News and Views

Thiruvananthapuram: Governor of Kerala P. Sathasivam has appealed to the members of the legal and media fraternities in Kerala to settle their differences amicably through dialogue.

In a message, the Governor said that the civil society had high expectations from lawyers and Journalists, as the functions they serve are integral to the maintenance of democracy in the country.

Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan announced in the Assembly on Friday that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau would examine allegations of collection of capitation fee by managements of self-financing medical colleges.

The Chief Minister was responding to notice for an adjournment motion given by V. T. Balram and others of UDF.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan told the Assembly that a committee would be set up to recommend on jail reforms.

Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for Police, Jails, Stationery and Printing and Other Administrative Services, the Chief Minister also said that services of a psychologist would be made available in jails. Besides, Yoga training would be introduced in jails.

UDF members boycotted the Assembly after protests over the self-financing medical college issue in the House on Thursday.

They raised banners and posters and moved into the well of the House objecting to the Speaker not allowing an adjournment motion to be moved on the issue. Kerala Congress (M) members went out of the House as UDF members started the demonstration.

United Democratic Front in Kerala intensified its agitation against fee hike in self-financing medical colleges inside and outside the Assembly on Wednesday.

UDF members of the Assembly Hibi Eden, Anoop Jacob and Shafi Parambil began a hunger strike in the foyer of the Assembly while the protest by Youth Congress continued before the Secretariat. A hartal is being observed in Thiruvananthapuram district in protest against police action against Youth Congress activists yesterday.