Date:29/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/29/stories/2007112959320100.htm

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Chief Secretary to take action

Land for ISRO’s space institute

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary P.J. Thomas will hold discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) authorities on issues related to the proposed land for the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Wednesday.

The Chief Secretary will discuss and take suitable action on all issues including the concerns of the Tourism Department about ISRO’s demand for 31 acres in the Ponmudi upper sanatorium area. No final decision had been taken in the matter, he said.

The government had offered 100 acres on the Ponmudi hills in lieu of more than 80 acres purchased by ISRO at the Merchiston estate, Ponmudi, for the institute. However, ISRO subsequently sought more land at the new site and in the upper sanatorium area.

Cashew ordinance

The Chief Minister announced that an ordinance would be promulgated to ban processing of cashew as a cottage industry (kudivarappu). The law would provide for seizure of equipment and cashew used by such units and prosecution of those running the units.

He said the State Civil Supplies Corporation and the State Cooperative Consumers Federation would take steps to check any increase in the price of rice in the open market. The Ministers concerned would discuss the matter with the Finance Department and respond appropriately.

Expert committee

An expert committee would be appointed to submit recommendations on the formation of an authority for the development of inland waterways in the State. Principal Secretary (Water Resources) K. Jayakumar and Adviser to the State government on inland waterways Admiral B.R. Menon would be members of the committee.

He announced that the families of the two nuns who had been killed when cement bricks from an apartment complex under construction at Nagambadam in Kottayam fell on their heads would be given Rs.2 lakh each as solatium. Sisters Magi and Reshmi belonged to Kottayam Fathima Mata Convent.

DME appointment

Kozhikode Medical College Principal P.V. Ramachandran would be appointed as Director of Medical Education.

Replying to questions, the Chief Minister said he was yet to get all the details about the alleged release of city Corporation councillor Rakhi Ravikumar (CPI) from police custody by Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran.

Asked about the demand by Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran for resignation of two members of the Travancore Devaswom Board, the Chief Minister said the issues about corruption in the Board were being studied.