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Kerala News Politics

Kerala CM Blames Central Government Policies for Economic Crisis

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressing the Loka Kerala Sabha regional summit in London

CM Vijayan was accompanied by ministers VN Vasavan and V Sivankutty during his press conference in Kasaragod…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday hit out at the Centre saying that the state is facing an economic crisis due to the former’s policies.

“Our state is facing big challenges. Even though the state has achieved unprecedented growth in its own tax revenue and domestic production, we are facing an economic crisis caused by the central government’s policies that are destroying the federal structure itself,” CM Vijayan said while interacting with reporters in Kasaragod.

He also took a dig at the Opposition Congress, accusing the party of acting with an intent to “destroy the government’s popularity”.
“The opposition, which should naturally join the government against those policies for the good of the state, takes it with malice intention as an opportunity to destroy the government’s popularity,” he added.
Further, Criticising the media for not calling out the same, the CM said, “A large section of the media has unfortunately joined them in hiding the status quo from the public. ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ is organized to make the people aware of the hidden realities and to ensure the integrity of dealing with the people’s problems.”

CM Vijayan was accompanied by ministers VN Vasavan and V Sivankutty during his press conference in Kasaragod.
The Chief Minister along with other ministers from the state cabinet attended the state government’s public outreach programme ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ which was held at Manjeswaram in Kasaragod earlier today. (ANI)

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-Top News India News

Centre bans PFI, associates for 5 yrs

PFI

The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said PFI and its associates or affiliates have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are “prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country”…reports Asian Lite News

After two rounds of nationwide raids and arrest of over 240 leaders and functionaries of Popular Front Of India (PFI) in a week, the centre last evening banned the outfit for five years over alleged terror activities.

A government notification said the PFI and its affiliate organisations or fronts have been declared “unlawful association” with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The government cited the outfit’s linkages with Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and said that PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases.

The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said PFI and its associates or affiliates have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are “prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country”, and that they have the potential to disturb public peace and communal harmony.

It said PFI has been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalise a particular section of the society, and that the outfit shows sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority of the country.

“With funds and ideological support from outside, it has become a major threat to the internal security of the country,” the notification added.

The notification also stated that several criminal activities and brutal murders have been committed by PFI members over the past to create “reign of terror in public mind”.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an ‘unlawful association’,” read a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

“Whereas, the Central Government, having regard to the above circumstances, is of firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect, and accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, the Central government hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette,” it added.

As per the notification, the PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases and shows sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority of the country and with funds and ideological support from outside, it has become a major threat to internal security of the country.

“Investigations in various cases have revealed that the PFI and its cadres have been repeatedly engaging in violent and subversive acts. Criminal violent acts carried out by PFI include chopping off limb of a college professor, cold blooded killings of persons associated with organisations espousing other faiths, obtaining explosives to target prominent people and places and destruction of public property,” it added.

Three states – Karnataka, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh – have recommended a ban on the organisation, the ministry said.

Premises linked to PFI members across 15 states were first raided on September 22, in a coordinated move by National Investigating Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state police, leading to over 100 arrests.

The second round of nationwide crackdown on the organisation was carried out yesterday. A total of 247 arrests have been made so far, officials said.

Besides PFI, it’s associate orgabisations – Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CF), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala – have also been banned.

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Business India News

RBI, govt discuss crypto investments

Shaktikanta Das had cushioned crypto investors just few days back saying “it is my duty to tell the investors who invest in cryptocurrencies to keep in mind that they are investing at their own risk…reports Asian Lite News

Crypto is back on the discussion table as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das deliberated over the issue. The Finance Minister had announced in her Budget speech that the RBI will launch a block chain based digital currency next year. The government also proposed to tax digital assets.

“With RBI & Ministry, not just on crypto but on every other thing as well, I think there’s complete harmony with which we’re working, respecting each other’s domain and also knowing what we’ve to do with each other’s priorities & in the interest of the nation. There’s no turfing here,” said Sitharaman after the meeting.

“Like several other issues, this particular issue is internally under discussion b/w RBI & the Govt. Whatever points we have, we discussed with the Govt. Beyond that I think I will not like to further elaborate,” said Das.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had cushioned crypto investors just few days back saying “it is my duty to tell the investors who invest in cryptocurrencies to keep in mind that they are investing at their own risk and also need to keep in mind that the cryptocurrency has no underlying value, not even a tulip”.

“Yes, the issue that was discussed between the Finance Minister and the RBI governor along with other issues and there’s no difference of views on any of these, informed a Finance Ministry official requesting anonymity.

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-Top News Environment India News

SC directs Centre, states on curbing air pollution

The top court also told the state governments to not take action against farmers, rather persuade them to stop stubble burning…reports Asian Lite News.

The Supreme Court on Monday sought an action plan within 24 hours from the Centre and state governments, detailing steps taken by task forces to stop air pollution caused by vehicular traffic, construction work, stubble burning, power plants, entry of heavy vehicles, dust, etc.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana told counsel appearing for the Centre and state governments, “Need an action plan by tomorrow evening. Hold a meeting…”

The top court also asked the Centre and states to allow the people to work-from-home.

The bench, also comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, noted that the Centre in its affidavit has submitted that stubble burning is not a major factor leading to severe air pollution level in the capital, rather the agricultural burning leads to merely 11 per cent contribution on PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration.

The top court told the Centre to call an emergency meeting of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments on Tuesday for taking urgent measures to bring down air pollution levels.

The top court also told the state governments to not take action against farmers, rather persuade them to stop stubble burning.

“Don’t take action against farmers, persuade them,” said the bench. The bench emphasized that action is required to be taken on vehicular pollution, industrial pollution and dust control measures, which contributes nearly 76 per cent to the air pollution.

The Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control the local emission, which would help in bringing down the air pollution in the national capital, but added that it will have only a limited impact.

In an affidavit, the Delhi government said: “GNCTD is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control local emissions. However, such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states. Given Delhi’s compact size, a lockdown would have limited impact on the air quality regime”.

The government said this issue would need to be addressed at the level of airshed involving the NCR areas.

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-Top News Defence

Centre approves procurement of 56 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence for the Indian Air Force…reports Asian Lite News.

The Indian government on Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 transport aircraft from the Airbus Defence and Space S.A of which 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India.

These 56 C-295MW transport aircraft of Airbus will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence for the Indian Air Force.

The C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of five to 10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract, and 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by the TATA Consortium within 10 years of signing of the contract.

“This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

All the 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

“The project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft,” the ministry said.

The programme will provide a major boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission of the government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into the technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry.

The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing, resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports.

A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India.

The programme will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India.

It will involve development of specialised infrastructure in the form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway.

During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes will gain and maintain globally recognised National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Programme (NADCAP) accreditation.

“Before completion of deliveries, a ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft is scheduled to be setup in India. It is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft,” the ministry said.

In addition, the original equipment manufacturer will also discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian offset partners, giving further boost to the economy.

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India News

Govt to bring out data policy for agriculture sector

Tomar also said: “The government has not entered into any agreement with private companies for establishing Agristack…reports Asian Lite News.

The government is in the process of bringing out a data policy for the agriculture sector, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has commenced work for creating ‘Agristack’, and for this, it is in the process of finalising the “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA)” which will lay down the framework, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told Lok Sabha members K. Kanimozhi and Brijendra Singh in a written reply.

The government had constituted a task force and in furtherance, a concept paper on IDEA has been prepared and comments were invited from subject experts, farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and the general public.

Tomar also said: “The government has not entered into any agreement with private companies for establishing Agristack. However, based on data which is already available in the public domain pertaining to several schemes of GoI and linking them with land records data, a federated farmers’ database is being prepared.”

Once completed, this would serve as the core of Agristack, he said.

“Some data from this is shared on a selective basis with leading technology/agri-tech/start-up companies to develop Proof of Concepts (PoCs). The collaboration is on a pro-bono basis for a period of one year. The PoCs will help us understand the solutions that can be built using available data and some of them if found beneficial to the farmers, will be scaled up at the national level.

“As of now, the federated farmers’ database is being built by taking the publicly available data as existing in various data silos in Government and no private data of the farmers is shared with any private organisation,” Tomar said.

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-Top News India News

Centre to develop seaplane services in India

The Civil Aviation Ministry would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, reports Asian Lite News

The Centre is set to develop seaplane services in India by expediting the development of new water aerodromes and operationalisation of new seaplane routes.

An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, for this purpose.

“This MoU envisages development of non-scheduled or scheduled operation of seaplane services within territorial jurisdiction of India under the RCS-UDAN scheme of the government of India,” the statement said.

As per the MoU, a coordination committee with officials from Ministries of Civil Aviation, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Tourism is to be set up for timely completion of operationalisation of seaplane services at various locations.

The Civil Aviation and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry will consider operationalising of seaplane operating routes as identified or suggested by all agencies, it said.

According to the statement, the Posts, Shipping and Waterways Ministry would identify and develop water front infrastructure of aerodromes or locations and obtain required statutory clearances or approvals in coordination with the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India, by defining the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplane operations.

The Civil Aviation Ministry would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, incorporate the locations or routes as identified by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry, and routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document, it said.

The Civil Aviation Ministry “is also obliged to provide funds or financial support in respect of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with Chief Secretaries of all states for the seaplanes’ operations”, it added.

Speaking on this occasion, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said that signing of the MoU will be a game changer both for Indian Maritime and Civil Aviation sector as it will not only enhance seamless connectivity across the nation by promoting eco-friendly transportation through seaplanes but also give a boost to the tourism industry.

Minister Puri said that this MoU between the two Ministries will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalization of new seaplane routes in India.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

He further stated that this will give a big fillip to the provision of a new kind of tourism service in India.

As per the MoU, a Co-ordination Committee with officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is to be set up. This committee will ensure timely completion of operationalisation of Seaplane services at various locations.

MoCA, MoPSW, SDCL (Sagarmala Development Company Limited) will consider operationalising of Seaplane operating routes as identified/suggested by all agencies.

MoPSW would identify and develop water front infrastructure of Aerodromes/locations and obtain required statutory clearances /approvals in coordination with MoCA, DGCA and AAI by defining the timelines for all activities involved in the development of facilities for starting seaplanes operations.

MoCA would carry out bidding and select potential airlines operators based on their commercial consideration through bidding process, incorporate the locations/routes as identified by MoPSW & routes identified through bidding process in UDAN scheme document.

MoCA is also obliged to provide funds/financial support in respect of water aerodromes awarded under RCS-UDAN scheme and coordinate with Chief Secretaries of all States for the Seaplanes operations.

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COVID-19 India News

Govt extends Covishield gap to 16 weeks

The gap between the two doses of the same vaccine is 6-8 weeks at present…reports Asian Lite News.

The Covid Working Group chaired by N.K. Arora has recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks.

The gap between the two doses of the same vaccine is 6-8 weeks at present.

The working group, based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from the UK, agreed on increasing the interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of Covishield vaccine. However, there is no change in interval of Covaxin doses.

The Covid Working Group comprises Dr N.K. Arora, Director, INCLEN Trust; Dr Rakesh Agarwal, Dr Gagandeep Kang, Dr J.P. Mulliyal, Dr Naveen Khanna, Group Leader; Dr Amulya Panda, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi and Dr V.G. Somani, Drugs Controller General of India.

The recommendation of the COVID Working Group was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), headed by Dr V K Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog in its meeting on May 12.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also accepted this recommendation of the COVID Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12 -16 weeks.

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Business

Govt may slash import duty on steel to near-zero levels

Also, lower import duties would help maintain supply lines that have been affected with several domestic steel companies reducing steel production to divert medical grade oxygen for Covid-19 relief measures…reports Asian Lite News.

The government has proposed to slash import duties on steel items further bringing it to zero or near zero levels to provide relief to MSMEs, which have been hit hard by the high cost of raw materials amidst the raging pandemic.

Top government sources said that a decision had been taken to review duties on steel products and reduce it or withdraw it completely on few items to help the user industry hit hard by rising price of the metal in the domestic market.

Also, lower import duties would help maintain supply lines that have been affected with several domestic steel companies reducing steel production to divert medical grade oxygen for Covid-19 relief measures.

In budget 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had revoked the anti-dumping duty (ADD) and countervailing duty (CVD) on certain steel products while reducing customs duty uniformly to 7.5 percent on semis, flat, and long products of non-alloy, alloy, and stainless steels from 10-12.5 percent levels earlier. She also brought down import duty to nil on steel scrap to support user industries hit hard by sharp rise in steel prices.

These duties may now be withdrawn or slashed further.

“Steel prices continue to remain firm and have also risen further in recent months. It is making operation of several user industries difficult specially in a market disrupted by the pandemic. Cut in import duty will help tame steel prices as the global prices of steel in certain markets are still lower than domestic prices. The measure will also help supply lines of steel if there is any shortage in domestic steel production due to use of another input oxygen by steel makers for Covid relief,” said the official source quoted earlier.

It is expected that duty cuts in steel will be announced shortly by the DGFT after getting formal nod from the finance ministry. A call has to be taken whether to bring down duty levels largely at 7.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent or withdraw it completely for the time being.

Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices rallied to a multi-year high of Rs 56,000 per tonne in February from Rs 39,200 per tonne in March 2020 as demand improved amid iron-ore supply constraints and high global prices. This has further improved to over Rs 58,000 in April, a jump of over 50 per cent in last 13 months.

With demand for steel remaining firm and China cutting export incentives to steel makers to support domestic needs, Indian steel prices are expected to move up further. The cut in duty is expected to tame prices in the domestic market while providing competition to domestic steelmakers from traders who secure cheaper metal from abroad.

Steel producers asking anonymity said that the move to cut import duty would be detrimental to the interest of domestic steelmakers as it could flood the market with cheap and substandard steel being dumped into the country. They said that the steel market is giving indications that the domestic steel sector may turn profitable after a long interval. But duty cuts could change the cycle again.

In the current scenario of a moderation in demand in India due to the second wave of Covid-19 and consequent business lockdowns, Indian steel mills would be able to offload large steel volumes to export markets and still remain highly profitable, according to a recent report from ICRA.

But a cut in duty would squeeze margins and bring a lot of export destined products back into the domestic market.

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COVID-19 India News Kerala

LDF stage protests demanding free Covid vaccine

vaccines
Centre has provided 60 lakh vaccine doses to Kerala and the state is now left with just around three lakh doses…reports Asian Lite News.

Activists and supporters of the CPI-M led Left Democratic Front on Wednesday staged sit-in protests in front of their homes and party offices across Kerala, demanding the Centre ensure free vaccines are provided to all.

The Left, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been demanding free vaccine supply from the Centre, noting that has been the practice in the country.

AstraZeneca vaccine

So far, the Centre has provided 60 lakh vaccine doses to Kerala and the state is now left with just around three lakh doses.

“This (decision for states to buy vaccines) is nothing but to help the corporates and hence the Centre is making the cash-crunched states to buy their needs. This is in no way acceptable and hence we decided to organise this unique protest,” said S. Sudevan, the Kollam district Secretary of the CPI-M who along with his office bearers agitated in front of their party office.

On Wednesday, the Vijayan government gave an order for one crore doses of vaccine which includes 70 lakh doses of Covishield and 30 lakh of Covaxin.

“This is the first time that the Centre is levying a charge for a vaccine. All along vaccines that has been supplied in our country till now has been given free. We made numerous appeals to the Centre, but nothing seems to be happening and hence we decided to buy the vaccines and will give it free,” Vijayan told the media here, asking the Centre to reconsider its decision.

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