THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State service employees and teachers have been sanctioned one installment of dearness allowance.  Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced that an installment has also been sanctioned for amnesty relief for service pensioners.

 All sectors including UGC, AICTE, Medical Services will get the benefit of DA and DR increase.  This will increase the annual expenditure of the government by about 2000 crore rupees.  Allowed DA and DR will start with the next month’s salary and pension.

 One installment was sanctioned by DA and DR in April this year.  The Chief Minister had stated in the Assembly that the government intends to allocate 2 installments of DA and DR to employees and pensioners from this financial year onwards.

 A better salary reform was implemented in Kerala despite the economic crisis during the covid period.  The benefits, including DA, were also paid in cash at the beginning of the financial year 2021-22.

 Due to the unfavorable approach of the central government, the extraordinary cash crunch faced by Kerala has resulted in delay in disbursement of some employee benefits.  Minister Balagopal informed that the government is taking a committed stance in ensuring the benefits of the employees and pensioners.

 Thiruvananthapuram: Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar has said that premium buses are running at a profit and the number of super fast and fast buses will be increased.  150 new buses will be purchased.  Of these, 100 will be super fast and 50 will be fast buses.  200 mini buses may also be purchased.  The minister said that if funds are available, buses will be purchased soon and 93 crores have been sanctioned.

 He said that e-buses running in Thiruvananthapuram city are now running without loss.  The Minister also said that Citizen App will help in reducing road accidents and crimes.  People can report violations through the app.  He also said that Kerala is the second state in India to implement the app.  You can download the app from Play Store.  It should also contain the number of the vehicle in violation of the law.  Department of Motor Vehicles will verify the same and send e-Challan to the concerned person for penalty.  The transport minister said that all the preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage are ready.  There is a shortage of drivers.  He also assured that experienced drivers will be employed.

New Delhi, India: Actor Siddique’s anticipatory bail plea in a rape case has been adjourned by the Supreme Court for two weeks. While the interim order preventing his arrest remains in place, the state government has accused him of destroying evidence and not cooperating with the investigation.

Siddique has requested more time to file a counter-affidavit in response to the state government’s allegations. The court has granted his request and will hear the case again in two weeks.The court also questioned the delay of eight years in the case.

The Supreme Court stayed the National Child Rights Commission’s recommendation not to provide aid to madrassas. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued the order staying the proceedings initiated by the Uttar Pradesh and Tripura governments against the madrassas.

National Child Rights Commission Chairman Priyank Kanungo has sent a letter to the chief secretaries of the states and Union Territories stating that the method of education in madrasas violates the constitutional rights of children. The controversial proposal was that state governments should not provide financial assistance to madrasas and should close them down. This recommendation was stayed by the Supreme Court. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud clarified that there is no need to take action on the NCPCR letter.

Following NCPCR’s recommendation, the BJP-ruled states moved swiftly against Madras. The Supreme Court also stayed the proceedings initiated by the Uttar Pradesh and Tripura governments against the madrassa.
The writ petition was filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, an organization of Islamic clerics, alleging that the central government’s action is a violation of the right of religious minorities to education under Article 30 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has also sent a notice to the central government on the petition.

A yellow alert was issued in the Achankovil river as the water level rose. Residents living along the Achankovil river should be cautious as the water level has exceeded the warning limit at Kalleli and Konni GD stations of the State Irrigation Department’s Pathanamthitta district.

It is advised not to enter or cross rivers under any circumstances. People living near the coast have been warned to be careful and prepare to stay away from flood-prone areas as per the instructions of the authorities.