Thiruvananthapuram: The government has made Saturday working day in government offices as part of the change in Covid regulations. An order has been issued in this regard. An earlier order issued on August 4 had allowed government offices, quasi-government agencies, autonomous bodies, and commissions to operate with full staff from Monday to Friday when the second wave of Covid weakened. These will work on Saturdays also.

It is learned that the government may decide to start punching in the Secretariat and sit down to eat in hotels as part of easing the covid restrictions. The decision will be taken after the covid review meeting. Instead of biometric punching, card punching will be done in the secretariat. The museums opened today as the second phase of the opening of tourism centers. Many people visit the Thiruvananthapuram Museum premises from early morning.

Thiruvananthapuram: The state-level inauguration of KSRTC Yatra Fuels, a joint venture between KSRTC and public sector oil companies, will be held on the 15th of this month to increase non-ticket revenue as part of the revival of KSRTC.

Finance Minister KN Balagopal will inaugurate the event at 5 pm at Thiruvananthapuram East Fort. Transport Minister Antony Raju will preside over the function. Education Minister V Sivankutty will officiate the first sale and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil will unveil the official logo. KSRTC is launching the fuel outlet as part of the state government’s 100-day action plan. The scheme envisages the setting up of 75 fuel retail outlets for the general public across the state. In the first phase, 8 pumps will be started.

The other seven pumps will be opened at 5 pm on the 16th by Kozhikode Tourism Minister Mohammad Riyaz and Cherthala by Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and Minister J. Prasad at Chadayamangalam on the 17th at 5 pm. Chinchurani, Minister Roshi Augustine at 8.30 am on the 18th and Minister P at Muvattupuzha at 9 am.

Rajeev, Minister R. in Chalakudy at 4 pm. Bindu, at 5 pm in Kilimanoor. Shivankutty and others will inaugurate the pumps and open them to the public. From the first day, petrol and diesel filling facilities will be available from here.

Kochi: Actor Rizabawa has passed away.  He was 55 years old.  He was hospitalized following a sudden heart attack.  Production controller Badusha made the announcement on his Facebook page

He died at a private hospital in Kochi.  He was undergoing treatment for an illness.  He hails from Thopumpady in Ernakulam district.

He was born on September 24, 1966 in Kochi.  He was educated at St. Sebastian ‘s School, Thopumpady.  He entered the film industry through theaters.

He made his acting debut in 1984 with Vishupakshi, but the film was never released.  Rizabawa come in the lead role with Parvathy in the 1990 film Doctor Pashupati, but was notable for his role as a villain in the 1990 film In Harihar Nagar.  In that movie, Rizabawa played the villainous role of John Honai, which won the admiration of the audience.

He later acted as a villain and character actor in several films.  In addition to movies, Rizabawa is also active in television series.  He has acted in several serials on various channels.  Apart from acting, he also did dubbing in movies.  He has acted in over 150 movies and 20 serials in Malayalam so far.

Thrissur: Four more arrested in connection with Karuvannur bank scam. The crime branch arrested former bank board president KK Divakaran, board members TS Baiju, VK Lalithan, and Jose Chakrampally. The four were arrested when they reached their homes in the morning.

The number of people arrested now is nine, including five bank officials who were earlier arrested in the case. Even when the officials were arrested, there was criticism that the probe team was turning its face towards the board members of the CPM-controlled bank. Criticism was also high that the move was to save leaders who were close to the CPM district leadership. Meanwhile, four people have been arrested.