Thiruvananthapuram: The result of 17 samples sent for testing yesterday was found to be Zika negative. The results were obtained from the Institute of Virology, Pune. So far 14 Zika cases have been confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram.

A team of experts sent by the Union Health Ministry will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram today to assess the situation in the state in light of the confirmed Zika virus. The central team will visit various parts of the Thiruvananthapuram district today to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, the health department in the Thiruvananthapuram district has intensified preventive measures after detecting the presence of the virus in the state. Following the health department, the Thiruvananthapuram district administration has also formulated an action plan for Zika prevention.

The district administration has directed the district labs to report suspicious cases. There is also a proposal to ensure fever clinics in health centers. The virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Zika virus can seriously affect pregnant women. Therefore, the Department of Health recommends that pregnant women undergo extreme care and screening during the first four months.

Kottayam: Famous Ayurveda practitioner  Dr. PK Warrior (100) passed away. It ended on Saturday afternoon. He celebrated his 100th birthday on June 8. The country honored him with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan. PK Warrier was a doctor who proclaimed that Ayurveda is not just a medical prescription but a tradition.

Pannyampilly Krishnankutty Warrior was born on June 5, 1921, in a middle-class family in the village of Kottaykal in Malappuram district. He was born the son of Sreedharan Namboothiri and Pannyampally Kunhivarasyar. He completed his high school education at Kottakal Rajas High School.

He completed his medical studies at Vaidyaratnam PS Warrier Ayurveda College. This institution is known as the Arya Medical School. In 1942 he became fascinated with the freedom struggle and became a part of it. His autobiography ‘Smritiparvam’ won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.

He has authored other books, such as ‘Padamudrakal’, a collection of articles and speeches. He became a member of several academic councils. He has twice served as the President of the All India Ayurvedic Congress. He is also the Project Officer for the Center for Medicinal Plant Research (CMPR).

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010. In 1987 he received the Doctor of Medicine Award from Copenhagen.

The late Madhavikutty K.Warrier who was a poet is his wife. Dr. K. Balachandra Warrier, K. Vijayan Warrier (late), and Subhadra Ramachandran are his children.

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has again extended the suspension of M Sivasankar, who was prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The action against M Sivasankar, the former principal secretary to the chief minister, was based on the circumstances of the accused in the criminal case. The state government has informed the Union Ministry of Personnel about the extension of the suspension. Shivshankar is accused in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate and Customs in connection with gold smuggling. Shivshankar has service remaining till January 2023.
Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case, was appointed to a government office and his close association with the accused was the reason for the action.

 The suspension was based on the report of a committee comprising the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary of Finance. Shivshankar was suspended on July 16, 2020.

States can suspend an IAS officer facing investigation or trial for a criminal offense. A corruption case or normal suspension period is one year. After this, the state government can extend the suspension period if required. The Center should be informed about this. Otherwise, the suspension will be withdrawn voluntarily. An IAS officer can be suspended from service for a maximum of two years only.

Thiruvananthapuram: Fourteen more people have been diagnosed with the Zika virus in the state. In Thiruvananthapuram, a pregnant woman was diagnosed with the disease yesterday. The number of Zika patients in the state has risen to 15.

The vast majority of people diagnosed with the Zika virus are health workers. All 15 patients are in the Thiruvananthapuram district. The first Zika virus in the state was reported in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. The first Zika virus patient in Kerala is a pregnant woman from Parassala.

The health department said there was no cause for concern. Those who have been diagnosed with the disease are no longer in hospitals. The suspicion of Zika virus infection was raised when red spots were found on the body along with the fever and chickenpox and dengue were not confirmed. Later, a study conducted at the Pune Institute of Virology confirmed the presence of the disease.

Kochi: The first accused in the Karipur gold smuggling case Mohammad Shafiq has been granted bail. The court granted bail on conditions. Customs did not object to the bail application. Customs told the court that the defendant had cooperated with the investigation.

The report of progress of the investigation of the case was handover by the customs to the court in a sealed cover. Shafiq had said that the gold was brought to give to Arjun Ayanki and that those who had handed over the gold abroad had informed him that Arjun would arrive.

Mohammad Shafiq had also revealed to customs that Arjun had called him several times on the day of his arrival with the gold.
A search of Mohammad Shafi’s house yesterday turned up crucial evidence of his connection with Arjun Ayanki in the gold smuggling. The customs court will ask that Arjun be remanded in custody as the two have to be questioned together.

Thrissur: KSRTC’s ‘Milma own wheels’ project launched in Thrissur. All the products of milk are available from this stall. An ice cream parlor is also set up on the bus.
The first phase opened at Kochi, Thrissur, and Kottayam, Milma middle zonal Chairman John Theruvath said. The first venture under the Mekhala Union was started at Thrissur KSRTC stand by Dairy Development Minister J. Chinchu Rani on Friday at 10 a.m.
The cost of the bus is Rs 8 lakh.
At the press conference, Managing Director Wilson J Puravakkat, the Dairy Co-operative Dairy Production Union members Adam Kavil, Tara Unni Krishnan, Adv. Johnny Joseph and Sony Ettakkan attended the function. 

Thiruvananthapuram: Cabinet decides to provide special kits for Onam to all ration cardholders in the state. It was also decided to provide insurance cover of Rs 7.5 lakh to ration traders.

Other Cabinet Decisions:

It has been decided to create 63 teaching posts in various branches of Government / Aided Polytechnic Colleges under the Department of Technical Education.

In the first phase, 90 lab/workshop posts will be created in government engineering colleges under the Department of Technical Education. Tradesman – 51, Trade Instructor – 24, Instructor Grade (2) – 7, Instructor Grade (1) – 4, System Analyst – 2, System Administrator – 1.
The first phase fare for the Kochi Water Metro project for one year has been fixed. Minimum fare – After Rs 20 (3 km) there will be an increase of Rs 4 per km. The maximum fare for a route will be Rs 40. Kochi Water Metro Limited has been empowered to form a Fare Fixation Committee to determine rates from time to time. They will have the power to renew the fare depending on the market situation.

Cabinet has decided to introduce insurance cover for retailers and salesmen in the state. The insurance cover is for one year at a premium of Rs. 1,060 per adult through the State Insurance Department. 28,398 FPS. Covid insurance cover of Rs 7.5 lakh will be provided to dealers and salesmen.

Rs 20 lakh assistance will be provided to the family of Harshad, the keeper of the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, who died after being bitten by Rajavembala. Of this, Rs 10 lakh will be paid as compensation. The house will also be constructed. In addition, under the dependent recruitment scheme, Harshad’s wife will be given a job beyond seniority. The government will bear the education expenses of the son till the age of 18 years.
It was decided to recommend to the Governor that the Second Session of the Fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly be convened from July 21, 2021.
For families who do not own land and a house, a house / flat will be allotted on a priority basis under the Life Mission scheme. Until then, the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Welfare has been directed to take immediate action through the District Women and Child Welfare Department to provide temporary accommodation within the Corporation.

Thiruvananthapuram: KSRTC from Kerala to Bengaluru Services will resume from Sunday. The first stage is from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur. Services from Thiruvananthapuram will starts from Sundays, services from Kannur will also start from Monday.

Circumstances in which Tamil Nadu has not been sanctioned for inter-state transport. Kerala state will provide services via Kozhikode and Kannur. Travelers are required to follow the covid protocol of the Government of Karnataka. The RTPCR test negative Certificate before 72 hours or the certificate of at least one dose vaccination should bear for the traveling.

Additional services will be provided as and when more passengers are required. Time information and tickets for these services are available at www.online.keralartc.com Ticket booking can be done by KSRTC mobile app or website, Transport Minister Anthony Raju said.