Welfare scheme for migrant workers
Security net: Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan with migrant workers before the State-level inauguration of a scheme for their welfare in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Friday launched a welfare programme offering a measure of social security for the migrant people working in various sectors in the State.
This is the first such initiative in the country, Mr. Achuthanandan said while launching the programme at a function here. “Tens of thousands of people from States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal are working in Kerala in areas demanding heavy manual effort. They contribute in a big way to the development of the State and Kerala owes this gesture towards them,” he said.
Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan, who presided, said several large companies involved in road and other construction works in Kerala were engaging workers from other States in large numbers. These workers received none of the social protection measures available for the workers hailing from within Kerala.
The programme, titled Kerala Migrant Workers’ Welfare Programme, is being implemented through the Kerala Building and other Construction Workers’ Welfare Fund Board. Migrant workers have to register their names under this scheme at the offices of the board paying a contribution of Rs.30 a year. Twice that amount will be remitted to each member’s account by the board and the government will contribute the remaining sum to carry out a host of welfare measures for the members.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/01/stories/2010050161680400.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Women scientists inspire students
Interaction:A former Young Scientist award winner addressing students and researchers at the Kerala Science Congress-Women Young Scientists’ Meet organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in the city on Wednesday. –
Thiruvananthapuram, India: Dr. T. Girija, scientist at the College of Horticulture under the Kerala Agricultural University, was twice unlucky, but she has no regrets.
Participating in an interactive programme organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) here on Wednesday, the former Young Scientist award winner recalled how she had twice missed the bus to a foreign university for research.
“Once I had the opportunity to go to the U.K. for research but had to forgo the chance due to various compulsions. I completed my research at Bangalore instead. Family responsibilities prevented me from taking up a research assignment in the Netherlands at a later stage in my career,” said Dr. Girija who works on the phytochemistry of weed control. “My responsibilities as a mother held me back but I have no regrets. I derive satisfaction from my job.”
Women, she said, have a different approach to a problem. Unlike men, they look at the little things also which help them gain a different perspective.
As many as 26 women who were former winners of the Young Scientist award instituted by the Kerala Science Congress turned up for the programme organised by the Women Scientists’ Cell of the KSCSTE. Many of them recounted how family responsibilities and other compulsions prevented them from taking up higher studies and research abroad. But most felt that they faced no difficulties or discrimination in working with their male counterparts.
Dr. K.G. Thara, faculty head, Institute of Land and Disaster Management who won the Young Scientist award in 1993 for her paper on the origin of the Palakkad gap, said disaster management offered immense scope for women scientists. She stressed the need for women researchers to focus on recycling of waste materials.
Dr. Kamalakshan Kokkal, joint-director, KSCSTE, chaired the technical session. Dr. R.V.G. Menon and Planning Board member Mridul Eapen offered felicitations to the women scientists.
Climate change
Inaugurating the programme, Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy called upon women scientists in Kerala to come forward to contribute to research on the impact of climate change, elimination of plastic waste and drinking water scarcity. She said the increase in the number of cancer cases in Kuttanad necessitated research to identify the cause.
Dr. K.R. Lekha, Head, Women Scientists’ Cell; Dr. Laly A. Pothan, winner of the Dr. S. Vasudev award, Kerala Science Congress – 2010; and Dr. P.G. Latha, scientist, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, were present.
Students from various schools and colleges also attended and interacted with the scientists.
Dr. Lekha said the day-long programme was organised with the objective of preparing a database on ‘ Women Achievers in Science in the State of Kerala.’ “The database will provide a platform for students to continue their interaction with the scientists. Thereby they develop a passion for science and are motivated to take up science as a challenging profession,” she said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/22/stories/2010042261720300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
‘Energising' a strife-torn land
Afghan women attend workshop on sustainable energy. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
Beyond boundaries: Health and Social Welfare Minister P.K. Sreemathy sharing a lighter moment with a delegate from Afghanistan at the inaugural function of the Women’s Institute for Sustainable Energy Research.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India: Energy management in households is vital in a war-torn country like Afghanistan where poverty, unemployment and illiteracy are pressing social issues, according to women delegates from the country who are in Thiruvananthapuram to attend a training workshop at the newly-launched Women’s Institute for Sustainable Energy Research (WISER).
The 20-member delegation is here as part of an energy security programme funded by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) to promote leadership among women in the field of energy security.
“Women in Afghanistan do have a lot of issues to deal with to run their households, and energy management is one of them. Who would not want to do away with the task of collecting firewood or buying coal for every requirement, especially when it saves on their budget,” asks Fayeqa Haider, a member of the Faculty of Engineering at Kabul University.
Regardless of the low literacy rate among Afghan women, there is awareness on environment, health and the economic impact of using non-renewable fuels. Quite a few non-governmental organisations are working in this area, campaigning and popularising solar powered equipment in households, according to the delegates.
The delegates are looking forward to learning new trends in the use and popularisation of renewable energy at the five-day workshop. “We will go back and share our experiences here with colleagues and entrepreneurs in the field and also discuss with government officials the need to take up campaigns on energy security in Afghanistan,” Ms. Haider said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/24/stories/2010032454710700.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Panel moots setting up of Organic Mission
Aim is to promote organic farming in the State
Moots a national institute in Palakkad
Calls for setting up organic seed banks
Thiruvananthapuram, India: The Legislature Committee on Private Member’s Bills and Resolutions has recommended the formation of an Organic Mission to coordinate programmes for promotion of organic farming in the State and specify norms for farming.
In its report presented to the House this month, the committee also suggested that organic cells be formed under the proposed Mission to reach its programmes to farmers.
The committee visited Idukki, Palakkad and Wayanad districts and prepared the report as a follow-up to a resolution adopted by the Assembly urging for action on the report of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission which looked into the changes needed in the agriculture sector in the State. The committee urged that the Centre be pressed to set up a national organic farming institute in Palakkad with powers for organic certification. The government should also consider the setting up of an agency under Kerala Agriculture University for providing organic certification. The cost of getting organic certification should continue to be reimbursed to farmers through the State Horticulture Mission.
The committee recommended that the farmers be provided with subsidies to make up for production loss during the initial years of shifting to organic farming. Assistance should also be provided for marketing organic products. The Kerala State Warehousing Corporation and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam should be asked to intervene for effective marketing. The Centre should be approached for ensuring cooperation of Nafed in the area.
A marketing intelligence cell should be set up to advise farmers.
The rural market at Sultan Bathery and other places, set up with EC funding, should be revived.
It also suggested that organic seed banks be set up at the panchayat level under the Agriculture Department to make seeds available to farmers. They should also be trained in producing seeds and in making organic fertilizers and pesticides.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/15/stories/2010031553510500.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Police to launch SMS alert
Those in distress can send SMS to 94979 00000
Information on criminal activities can be sent
Home Minister to inaugurate facility today
Thiruvananthapuram, India: Mobile telephone users in the State can seek police help by sending distress messages as ‘SMS’ to the telephone number 94979 00000 from Thursday evening.
Inspector-General of Police Tomin. J. Thachankery said citizens should not use the facility to raise complaints about civic issues.
The service is chiefly intended to benefit those facing an immediate threat to their life or property. Citizens witnessing road accidents, crime, hit-and-run accidents, anti-social and terror-related activities, suspiciously abandoned bags and other containers can alert the police by sending an SMS to the number. The State Police SMS Message Centre at the Police Headquarters complex here can, if needed, relay the information from the public to as many as 15,250 mobile phones issued to police officials on law and order duty in the State.
It can also restrict the information to relevant groups. The National Informatics Centre has developed the software for the SMS Alert programme. Bharathiya Sanchar Nigam Ltd. is the service provider.
The public can use the facility to report specific instances in which the police have not acted satisfactorily on their complaints. Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate the new facility on Thursday.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/04/stories/2010030463710300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
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