Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
25 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The mobile governance (mgovernance) venture of Kerala seems to have impressed not only the state but the nation as a whole.
Within a month after the formal launch of the muchhyped mgovernance applications, the Centre has expressed keen interest in extending the project to other states as well. Around 40 services related to the Kerala government are at present offered through the mobile phone platform and more services are in the offing.
Sources in the state IT Department told Express that the Union Department of Information Technology (DIT) had sought a proposal from the Kerala State IT Mission (KSITM) on implementing the mgovernance project in all the states. The IT Mission had submitted the proposal in this regard and it was discussed at a meeting of DIT officials chaired by Joint Secretary, DIT, Shankar Aggarwal, in New Delhi last week, it is learnt.
According to sources, the tentative plan is to provide an infrastructure for a nationwide mobile governance platform from Kerala.
"The new data centre of the state government coming up at Technopark may become the backbone of the entire system. Also, there will be servers in other locations across the country so as to form a cloud computing model of backup support," the sources said.
The mgovernance project of Kerala, funded by the Centre, was formally launched last month. The Goa government has already launched an mgovernance project in line with the Kerala mgovernance application. With 3G technology gaining popularity, some of the government departments are even exploring the possibility of making use of the new technology to deliver interactive services through smart phones. The State Tourism Department has already launched 3G portal.
The KSITM has initiated the mgovernance of the state with the technical support of Technoparkbased firm MobMe. The mgovernance services being delivered by the state government at present include Kerala Public Service Commission's examination related information, Sabarimala information, bus timings, information regarding bills of various government services and examination results.
The services that are now being delivered through the edistrict project of the state will also be made available through mgovernance shortly
Monday 24 January 2011
Thursday 20 January 2011
Plan for data bank on Gulf returnees suffers setback
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
21-Jan-11
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: THE plans of the State Government to create a data bank on Keralites who returned from the Gulf countries following recession has suffered a setback as only an insignificant number of returnees has so far enrolled themselves in the data bank even after two years of its launch....
The New Indian Express
21-Jan-11
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: THE plans of the State Government to create a data bank on Keralites who returned from the Gulf countries following recession has suffered a setback as only an insignificant number of returnees has so far enrolled themselves in the data bank even after two years of its launch....
Vayalar Ravi in pilot’s seat
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
20 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The Kerala Government, which has been in an embarrassing situation for delaying the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, is now caught up in a further embarrassing position as Vayalar Ravi has clinched the Civil Aviation portfolio at the Centre.
The V S Achuthanandan Government in the State had indeed snubbed the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi recently by objecting to the inauguration of the new terminal building by him. With Vayalar Ravi becoming the Civil Aviation Minister, the LDF Government will now have to seek his support not only for the commissioning of the new terminal, but also for other civil aviation-related needs of the State.
The appointment of Vayalar Ravi also comes close on the heels of the Centre deciding to shift the headquarters of Air India Express to the State.
Vayalar Ravi was scheduled to inaugurate the new terminal building on July 14, 2010. But the State Government had communicated its strong objection to the plan and insisted that the new terminal should be inaugurated by none less than the Prime Minister himself. Since then, the inauguration or even an informal commissioning of the new terminal was being delayed indefinitely and the terminal constructed at a cost of Rs 300 crore had been remaining unutilised.
Sources said that the State Government wanted to highlight the new terminal project as one of its major achievements and wanted to make it a major event. Hence, the Government was waiting indefinitely for the convenience of the Prime Minister. Though there have been reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may commission the new terminal by next month, in the changed scenario, the blessings of Vayalar Ravi are inevitable.
The New Indian Express
20 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The Kerala Government, which has been in an embarrassing situation for delaying the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, is now caught up in a further embarrassing position as Vayalar Ravi has clinched the Civil Aviation portfolio at the Centre.
The V S Achuthanandan Government in the State had indeed snubbed the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi recently by objecting to the inauguration of the new terminal building by him. With Vayalar Ravi becoming the Civil Aviation Minister, the LDF Government will now have to seek his support not only for the commissioning of the new terminal, but also for other civil aviation-related needs of the State.
The appointment of Vayalar Ravi also comes close on the heels of the Centre deciding to shift the headquarters of Air India Express to the State.
Vayalar Ravi was scheduled to inaugurate the new terminal building on July 14, 2010. But the State Government had communicated its strong objection to the plan and insisted that the new terminal should be inaugurated by none less than the Prime Minister himself. Since then, the inauguration or even an informal commissioning of the new terminal was being delayed indefinitely and the terminal constructed at a cost of Rs 300 crore had been remaining unutilised.
Sources said that the State Government wanted to highlight the new terminal project as one of its major achievements and wanted to make it a major event. Hence, the Government was waiting indefinitely for the convenience of the Prime Minister. Though there have been reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may commission the new terminal by next month, in the changed scenario, the blessings of Vayalar Ravi are inevitable.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
CM’s action raises eyebrows
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
19 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: On June 16, 2006, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was caught in a controversy after he happened to share dais with a businessman in the city who was involved in a foreign currency smuggling case.
About four-and-a-half years down the line, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had gone one step ahead by inaugurating the optical shop owned by the same businessman in the city.
J S Prakash, managing director of Rose Opticals, is the controversial businessman who was an accused in two cases of foreign currency smuggling. He was detained under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) in 2004.
The new showroom of Rose Opticals at Vellayambalam in the city was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Monday and that too in the presence of Prakash. It is quite unusual for a Chief Minister to open an optical showroom.
The newspaper advertisements given by Rose Opticals also kept mum on the person who was to inaugurate the showroom.
The Chief Minister’s action has indeed raised many an eyebrow. “ Even if the case against Prakash is not existing now, it is never ever expected from a person like Achuthanandan who always speaks of ethics to inaugurate the shop of a person who had a tainted background, “ a senior bureaucrat in the state said.
It may be recalled that a couple of years back Achuthanandan had stayed back from presenting a dothi to actor Jagathy Sreekumar at a function organised by the State Government to inaugurate the khadi-handloom dress code for government employees.
The tainted background of the actor, who was allegedly involved in the infamous Vithura sex racket case, was said to have provoked Achuthanandan to take such an extreme step at a public function. But the same Achuthanandan, who always pays more weightage to ethics, had perfo rmed a volte face by inaugurating a shop owned by another tainted person. It seems that Achuthanandan was kept in the dark about the background of Prakash.
Kodiyeri was caught up in the controversy while he shared dais with Prakash at a function organised by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police to distribute 350 sunglasses sponsored by Rose Opticals for traffic police personnel. As the issue snowballed into a major controversy, Kodiyeri had even sought an explanation from the then DGP Raman Srivastava.
An inquiry was also conducted by the then IG South zone Arun Kumar Sinha into the circumstances under which Prakash happened to share dais with the Home Minister.
The sunglasses distributed to the policemen were even returned to Rose Opticals in order to prevent further embarrassment, sources said.
The New Indian Express
19 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: On June 16, 2006, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was caught in a controversy after he happened to share dais with a businessman in the city who was involved in a foreign currency smuggling case.
About four-and-a-half years down the line, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had gone one step ahead by inaugurating the optical shop owned by the same businessman in the city.
J S Prakash, managing director of Rose Opticals, is the controversial businessman who was an accused in two cases of foreign currency smuggling. He was detained under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) in 2004.
The new showroom of Rose Opticals at Vellayambalam in the city was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Monday and that too in the presence of Prakash. It is quite unusual for a Chief Minister to open an optical showroom.
The newspaper advertisements given by Rose Opticals also kept mum on the person who was to inaugurate the showroom.
The Chief Minister’s action has indeed raised many an eyebrow. “ Even if the case against Prakash is not existing now, it is never ever expected from a person like Achuthanandan who always speaks of ethics to inaugurate the shop of a person who had a tainted background, “ a senior bureaucrat in the state said.
It may be recalled that a couple of years back Achuthanandan had stayed back from presenting a dothi to actor Jagathy Sreekumar at a function organised by the State Government to inaugurate the khadi-handloom dress code for government employees.
The tainted background of the actor, who was allegedly involved in the infamous Vithura sex racket case, was said to have provoked Achuthanandan to take such an extreme step at a public function. But the same Achuthanandan, who always pays more weightage to ethics, had perfo rmed a volte face by inaugurating a shop owned by another tainted person. It seems that Achuthanandan was kept in the dark about the background of Prakash.
Kodiyeri was caught up in the controversy while he shared dais with Prakash at a function organised by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police to distribute 350 sunglasses sponsored by Rose Opticals for traffic police personnel. As the issue snowballed into a major controversy, Kodiyeri had even sought an explanation from the then DGP Raman Srivastava.
An inquiry was also conducted by the then IG South zone Arun Kumar Sinha into the circumstances under which Prakash happened to share dais with the Home Minister.
The sunglasses distributed to the policemen were even returned to Rose Opticals in order to prevent further embarrassment, sources said.
Sunday 16 January 2011
Compensation distribution to be a tedious task
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
17 Jan 2011
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the Thekkady boat tragedy, it’s going to be another tiresome task for the Idukki district administration to distribute the solatium announced by the Kerala Government to the dependents of the deceased in the Pulmedu tragedy as a majority of the victims are from other states.
In the Thekkady mishap that occurred in September 30, 2009, except for three, all the other 42 persons who died were from other states.
However, even after a year and three months the solatium to the dependents of about 10 people hailing from other states is yet to be given.
Claims made by more than one person as legal heir of a person as well as failure to produce the required documents to prove it are said to be the reasons for the non-payment of solatium.
“This time also we expect a similar situation as a majority of the victims are from other states,” Idukki District Collector Ashok Kumar Singh told Express.
“Differences exist in legal heirship certificates issued by various states. While it is the Revenue Department that issues the legal heirship certificate in Kerala, the case is not so in some districts. Moreover, there may be cases of more than one person staking claim for the solatium of one victim. In such cases, the court will have to decide who is the legal heir,” Ashok Kumar Singh said. Among the 102 Sabarimala pilgrims killed in the tragedy, 38 were from Tamil Nadu, 33 from Karnataka, 20 from Andhra Pradesh and three from Kerala.
Eight bodies are still to be identified. The state government has announced a solatium of `5 lakh each to the dependents of each deceased person.
The New Indian Express
17 Jan 2011
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the Thekkady boat tragedy, it’s going to be another tiresome task for the Idukki district administration to distribute the solatium announced by the Kerala Government to the dependents of the deceased in the Pulmedu tragedy as a majority of the victims are from other states.
In the Thekkady mishap that occurred in September 30, 2009, except for three, all the other 42 persons who died were from other states.
However, even after a year and three months the solatium to the dependents of about 10 people hailing from other states is yet to be given.
Claims made by more than one person as legal heir of a person as well as failure to produce the required documents to prove it are said to be the reasons for the non-payment of solatium.
“This time also we expect a similar situation as a majority of the victims are from other states,” Idukki District Collector Ashok Kumar Singh told Express.
“Differences exist in legal heirship certificates issued by various states. While it is the Revenue Department that issues the legal heirship certificate in Kerala, the case is not so in some districts. Moreover, there may be cases of more than one person staking claim for the solatium of one victim. In such cases, the court will have to decide who is the legal heir,” Ashok Kumar Singh said. Among the 102 Sabarimala pilgrims killed in the tragedy, 38 were from Tamil Nadu, 33 from Karnataka, 20 from Andhra Pradesh and three from Kerala.
Eight bodies are still to be identified. The state government has announced a solatium of `5 lakh each to the dependents of each deceased person.
Police offer help, security to senior citizens
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
17 Jan 2011
Senior citizens can feel secure in the capital city hereafter as the city police are launching a scheme to ensure their security and welfare round the clock. It is in line with the Kerala Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules 2009 that the Thiruvananthapuram city police are offering a helping hand to senior citizens. City Police Commissioner M R Ajithkumar said that the groundwork for the new scheme was almost complete and it would be formally launched soon.
“The main aim of the project is to extend assistance to senior citizens who are staying alone. There are many such homes in the city. Moreover, there are also instances of children neglecting their aged parents. We hope to address such issues by introducing the Senior Citizen Security Scheme,” said the Police Commissioner.
As part of implementing the project, the city police have already collected the details of almost all the senior citizens in the city and created a data bank. A Community Service Centre (CSC) will be opened at the City Police Commissioner Office soon. An officer in the rank of sub-inspector will appointed as the Central Nodal Officer at the CSC. The CSC, which will function round the clock, will monitor the functioning of a Senior Citizen Security Scheme, as well as other community service schemes of the city police like community policing and women and children helpline.
A police officer in the rank of additional/assistant sub-inspector will be appointed in each police station as Community Relation Officer (CRO). Each CRO will be responsible for the security and welfare of the senior citizens under his police station limits. The CRO will have to be in touch with all the senior citizens in the locality frequently and enquire about their woes, if any, and take necessary measures to address them.
The city police will also launch a website soon. There will be facility for senior citizens to enroll themselves with the data bank of senior citizens being maintained by the city police. There will be a centralised data base of all senior citizens at the City Police Commissioner Office. Similarly, all CROs will have to maintain a data base of senior citizens under their police station limits.
The senior citizens can also take up their grievances or complaints with the police.
The Central Nodal Officer at the CSC will be monitoring the follow-up actions taken by the police on the complaints.
arjun_raghunath@expressbuzz.com
The New Indian Express
17 Jan 2011
Senior citizens can feel secure in the capital city hereafter as the city police are launching a scheme to ensure their security and welfare round the clock. It is in line with the Kerala Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules 2009 that the Thiruvananthapuram city police are offering a helping hand to senior citizens. City Police Commissioner M R Ajithkumar said that the groundwork for the new scheme was almost complete and it would be formally launched soon.
“The main aim of the project is to extend assistance to senior citizens who are staying alone. There are many such homes in the city. Moreover, there are also instances of children neglecting their aged parents. We hope to address such issues by introducing the Senior Citizen Security Scheme,” said the Police Commissioner.
As part of implementing the project, the city police have already collected the details of almost all the senior citizens in the city and created a data bank. A Community Service Centre (CSC) will be opened at the City Police Commissioner Office soon. An officer in the rank of sub-inspector will appointed as the Central Nodal Officer at the CSC. The CSC, which will function round the clock, will monitor the functioning of a Senior Citizen Security Scheme, as well as other community service schemes of the city police like community policing and women and children helpline.
A police officer in the rank of additional/assistant sub-inspector will be appointed in each police station as Community Relation Officer (CRO). Each CRO will be responsible for the security and welfare of the senior citizens under his police station limits. The CRO will have to be in touch with all the senior citizens in the locality frequently and enquire about their woes, if any, and take necessary measures to address them.
The city police will also launch a website soon. There will be facility for senior citizens to enroll themselves with the data bank of senior citizens being maintained by the city police. There will be a centralised data base of all senior citizens at the City Police Commissioner Office. Similarly, all CROs will have to maintain a data base of senior citizens under their police station limits.
The senior citizens can also take up their grievances or complaints with the police.
The Central Nodal Officer at the CSC will be monitoring the follow-up actions taken by the police on the complaints.
arjun_raghunath@expressbuzz.com
Saturday 8 January 2011
Lapses in intelligence gathering, DGP issues fresh directives
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
07 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Despite repeated directives from the higherups, there had been serious lapses on the part of the local police in gathering intelligence inputs from the grassrootslevel, DGP Jacob Punnoose said. Concerned over this, the DGP has issued a fresh directive asking the City Police Commissioners (CPs) and District SPs (DSPs) to take immediate measures to ensure effective intelligence gathering from the police stationlevel.
The DGP has also prescribed a new set of procedures to the cops for strengthening the intelligence gathering machinery. The DGP's directive came amidst the frequent criticism against the police for lapses in intelligence gathering. "In spite of repeated directives, sufficient efforts are not being taken to collect intelligence at police stationlevel. Important information that may come to the notice of police functionaries at grassrootslevel is often ignored," the DGP said in a circular issued to the cops.
As per the existing directives, every station house officers (SHOs) will have to send weekly reports to the the CPs or DSPs concerned as well as the District Special Branch on the intelligence information gathered during routine enquiries, patrolling and beat duties. Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) has also been directed to ensure that the weekly reports are promptly submitted by the police stations.
New set of guidelines
Prescribing a new set of guidelines, the DGP has directed the CPs and DSPs to depute a subinspector or additional subinspector at each police station to prepare weekly reports on matters of intelligence value and submit to district special branch on all Thursdays.
The District Special Branch DySPs should consolidate the report and submit it to the CPs, DSPs, Range IGs, Zonal ADGP and IG (Intelligence). The CPs and DSPs should conduct weekly review meetings with Special Branch officials to ensure that the intelligence gathering machinery is functioning properly. Range IGs have been directed to hold quarterly review meetings of Special Branch officials and ADGP (Intelligence) and IG (Intelligence) shouldconduct regular inspections to ensure that the instructions are complied with. The DGP has also directed the CPs and DSPs to convene a meeting of SHOs and explain the need for streghtening the intelligence gathering mechanism.
The New Indian Express
07 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Despite repeated directives from the higherups, there had been serious lapses on the part of the local police in gathering intelligence inputs from the grassrootslevel, DGP Jacob Punnoose said. Concerned over this, the DGP has issued a fresh directive asking the City Police Commissioners (CPs) and District SPs (DSPs) to take immediate measures to ensure effective intelligence gathering from the police stationlevel.
The DGP has also prescribed a new set of procedures to the cops for strengthening the intelligence gathering machinery. The DGP's directive came amidst the frequent criticism against the police for lapses in intelligence gathering. "In spite of repeated directives, sufficient efforts are not being taken to collect intelligence at police stationlevel. Important information that may come to the notice of police functionaries at grassrootslevel is often ignored," the DGP said in a circular issued to the cops.
As per the existing directives, every station house officers (SHOs) will have to send weekly reports to the the CPs or DSPs concerned as well as the District Special Branch on the intelligence information gathered during routine enquiries, patrolling and beat duties. Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) has also been directed to ensure that the weekly reports are promptly submitted by the police stations.
New set of guidelines
Prescribing a new set of guidelines, the DGP has directed the CPs and DSPs to depute a subinspector or additional subinspector at each police station to prepare weekly reports on matters of intelligence value and submit to district special branch on all Thursdays.
The District Special Branch DySPs should consolidate the report and submit it to the CPs, DSPs, Range IGs, Zonal ADGP and IG (Intelligence). The CPs and DSPs should conduct weekly review meetings with Special Branch officials to ensure that the intelligence gathering machinery is functioning properly. Range IGs have been directed to hold quarterly review meetings of Special Branch officials and ADGP (Intelligence) and IG (Intelligence) shouldconduct regular inspections to ensure that the instructions are complied with. The DGP has also directed the CPs and DSPs to convene a meeting of SHOs and explain the need for streghtening the intelligence gathering mechanism.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Tainted officials back in office
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
Dec. 31
Raising many an eyebrow, two officials of the Regional Passport Office in Thiruvananthapuram who were arrested the other day for their involvement in seven separate case of fake passport rackets, are back in office.
Shamji B.Singh and Ajith Kumar, two assistants at the Passport office, who are accused in separate cases of issuing about 100 fake passports are still continuing in office, even after the police informed the Passport Officer about the involvement of the two in the case. The two were arrested by the Kollam Special Branch last week. They are now on conditional bail.
Police sources said that the two officials, who are arraigned as sixth and seventh accused in the cases, had prima faice played a key role in the racket and hence their continuing in the office may even lead to destruction of evidences. The two are now on conditional bail and they are directed by the court to appear before the investigationfficer on all Wednesdays, Kollam Special Branch DySP Chandrasekharan said.
When contacted by Express, Passport Officer B.S.R.Nair said that the involvement of the two officials have been reported to the higher ups. The two had reported for duty on Monday. There is no provision to stop them from working until there is any direction form the higher-ups or they are charge sheeted. The two officials were earlier working in the counters. But now they are not deployed at the counter, he said.
Shamji and Ajith had earlier approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. But the High Court refused to grant bail and directed the two to surrender before the police. Subsequently, the two surrendered before the Kollam Special Branch police last week. The police had produced them at the local court and the court granted conditional bail to the two.
Police sources said that Shamji and Ajith were found to have played a key role in the racket. They had extended all favours to the key accused in the racket, Abdul Rasheed who operated a travel agency near the Regional Passport Office, in issuing passports in bogus names. So far we had collected evidence that about 100 fake passports were arranged by the racket.
Kollam Special Branch sub-inspector Al Jabbar said that besides the Passport office staff and travel agents, several Postal Department officials and advocates are also involved in the racket. Three Notaries based in Thiruvananthapuram, identified as P.Radhakrishnan, S.Kumari and Padmakumari, are suspected to have involvement in the racket. The three are learnt to have approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
Ends
The New Indian Express
Dec. 31
Raising many an eyebrow, two officials of the Regional Passport Office in Thiruvananthapuram who were arrested the other day for their involvement in seven separate case of fake passport rackets, are back in office.
Shamji B.Singh and Ajith Kumar, two assistants at the Passport office, who are accused in separate cases of issuing about 100 fake passports are still continuing in office, even after the police informed the Passport Officer about the involvement of the two in the case. The two were arrested by the Kollam Special Branch last week. They are now on conditional bail.
Police sources said that the two officials, who are arraigned as sixth and seventh accused in the cases, had prima faice played a key role in the racket and hence their continuing in the office may even lead to destruction of evidences. The two are now on conditional bail and they are directed by the court to appear before the investigationfficer on all Wednesdays, Kollam Special Branch DySP Chandrasekharan said.
When contacted by Express, Passport Officer B.S.R.Nair said that the involvement of the two officials have been reported to the higher ups. The two had reported for duty on Monday. There is no provision to stop them from working until there is any direction form the higher-ups or they are charge sheeted. The two officials were earlier working in the counters. But now they are not deployed at the counter, he said.
Shamji and Ajith had earlier approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. But the High Court refused to grant bail and directed the two to surrender before the police. Subsequently, the two surrendered before the Kollam Special Branch police last week. The police had produced them at the local court and the court granted conditional bail to the two.
Police sources said that Shamji and Ajith were found to have played a key role in the racket. They had extended all favours to the key accused in the racket, Abdul Rasheed who operated a travel agency near the Regional Passport Office, in issuing passports in bogus names. So far we had collected evidence that about 100 fake passports were arranged by the racket.
Kollam Special Branch sub-inspector Al Jabbar said that besides the Passport office staff and travel agents, several Postal Department officials and advocates are also involved in the racket. Three Notaries based in Thiruvananthapuram, identified as P.Radhakrishnan, S.Kumari and Padmakumari, are suspected to have involvement in the racket. The three are learnt to have approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
Ends
Sunday 2 January 2011
Govt in dilemma over filling DGP vacancy
Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
03 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: With Vigilance Director K P Somarajan, who is of DGP rank, retiring from service next month, the LDF Government will be in a dilemma in filling the vacancy of DGP which will arise.
Though Aravind Ranjan, S Pulikeshi and Netto Desmond are the frontrunners to the post, sources said that Netto Desmond, who is now serving in the Vigilance and AntiCorruption Bureau (VACB), stands the best chance of being promoted.
While Aravind Ranjan, who is the seniormost ADGP, is on Central deputation, the CBI chargesheet in the Civil Supplies scam will hinder ADGP Training S Pulikesi's chances. Pulikeshi is next to Aravind Ranjan in seniority. Police Department sources said that the chances for Aravind Ranjan returning to the state at this point of time is remote.
But what might save the day for Pulikeshi is the precedent set by the appointment of IAS officer P J Thomas, an accused in palmolein case, to the highly sensitive post of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, say sources close to Pulikeshi.
There are four posts of DGP in the state which are at present occupied by Jacob Punnose and K.G Premshanker, besides Siby Mathews and Somarajan.
Meanwhile, the Government is also likely to consider Siby Mathews to the post of Vigilance Director once Somarajan steps down.
A shuffle in the police is also in the offing as IG Thiruvananthapuram range A Hemachandran and IG Thrissur range Mohmmed Yasin are being promoted to the rank of Additional DGP. It is learnt that the Government is seriously considering the name of Hemachandran to the post of ADGPIntelligence. Siby Mathews, who was recently promoted to the rank of DGP and posted as Fire and Rescue Services CommandantGeneral, is still holding the charge of ADGPIntelligence. But he had requested the Government to relieve him from the charge of ADGP Intelligence.
Besides Hemachandran and Yasin, three other officers of the 1986 batch N Shanker Reddy, N C Asthana and Rajesh Dewan are also likely to be promoted to ADGP rank. While Shanker Reddy is serving as Kerala State Beverages Corporation managing director, Asthana and Rajesh Dewan are on deputation. The Screening Committee which met here the other day is learnt to have cleared the promotions and the next Cabinet may ratify it. IPS officers of the 1993 batch, including Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Yogesh Gupta, DIG Administration S.Gopinath and Kerala Police Academy Director Jose George, are also likely to be promoted from the rank of DIG to IG soon.
The New Indian Express
03 Jan 2011
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: With Vigilance Director K P Somarajan, who is of DGP rank, retiring from service next month, the LDF Government will be in a dilemma in filling the vacancy of DGP which will arise.
Though Aravind Ranjan, S Pulikeshi and Netto Desmond are the frontrunners to the post, sources said that Netto Desmond, who is now serving in the Vigilance and AntiCorruption Bureau (VACB), stands the best chance of being promoted.
While Aravind Ranjan, who is the seniormost ADGP, is on Central deputation, the CBI chargesheet in the Civil Supplies scam will hinder ADGP Training S Pulikesi's chances. Pulikeshi is next to Aravind Ranjan in seniority. Police Department sources said that the chances for Aravind Ranjan returning to the state at this point of time is remote.
But what might save the day for Pulikeshi is the precedent set by the appointment of IAS officer P J Thomas, an accused in palmolein case, to the highly sensitive post of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, say sources close to Pulikeshi.
There are four posts of DGP in the state which are at present occupied by Jacob Punnose and K.G Premshanker, besides Siby Mathews and Somarajan.
Meanwhile, the Government is also likely to consider Siby Mathews to the post of Vigilance Director once Somarajan steps down.
A shuffle in the police is also in the offing as IG Thiruvananthapuram range A Hemachandran and IG Thrissur range Mohmmed Yasin are being promoted to the rank of Additional DGP. It is learnt that the Government is seriously considering the name of Hemachandran to the post of ADGPIntelligence. Siby Mathews, who was recently promoted to the rank of DGP and posted as Fire and Rescue Services CommandantGeneral, is still holding the charge of ADGPIntelligence. But he had requested the Government to relieve him from the charge of ADGP Intelligence.
Besides Hemachandran and Yasin, three other officers of the 1986 batch N Shanker Reddy, N C Asthana and Rajesh Dewan are also likely to be promoted to ADGP rank. While Shanker Reddy is serving as Kerala State Beverages Corporation managing director, Asthana and Rajesh Dewan are on deputation. The Screening Committee which met here the other day is learnt to have cleared the promotions and the next Cabinet may ratify it. IPS officers of the 1993 batch, including Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Yogesh Gupta, DIG Administration S.Gopinath and Kerala Police Academy Director Jose George, are also likely to be promoted from the rank of DIG to IG soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
