Opposition Left in Pallichal hand in glove with ruling Congress in reversing a natural pond

The opposition Left in Pallichal Panchayat, which has voiced against the conversion of a pond into a swimming pool in the panchayat, has joined hands with the ruling UDF, reversing their opposition in favour of converting the natural resource into a pool.

The petition filed by the Jalasaya Samrakshana Samithi in the High Court and the Lokayuktha were withdrawn allegedly at the instance of the CPM. However, another petition has been filed by some persons challenging the withdrawal of the earlier petition, which has been admitted.

It has also been alleged that the earlier petitioners had withdrawn the petition against converting the pond near Vedivachancoil into a swimming pool without discussing the matter with those who had financially and morally supported the agitation. The CPM is said to have backtracked from their agitation allegedly at the behest of some local leaders, who are very close to the ruling Congress and Congress (M) members in the panchayat.

Source: The Newindian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/212880/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/13-01-2014#page/17/1

25 Lakh jobs in 5 years: LDF

The ruling CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front,promising to Convert Kerala into a rapidly growing state in the country, pledges to continue with its developmental and welfare activities if voted to power in the April 13 Assembly elections.

The election Manifesto, which was released here on Monday, promises to generate 25 lakh jobs over five years. Of these, it promises to generate 10 lakh jobs in the unorganised sector, five lakhs in IT-BT sector and 50,000 in the government sector.

Veteran CPI(M) leader and Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan released the manifesto. CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan were present along with leaders of the constituent parties.

On getting a fresh mandate, the LDF says it would provide rice at Rs two a kilo for all families and raise the pension for the aged to Rs 1000.

The manifesto has come up with many sops for women and children and promises to make Kerala a 'woman friendly' state.

If voted to power, the LDF promises to implement welfare schemes such as maternity benefits for women in the unorganised sector, Free books, food and uniform for school children and welfare-cum-pension scheme for employees of places of worship of all religions...More here... http://keralz.com/news/elections/el23.html

Patriarch of Indian communism Basu no more

Jyoti Basu, patriarch of Indian communism and an icon of Indian Parliamentary communists, has passed away.
Regarded as the country’s most elderly statesman, He breathed his last at 1147 hours at a city hospital, ending a 17-day battle for life and an era in the country`s political history.
He was 95.
Basu was admitted to the hospital on January 1. Basu's condition worsened day by day. He reached the stage of multiple-organ failure and was on life support.
As Basu`s condition worsened, leaders from various walks of life, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan visited him… read more here… www.keralz.com