill to Football Ground of Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College in Pokkunnu. There is no other change. Candidates should report at the new venue, a BRO release said here.

For more details contact Ph: 0495 2383953. — Staff Reporter

Bank staff strike deferred

KOCHI: The call given by the Bank of Baroda Employees' Union for strike on June 12 has been deferred.

This is due of the discussions held by the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) on Friday, according to a press release. — Staff Reporter

Protest against `Da Vinci Code' screening

Recruitment rally venue change

Bank staff strike deferred

KOCHI: The call given by the Bank of Baroda Employees' Union for strike on June 12 has been deferred. This is due of the discussions held by the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) on Friday, according to a press release. — Staff Reporter