Thiruvananthapuram: Transport Minister Antony Raju has said that the hike in charges is not being considered to overcome the financial crisis in KSRTC following the sharp rise in fuel prices. Speaking at the inauguration of KSRTC’s first LNG bus service, the minister said that financial discipline will be brought into the department. The Minister said that the pension crisis in KSRTC will be resolved and the contract for distribution through the Co-operative Bank will be renewed.

LNG is a vehicle that uses green fuel to reduce fuel costs. LNG buses will operate on a trial basis on the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Kozhikode routes. The buses were handed over by Petronet LNG Limited. The final decision on the conversion of 400 buses to LNG will be taken after evaluating the fuel efficiency and economic benefits.

Kochi: Gold worth around Rs 1 crore brought from abroad was seized at Nedumbassery airport. A total of 1,998 grams of gold was seized from a Malappuram resident who arrived at the Qatar Airways airport from Qatar. The gold was brought in by hiding the pieces in the mixer and speaker. The gold was seized by customs. Customs is questioning the passenger who was taken into custody.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Central Meteorological Department has warned of isolated heavy rains in the state for the next five days. Vigilance has been ordered in various districts. A yellow alert was declared in seven districts today.

The warning was issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. People living in dangerous areas should be cautious as the sea level rise is likely to intensify on various coasts.

Districts where Yellow Alert has been declared

June 21: Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
June 22: Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
June 23: Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
Today, strong winds with speeds of 45 to 55 km per hour and in some places up to 65 km per hour are expected in the southwestern and central-western Arabian Sea and the adjoining Middle East Arabian Sea.
Similar winds are expected in the southwestern and central-western Arabian Sea from tomorrow until Friday. The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to go fishing in these areas on the above days.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Federation of Kerala Hotel Associations (FCHA) has decided to close bars in the state following an increase in the Bevco warehouse margin. Bar owners say Bevco’s decision could be detrimental. Consumerfed outlets may also stop selling alcohol.

The warehouse margin was raised from 8 percent to 20 percent for consumer fed and 25 percent for bars. Consumer-fed and bars have been hit hard by the fact that they are not allowed to sell at inflated MRP rates despite increasing warehouse margins.

The government has assured the association that it will look into the matter, but association officials said the bars will not operate until a decision is made. The Consumer Fed says it is not possible to sell alcohol without making a small profit. With this, the distribution of consumer-fed kits using the profits from liquor sales will also be in crisis. Bevco outlets and bars in the state have resumed operations following the announcement of lockdown exemptions.