LoP V D Satheesan seeks vigilance probe into corruption in Kerala Digital University
In the letter, Satheesan raised grave concerns over the functioning of the university, particularly pointing to the role of India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre—a private company that partnered in the graphene project, which the chief minister had publicly championed. He alleged that the company began operations only after the government order on the project was issued but received advance funds even before completing necessary official procedures.
'It is deeply shameful for the state that such blatant corruption has occurred in a project of this scale,' Satheesan wrote. He claimed that various projects meant for the university are being hijacked by private interests using shell companies floated by faculty members.
'Reports suggest that some teachers have formed more than five companies to swindle project funds and are using university-paid staff to run these firms,' he alleged.
The opposition leader further stated that in addition to Rs 94.85 crore granted by the Union Ministry of Electronics, the state government has also committed significant funds to the graphene initiative. He said this makes the alleged misuse even more serious. Satheesan also flagged concerns over the misuse of infrastructure, alleging that a building leased by the university for the proposed Digital Science Park—built at a cost of crores—was being used to house employees of private firms.
'These corrupt and misguided moves are unfolding right under the Chief Minister's leadership,' he said in the letter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
12 minutes ago
- Hans India
Boon For Farmers: PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana gets Cabinet nod
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met on Wednesday and approved the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, as announced in the 2025-26 budget. The scheme primarily aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, and encourage sustainable agricultural practices. Further objectives include increasing post-harvest storage capacity, improving irrigation facilities, and facilitating better credit availability. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting, stated that the programme will benefit 1.7 crore farmers. With a commencement date of 2025-26, an annual financial outlay of Rs 24,000 crore is earmarked for at least six years. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had proposed on February 1 that the government, in partnership with states, would launch the 'Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana'. This scheme will be implemented in collaboration with 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, other state schemes, and the private sector. As many as 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and low credit disbursement. At least one district will be selected from each state. District, state, and national-level committees will be formed to monitor the scheme. The District Dhan Dhanya Committee, which will include farmer members, will finalise the scheme at the district level. In each Dhan Dhanya district, the scheme's progress will be monitored monthly via a dashboard tracking 177 key performance indicators (KPIs). NITI Aayog will also review and provide guidance on district plans. Furthermore, a designated central nodal officer for each district will regularly review the scheme's implementation. The scheme is expected to boost crop production, add value to the agriculture and allied sectors, generate local livelihoods, and thus achieve self-reliance. As indicators improve in these 100 districts, national indicators are also projected to rise.
Hans India
12 minutes ago
- Hans India
Major relief to lorry owners as govt slashes Green Tax
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association and truck operators' persistent efforts have led to a significant reduction in the Green Tax on older vehicles. On Wednesday, the state government issued an ordinance amending the Andhra Pradesh Motor Vehicles Taxation Act of 1963, outlining revised annual tax rates and providing substantial relief to lorry owners and other vehicle users. The ordinance will benefit over three lakh lorry operators by significantly lowering the Green Tax. According to the new rules, vehicles aged between seven and 12 years from registration will incur an annual Green Tax of Rs 1,500. For vehicles older than 12 years, the tax is set at Rs 3,000 annually. Previously, vehicle owners paid 50 per cent of the quarterly tax for vehicles aged seven to 10 years, with the tax varying based on vehicle size, tyres, and other factors. For vehicles aged 10 to 12 years, owners paid one quarterly tax, while those over 12 years faced a hefty Rs 20,000 Green Tax. The high Green Tax had long burdened the transport sector, prompting truck operators to demand relief. Recently, the state Cabinet approved the tax reduction. Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association general secretary Y V Eswara Rao along with other leaders, met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to urge the issuance of GO. The ordinance has now been released, with the new tax rates set to take effect soon. Eswara Rao expressed gratitude to Chief Minister, the transport minister, public representatives, and senior officials for the gazette notification. He noted that the reduction fulfills a long-standing demand of the lorry owners, particularly since the NDA coalition government assumed office, and will benefit over three lakh truck operators across Andhra Pradesh.
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Yoga institute's ex-VC told to pay Rs 35 lakh to woman who accused him of sexual harassment; MP high court also pulls up police
The Madhya Pradesh High Court Tuesday imposed Rs 5 lakh fine on the state for 'inhumane and unsympathetic behaviour shown by the police officials' by delaying registration of workplace sexual harassment complaint by a woman who had accused the former vice-chancellor of a yoga institute in Gwalior. Ruling in favour of the woman, the court further directed the former VC to compensate the woman with Rs 35 lakh for loss of salary and reputation, agony and emotional distress. The petitioner, appointed as a yoga instructor at a physical education institute, alleged that she was sexually harassed by the former VC. She claimed that in March 2019, she was inappropriately touched by the then VC while she was heading for a class. She claimed that due to his high position she did not file a complaint. In August 2019, the then VC allegedly summoned her over a leave-related complaint by the HOD and misused the situation to seek sexual favours. In October 2019, she submitted a complaint to the Department of Sports, detailing instances of mental and physical harassment and a hostile work environment by the VC. In response, the VC denied all allegations. Justice Milind Ramesh Phadke observed in his order that when a report of cognizable offence was made by the petitioner what was expected of police officials was to register the crime. However, it failed to do so. 'Thus, this Court finds that the inhumane and unsympathetic behaviour shown by the police officials makes them also liable for penalty. Accordingly, the State is directed to pay a compensation of Rs.5 Lac to the petitioner within a period of four weeks from the date of order of pronouncement, which shall be recovered from erring officials from their own pocket,' the court said. The court reasoned that the police authorities are 'responsible for not taking action in time on the complaint made by the petitioner and had waited for three long years to register a crime, that too upon directions of the apex court, which had added to the agony of the petitioner, thus, had also made liable to be penalised.' The court found that the petitioner was subjected to sexual harassment at her workplace and no steps were taken by the respondent institute in 'timely extending justice to the petitioner, which had deprived her valuable time, energy & reputation'. The Institute had 'let its administration be controlled by a person, who was not even fit to be kept in service of any nature', the court said.
