Diesel will not be purchased at higher rate: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Oommen Chandy categorically stated in the assembly that KSRTC will not purchase diesel at a higher rate. He said the rate at which private buses purchase diesel will be made available for KSRTC too.

The chief minister said this while replying to the notice moved by the opposition for an adjournment motion in connection with the crisis prevailing in KSRTC. Former Transport minister Mathew T Thomas issued notice for an adjournment motion. As the speaker refused permission, the opposition staged a walk out from the Assembly.

Mathew T Thomas alleged that KSRTC is attempting to overcome the crisis by cutting short the services. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandhan said the govt move to tide over the crisis in KSRTC will be met by failure. The MLAs present in the Assembly said 139 new buses were withheld by KSRTC in various depots and this was reported by Mathrubhumi News.

Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed said govt help will be rendered to KSRTC and he would hold discussions with Indian Oil Corporation in this regard. 

Diesel will not be purchased at higher rate: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Oommen Chandy categorically stated in the assembly that KSRTC will not purchase diesel at a higher rate. He said the rate at which private buses purchase diesel will be made available for KSRTC too.

The chief minister said this while replying to the notice moved by the opposition for an adjournment motion in connection with the crisis prevailing in KSRTC. Former Transport minister Mathew T Thomas issued notice for an adjournment motion. As the speaker refused permission, the opposition staged a walk out from the Assembly.

Mathew T Thomas alleged that KSRTC is attempting to overcome the crisis by cutting short the services. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandhan said the govt move to tide over the crisis in KSRTC will be met by failure. The MLAs present in the Assembly said 139 new buses were withheld by KSRTC in various depots and this was reported by Mathrubhumi News.

Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammed said govt help will be rendered to KSRTC and he would hold discussions with Indian Oil Corporation in this regard. 

One-year moratorium on farm loans in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: In a relief to farmers hit by drought conditions in Kerala, the State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) today decided to give one-year moratorium on agriculture loans availed by them from commercial banks.

The Committee also decided to suspend all recovery
proceedings initiated agianst farmers on loans taken by them
during this period, state's Finance Minister K M Mani told
reporters here after the SLBC meeting.
The mortarium period begins from December 31.

The loans would be rescheduled to help the farmers, he
said, adding that the impact of drought on farmers in the
state was very severe.

SLBC was convened today as per a decision of a special
Cabinet of the state held on January 23, which announced a
one-year moratorium on agriculture loans taken by farmers from
co-operative banks. PTI

One-year moratorium on farm loans in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: In a relief to farmers hit by drought conditions in Kerala, the State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) today decided to give one-year moratorium on agriculture loans availed by them from commercial banks.

The Committee also decided to suspend all recovery
proceedings initiated agianst farmers on loans taken by them
during this period, state's Finance Minister K M Mani told
reporters here after the SLBC meeting.
The mortarium period begins from December 31.

The loans would be rescheduled to help the farmers, he
said, adding that the impact of drought on farmers in the
state was very severe.

SLBC was convened today as per a decision of a special
Cabinet of the state held on January 23, which announced a
one-year moratorium on agriculture loans taken by farmers from
co-operative banks. PTI

20 killed in Al Ain road accident+

UAE: Twenty Asian workers were killed and several injured in a major road accident in Al Ain early this morning, eyewitnesses said. The accident happened on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road at Al Rawdha near Al Ain city at around 8, and involved a 40-seater bus carrying 55 workers from their camp to their work area, eyewitnesses from a camp near the accident site told Khaleej Times.

“I was driving to from our camp when I saw a concrete-laden truck crash into a bus coming from the opposite direction. The bus was smashed beyond recognition. I don’t think any of the workers in the bus could have survived this accident,” he said.

Another eyewitness said more than a dozen could have perished in the accident. The victims worked for a maintenance and contracting company that has its camp in the area.

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain police said the accident had happened, but did not confirm the number of casualties.

20 killed in Al Ain road accident+

UAE: Twenty Asian workers were killed and several injured in a major road accident in Al Ain early this morning, eyewitnesses said. The accident happened on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road at Al Rawdha near Al Ain city at around 8, and involved a 40-seater bus carrying 55 workers from their camp to their work area, eyewitnesses from a camp near the accident site told Khaleej Times.

“I was driving to from our camp when I saw a concrete-laden truck crash into a bus coming from the opposite direction. The bus was smashed beyond recognition. I don’t think any of the workers in the bus could have survived this accident,” he said.

Another eyewitness said more than a dozen could have perished in the accident. The victims worked for a maintenance and contracting company that has its camp in the area.

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain police said the accident had happened, but did not confirm the number of casualties.

Iraq suicide blast hits anti-al-Qaeda group; four die

BAGHDAD: Iraqi police and health officials say a suicide bomber has detonated his explosives belt among a group of anti-al-Qaeda fighters, killing at least four of the militiamen and wounding 23.

The police official says the men targeted by the bomber were gathering to collect their salaries on Monday morning outside one of their headquarters in the town of Taji, north of Baghdad, when the blast went off.
A medical official confirmed the casualties. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to release information to the media.

The blast comes a day after several suicide attackers on foot and in two explosives-laden cars hit a provincial police headquarters in Kirkuk, also north of Baghdad, killing at least 15 people and wounding 90.

Iraq suicide blast hits anti-al-Qaeda group; four die

BAGHDAD: Iraqi police and health officials say a suicide bomber has detonated his explosives belt among a group of anti-al-Qaeda fighters, killing at least four of the militiamen and wounding 23.

The police official says the men targeted by the bomber were gathering to collect their salaries on Monday morning outside one of their headquarters in the town of Taji, north of Baghdad, when the blast went off.
A medical official confirmed the casualties. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to release information to the media.

The blast comes a day after several suicide attackers on foot and in two explosives-laden cars hit a provincial police headquarters in Kirkuk, also north of Baghdad, killing at least 15 people and wounding 90.

Rajagopal seeks an impartial probe against Kurien

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior BJP leader and former union minister O Rajagopal sought an impartial probe against Rajya Sabha deputy Chairman P J Kurien in the Suryanelli case. 

Kurien should be discharged from his post till the investigation is completed.

Rajagopal said he had asked Rajan to stick to what he thinks as right.

Rajagopal seeks an impartial probe against Kurien

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior BJP leader and former union minister O Rajagopal sought an impartial probe against Rajya Sabha deputy Chairman P J Kurien in the Suryanelli case. 

Kurien should be discharged from his post till the investigation is completed.

Rajagopal said he had asked Rajan to stick to what he thinks as right.