KL This Week: Governor Continues on Collision Course, Assembly in Session to Pass Important Bills

The Governor of Kerala continues to stir controversy with his remarks on the government of Kerala. The tensions continue to manifold, as the Governor continues to list allegations against the state government. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has accused the Governor of playing politics on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Assembly is in session to pass several bills, following the refusal of the Governor to repromulgate the ordinances. A resolution to fight the divisive forces and uphold harmony in the state was also unanimously passed.

In a major victory, the ‘delivery partners’ of Zomato, the online food delivery platform have won their benefits back. The management agreed to reinstate different benefits after the four-day-long strike of the workers.

The health department is gearing up to prevent the spread of tomato fever among children below the age of 5. Around 80 cases have been reported from the state so far.

The protest against Vizhinjam Seaport International Limited (VSIL) continues after talks held by the chief minister with the representatives of the fisherfolks failed.

GOVERNOR CONTINUES TO CREATE CONFLICT

The governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammed Khan continues to stir controversy, by attacking the government on its functioning. After his return to the state, the governor has passed comments against the bills passed in the assembly, including the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The governor and the opposition front have been accusing the government of diluting the powers of the governor in appointing the Vice Chancellors to the universities. But the government has rejected such allegations.

The governor has accused of deteriorating standards in higher education in the state, to which higher education minister Prof Dr R Bindu took strong exception.

“The state has achieved remarkable heights in higher education, with universities taking prime positions in different national level rankings. The funds allocated to the department have been on the rise to improve the infrastructure and research works'', she said in an interview.

The tensions between the government and the governor have been declining continuously, with the LDF accusing the governor of plotting to topple the government. Read More

ASSEMBLY PASSES IMPORTANT BILLS

The state assembly is sitting on a special session to pass pending bills, after the refusal of the governor to repromulgate ordinances. The chief minister introduced the Kerala Lok Ayukta (Amendement) Bill, which was opposed by the United Democratic Front (UDF) block.

Later the bill was approved by the subject committee and is expected to be passed in the ongoing session itself.

Other bills including the Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 and the Kerala Public Health Ordinance are expected to be passed in the house during the 10-day special session.

The assembly also passed a unanimous resolution to fight against the divisive forces. The resolution was proposed by the chief minister on the first day of the session held close a week after the 75th independence day celebrations.

ZOMATO WORKERS WIN BACK SNATCHED BENEFITS

After an indefinite strike, which lasted for 4 days, the delivery partners of the online food delivery platform, Zomato won back their suspended benefits in the Thiruvananthapuram district. The management has unilaterally suspended incentives.

The workers lost working time flexibility, weekly incentive, and rain time allowances since the introduction of the GIGS scheme in the organisation. After refusing to participate in the conciliation talks, the intervention of the labour ministry and state government ensured the participation of representatives from the management.

The workers withdrew the strike after an agreement was arrived upon to restore the suspended incentives and withdrawal of steps to take disciplinary action against the delivery partners. The workers have formed a union under the leadership of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Read More

HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON ALERT

After the detection of tomato fever, a viral flu in 82 children below the age of 5, the state government has ramped up alert. After the state was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and monkeypox, tomato fever has come as another challenge. The outbreak was first reported from the southern district of Kollam.

Though the cause of the infection is found to be a virus, the exact family of the virus is yet to be identified. The flu being self-limiting is a huge relief. It is also a form of hand, foot, and mouth disease, making children below the age of 5 at risk of contracting it.

VIZHINJAM PROTESTS CONTINUE

After the talks held by the chief minister with the representatives of the protesting fishermen against the VSIL failed, the protests continue. The fishermen and the atin catholic diocese have been demanding the termination of the project citing livelihood issues along several coastal villages close to the harbour site.

The chief minister has rejected the possibility of stopping the construction works.

Earlier, the talks held by the minister for fishing were fruitful after a majority of the demands including resettlement issues and compensation were agreed upon. But the fishermen and the Latin catholic archdiocese announced the continuation of protests.