The Latest Breaking News from Kerala

Kochip.B. Sekaran, 1987-batch IRS officer, appointed Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Kerala. Native of Tamil Nadu, worked in various roles in department since joining as Assistant Commissioner in Salem. Experienced in assessment, investigation, audit, appeals, I&CI, and administration.

A 43-year-old driver was found dead in the washroom on the terrace of the residential building on Mosque Road on Monday (Aug 21). The deceased, identified as Jeevan Verghese, native of Kerala, working as a driver for a woman living in the apartment

Finance dept. verifying accusations of IGST evasion by CM's daughter; Congress, BJP using it to campaign for Puthuppally bypoll; CPI(M) defending it as honest biz transaction; Isaac accused Congress of hiding behind smokescreen; Kuzhalnadan invited Isaac to inspect his finances; Satheesan using it to disparage CPI(M); Chandrasekhar accused crony capitalism…

Kerala Transport Minister urges Union Minister to avoid toll hike at Thiruvallam plaza. Request to shift toll plaza south of Kovalam to avoid increase in fares & threat to tourism. Letter notes increase in toll is disregard for capital & Kerala. Requesting favourable decision.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan laments inadequate R&D support in India. State allocates ₹3,500 cr for R&D, to promote knowledge creation. 68 researchers chosen for 2nd batch of Navakerala Post Doctoral Fellowships, receiving ₹50-1 lakh/month, ₹2 lakh/year contingency support. Highest amount provided for post doctoral fellowship in India.

Kerala declared Internet a basic right, yet 189 Adivasi ooru (tribal colonies) lack access, affecting 5,000 tribal students. Idukki has most colonies, Kannur second. Forest dept. permission sought to set up towers. Union Cabinet-approved project to provide 4G mobile services soon. Community study rooms provide Internet, but remote colonies seldom…

.Two premium trains hit by stone pelting in Kerala; RPF investigating; Railway officials concerned about safety of passengers; four incidents in Palakkad Railway Division in one week; miscreants trying to create panic by targetting premium trains.

Top Kerala news developments on August 21

SC reduces driver's prison term from 5 yrs to 1 yr for accident that killed 5 & injured 63. Owner of bus ordered to pay ₹7.5 lakh to families of deceased. Court found punishment disproportionate as no common intention to cause death & owner had no role in causing accident.

K.K. Shailaja, MLA, states communalism hinders women's development. Equality between men and women is yet to be accepted in Kerala, despite its progressiveness. Prabhat Patnaik and Sunil P. Elayidom presented papers.

Monsoon's delay has caused losses for traditional Ayurveda therapies in Kerala. Panchakarma therapies are climate-specific and not advised when temp. is above normal. Foreigners come for therapy at beachfront properties after Sept. Ayurveda Promotion Society requested govt. to give space in Kerala Tourism's campaigns. Rahul Gandhi's visit gave fresh lease…