DMRC to execute Kochi Metro Rail project, says Kamal Nath

KOCHI: Union Urban Minister Kamal Nath said state’s first Metro Rail Project at Kochi is all set to become a reality with the centre deciding to entrust Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with the task of executing the project. The minister announced the decision at a press meet here Tuesday. Many things including inviting tenders would be under the guidance of DMRC. Delhi Metro former chairman E Sreedharan would serve as the advisor of Kochi Metro. Sufficient technical assistance needed for the project would be provided by DMRC, he said. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that he is very happy for handing over the project to DMRC. The project would be completed under the leadership of E Sreedharan, said Chandy. .

DMRC to execute Kochi Metro Rail project, says Kamal Nath

KOCHI: Union Urban Minister Kamal Nath said state’s first Metro Rail Project at Kochi is all set to become a reality with the centre deciding to entrust Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with the task of executing the project. The minister announced the decision at a press meet here Tuesday. Many things including inviting tenders would be under the guidance of DMRC. Delhi Metro former chairman E Sreedharan would serve as the advisor of Kochi Metro. Sufficient technical assistance needed for the project would be provided by DMRC, he said. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that he is very happy for handing over the project to DMRC. The project would be completed under the leadership of E Sreedharan, said Chandy. .

Functioning of offices, schools hit in state due to strike

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Functioning of government offices and schools were partially hit as pro-Left government employees and teachers in the state Tuesday began an indefinite strike in protest against UDF government's decision to implement Contributory Pension Scheme for its staff from this April. The pro-BJP Federation of Employees and Teachers Organisations (FETO) has also joined the strike. Expressing solidarity with the staff and teachers, employees of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation also observed a day-long strike, which hit operation of bus services across the state. However, State Employees and Teachers Confederation (SETCO), owing allegiance to the ruling UDF, stayed away from the strike, saying the government decision would not affect the existing employees as statutory pension scheme would continue for them and CPS was only for newly appointed employees. Sources said the functioning of government offices and schools were partially affected by the strike as majority of government employees belonged to pro-Left Unions. Terming the strike as 'politically motivated,' Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Kochi that the government had made earnest efforts to avoid the strike. The CPS was a "foresighted move" which would help the employees and the public in the long run, he said, adding the scheme had already been implemented in 25 states covering 90 per cent of employees in the country. Chandy also said 'dies non' (no work, no pay) would be effected for striking employees. He also cautioned that strict action would be taken against those who prevented employees from attending offices and schools. In Kerala's case, 80.61 per cent of the state's revenue was spent on salary and pension to employees, leaving only 19.39 per cent of the receipts to meet the development and welfare commitments, Chandy said. Rejecting the claim, the unions allege that CPS is part of government's move to give up its commitment and would lead to denial of minimum pension to employees.

Functioning of offices, schools hit in state due to strike

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Functioning of government offices and schools were partially hit as pro-Left government employees and teachers in the state Tuesday began an indefinite strike in protest against UDF government's decision to implement Contributory Pension Scheme for its staff from this April. The pro-BJP Federation of Employees and Teachers Organisations (FETO) has also joined the strike. Expressing solidarity with the staff and teachers, employees of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation also observed a day-long strike, which hit operation of bus services across the state. However, State Employees and Teachers Confederation (SETCO), owing allegiance to the ruling UDF, stayed away from the strike, saying the government decision would not affect the existing employees as statutory pension scheme would continue for them and CPS was only for newly appointed employees. Sources said the functioning of government offices and schools were partially affected by the strike as majority of government employees belonged to pro-Left Unions. Terming the strike as 'politically motivated,' Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Kochi that the government had made earnest efforts to avoid the strike. The CPS was a "foresighted move" which would help the employees and the public in the long run, he said, adding the scheme had already been implemented in 25 states covering 90 per cent of employees in the country. Chandy also said 'dies non' (no work, no pay) would be effected for striking employees. He also cautioned that strict action would be taken against those who prevented employees from attending offices and schools. In Kerala's case, 80.61 per cent of the state's revenue was spent on salary and pension to employees, leaving only 19.39 per cent of the receipts to meet the development and welfare commitments, Chandy said. Rejecting the claim, the unions allege that CPS is part of government's move to give up its commitment and would lead to denial of minimum pension to employees.

Stones pelted at buses on strike day

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stones were pelted at KSRTC buses during the strike staged by a section of the employees owing allegiance to the strike staged by government employees and teachers.  

In some places, private buses were asked to suspend services. Even though KSRTC began its services early morning, they were asked to suspend it by 7 am. Some passengers sustained injuries when stones were pelted at the buses in many places.  Buses were asked to suspend services in different parts of the state

Stones pelted at buses on strike day

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stones were pelted at KSRTC buses during the strike staged by a section of the employees owing allegiance to the strike staged by government employees and teachers.  

In some places, private buses were asked to suspend services. Even though KSRTC began its services early morning, they were asked to suspend it by 7 am. Some passengers sustained injuries when stones were pelted at the buses in many places.  Buses were asked to suspend services in different parts of the state

Lionel Messi wins FIFA world's best player award for record 4th year

ZURICH: Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for his astonishing 91-goal year for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012. Aged just 25, Messi has now been voted the world's best player for an unprecedented fourth straight year. Messi beat his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Spanish champion Real Madrid and Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta, who starred as Spain won the 2012 European Championship. Messi's fourth award lifted him above three-time FIFA winners Zinedine Zidane of France and Brazil's Ronaldo. The old Ballon d'Or trophy for players in Europe was won three times by France great Michel Platini, and Netherlands forwards Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten. Voting was by national team coaches and captains around the world plus invited media.

Lionel Messi wins FIFA world's best player award for record 4th year

ZURICH: Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for his astonishing 91-goal year for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012. Aged just 25, Messi has now been voted the world's best player for an unprecedented fourth straight year. Messi beat his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Spanish champion Real Madrid and Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta, who starred as Spain won the 2012 European Championship. Messi's fourth award lifted him above three-time FIFA winners Zinedine Zidane of France and Brazil's Ronaldo. The old Ballon d'Or trophy for players in Europe was won three times by France great Michel Platini, and Netherlands forwards Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten. Voting was by national team coaches and captains around the world plus invited media.

Sensex down 25 points

MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday declined by nearly 25 points in early trade as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains amid a weak trend in global markets. The 30-share barometer, which had lost 92.66 points yesterday, fell by 24.65 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 19,666.77. Stocks of realty, capital goods, FMCG, consumer durables and banking sectors declined due to profit-booking. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 4.95 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 5,983.45. Brokers said apart from profit-booking by speculators, a weak trend in Asian trade following overnight losses on the US market and in Europe, spurring selling, dampened the trading sentiment here. Besides, a cautious approach adopted by participants before the beginning of the earning season which is expected later this week, also cast shadow on the sentiment, they said. In the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei Index was down 0.38 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed 0.40 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.38 per cent down in yesterday’s trade.

Sensex down 25 points

MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday declined by nearly 25 points in early trade as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains amid a weak trend in global markets. The 30-share barometer, which had lost 92.66 points yesterday, fell by 24.65 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 19,666.77. Stocks of realty, capital goods, FMCG, consumer durables and banking sectors declined due to profit-booking. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 4.95 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 5,983.45. Brokers said apart from profit-booking by speculators, a weak trend in Asian trade following overnight losses on the US market and in Europe, spurring selling, dampened the trading sentiment here. Besides, a cautious approach adopted by participants before the beginning of the earning season which is expected later this week, also cast shadow on the sentiment, they said. In the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei Index was down 0.38 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed 0.40 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.38 per cent down in yesterday’s trade.