Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
01 Oct 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst final steps to commence international services from the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is actively considering operation of both international and domestic services from the new terminal.
AAI officials here have already sent a proposal in this regard to their headquarters in New Delhi. The National Aviation Company of Indian Limited (Air India) had also raised a demand to operate both the domestic and international services from the new terminal.
``The proposal is under the active consideration of our headquarters. However, it may take some time to get the final nod as lots of technical factors are involved,’’ AAI sources said.
A major point being raised for the integration of both the terminals is that the peak-time passenger handling capacity of both the existing international and domestic terminals would come to only 1,000 whereas the new terminal could accommodate up to 1,600 passengers during peak hours. Hence, integration of both the international and domestic terminals with the new terminal would not lead to any congestion in the airport. The number of domestic passengers is only around one-third of the total number of international passengers.
Another impact of operating both domestic and international services from the new terminal would be on the user development fee. Once the domestic services are also operated from the new terminal the domestic passengers would also have to bear the user fee. In such a case, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority would have to rework the user fee which is now fixed at Rs 755.
At present, 14 airlines are operating international services from the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and four airlines are operating domestic services.
The new terminal is close to the city by around four kms compared to that of the existing domestic and international terminals. Hence, operating both domestic and international service from here would be convenient to the users, except for the user fee factor.
At a meeting of officials of various airlines and other agencies associated with the airport held here on Monday, NACIL had demanded integration of both domestic and international services from the new terminal. A delegation of NACIL would be holding further talks with AAI officials here on Friday.
Meanwhile, sources at a private airline alleged that there was a move to allow NACIL alone to operate both domestic and international services from the new terminal. Any such decision would invite strong protest from the other domestic airlines, especially Jet Airways, which is also operating both international and domestic services.
Kingfisher and Paramount are the two other airlines operating domestic service from Thiruvananthapuram. AAI officials are going ahead with steps to commence operations from the airport before October 20. An Air India Express flight would conduct a trial flight on October 14
Thursday 30 September 2010
Udayakumar case: CBI to seek fresh trial
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
29 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the CBI finding serious lacuna in the charge-sheet filed by the Crime Branch in the Udayakumar custodial death case, it will be seeking a fresh trial in the case.
The CBI would soon file a request in the High Court seeking a fresh trial in the case at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kochi, highly placed sources told 'Express.’
While ordering a CBI probe into the case in 2007, the High Court had stayed a trial that was going on in the Fast Track Court in Thiruvananthapuram on the basis of a chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch.
''Since there are glaring differences in the charges framed by the CBI as well as in the list of accused, compared to that of the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch, a fresh trail in the case is essential,’’ said sources.
In a bid to plug the loopholes, the CBI had already recorded the statements of all the eight approvers in the case under Section 164 of CrPC before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - IV in Thiruvananthapuram. It is learnt that Suresh Kumar, a key eye-witness in the case, who was taken into custody along with Udayakumar, had given a statement that he had earlier turned hostile during the trail in the Thiruvananthapuram Fast-Track court as he had received a bribe of Rs 20,000 from those close to the accused.
Legal experts point out that the Crime Branch chargesheet contained several loopholes in favour of the key accused in the case. The chargesheet did not mention about the developments between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Fort Police station on September 27, 2005, the day on which Udayakumar was taken into custody and was found dead.
Udayakumar was taken into custody by the three accused around 2.30 p.m. and he was subjected to torture till 4 p.m. But the first information report was taken only at 8 p.m. It was during this period that the conspiracy involving more police officials took place.
The Crime Branch chargesheet was silent on this part and it would have been a loophole for the three police constables, K Jithakumar, S V Sreekumar and K Soman, to escape from the charges of torture. The then sub-inspector Raveendran Nair, who had registered the FIR around 8 p.m., would have been made responsible for the torture that led to the death of Udayakumar.
Raveendran Nair is now made an approver in the case.
It is also learnt that the CBI had faced strong pressure from the top brass of the Police Department over arraigning more police officials as accused in the case, especially on charges of conspiracy and destroying evidence.
CBI crime-unit Inspector Pradeep Kumar who probed the case was even transferred to Chennai during the course of the probe
The New Indian Express
29 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the CBI finding serious lacuna in the charge-sheet filed by the Crime Branch in the Udayakumar custodial death case, it will be seeking a fresh trial in the case.
The CBI would soon file a request in the High Court seeking a fresh trial in the case at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kochi, highly placed sources told 'Express.’
While ordering a CBI probe into the case in 2007, the High Court had stayed a trial that was going on in the Fast Track Court in Thiruvananthapuram on the basis of a chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch.
''Since there are glaring differences in the charges framed by the CBI as well as in the list of accused, compared to that of the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch, a fresh trail in the case is essential,’’ said sources.
In a bid to plug the loopholes, the CBI had already recorded the statements of all the eight approvers in the case under Section 164 of CrPC before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court - IV in Thiruvananthapuram. It is learnt that Suresh Kumar, a key eye-witness in the case, who was taken into custody along with Udayakumar, had given a statement that he had earlier turned hostile during the trail in the Thiruvananthapuram Fast-Track court as he had received a bribe of Rs 20,000 from those close to the accused.
Legal experts point out that the Crime Branch chargesheet contained several loopholes in favour of the key accused in the case. The chargesheet did not mention about the developments between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Fort Police station on September 27, 2005, the day on which Udayakumar was taken into custody and was found dead.
Udayakumar was taken into custody by the three accused around 2.30 p.m. and he was subjected to torture till 4 p.m. But the first information report was taken only at 8 p.m. It was during this period that the conspiracy involving more police officials took place.
The Crime Branch chargesheet was silent on this part and it would have been a loophole for the three police constables, K Jithakumar, S V Sreekumar and K Soman, to escape from the charges of torture. The then sub-inspector Raveendran Nair, who had registered the FIR around 8 p.m., would have been made responsible for the torture that led to the death of Udayakumar.
Raveendran Nair is now made an approver in the case.
It is also learnt that the CBI had faced strong pressure from the top brass of the Police Department over arraigning more police officials as accused in the case, especially on charges of conspiracy and destroying evidence.
CBI crime-unit Inspector Pradeep Kumar who probed the case was even transferred to Chennai during the course of the probe
Sunday 26 September 2010
COURT CONFIRMS CVC'S INVOLVEMENT IN PALMOLEIN SCAM
By Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 25
The Office of the Enquiry Commissioner and Sepcial Judge (Vigilance) here has confirmed that Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P.J.Thomas is still an accused in the Palmolein corruption case.
In reply to a query under the Right to Information Act, the Office of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge has also clarified that the charges against any of the eight accused in the case, including Thomas, have not been quashed by the court till date. “ P.J.Thomas continues to be the eighth accused in the array of accused,” says the RTI reply.
The RTI query was sought in the back drop of the Centre maintaining that Thomas, a Kerala-cadre IAS officer, was exonerated in the Palmolein case. Express had earlier reported that the claim of the Centre was false and that Thomas, who was a former Chief Secretary, is still an accused in the case.
The appointment of Thomas to the post had sparked off a controversy with the BJP raising suspicion over his credentials.
Meanwhile, though the Palmolein case came up before the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) on Saturday there were no proceedings as the case is stayed. The case is now posted to October 23.
Another Kerala-cadre IAS officer Jiji Thomson who has been posted in the Centre as Special Director General of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, is also an accused in the Palmolein case. Others accused in the case include former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran and former Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustafa.
http://expressbuzz.com/edition/biography/pj-thomas-still-an-accused-in-palmolein-case/210021.html
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 25
The Office of the Enquiry Commissioner and Sepcial Judge (Vigilance) here has confirmed that Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P.J.Thomas is still an accused in the Palmolein corruption case.
In reply to a query under the Right to Information Act, the Office of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge has also clarified that the charges against any of the eight accused in the case, including Thomas, have not been quashed by the court till date. “ P.J.Thomas continues to be the eighth accused in the array of accused,” says the RTI reply.
The RTI query was sought in the back drop of the Centre maintaining that Thomas, a Kerala-cadre IAS officer, was exonerated in the Palmolein case. Express had earlier reported that the claim of the Centre was false and that Thomas, who was a former Chief Secretary, is still an accused in the case.
The appointment of Thomas to the post had sparked off a controversy with the BJP raising suspicion over his credentials.
Meanwhile, though the Palmolein case came up before the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) on Saturday there were no proceedings as the case is stayed. The case is now posted to October 23.
Another Kerala-cadre IAS officer Jiji Thomson who has been posted in the Centre as Special Director General of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, is also an accused in the Palmolein case. Others accused in the case include former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran and former Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustafa.
http://expressbuzz.com/edition/biography/pj-thomas-still-an-accused-in-palmolein-case/210021.html
AMBULANCE SERVICES UNDER SCANNER
By Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 24
Will a police officer dare to stop an Ambulance that is moving at a high speed with alarms and emergency lights on ?
This privilege being enjoyed by ambulance services, clubbed with the mushrooming number of ambulance services in the state, is indeed becoming a cause of concern for the law enforcers. The entry of various extremist outfits as well as certain organisations that are into mysterious social services into ambulance operations adds to the concern of the police.
The issue came up for discussion at a recent meeting of top police officers in the State and DGP Jacob Punnoose had directed the intelligence-wing to chalk out certain measures to sort out the issue.
According to the data available with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) there are 3292 ambulance services in the State at present. This includes 3098 light motor vehicles, 97 medium motor vehicles and 97 heavy motor vehicles. The ambulance services are offered tax concession.
Sources in the Police Department said that ambulance service was being widely misused by various outfits to give cover to their mysterious activities. Especially several extremist outfits are now operating ambulance service with mysterious intentions.
While Shivsena operates 23 ambulance services across the state, the Popular Front of India, which is under a cloud of suspicion for its alleged extremist activities, is also learnt to be operating ambulance services. However PFI leaders said that at present they are not operating ambulance services.
"At present we don't have any mechanism to regulate ambulance services. Besides those allowed by the MVD, there are also a number of ambulance services operating in the state without the permission of the MVD. Hence, a mechanism to monitor ambulance services in very essential, “ the DGP said.
During the last Attukal Pongala, an ambulance being run by an extremist outfit was found frequently speeding towards the restricted areas near the temple a number of times. A senior police officer in the city who became suspicious intercepted the vehicles and was surprised to see that the ambulance was transporting ladies for pongala, recalls City Police Commissioner M.R.Ajithkumar.
http://expressbuzz.com/edition/biography/ambulance-services-under-scanner/210034.html
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 24
Will a police officer dare to stop an Ambulance that is moving at a high speed with alarms and emergency lights on ?
This privilege being enjoyed by ambulance services, clubbed with the mushrooming number of ambulance services in the state, is indeed becoming a cause of concern for the law enforcers. The entry of various extremist outfits as well as certain organisations that are into mysterious social services into ambulance operations adds to the concern of the police.
The issue came up for discussion at a recent meeting of top police officers in the State and DGP Jacob Punnoose had directed the intelligence-wing to chalk out certain measures to sort out the issue.
According to the data available with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) there are 3292 ambulance services in the State at present. This includes 3098 light motor vehicles, 97 medium motor vehicles and 97 heavy motor vehicles. The ambulance services are offered tax concession.
Sources in the Police Department said that ambulance service was being widely misused by various outfits to give cover to their mysterious activities. Especially several extremist outfits are now operating ambulance service with mysterious intentions.
While Shivsena operates 23 ambulance services across the state, the Popular Front of India, which is under a cloud of suspicion for its alleged extremist activities, is also learnt to be operating ambulance services. However PFI leaders said that at present they are not operating ambulance services.
"At present we don't have any mechanism to regulate ambulance services. Besides those allowed by the MVD, there are also a number of ambulance services operating in the state without the permission of the MVD. Hence, a mechanism to monitor ambulance services in very essential, “ the DGP said.
During the last Attukal Pongala, an ambulance being run by an extremist outfit was found frequently speeding towards the restricted areas near the temple a number of times. A senior police officer in the city who became suspicious intercepted the vehicles and was surprised to see that the ambulance was transporting ladies for pongala, recalls City Police Commissioner M.R.Ajithkumar.
http://expressbuzz.com/edition/biography/ambulance-services-under-scanner/210034.html
Friday 17 September 2010
CVC IS ON BAIL
By Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 13
It might be a rare honour for the nation. The officer who is holding
the highest position in the nations Vigilance machianery is indeed on
bail in a Vigilance case !
P.J.Thomas, the Kerala-cadre IAS officer who has been appointed as
Chief Vigilance Commissioner amidst controversies, is on bail from the
court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) in
Thiruvananthapuram in the sensational Palmoline case.
According to the information available with Express, Thomas, who was a
former Civil Supplies secretary, appeared before the court on Apirl
2, 2003 as per a summons issued by the court in connection with the
Palmoline case and was granted bail. Former Chief Secretary
Padmakumar and former Additional Chief Secretaray Zachariah Mathew
also appeared before the court on the same day and were granted bail.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) which probed into the
Palmoline case had filed the chargesheet against the eight persons
including Thomas in November 1999. On March 12, 2003 the court issued
summons to all the eight accused. The others accused, including former
Chief Minister K.Karunakaran, Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustaffa and
Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Jiji
Thomson, appeared before the court on April 9 and were granted bail.
Meanwhile, contradictory to the observation of the Central Vigilance
Commission justifying the involvement of P.J.Thomas and Jiji Thomson
in the case, it has also come to light that the Supreme Court had
observed that the case against the accused could not be considered as
a “result of malafides or actuated by extraneous considerations.”
While dismissing a petition filed by Karunakaran seeking quashing of
the FIR in the case in March 29, 2000 the Supreme Court observed that
“the menace of corruption cannot be permitted to be hidden under the
carpet of legal technicalities.”
It is also pointed out that the VACB had filed the chargesheet in the
case as per a direction of the Supreme Court. The High Court had also
observed that prima facie there was corruption in deal and the
Comptroller and Auditor General had detected irregularities in the
deal.
“The question is not over the involvement of P.J.Thomas in the
corruption, but over the ethics in appointing a person who is still an
accused in a Vigilance case to the top most post of CVC. Thomas should
have been appointed to such a post only after he is exhonerated by the
court,” said a senior counsel.
Ends.
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept. 13
It might be a rare honour for the nation. The officer who is holding
the highest position in the nations Vigilance machianery is indeed on
bail in a Vigilance case !
P.J.Thomas, the Kerala-cadre IAS officer who has been appointed as
Chief Vigilance Commissioner amidst controversies, is on bail from the
court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) in
Thiruvananthapuram in the sensational Palmoline case.
According to the information available with Express, Thomas, who was a
former Civil Supplies secretary, appeared before the court on Apirl
2, 2003 as per a summons issued by the court in connection with the
Palmoline case and was granted bail. Former Chief Secretary
Padmakumar and former Additional Chief Secretaray Zachariah Mathew
also appeared before the court on the same day and were granted bail.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) which probed into the
Palmoline case had filed the chargesheet against the eight persons
including Thomas in November 1999. On March 12, 2003 the court issued
summons to all the eight accused. The others accused, including former
Chief Minister K.Karunakaran, Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustaffa and
Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Jiji
Thomson, appeared before the court on April 9 and were granted bail.
Meanwhile, contradictory to the observation of the Central Vigilance
Commission justifying the involvement of P.J.Thomas and Jiji Thomson
in the case, it has also come to light that the Supreme Court had
observed that the case against the accused could not be considered as
a “result of malafides or actuated by extraneous considerations.”
While dismissing a petition filed by Karunakaran seeking quashing of
the FIR in the case in March 29, 2000 the Supreme Court observed that
“the menace of corruption cannot be permitted to be hidden under the
carpet of legal technicalities.”
It is also pointed out that the VACB had filed the chargesheet in the
case as per a direction of the Supreme Court. The High Court had also
observed that prima facie there was corruption in deal and the
Comptroller and Auditor General had detected irregularities in the
deal.
“The question is not over the involvement of P.J.Thomas in the
corruption, but over the ethics in appointing a person who is still an
accused in a Vigilance case to the top most post of CVC. Thomas should
have been appointed to such a post only after he is exhonerated by the
court,” said a senior counsel.
Ends.
CVC COMES TO THE RESCUE OF CVC
By Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept 12
While it has come to light that the Centre has given clean chit to
Kerala-cadre IAS officer P.J.Thomas in the Palmoline case on the basis
of an observation of the Central Vigilance Commission, it is pointed
out that the CVC's observation will not legally exonerate the IAS
officer from the case pending against him at the Vigilance Special
Court in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sources in the Vigilance Department said that the CVC's observation
would deny Centre's sanction to prosecute the IAS officer under the
Prevention of Corruption Act. But the State Government had already
granted sanction to prosecute the officer under Indian Penal Code.
Moreover the observation of the CVC would have no binding on a case
that was already chargesheeted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption
Bureau at the court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge
(Vigilance) here in 2003.
Express had reported the other day that the Centre's claim that
P.J.Thomas, who has been appointed as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner
of the nation, was exonerated in the Palmoline case was not true as he
is still an accused in the case as per the records available with the
VACB and the court.
According to the reply given by the Department of Personnel and
Training to a query under the Right to Information Act on the status
of the Vigilance case against Thomas as well as his IAS colleague Jiji
Thomson, who is also an accused in the case, the CVC had observed that
no case is made against them and that the two officers acted in
accordance with the Cabinet decision and no loss had been caused to
the state government. Most importantly, no case is made out that they
had derived any benefit from the transaction, the CVC observed.
The CVC had also observed that the case may not be held against the
two officers for the purpose of their empanelment at the centre for
higher posts and per their eligibility, says the reply to the RTI
application given about two years back by the wife of former Chief
Secretaray S.Padmakumar who is also an accused in the Palmoline case.
Sources said that the CVC's observation came after P.J.Thomas and Jiji
Thomson made an appeal a couple of years back in connection with the
mandatory clearance required for their promotion.
Legal experts also point out that since the Palmoline case is already
chargesheeted at a court, any person arraigned in the chargesheet
could be exonerated only with the concurrance of the court. “CVC could
only make an observation, but is not a legal authority to exonerate a
person accused in a case, “ said senior lawyer and former Vigilance
Tribunal Cherinyoor P.Sashidharan Nair.
ends.
CVC is on bail
By Arjun Raghunath
T'Puram, Sept. 13 (2010)
It might be a rare honour for the nation. The officer who is holding
the highest position in the nations Vigilance machianery is indeed on
bail in a Vigilance case !
P.J.Thomas, the Kerala-cadre IAS officer who has been appointed as
Chief Vigilance Commissioner amidst controversies, is on bail from the
court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) in
Thiruvananthapuram in the sensational Palmoline case.
According to the information available with Express, Thomas, who was a
former Civil Supplies secretary, appeared before the court on Apirl
2, 2003 as per a summons issued by the court in connection with the
Palmoline case and was granted bail. Former Chief Secretary
Padmakumar and former Additional Chief Secretaray Zachariah Mathew
also appeared before the court on the same day and were granted bail.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) which probed into the
Palmoline case had filed the chargesheet against the eight persons
including Thomas in November 1999. On March 12, 2003 the court issued
summons to all the eight accused. The others accused, including former
Chief Minister K.Karunakaran, Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustaffa and
Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Jiji
Thomson, appeared before the court on April 9 and were granted bail.
Meanwhile, contradictory to the observation of the Central Vigilance
Commission justifying the involvement of P.J.Thomas and Jiji Thomson
in the case, it has also come to light that the Supreme Court had
observed that the case against the accused could not be considered as
a “result of malafides or actuated by extraneous considerations.”
While dismissing a petition filed by Karunakaran seeking quashing of
the FIR in the case in March 29, 2000 the Supreme Court observed that
“the menace of corruption cannot be permitted to be hidden under the
carpet of legal technicalities.”
It is also pointed out that the VACB had filed the chargesheet in the
case as per a direction of the Supreme Court. The High Court had also
observed that prima facie there was corruption in deal and the
Comptroller and Auditor General had detected irregularities in the
deal.
“The question is not over the involvement of P.J.Thomas in the
corruption, but over the ethics in appointing a person who is still an
accused in a Vigilance case to the top most post of CVC. Thomas should
have been appointed to such a post only after he is exhonerated by the
court,” said a senior counsel.
Ends.
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Sept 12
While it has come to light that the Centre has given clean chit to
Kerala-cadre IAS officer P.J.Thomas in the Palmoline case on the basis
of an observation of the Central Vigilance Commission, it is pointed
out that the CVC's observation will not legally exonerate the IAS
officer from the case pending against him at the Vigilance Special
Court in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sources in the Vigilance Department said that the CVC's observation
would deny Centre's sanction to prosecute the IAS officer under the
Prevention of Corruption Act. But the State Government had already
granted sanction to prosecute the officer under Indian Penal Code.
Moreover the observation of the CVC would have no binding on a case
that was already chargesheeted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption
Bureau at the court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge
(Vigilance) here in 2003.
Express had reported the other day that the Centre's claim that
P.J.Thomas, who has been appointed as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner
of the nation, was exonerated in the Palmoline case was not true as he
is still an accused in the case as per the records available with the
VACB and the court.
According to the reply given by the Department of Personnel and
Training to a query under the Right to Information Act on the status
of the Vigilance case against Thomas as well as his IAS colleague Jiji
Thomson, who is also an accused in the case, the CVC had observed that
no case is made against them and that the two officers acted in
accordance with the Cabinet decision and no loss had been caused to
the state government. Most importantly, no case is made out that they
had derived any benefit from the transaction, the CVC observed.
The CVC had also observed that the case may not be held against the
two officers for the purpose of their empanelment at the centre for
higher posts and per their eligibility, says the reply to the RTI
application given about two years back by the wife of former Chief
Secretaray S.Padmakumar who is also an accused in the Palmoline case.
Sources said that the CVC's observation came after P.J.Thomas and Jiji
Thomson made an appeal a couple of years back in connection with the
mandatory clearance required for their promotion.
Legal experts also point out that since the Palmoline case is already
chargesheeted at a court, any person arraigned in the chargesheet
could be exonerated only with the concurrance of the court. “CVC could
only make an observation, but is not a legal authority to exonerate a
person accused in a case, “ said senior lawyer and former Vigilance
Tribunal Cherinyoor P.Sashidharan Nair.
ends.
CVC is on bail
By Arjun Raghunath
T'Puram, Sept. 13 (2010)
It might be a rare honour for the nation. The officer who is holding
the highest position in the nations Vigilance machianery is indeed on
bail in a Vigilance case !
P.J.Thomas, the Kerala-cadre IAS officer who has been appointed as
Chief Vigilance Commissioner amidst controversies, is on bail from the
court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) in
Thiruvananthapuram in the sensational Palmoline case.
According to the information available with Express, Thomas, who was a
former Civil Supplies secretary, appeared before the court on Apirl
2, 2003 as per a summons issued by the court in connection with the
Palmoline case and was granted bail. Former Chief Secretary
Padmakumar and former Additional Chief Secretaray Zachariah Mathew
also appeared before the court on the same day and were granted bail.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) which probed into the
Palmoline case had filed the chargesheet against the eight persons
including Thomas in November 1999. On March 12, 2003 the court issued
summons to all the eight accused. The others accused, including former
Chief Minister K.Karunakaran, Civil Supplies Minister T.H.Mustaffa and
Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Jiji
Thomson, appeared before the court on April 9 and were granted bail.
Meanwhile, contradictory to the observation of the Central Vigilance
Commission justifying the involvement of P.J.Thomas and Jiji Thomson
in the case, it has also come to light that the Supreme Court had
observed that the case against the accused could not be considered as
a “result of malafides or actuated by extraneous considerations.”
While dismissing a petition filed by Karunakaran seeking quashing of
the FIR in the case in March 29, 2000 the Supreme Court observed that
“the menace of corruption cannot be permitted to be hidden under the
carpet of legal technicalities.”
It is also pointed out that the VACB had filed the chargesheet in the
case as per a direction of the Supreme Court. The High Court had also
observed that prima facie there was corruption in deal and the
Comptroller and Auditor General had detected irregularities in the
deal.
“The question is not over the involvement of P.J.Thomas in the
corruption, but over the ethics in appointing a person who is still an
accused in a Vigilance case to the top most post of CVC. Thomas should
have been appointed to such a post only after he is exhonerated by the
court,” said a senior counsel.
Ends.
Thursday 9 September 2010
New CVC an accused in palmolein scam in Kerala
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
9 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre may have given a clean chit to P J Thomas, the Kerala cadre IAS officer who has been appointed the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, but to the State Vigilance Anti-Corruption Bureau, he is still an accused in the palmolein import case.
State government sources said so far there is no information on the exoneration of Thomas in the case chargesheeted in the court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) here in 2003.
Thomas is the eighth accused in the case (6/2003) chargesheeted by the VACB.
Further proceedings in the case were stayed after K Karunakaran, another accused in the case, approached the Supreme Court maintaining that the Speaker’s permission was required to prosecute him.
VACB sources said as per the current status of the case, P J Thomas is still an accused in the case. “We don’t have any records showing Thomas has been exonerated in the case,” the source said. The Vigilance Special Court where the case was registered too does not have any record to show that Thomas has been exonerated of the charges. While the Prime Minister has held high Thomas’s integrity, Home Minister P Chidambaram said Thomas was exonerated in the palmoil import scam.
The appointment of Thomas as CVC had sparked off a controversy with the BJP questioning his integrity over his alleged involvement in a 2G spectrum deal as well as the palmolein case. Subsequently, the Congress leadership had come to his rescue. The case pertains to irregularities in the import of 15,000 tonnes of palmolein to the state through the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco).
According to the Vigilance case, the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran colluded with Food Minister T H Mustafa, Chief Secretary S Padmakumar, Supplyco MD Jiji Thomson and Civil Supplies Secretary P J Thomas to cause a loss of Rs 2.80 crore to the exchequer.
The New Indian Express
9 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre may have given a clean chit to P J Thomas, the Kerala cadre IAS officer who has been appointed the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, but to the State Vigilance Anti-Corruption Bureau, he is still an accused in the palmolein import case.
State government sources said so far there is no information on the exoneration of Thomas in the case chargesheeted in the court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) here in 2003.
Thomas is the eighth accused in the case (6/2003) chargesheeted by the VACB.
Further proceedings in the case were stayed after K Karunakaran, another accused in the case, approached the Supreme Court maintaining that the Speaker’s permission was required to prosecute him.
VACB sources said as per the current status of the case, P J Thomas is still an accused in the case. “We don’t have any records showing Thomas has been exonerated in the case,” the source said. The Vigilance Special Court where the case was registered too does not have any record to show that Thomas has been exonerated of the charges. While the Prime Minister has held high Thomas’s integrity, Home Minister P Chidambaram said Thomas was exonerated in the palmoil import scam.
The appointment of Thomas as CVC had sparked off a controversy with the BJP questioning his integrity over his alleged involvement in a 2G spectrum deal as well as the palmolein case. Subsequently, the Congress leadership had come to his rescue. The case pertains to irregularities in the import of 15,000 tonnes of palmolein to the state through the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco).
According to the Vigilance case, the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran colluded with Food Minister T H Mustafa, Chief Secretary S Padmakumar, Supplyco MD Jiji Thomson and Civil Supplies Secretary P J Thomas to cause a loss of Rs 2.80 crore to the exchequer.
Tipplers switch to ‘arishtam’
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
9 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the Kuttippuram hooch tragedy has spurred the Excise Department to go all out against spurious liquor and toddy in the district, tipplers are gulping down a seemingly-innocuous Ayurvedic tonic by the bottlesful to get that added ‘kick’ - ‘Arishtam.’
The USP of ‘arishtam’ is that it’s cheap and doesn’t have the social stigma attached to it as does toddy, despite it having more alcoholic content than toddy.
As the free flow of illicit liquor has been affected owing to the frequent inspections by the Excise, many tipplers in the district seem to be shifting their favour towards ayurvedic tonics (‘arishtam’), Excise officials confirm. While the permissible alcohol content in toddy is only 8.1 percent, in ‘arishtam’ it could go up to 12 percent. Moreover, ‘arishtam’ is cheaper than toddy.
Excise officials, who confirm that ‘alcoholic arishtams’ are now widely available in the district, also point out that about 1,572 litres of ‘arishtam’ was seized by the Excise in a special drive held during Onam between July 21 and August 31. “Alcoholic arishtam is in demand mainly in the rural parts of the district like Neyyattinkara, Balaramapuram and Chirayinkeezhu,’’ Excise officials said.
Meanwhile, the 112-odd toddy shops in the district would struggle to meet the demand in the days ahead with the Excise intensifying enforcement against the supply of illicit liquor in the wake of the Kuttippuram tragedy.
Owing to the shortage of toddy, already, nearly 40 toddy shops in the district are defunct. On an average, at least 50 litres of toddy are required for a toddy shop daily and hence 3,000 litres of genuine toddy is required in the city each day. The major chunk of the so-called ‘toddy’ being supplied in the district comes from other districts like Palakkad.
‘’It is not only the urge of the toddy shop licencees to earn more profit that leads to the mixing of spirit and illicit liquor with toddy, but also the demand of the customers to get an extra kick,” Excise Department sources said.
Excise Deputy Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram K A Joseph said that as a result of the constant vigil of the Excise Department, the flow of illicit liquor to the district could be checked considerably. He also maintained that none of the toddy shops functioning in the district are supplying spurious toddy.
“We have beefed up the enforcement at all the 15 checkposts in the district bordering Tamil Nadu. Even a sniffer dog is being pressed into service. Moreover, frequent checks are conducted at the toddy shops. The enforcement has been intensified in the wake of the Malappuram tragedy,“ he said.
arjun_raghunath@expressbuzz.com
The New Indian Express
9 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the Kuttippuram hooch tragedy has spurred the Excise Department to go all out against spurious liquor and toddy in the district, tipplers are gulping down a seemingly-innocuous Ayurvedic tonic by the bottlesful to get that added ‘kick’ - ‘Arishtam.’
The USP of ‘arishtam’ is that it’s cheap and doesn’t have the social stigma attached to it as does toddy, despite it having more alcoholic content than toddy.
As the free flow of illicit liquor has been affected owing to the frequent inspections by the Excise, many tipplers in the district seem to be shifting their favour towards ayurvedic tonics (‘arishtam’), Excise officials confirm. While the permissible alcohol content in toddy is only 8.1 percent, in ‘arishtam’ it could go up to 12 percent. Moreover, ‘arishtam’ is cheaper than toddy.
Excise officials, who confirm that ‘alcoholic arishtams’ are now widely available in the district, also point out that about 1,572 litres of ‘arishtam’ was seized by the Excise in a special drive held during Onam between July 21 and August 31. “Alcoholic arishtam is in demand mainly in the rural parts of the district like Neyyattinkara, Balaramapuram and Chirayinkeezhu,’’ Excise officials said.
Meanwhile, the 112-odd toddy shops in the district would struggle to meet the demand in the days ahead with the Excise intensifying enforcement against the supply of illicit liquor in the wake of the Kuttippuram tragedy.
Owing to the shortage of toddy, already, nearly 40 toddy shops in the district are defunct. On an average, at least 50 litres of toddy are required for a toddy shop daily and hence 3,000 litres of genuine toddy is required in the city each day. The major chunk of the so-called ‘toddy’ being supplied in the district comes from other districts like Palakkad.
‘’It is not only the urge of the toddy shop licencees to earn more profit that leads to the mixing of spirit and illicit liquor with toddy, but also the demand of the customers to get an extra kick,” Excise Department sources said.
Excise Deputy Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram K A Joseph said that as a result of the constant vigil of the Excise Department, the flow of illicit liquor to the district could be checked considerably. He also maintained that none of the toddy shops functioning in the district are supplying spurious toddy.
“We have beefed up the enforcement at all the 15 checkposts in the district bordering Tamil Nadu. Even a sniffer dog is being pressed into service. Moreover, frequent checks are conducted at the toddy shops. The enforcement has been intensified in the wake of the Malappuram tragedy,“ he said.
arjun_raghunath@expressbuzz.com
Banning PFI: Government double standard exposed
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
8 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government seems to be maintaining a double standard on the issue of banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) despite the strong stand it had taken earlier in banning the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The Government is shying away from recommending a ban on PFI citing technical reasons.
In the case of the PFI, the State Government has taken a safe stand by neither opposing a ban nor favouring it and passing the buck to the Centre. However, in the case of SIMI, the State Government had taken a stand that SIMI should be banned.
While the High Court sought the opinion of the State Government on a petition seeking a ban on PFI, the State Government had merely mentioned the cases involving the PFI activists as well as their other suspected activities.
The Government also stated that the right to ban an organisation is vested with the Centre and hence it is for the Centre to take a decision.
In May, during a sitting of the single-bench tribunal appointed by the Centre to review the ban on SIMI, the then IG (Internal Security) T.K.Vinod Kumar had submitted an affidavit stating that the ban on SIMI should continue. The State Government had maintained the same stance during the previous years also.
“It is true that the Government had recommended a ban on SIMI whereas it is quite silent on whether to ban PFI or not. It all depends on the Government’s policies,” said a senior police officer.
The State Government maintained in the High Court that the links of Popular Front of India with extremist outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba is being probed by the State police. It was also stated that the police obtained information suspecting that LeT operative Tadiyantavide Nazir had stayed at the PFI’s Ernakulam district office.
In the case of SIMI, the affidavit filed by the Government before the tribunal said that the ban on SIMI should continue as SIMI activists were continuing extremist activities by floating other organisations.
The New Indian Express
8 Sep 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government seems to be maintaining a double standard on the issue of banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) despite the strong stand it had taken earlier in banning the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The Government is shying away from recommending a ban on PFI citing technical reasons.
In the case of the PFI, the State Government has taken a safe stand by neither opposing a ban nor favouring it and passing the buck to the Centre. However, in the case of SIMI, the State Government had taken a stand that SIMI should be banned.
While the High Court sought the opinion of the State Government on a petition seeking a ban on PFI, the State Government had merely mentioned the cases involving the PFI activists as well as their other suspected activities.
The Government also stated that the right to ban an organisation is vested with the Centre and hence it is for the Centre to take a decision.
In May, during a sitting of the single-bench tribunal appointed by the Centre to review the ban on SIMI, the then IG (Internal Security) T.K.Vinod Kumar had submitted an affidavit stating that the ban on SIMI should continue. The State Government had maintained the same stance during the previous years also.
“It is true that the Government had recommended a ban on SIMI whereas it is quite silent on whether to ban PFI or not. It all depends on the Government’s policies,” said a senior police officer.
The State Government maintained in the High Court that the links of Popular Front of India with extremist outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba is being probed by the State police. It was also stated that the police obtained information suspecting that LeT operative Tadiyantavide Nazir had stayed at the PFI’s Ernakulam district office.
In the case of SIMI, the affidavit filed by the Government before the tribunal said that the ban on SIMI should continue as SIMI activists were continuing extremist activities by floating other organisations.
Saturday 4 September 2010
Oracle may arrive at Technopark
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Oracle, one of the global IT giants, is gearing up to spread its wings to God’s Own Country.
It is learnt that Oracle is planning to send a delegation to Kerala by the end of this year to take further measures in this direction.
The new developments are the outcome of a recent video conference attended by a delegation representing the State and senior officials of Oracle. While former Union Minister and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor led the State delegation, the Oracle team was led by its Executive Vice President Thomas Kurian.
During the video conference that lasted more than 30 minutes, Kurian indicated that a delegation from Oracle would be sent to Kerala by November to have a first-hand feel of the facilities available. ‘’Kurian, who directly reports to Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, is also likely to take up the matter during the discussion on finalising the global development plans of Oracle which is likely to take place by November,’’ sources in the IT Department told Expresso.
Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander, who also took part in the discussion, said that things were moving in the right direction. ‘’We are quite hopeful over the developments. It seems that Oracle is quite impressed at the facilities that we are offering. Though they may not go for a full-fledged campus, we expect that Oracle would take a decision on setting up a unit in Technopark without much delay,’’ Mervin told this paper.
The video conference was held from the video conferencing facility of UST Global at the Technopark on August 13. The conference, that began by about 9.15 pm, lasted till around 10 pm. Thomas Kurian joined the video conference from Oracle’s headquarters in the US.
Ajay Prasad of the Trivandrum Development Forum was also present at the video conference.
Oracle, at present, has development centres at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Gurgaon in India.
Sources close to Tharoor said that Tharoor was also instrumental in attracting HCL to Technopark. HCL has already taken steps to commence its operations from here.
Mervin also said that there have been a lot of queries from several leading players in the IT and related sectors on the upcoming Technocity project.
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Oracle, one of the global IT giants, is gearing up to spread its wings to God’s Own Country.
It is learnt that Oracle is planning to send a delegation to Kerala by the end of this year to take further measures in this direction.
The new developments are the outcome of a recent video conference attended by a delegation representing the State and senior officials of Oracle. While former Union Minister and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor led the State delegation, the Oracle team was led by its Executive Vice President Thomas Kurian.
During the video conference that lasted more than 30 minutes, Kurian indicated that a delegation from Oracle would be sent to Kerala by November to have a first-hand feel of the facilities available. ‘’Kurian, who directly reports to Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, is also likely to take up the matter during the discussion on finalising the global development plans of Oracle which is likely to take place by November,’’ sources in the IT Department told Expresso.
Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander, who also took part in the discussion, said that things were moving in the right direction. ‘’We are quite hopeful over the developments. It seems that Oracle is quite impressed at the facilities that we are offering. Though they may not go for a full-fledged campus, we expect that Oracle would take a decision on setting up a unit in Technopark without much delay,’’ Mervin told this paper.
The video conference was held from the video conferencing facility of UST Global at the Technopark on August 13. The conference, that began by about 9.15 pm, lasted till around 10 pm. Thomas Kurian joined the video conference from Oracle’s headquarters in the US.
Ajay Prasad of the Trivandrum Development Forum was also present at the video conference.
Oracle, at present, has development centres at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Gurgaon in India.
Sources close to Tharoor said that Tharoor was also instrumental in attracting HCL to Technopark. HCL has already taken steps to commence its operations from here.
Mervin also said that there have been a lot of queries from several leading players in the IT and related sectors on the upcoming Technocity project.
Cargo complex to move
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: In a bid to resolve the difficulties in cargo movement that may arise once the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport becomes functional, the cargo complex of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) is being shifted to Chackai from Shangumugham.
The new cargo complex would come up on the two acres of land allotted by the State Government to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT) opposite the Government ITI. The existing facilities of the cargo complex, which also occupies an area of around two acres, would, in turn, be handed over to RGAAT for setting up the academy.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that though a decision to set up facilities for the cargo complex at the site in Chackai was taken more than a month ago, no further steps in this regard were taken.
KSIE Managing Director M D Josemon said that though the design of the structures at Chackai was already completed, KSIE was yet to get actual possession of the land. RGAAT Executive Vice Chairman V Thulasidas, however, said that it was for the KSIE to take further steps in this regard.
The decision to swap the land between the two agencies, both of which are under the State Government, was taken at a meeting attended by Law Minister M Vijayakumar and Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem here on July 20. KSIE MD Josemon had said at the meeting that temporary facilities could be set up at the land at Chackai within three months for shifting the export cargo unit. It is now nearly one-and-a-half months since the decision was taken, it is being pointed out.
Once the present cargo complex of KSIE is handed over to RGAAT, the existing facilities there could be utilised for the Academy. ‘’We hope to use the existing warehouse as a hangar and the buildings could be used as an office as well as training blocks,’’ said Thulasidas.
KSIE sources said that the export cargo, which constitutes the major chunk of the operations at the cargo complex, would be shifted to Chackai, whereas the import cargo operations would be handled on the existing premises itself. The entire cargo operations may be later shifted to a new cargo complex planned near the Enchakkal side, Josemon said.
Meanwhile, the decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai would be an advantage to the exporters operating from here as it is more adjacent to the city as well as the NH bypass than the existing one at Shangumugham.
The decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai has been taken in view of the practical difficulties in shifting cargo from the new terminal to the cargo complex once the new terminal becomes operational.
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: In a bid to resolve the difficulties in cargo movement that may arise once the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport becomes functional, the cargo complex of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) is being shifted to Chackai from Shangumugham.
The new cargo complex would come up on the two acres of land allotted by the State Government to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT) opposite the Government ITI. The existing facilities of the cargo complex, which also occupies an area of around two acres, would, in turn, be handed over to RGAAT for setting up the academy.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that though a decision to set up facilities for the cargo complex at the site in Chackai was taken more than a month ago, no further steps in this regard were taken.
KSIE Managing Director M D Josemon said that though the design of the structures at Chackai was already completed, KSIE was yet to get actual possession of the land. RGAAT Executive Vice Chairman V Thulasidas, however, said that it was for the KSIE to take further steps in this regard.
The decision to swap the land between the two agencies, both of which are under the State Government, was taken at a meeting attended by Law Minister M Vijayakumar and Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem here on July 20. KSIE MD Josemon had said at the meeting that temporary facilities could be set up at the land at Chackai within three months for shifting the export cargo unit. It is now nearly one-and-a-half months since the decision was taken, it is being pointed out.
Once the present cargo complex of KSIE is handed over to RGAAT, the existing facilities there could be utilised for the Academy. ‘’We hope to use the existing warehouse as a hangar and the buildings could be used as an office as well as training blocks,’’ said Thulasidas.
KSIE sources said that the export cargo, which constitutes the major chunk of the operations at the cargo complex, would be shifted to Chackai, whereas the import cargo operations would be handled on the existing premises itself. The entire cargo operations may be later shifted to a new cargo complex planned near the Enchakkal side, Josemon said.
Meanwhile, the decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai would be an advantage to the exporters operating from here as it is more adjacent to the city as well as the NH bypass than the existing one at Shangumugham.
The decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai has been taken in view of the practical difficulties in shifting cargo from the new terminal to the cargo complex once the new terminal becomes operational.
Akshaya centres to accept premium
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The premium for the recently launched Non-Resident Keralites Welfare Fund could be soon remitted through the 2,000-plus Akshaya Centres across the State.
The NRK Welfare Fund Board would be signing a memorandum of understanding with the Akshaya project in this regard soon.
So far around 60,000 persons, including those currently working in foreign countries as well as other States in India and those who have returned from other States, have joined the scheme.
NRK Welfare Fund Board chief executive officer K T Balabhaskaran said that steps to collect the contributions to the NRK Welfare Fund through Akshaya Centres were in the final stages.
The MoU would be signed with Akshaya Director Korath Mathew in the initial weeks of September, he said.
"With the tieup with Akshaya, we hope to offer more convenience to the members of the welfare fund to remit their contributions. Even in the case of those working abroad, their relatives back home could make the payment through any of the Akshaya Centres that are spread across the State," Balabhaskaran said.
Akshaya Director Korath Mathew said the revenue of Akshaya entrepreneurs might increase considerably with the new tieup with NRK Welfare Fund Board. Akshaya Centres would be charging a service charge ranging between `5 and `15 per transaction from the members.
The monthly contribution to the welfare fund is `300 for those working abroad and `100 for those working in other Indian states as well as returnees.
The NRK Welafare Fund is also planning to introduce an online facility to help the NRKs join the scheme.
The Government had introduced the welfare scheme following a longpending demand by NRKs.
The NRK Welfare Fund Board is planning to launch a series of campaigns in foreign countries, especially in the Gulf countries, to attract more members to the scheme.
As per rough estimates, there are 20 lakh NRKs in the Gulf countries.
Various welfare schemes are being offered to the members by the Board.
The New Indian Express
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The premium for the recently launched Non-Resident Keralites Welfare Fund could be soon remitted through the 2,000-plus Akshaya Centres across the State.
The NRK Welfare Fund Board would be signing a memorandum of understanding with the Akshaya project in this regard soon.
So far around 60,000 persons, including those currently working in foreign countries as well as other States in India and those who have returned from other States, have joined the scheme.
NRK Welfare Fund Board chief executive officer K T Balabhaskaran said that steps to collect the contributions to the NRK Welfare Fund through Akshaya Centres were in the final stages.
The MoU would be signed with Akshaya Director Korath Mathew in the initial weeks of September, he said.
"With the tieup with Akshaya, we hope to offer more convenience to the members of the welfare fund to remit their contributions. Even in the case of those working abroad, their relatives back home could make the payment through any of the Akshaya Centres that are spread across the State," Balabhaskaran said.
Akshaya Director Korath Mathew said the revenue of Akshaya entrepreneurs might increase considerably with the new tieup with NRK Welfare Fund Board. Akshaya Centres would be charging a service charge ranging between `5 and `15 per transaction from the members.
The monthly contribution to the welfare fund is `300 for those working abroad and `100 for those working in other Indian states as well as returnees.
The NRK Welafare Fund is also planning to introduce an online facility to help the NRKs join the scheme.
The Government had introduced the welfare scheme following a longpending demand by NRKs.
The NRK Welfare Fund Board is planning to launch a series of campaigns in foreign countries, especially in the Gulf countries, to attract more members to the scheme.
As per rough estimates, there are 20 lakh NRKs in the Gulf countries.
Various welfare schemes are being offered to the members by the Board.
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