THIRUVANATHAPURAM, Oct 25: THE Centre for Development Studies (CDS) has recommended setting up of an Indian Migration Management Authority (IMMA) by doing away with the existing system for overseas recruitment process.
The study, conducted by the CDS into the existing practices in overseas recruitment, pointed out that the existing system of granting emigration clearance involved massive irregularities and also did not ensure protection of emigrants. The study suggested that emigrants, who leave the country for employment be issued Indian Citizen Employed Overseas (ICEO) smart card containing basic information regarding the emigrant.
"The belief that somebody who emigrates with proper documents will be safe and protected during their expatriate life has not been proved correct. The exercise of ensuring genuineness through documentary evidence is undermined not only by the absence of mechanism to check the veracity of documents but also by the nexus between corrupt recruiting agencies and government officials," says the study, which was funded by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry and International Labour Organisation. The study was conducted by S Irudaya Rajan, V J Varghese and M S Jayakumar of the CDS. The findings of the study may form part of the new Emigration Act being drafted by the Centre, said sources.
Throwing light on the massive irregularities in the existing emigration system, the study says that the unholy nexus between the recruiting agents and offices of the Protectors of Emigrants had resulted in the exploitation of emigrants, especially those belong to the weaker sections of society. Based on the feedback from recruiting agents and emigrants, the study points out that bribes ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 5,000 is involved in granting emigration clearance.
The agents also collude with officials of the airport emigration wing for illegal transit of migrants who do not have proper documents, which is popularly known as 'pushing'. Certain 'ghost' companies which exist abroad only on paper issue the 'documents' to pave way for illegal migration, the study says.
"The credibility of the overseas recruitment system in the country as a whole is at stake. The institutional failure, which is the cause of this, cannot be rectified by cosmetic changes but calls for a comprehensive reform," says the study.
The proposed IMMA should administer all aspects of migration through flawless coordination among various departments and agencies concerned and should have presence in foreign countries also. The responsibility of issuing ICEO smart cards should be vested with the IMMA. All documents from foreign countries should be channelised through IMMA and should also be made available online through bilateral talks, the CDS study suggested.
Sunday 24 October 2010
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Airport director to be axed
Oct. 19
Amidst the uncertainty over the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a move is on to shift Airport Director V.N.Chandran from the post.
Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that there is strong lobbying from various quarters to shift Chandran from the post. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.
Director of the Karipur International Airport G.Chandramouli is being considered as the new director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
V.N.Chandran however reserved his comments on the matter.
Chandran who had taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram Airport director hardly an year ago had initiated stern measures against various irregularities going on at the airport terminal. Such measures had invited enemies to Chandran, sources at the Airport said.
The Airport director was also under stiff pressure from the AAI to commission the new terminal. However, there has been a lack of cooperation from certain agencies that was delaying the commissioning of the airport. The Air India which was responsible for arranging the ground handling facilities was yet to complete the works.
Commissioning to be delayed further : Meanwhile, a meeting of AAI officials and Air India officials held here on Tuesday has decided to go for commissioning of the terminal only after setting up the ground handling and cargo handling facilities. AAI Regional Executive Director Devarajan and Air India Regional Director Sunil Kishen attended the meeting.
Airport Director had earlier issued a circular to the airlines and other agencies concerned that the new terminal would be commissioned by October 20.
ends.
Amidst the uncertainty over the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a move is on to shift Airport Director V.N.Chandran from the post.
Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that there is strong lobbying from various quarters to shift Chandran from the post. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.
Director of the Karipur International Airport G.Chandramouli is being considered as the new director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
V.N.Chandran however reserved his comments on the matter.
Chandran who had taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram Airport director hardly an year ago had initiated stern measures against various irregularities going on at the airport terminal. Such measures had invited enemies to Chandran, sources at the Airport said.
The Airport director was also under stiff pressure from the AAI to commission the new terminal. However, there has been a lack of cooperation from certain agencies that was delaying the commissioning of the airport. The Air India which was responsible for arranging the ground handling facilities was yet to complete the works.
Commissioning to be delayed further : Meanwhile, a meeting of AAI officials and Air India officials held here on Tuesday has decided to go for commissioning of the terminal only after setting up the ground handling and cargo handling facilities. AAI Regional Executive Director Devarajan and Air India Regional Director Sunil Kishen attended the meeting.
Airport Director had earlier issued a circular to the airlines and other agencies concerned that the new terminal would be commissioned by October 20.
ends.
Blame game over terminal commissioning
Oct. 11
The commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapruam Interntaional airport is running into rough weather as the airlines have expressed their unwillingness to shift their opertaions to the new terminal.
The Airline Operators' Commiittee (AOC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has given in writing to Airport Director the other day raising serious concerns over the delay in setting up the basic facilitiers, especially ground handling services and cargo handling.
“We have made it clear that it would be nearly impossible to operate from the new terminal until the basis opertaional requirements are provided. The ground handling facilities are yet to be made ready at the new terminal. Same is the issue with cargo handling,” AOC chairman Mathew George told Express.
Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry told Express that AAI Chairman V.P.Aggarwal had written to Air India Chairman Arvind Javed directing that the ground handling services and other facilities of Air India be set up at the new teriminal without delay.
Air India which is the ground handling agency at the airport however puts the blame on the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are prepared to provide ground handling services provided the basis infrastructure faclities are in place. Since the international and domestic terminals would be on two sides of the runway once the new termional becomes operataional, the movement between the two terminals would be very crucial. For this, the perimetere road should have sufficient width,” said an Air India official on the condition of anonymity.
Air India Thiruvananthapuram station manager K.D.Sivanath was not available for giving his comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Industriual Enterprises, which is in charge of the cargo handling at the airport said that, they had received land for setting up a temporary cargo facility for the new terminal only a couple of days back. “The civil works for the temporary facility has been awarded to the Steel Industries Kerala Limited. We hope to complete the works in another 15-20 days,” said KSIE Managing Director Josemon.
The exporters in Thiruvananthapuram are also concered over commissioning of the airport at this stage. “ Cargo movement comprise half of the operataions from the airport. Hence, commissioning the airport with out a proper facility for cargo handling would be like having a handicapped baby, “ Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy said.
There is a serious lapse on the part of the State Government and KSIE is setting up the facilities in time. Having a temporary facility for cargo movement is not desirable, he said adding that it would be better that the AAI takes over the cargo operations.
Amidst all these confusions, AAI is optimistic that the terminal could be commissioned during this month itself, provided all the agencies concerned cooperate.
Ends.
The commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapruam Interntaional airport is running into rough weather as the airlines have expressed their unwillingness to shift their opertaions to the new terminal.
The Airline Operators' Commiittee (AOC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has given in writing to Airport Director the other day raising serious concerns over the delay in setting up the basic facilitiers, especially ground handling services and cargo handling.
“We have made it clear that it would be nearly impossible to operate from the new terminal until the basis opertaional requirements are provided. The ground handling facilities are yet to be made ready at the new terminal. Same is the issue with cargo handling,” AOC chairman Mathew George told Express.
Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry told Express that AAI Chairman V.P.Aggarwal had written to Air India Chairman Arvind Javed directing that the ground handling services and other facilities of Air India be set up at the new teriminal without delay.
Air India which is the ground handling agency at the airport however puts the blame on the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are prepared to provide ground handling services provided the basis infrastructure faclities are in place. Since the international and domestic terminals would be on two sides of the runway once the new termional becomes operataional, the movement between the two terminals would be very crucial. For this, the perimetere road should have sufficient width,” said an Air India official on the condition of anonymity.
Air India Thiruvananthapuram station manager K.D.Sivanath was not available for giving his comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Industriual Enterprises, which is in charge of the cargo handling at the airport said that, they had received land for setting up a temporary cargo facility for the new terminal only a couple of days back. “The civil works for the temporary facility has been awarded to the Steel Industries Kerala Limited. We hope to complete the works in another 15-20 days,” said KSIE Managing Director Josemon.
The exporters in Thiruvananthapuram are also concered over commissioning of the airport at this stage. “ Cargo movement comprise half of the operataions from the airport. Hence, commissioning the airport with out a proper facility for cargo handling would be like having a handicapped baby, “ Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy said.
There is a serious lapse on the part of the State Government and KSIE is setting up the facilities in time. Having a temporary facility for cargo movement is not desirable, he said adding that it would be better that the AAI takes over the cargo operations.
Amidst all these confusions, AAI is optimistic that the terminal could be commissioned during this month itself, provided all the agencies concerned cooperate.
Ends.
Technopark insulated against polls
Oct 14
While the local body elections are being widely discussed in every nook and corner of the city, nearly 30,000 people in the state capital seem to be insulated from the election heat. It appears that the candidates also are least concerned about this section who make valuable contributions to the state's economy.
Technopark, the first IT park in the country, that employs nearly 30,000 techies is nowhere in the election picture, especially because only a meagre section of the techies are voters of the wards in the which Technopark falls. Poll trends, merits or demerits of political parties or candidates or other poll-related issues are not being discussed in the premises, except a few.
What is surprising to note is that many of the candidates from the locality are also unaware of the issues being faced by techies, ranging from lack of streetlights to garbage dumping.
“I am unaware of any issues pertaining to Technopark,” was the instant reply of Lathika Dayanandan, BJP candidate in Attippra ward where a major portion of Technopark is located. “I was a native of Ulloor and came down to this place after marriage,” she justified.
Though Kazhakuttum got a place in the world IT map thanks to Technopark, the CPM candidate representing Kazhakuttum has literarily ignored Technopark. “Technopark did not come within the limits of my ward. You may better contact my counter part in Attipra ward,” M.Kala, the CPM candidate from Kazhakuttum, came up with her instant reply.
The UDF candidate in Kazhakuttum R.Sreerekha also said that there were no major issues pertaining to Technopark.
The techies can heave a sigh of relief as at least the BJP candidate from Kazhakuttum, K.Malini, is quite aware of the issues affecting them. “Technopark is facing various issues like garbage problem, stray dogs and streetlights. I will initiate steps to sort out these issues,” she said.
Sangeetha, the LDF candidate in Attipra and Suraja Kumari, the UDF candidate, also said that they would look into the issues faced by Technopark and try to find solutions.
Technopark, however, lists out a number of issues. The Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander lists out a series of issue that are affecting the smooth life of techies. “ First of all, there is lack of proper lighting on the national highway. Since many of the companies are working round the clock, techies will have to travel during the odd hours. Hence improper lighting, as well as better policing, are long pending issues pertaining to the Technoapark,” he said.
“Waste disposal is another issue affecting Technopark, which the local bodies could come up with a solution,” he adds.
The techies also list out a series of issues including development of the nearby Kazhakuttum railway station, fleecing of techies by autorickshaws and taxis and lack of sufficient public amenities.
While the local body elections are being widely discussed in every nook and corner of the city, nearly 30,000 people in the state capital seem to be insulated from the election heat. It appears that the candidates also are least concerned about this section who make valuable contributions to the state's economy.
Technopark, the first IT park in the country, that employs nearly 30,000 techies is nowhere in the election picture, especially because only a meagre section of the techies are voters of the wards in the which Technopark falls. Poll trends, merits or demerits of political parties or candidates or other poll-related issues are not being discussed in the premises, except a few.
What is surprising to note is that many of the candidates from the locality are also unaware of the issues being faced by techies, ranging from lack of streetlights to garbage dumping.
“I am unaware of any issues pertaining to Technopark,” was the instant reply of Lathika Dayanandan, BJP candidate in Attippra ward where a major portion of Technopark is located. “I was a native of Ulloor and came down to this place after marriage,” she justified.
Though Kazhakuttum got a place in the world IT map thanks to Technopark, the CPM candidate representing Kazhakuttum has literarily ignored Technopark. “Technopark did not come within the limits of my ward. You may better contact my counter part in Attipra ward,” M.Kala, the CPM candidate from Kazhakuttum, came up with her instant reply.
The UDF candidate in Kazhakuttum R.Sreerekha also said that there were no major issues pertaining to Technopark.
The techies can heave a sigh of relief as at least the BJP candidate from Kazhakuttum, K.Malini, is quite aware of the issues affecting them. “Technopark is facing various issues like garbage problem, stray dogs and streetlights. I will initiate steps to sort out these issues,” she said.
Sangeetha, the LDF candidate in Attipra and Suraja Kumari, the UDF candidate, also said that they would look into the issues faced by Technopark and try to find solutions.
Technopark, however, lists out a number of issues. The Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander lists out a series of issue that are affecting the smooth life of techies. “ First of all, there is lack of proper lighting on the national highway. Since many of the companies are working round the clock, techies will have to travel during the odd hours. Hence improper lighting, as well as better policing, are long pending issues pertaining to the Technoapark,” he said.
“Waste disposal is another issue affecting Technopark, which the local bodies could come up with a solution,” he adds.
The techies also list out a series of issues including development of the nearby Kazhakuttum railway station, fleecing of techies by autorickshaws and taxis and lack of sufficient public amenities.
Kerala gearing up for UID enrolment
Oct, 12
Aimed at enrolling one-third of the state's population by March 2011, the Unique Identification (UID) project would be rolled out in the state shortly.
Though met with certain initial hiccups, the project is expected to be in full throttle as the Akshaya e-Kendras across the state as well as Keltron are gearing up for the enrollment process. The target is to enroll one crore persons by the first quarter of next year, said sources.
While the 2000 odd Akshaya e-Kendras would collect the data from the general public, the Keltron would mainly focus on Government offices and urban areas. As many as 50 lakh students in the State would be registered by Keltron with the support of IT@School. The State IT Department has been appointed as the registrar for the UID projectin the state and the Kerala State IT Mission is the nodal agency.
IT Department sources said that the project is slightly off the actual schedule in the State owing to the delay on the part of the State Government is finalising the state-specific data to be collected from each individual in the state.
The UID Authority of India had listed out as set of details, including the iris identification and finger print, to be collected from each individual which is referred to as Know Your Residence (KYR) details. Apart this, in each state governments could prescribe a set of state-specific information pertaining to an individual, referred to as KYR plus, which would also be incorporated with the UID database. The data thus collected may be later used by the state.
IT Mission Director Ishita Roy said that besides some technical issues all the preparation for enrolling to UID are in the final stages in the state.
While the enrollment process had already begun in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the preparations are in the final stages. Enrollment has also begun in Maharashtra.
Though the UID Authority had provided the application for the data collection which is based on proprietary software, the State is developing a Linux-based application. The Akshaya and Keltron would be procuring the hardware, including iris scanner and finger print scanner. The data collected would be uploaded to the UID Authority data base in Bangalore.
Rolling out of the UID project would also brighten the prospects of the Akshaya entrepreneurs in the state as it would earn considerable returns to them.
Ends
Aimed at enrolling one-third of the state's population by March 2011, the Unique Identification (UID) project would be rolled out in the state shortly.
Though met with certain initial hiccups, the project is expected to be in full throttle as the Akshaya e-Kendras across the state as well as Keltron are gearing up for the enrollment process. The target is to enroll one crore persons by the first quarter of next year, said sources.
While the 2000 odd Akshaya e-Kendras would collect the data from the general public, the Keltron would mainly focus on Government offices and urban areas. As many as 50 lakh students in the State would be registered by Keltron with the support of IT@School. The State IT Department has been appointed as the registrar for the UID projectin the state and the Kerala State IT Mission is the nodal agency.
IT Department sources said that the project is slightly off the actual schedule in the State owing to the delay on the part of the State Government is finalising the state-specific data to be collected from each individual in the state.
The UID Authority of India had listed out as set of details, including the iris identification and finger print, to be collected from each individual which is referred to as Know Your Residence (KYR) details. Apart this, in each state governments could prescribe a set of state-specific information pertaining to an individual, referred to as KYR plus, which would also be incorporated with the UID database. The data thus collected may be later used by the state.
IT Mission Director Ishita Roy said that besides some technical issues all the preparation for enrolling to UID are in the final stages in the state.
While the enrollment process had already begun in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the preparations are in the final stages. Enrollment has also begun in Maharashtra.
Though the UID Authority had provided the application for the data collection which is based on proprietary software, the State is developing a Linux-based application. The Akshaya and Keltron would be procuring the hardware, including iris scanner and finger print scanner. The data collected would be uploaded to the UID Authority data base in Bangalore.
Rolling out of the UID project would also brighten the prospects of the Akshaya entrepreneurs in the state as it would earn considerable returns to them.
Ends
Techies out for selling their creativity
Oct 12
No problem if another recession hits the IT sector. The techies of the Thiruvananthapuram Technopark are earning an extra income out of their creativity.
Techie Store, a latest initiative of a group of IT professionals of the Technopark, is setting the platform for the techies to showcase their creativity and get a fair price. Techies could post their products on www.store.technoparktoday.com and find prospective buyers.
“We have come up with the idea after it was noticed that lot of techies in the Technopark are involved in various creative works like painting, cooking, making of curios etc. Though launched only couple of days back, the new venture is getting an impressive response, “ says Renjith Ramachandran, an IT professional in a Technopark firm who is one of the active promoters of the online venture.
'Technoparktoday.com', has been one of the prime initiatives of the group. The community portal aims at exchanging IT related news as well as other useful information to the techies, especially those in the Technopark. The group also maintains www.tpbazaar.com, a website aimed at selling used commodities like household items and other gadgets of techies, besides real estate trade and house rental.
Techie Store will be an online store for the techies by the techies. There are lots of techies who do oil and glass paintings, embroidery works, modelling vintage aircraft, greeting cards, various dishes and cakes and even designer ornaments. At present, these are being distributed among their friends or office circles. At times some of the companies conduct in-house events to promote the creativity of their employees, say the promoters.
Through the new initiative we give the techies a plat form to display their products and quote the price. A collection centre would also be assigned in Technopark campus for the transaction between the buyer and seller.
“We do not intend to earn any profit from this as the transaction would take place between the buyer and seller directly. We are merely setting a platform for displaying the products, “ says Renjith.
Various essential commodities for techies like ID card holder and memory cards would also be made available through the Techie Store.
ends
No problem if another recession hits the IT sector. The techies of the Thiruvananthapuram Technopark are earning an extra income out of their creativity.
Techie Store, a latest initiative of a group of IT professionals of the Technopark, is setting the platform for the techies to showcase their creativity and get a fair price. Techies could post their products on www.store.technoparktoday.com and find prospective buyers.
“We have come up with the idea after it was noticed that lot of techies in the Technopark are involved in various creative works like painting, cooking, making of curios etc. Though launched only couple of days back, the new venture is getting an impressive response, “ says Renjith Ramachandran, an IT professional in a Technopark firm who is one of the active promoters of the online venture.
'Technoparktoday.com', has been one of the prime initiatives of the group. The community portal aims at exchanging IT related news as well as other useful information to the techies, especially those in the Technopark. The group also maintains www.tpbazaar.com, a website aimed at selling used commodities like household items and other gadgets of techies, besides real estate trade and house rental.
Techie Store will be an online store for the techies by the techies. There are lots of techies who do oil and glass paintings, embroidery works, modelling vintage aircraft, greeting cards, various dishes and cakes and even designer ornaments. At present, these are being distributed among their friends or office circles. At times some of the companies conduct in-house events to promote the creativity of their employees, say the promoters.
Through the new initiative we give the techies a plat form to display their products and quote the price. A collection centre would also be assigned in Technopark campus for the transaction between the buyer and seller.
“We do not intend to earn any profit from this as the transaction would take place between the buyer and seller directly. We are merely setting a platform for displaying the products, “ says Renjith.
Various essential commodities for techies like ID card holder and memory cards would also be made available through the Techie Store.
ends
Locals concerned over shifting of airport terminal
Oct 10
While the countdown for the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has begun on one side, on the other the golden days of a small region is coming to an end.
Scores of traders, lodge owners and autorickshaw and taxi drivers at Shanghumugham are quite concerned over the shifting of the international terminal to the Chakai side as it would be a major blow to their business. They are, however, pinning hopes on a proposal mooted by Thiruvanananthapuram MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor to retain international budget airlines at the existing international terminal.
“Our business fully depends on the passengers at the airport as well as those coming to see off or receive them. Hence shifting the international terminal from here would badly hit us,“ says Shaji who runs a small shop opposite to the Airport over the last four decades.
More than a 100 shops and about two dozen lodges make up the Shanghumugham junction, besides a couple of banks and travel agencies.
Besides the establishments, more than 60 autorickshaw drivers and a same number of taxi drivers are also concerned about their future. “Once the international operations are entirely shifted from here, Shanghumugham junction would become a deserted place. It would leave us in dire straits,“ says 61 year old Ashokan Nair, an autorickshaw driver at Shanghumugham for the last 30 years.
“The future is dark for the 60-odd auto drivers here,“ adds Pathrose Augustine, another autorickshaw driver of the locality.
It would be quite diffuclt for them to relocate to Chakai as many autos are already based there. Moreover, the new terminal is quite far from the main road than the existing one. Hence it would be quite difficult for autorickshaws to get rides unless they are allowed inside the new terminal premises, Pathrose says.
The Government and the officials concerned should show us a way to lead our life, they plead.
“It is going to be the second major blow for the lodges and other traders at Shamghumugham, after the one following the commissioning of the Nedumbaserry Airport,“ says Timothy Pereira, who earlier ran a lodge at Shamghumugham Junction.
Before the Nedumbassery Airport was commissioned, there used to be brisk business at Shanghumugham and many houses in the locality used to hire rooms on daily rent. ''But once the Nedumbaserry Airport came, there was considerable decline in our business and hence I closed my lodge a couple of years back. The situation is going to be the worst for traders and lodge owners once the entire internataional operations are shifted from here,'' says Timothy.
International passengers constitute about three-fourth of the total passengers at the airport.
Shashi Tharoor had recently written to the Civil Aviation Ministry proposing that the existing international terminal may be converted into a no-frills terminal as in many foreign countries. At present three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapruam - Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia. The Singapore-based budget airlines Tiger Airways is scheduled to commence services from Thiruvanananthapuram in November.
Ends.
While the countdown for the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has begun on one side, on the other the golden days of a small region is coming to an end.
Scores of traders, lodge owners and autorickshaw and taxi drivers at Shanghumugham are quite concerned over the shifting of the international terminal to the Chakai side as it would be a major blow to their business. They are, however, pinning hopes on a proposal mooted by Thiruvanananthapuram MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor to retain international budget airlines at the existing international terminal.
“Our business fully depends on the passengers at the airport as well as those coming to see off or receive them. Hence shifting the international terminal from here would badly hit us,“ says Shaji who runs a small shop opposite to the Airport over the last four decades.
More than a 100 shops and about two dozen lodges make up the Shanghumugham junction, besides a couple of banks and travel agencies.
Besides the establishments, more than 60 autorickshaw drivers and a same number of taxi drivers are also concerned about their future. “Once the international operations are entirely shifted from here, Shanghumugham junction would become a deserted place. It would leave us in dire straits,“ says 61 year old Ashokan Nair, an autorickshaw driver at Shanghumugham for the last 30 years.
“The future is dark for the 60-odd auto drivers here,“ adds Pathrose Augustine, another autorickshaw driver of the locality.
It would be quite diffuclt for them to relocate to Chakai as many autos are already based there. Moreover, the new terminal is quite far from the main road than the existing one. Hence it would be quite difficult for autorickshaws to get rides unless they are allowed inside the new terminal premises, Pathrose says.
The Government and the officials concerned should show us a way to lead our life, they plead.
“It is going to be the second major blow for the lodges and other traders at Shamghumugham, after the one following the commissioning of the Nedumbaserry Airport,“ says Timothy Pereira, who earlier ran a lodge at Shamghumugham Junction.
Before the Nedumbassery Airport was commissioned, there used to be brisk business at Shanghumugham and many houses in the locality used to hire rooms on daily rent. ''But once the Nedumbaserry Airport came, there was considerable decline in our business and hence I closed my lodge a couple of years back. The situation is going to be the worst for traders and lodge owners once the entire internataional operations are shifted from here,'' says Timothy.
International passengers constitute about three-fourth of the total passengers at the airport.
Shashi Tharoor had recently written to the Civil Aviation Ministry proposing that the existing international terminal may be converted into a no-frills terminal as in many foreign countries. At present three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapruam - Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia. The Singapore-based budget airlines Tiger Airways is scheduled to commence services from Thiruvanananthapuram in November.
Ends.
No-frill terminal mooted
Oct 5
A no-frill terminal exclusively for budget airlines has been suggested by former Union Minister and Thiruvananthapuam MP Shashi Tharoor for the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Though Tharoor has mooted the idea primarly with the intention of relieveing users of budget airlines from the user fee, setting up a third terminal also has various other advantages. Moreover, in many foreign countries there are exclusive no-frill terminals that cater to the passengers in budget airlines.
Tharoor, who had already sent his suggestion to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and others senior officers concerned, also said that the new terminal could be reserve only for non-budget airlines. Domestic services would be retained at the exisiting domestic terminal itself. The no-frill terminal would only offer the basic amenitieis.
About one-third of the international passengers from the airport are using budget airlines and most of them are involved in low-income jobs in Gulf countries. Hence the user fee of Rs. 755 which is fixed for the new interntaional terminal would be a heavy burden for them. Around Rs. 750 is already being collected from each passengers as service fee and service tax.
Atpresent three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapuram airport and the the Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways is commencing opertaions to Thiruvananthapuram from next month. More budget airlines would be commencing services in the near future. Hence maintaining a no-frill terminal would become useful in the future.
The infrastructure at the existing interntaional terminal could also be utilised effectively if it is retained as a no-frill terminal. The rush at the terminal could also be reduced by distributing the passengers among more terminals. The heavy traffic congestion that the NH by-pass may witness once the new terminal becomes opertaional could also be controlled to certain extent if the budget airlines are opertaed from the exisitng terminal itself, it is pointed out.
Meanwhile, sources at the airport said that all the agencies involved with the airport like the emigration, CISF and Customs would require additional manpower and infrastructure. It would also cause additional financial burden.
Tigere from TVPM : The Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways is commencing services in the Thiruvanananthapuram – Singapore sector from next November.
Sources said that Tiger is planning three weekly service in the sector, on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. Tiger would be the fourth budget airline to opertae from Thiruvananthapuram after Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia.
Other ailines like the Spicejet and Indigo are also planning to commence services from Thiruvananthapuram shortly, said sources.
A no-frill terminal exclusively for budget airlines has been suggested by former Union Minister and Thiruvananthapuam MP Shashi Tharoor for the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Though Tharoor has mooted the idea primarly with the intention of relieveing users of budget airlines from the user fee, setting up a third terminal also has various other advantages. Moreover, in many foreign countries there are exclusive no-frill terminals that cater to the passengers in budget airlines.
Tharoor, who had already sent his suggestion to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and others senior officers concerned, also said that the new terminal could be reserve only for non-budget airlines. Domestic services would be retained at the exisiting domestic terminal itself. The no-frill terminal would only offer the basic amenitieis.
About one-third of the international passengers from the airport are using budget airlines and most of them are involved in low-income jobs in Gulf countries. Hence the user fee of Rs. 755 which is fixed for the new interntaional terminal would be a heavy burden for them. Around Rs. 750 is already being collected from each passengers as service fee and service tax.
Atpresent three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapuram airport and the the Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways is commencing opertaions to Thiruvananthapuram from next month. More budget airlines would be commencing services in the near future. Hence maintaining a no-frill terminal would become useful in the future.
The infrastructure at the existing interntaional terminal could also be utilised effectively if it is retained as a no-frill terminal. The rush at the terminal could also be reduced by distributing the passengers among more terminals. The heavy traffic congestion that the NH by-pass may witness once the new terminal becomes opertaional could also be controlled to certain extent if the budget airlines are opertaed from the exisitng terminal itself, it is pointed out.
Meanwhile, sources at the airport said that all the agencies involved with the airport like the emigration, CISF and Customs would require additional manpower and infrastructure. It would also cause additional financial burden.
Tigere from TVPM : The Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways is commencing services in the Thiruvanananthapuram – Singapore sector from next November.
Sources said that Tiger is planning three weekly service in the sector, on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. Tiger would be the fourth budget airline to opertae from Thiruvananthapuram after Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia.
Other ailines like the Spicejet and Indigo are also planning to commence services from Thiruvananthapuram shortly, said sources.
417 booths in TVPM sesitive
Oct 10
While the candiates are busy wooing the voters, the law enforcers are also busy chalking out security measures so as to ensure a smooth polling.
A preliminary evaluation by the police has identified 417 polling booths in the capital district as sensitive. The total number of polling booths in the district comes to 3372 booths.
The situation of the neighbouring Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts are also more or less same. In Kollam 250 out of the 2878 polling booths are identified as sensitive and in Pathanamthitta 150 out of 1688 polling booths are sensitive.
“The sensitive booths have been identified on the basis of the law and order probelems that took place in these wards during the previous elections. Additional secureity measures would be initiated at the sensitive booths,” the source said.
The police have already prepared the security arrangments to be taken in connection with the polls that fall on October 23. The entire police force in the district would be mobilised for the security arrangments, police sources said.
As part of the security arrangments for the elections, it has been decided to form two law and order patrol teams in all police stations. Apart from the existing police circles and sub-divisions, more police circles and sub-divisions would be formed so as to tighten the security and ensure quick response in case of any law and order break down. Every building in which polling booths are located would be brough under tight police security.
Video surveillance would also be initiated at highly senstive areas. The City Police Commissioner and Rural SP would initiate further securtiy arrangments in consultation with the District Collectors.
The police would also establish a dedicated communicataion network connecting all polling booths, police stations and offices of senior police officers for quick exchange of messages. “ Such a system was established during the previous Parliament Elections and it was found to be effective,” said sources.
Ends
While the candiates are busy wooing the voters, the law enforcers are also busy chalking out security measures so as to ensure a smooth polling.
A preliminary evaluation by the police has identified 417 polling booths in the capital district as sensitive. The total number of polling booths in the district comes to 3372 booths.
The situation of the neighbouring Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts are also more or less same. In Kollam 250 out of the 2878 polling booths are identified as sensitive and in Pathanamthitta 150 out of 1688 polling booths are sensitive.
“The sensitive booths have been identified on the basis of the law and order probelems that took place in these wards during the previous elections. Additional secureity measures would be initiated at the sensitive booths,” the source said.
The police have already prepared the security arrangments to be taken in connection with the polls that fall on October 23. The entire police force in the district would be mobilised for the security arrangments, police sources said.
As part of the security arrangments for the elections, it has been decided to form two law and order patrol teams in all police stations. Apart from the existing police circles and sub-divisions, more police circles and sub-divisions would be formed so as to tighten the security and ensure quick response in case of any law and order break down. Every building in which polling booths are located would be brough under tight police security.
Video surveillance would also be initiated at highly senstive areas. The City Police Commissioner and Rural SP would initiate further securtiy arrangments in consultation with the District Collectors.
The police would also establish a dedicated communicataion network connecting all polling booths, police stations and offices of senior police officers for quick exchange of messages. “ Such a system was established during the previous Parliament Elections and it was found to be effective,” said sources.
Ends
Kerala animators make global presence
By Arjun Raghunath
Sept , 2010
The creative skills of a group of animators from Kerala has already entertained the animation buffs of Latin American and is getting ready to reach other parts of the world.
Gaturro, a 3D animated feature film that has been brought out by the Toonz Animation at the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the scores of animation works being done from Kerala to cater to the international market.
With the multimedia and animation industry across globe witnessing a sky rocketing growth, the animation and multimedia industry in India is cashing on it. About 95 percent of the animation and multimedia works being carried out in the country are outsourced from foreign countries, mainly US and UK.
Besides undertaking outsources works from the international clients, many of the prominent multimedia and animation firms in the state like the Toonz, Accel and Vismaya Max are also involved in co-porduction with leading international production and distribution house as well as developing in-house procducts targeting the international audience.
“According to a recent report of NASCOM, the Indian animation industry that stands at 494 million US $ in 2008 would touch one billion US $ by 2012. This projection also reflects the huge job potential in the sector,” says Toonz Animation Chief Executive Officer P.Jayakumar.
Toonz which has a state of the art studio at Technopark has brought out a number of animation feature films in association with world renowned institutions catering to mainly to the American and European markets. We have also entered into a deal with Oscar winner Voltage Pictures for bringing out Gaturro in other foreign languages, says Jayakumar.
Though China is emerging as another destination for animation industry, India has its own advantages. A better command over the English language is an edge for India over China.
“There is tremendous prospects in the sector. The demand for animation production services from India has been growing with the emergence of an organised animation production sector, with state-of-the-art of work required for international TV program production, at substantially lower costs,” Chief Technology Officer of Accel Animation Studios S.Muralidharan said.
The Chennai-based Accel Animation, which has 20,000 square feet facility at KINFRA Film and Video Park in Thiruvananthapuram equipped with latest facilities in 3D production, has been carrying out outsources works mainly from countries like USA, France, Singapore and Malaysia, besides other in-house productions targeting the international market. “At present we are doing the complete visual post production work of Hollywood feature film The Flying Machine,” said Muralidharan.
Amidst the bright scenario in the multimedia and animation sector, the sector is witnessingan aacutehortage of fine tuned professionals, says A.S.Pramod, marketing head of Vismaya Max Animation Academy and Studios.
“Though a number of animation and multimedia training institutions have come up, besides a fedw well reputed ones, many are not providing quality training. Hence the students who pass out from such institutes need to further trained by the employers, “ says Pramod.
Vismaya Max which is promoted by actor Mohanlal also caters to Emirates, US and UK. It also has a training animation and multi-media training division.
Ends.
Sept , 2010
The creative skills of a group of animators from Kerala has already entertained the animation buffs of Latin American and is getting ready to reach other parts of the world.
Gaturro, a 3D animated feature film that has been brought out by the Toonz Animation at the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the scores of animation works being done from Kerala to cater to the international market.
With the multimedia and animation industry across globe witnessing a sky rocketing growth, the animation and multimedia industry in India is cashing on it. About 95 percent of the animation and multimedia works being carried out in the country are outsourced from foreign countries, mainly US and UK.
Besides undertaking outsources works from the international clients, many of the prominent multimedia and animation firms in the state like the Toonz, Accel and Vismaya Max are also involved in co-porduction with leading international production and distribution house as well as developing in-house procducts targeting the international audience.
“According to a recent report of NASCOM, the Indian animation industry that stands at 494 million US $ in 2008 would touch one billion US $ by 2012. This projection also reflects the huge job potential in the sector,” says Toonz Animation Chief Executive Officer P.Jayakumar.
Toonz which has a state of the art studio at Technopark has brought out a number of animation feature films in association with world renowned institutions catering to mainly to the American and European markets. We have also entered into a deal with Oscar winner Voltage Pictures for bringing out Gaturro in other foreign languages, says Jayakumar.
Though China is emerging as another destination for animation industry, India has its own advantages. A better command over the English language is an edge for India over China.
“There is tremendous prospects in the sector. The demand for animation production services from India has been growing with the emergence of an organised animation production sector, with state-of-the-art of work required for international TV program production, at substantially lower costs,” Chief Technology Officer of Accel Animation Studios S.Muralidharan said.
The Chennai-based Accel Animation, which has 20,000 square feet facility at KINFRA Film and Video Park in Thiruvananthapuram equipped with latest facilities in 3D production, has been carrying out outsources works mainly from countries like USA, France, Singapore and Malaysia, besides other in-house productions targeting the international market. “At present we are doing the complete visual post production work of Hollywood feature film The Flying Machine,” said Muralidharan.
Amidst the bright scenario in the multimedia and animation sector, the sector is witnessingan aacutehortage of fine tuned professionals, says A.S.Pramod, marketing head of Vismaya Max Animation Academy and Studios.
“Though a number of animation and multimedia training institutions have come up, besides a fedw well reputed ones, many are not providing quality training. Hence the students who pass out from such institutes need to further trained by the employers, “ says Pramod.
Vismaya Max which is promoted by actor Mohanlal also caters to Emirates, US and UK. It also has a training animation and multi-media training division.
Ends.
Thursday 7 October 2010
E-service providers get legal sanctity
By Arjun Raghunath
T'Puram, Oct 7
E-services being delivered through the 2000 plus Akshaya e-Kendras across the State have got legal sanctity with the Government bringing out the Kerala Information Technology (Electronic Delivery of Services) Rules 2010.
The rules, that has been framed under provisions of the central IT Act 2000, would be applicable to any e-service providers entitled by the Government. The rates for various e-service that could be charged by the e-service providers has also been notified by the government in the rules.
As many as 23 services that are being delivered through the village and taluk offices are listed out in the rules as e-services that could be delivered through the e-service providers. The application forms to be used for each service as well as the format of the certificate to be issued by the e-service provider have also be specifically mentioned so as to ensure uniformity in the services being delivered by all the e-service providers.
The e-service provider is entitled to a service charge of Rs. 20 for delivering an e-service. Service charge for allied services like status enquiry, computer print-out and scanning related to e-services and acknowledgment receipts is fixed at Rs. 2. Fifty percent of the service charge, except for the allied services, will have to be remitted to the Government.
The Government should conduct audit of the services being delivered through the e-service providers every year with the help of a audit agency. The audit should cover the over all functioning of the e-service providers as well as maintenance of accounts, say the rules.
The rules also provides that any license, permit, certificate or other services delivered through the e-service providers will be admissible in any legal or other proceedings. However, such certificate should contain wither a computer generated number or a bar code or digital signature or any other means notified by the Government so as to enure the authenticity of the document.
The format of the acknowledgment and receipt to be issued by the e-service provider has also been standardised in the rule.
Ends
T'Puram, Oct 7
E-services being delivered through the 2000 plus Akshaya e-Kendras across the State have got legal sanctity with the Government bringing out the Kerala Information Technology (Electronic Delivery of Services) Rules 2010.
The rules, that has been framed under provisions of the central IT Act 2000, would be applicable to any e-service providers entitled by the Government. The rates for various e-service that could be charged by the e-service providers has also been notified by the government in the rules.
As many as 23 services that are being delivered through the village and taluk offices are listed out in the rules as e-services that could be delivered through the e-service providers. The application forms to be used for each service as well as the format of the certificate to be issued by the e-service provider have also be specifically mentioned so as to ensure uniformity in the services being delivered by all the e-service providers.
The e-service provider is entitled to a service charge of Rs. 20 for delivering an e-service. Service charge for allied services like status enquiry, computer print-out and scanning related to e-services and acknowledgment receipts is fixed at Rs. 2. Fifty percent of the service charge, except for the allied services, will have to be remitted to the Government.
The Government should conduct audit of the services being delivered through the e-service providers every year with the help of a audit agency. The audit should cover the over all functioning of the e-service providers as well as maintenance of accounts, say the rules.
The rules also provides that any license, permit, certificate or other services delivered through the e-service providers will be admissible in any legal or other proceedings. However, such certificate should contain wither a computer generated number or a bar code or digital signature or any other means notified by the Government so as to enure the authenticity of the document.
The format of the acknowledgment and receipt to be issued by the e-service provider has also been standardised in the rule.
Ends
Chandra's experience takes on Kasida's inexperience
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Oct. 4
A former Mayor, two time councilor, one of the probabale Mayor candidate and most importantly a well acceptable person of the locality. Thus goes the adjectives for J.Chandra, the LDF candidate from Peroorkada ward which is reserved for women.
She is taking on Kasida Madhu, a fresher to politics and a not so familiar person to the locality, who is the Congress candidate in the ward. She is the wife of a Non-Resident Keralite is having a couple of business concerns including an auditorium at Peroorkada junction. Not only that she has much adjectives to highlight, Kasida is also facing the threat from a candidate being backed by the SNDP.
If local sources are to be believed, Kasida is a late-hour choice of UDF. The SNDP had been pressing for Leelama, a retired school teacher and a resident of Amabalamukku, as the UDF condidate. However, as the UDF turned down the demand for unknown reasons, Leelama decided to enter the fray with the backing of SNDP.
“Leelama is not a Congress rebel, but a SNDP candidate and we do not see any threat from her,” said Congress local leader Manamoola Rajan.
While Chandra lists out a seroes of development activities intiated by herself during her term as councilor in from Kawdiar ward in 1995 to 2000 and Mayor in 2000 to 2005 as well as that by her party colleague V.S.Padmakumar during 2005 to 2010, the present status of Peroorkad and Ambalamukku junctions as well as the antiincumbancy factor against the LDF might snowball as adverse factors against her. Chandra could heave a sigh of relief as road works are progressing on a war footing basis at Ambalamukku junction. The UDF camps also blame the LDF of derailing a major development programmes for Peroorkada junction that was initiated during the term of the UDF government led by Oommen Chandy.
In the campaign mode, Chandra has already registered an edge as she had already reached out to the 7,500 voters. While Kasida is trailing behind, Leelamma has already made here presence felt in the ward. “Since there was some delay in deciding our candidate, we are quite behind in the camping. But we hope to over come it in another couple of days, “ said Congress activist Rajan.
All the three candidates share the advantage of being local residents for the past many years.
Ends
The New Indian Express
T'Puram, Oct. 4
A former Mayor, two time councilor, one of the probabale Mayor candidate and most importantly a well acceptable person of the locality. Thus goes the adjectives for J.Chandra, the LDF candidate from Peroorkada ward which is reserved for women.
She is taking on Kasida Madhu, a fresher to politics and a not so familiar person to the locality, who is the Congress candidate in the ward. She is the wife of a Non-Resident Keralite is having a couple of business concerns including an auditorium at Peroorkada junction. Not only that she has much adjectives to highlight, Kasida is also facing the threat from a candidate being backed by the SNDP.
If local sources are to be believed, Kasida is a late-hour choice of UDF. The SNDP had been pressing for Leelama, a retired school teacher and a resident of Amabalamukku, as the UDF condidate. However, as the UDF turned down the demand for unknown reasons, Leelama decided to enter the fray with the backing of SNDP.
“Leelama is not a Congress rebel, but a SNDP candidate and we do not see any threat from her,” said Congress local leader Manamoola Rajan.
While Chandra lists out a seroes of development activities intiated by herself during her term as councilor in from Kawdiar ward in 1995 to 2000 and Mayor in 2000 to 2005 as well as that by her party colleague V.S.Padmakumar during 2005 to 2010, the present status of Peroorkad and Ambalamukku junctions as well as the antiincumbancy factor against the LDF might snowball as adverse factors against her. Chandra could heave a sigh of relief as road works are progressing on a war footing basis at Ambalamukku junction. The UDF camps also blame the LDF of derailing a major development programmes for Peroorkada junction that was initiated during the term of the UDF government led by Oommen Chandy.
In the campaign mode, Chandra has already registered an edge as she had already reached out to the 7,500 voters. While Kasida is trailing behind, Leelamma has already made here presence felt in the ward. “Since there was some delay in deciding our candidate, we are quite behind in the camping. But we hope to over come it in another couple of days, “ said Congress activist Rajan.
All the three candidates share the advantage of being local residents for the past many years.
Ends
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