DDC meet decides to hold on-site inspection of fitness certificates issued to school buildings in Alappuzha
The inspections will be carried out by a team comprising engineers from local self-government institutions and officials from the Education department, starting Monday. The meeting, chaired by District Collector Alex Varghese, directed that the inspections be completed by Wednesday and a report submitted to the Collector. The issue regarding the fitness of school buildings was raised by H. Salam, MLA, at the meeting.
P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, and Mr. Salam requested that a meeting be convened at the Collector's chamber to decide whether sculpture of the Matsya Kanyaka should be relocated or rebuilt as part of the reconstruction of the District Court bridge in Alappuzha town. The MLAs also demanded that the bridge construction work be expedited.
The MLAs urged National Highway Authority of India officials to take immediate action to address the waterlogging caused by rain on the National Highway 66 and in nearby residential areas.
Kuttanad MLA Thomas K. Thomas urged officials to take necessary steps to expedite the completion of the Kuttanad Drinking Water Project, being implemented with funding from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board across 13 grama panchayats in Kuttanad taluk. Mr. Thomas informed the meeting that the construction of Family Health Centre at Neelamperoor had been completed and that it would be inaugurated soon.
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The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
DDC meet decides to hold on-site inspection of fitness certificates issued to school buildings in Alappuzha
A meeting of the District Development Committee (DDC) held on Saturday decided to conduct on-site inspection of the fitness certificates issued this academic year to all school buildings in the district. The inspections will be carried out by a team comprising engineers from local self-government institutions and officials from the Education department, starting Monday. The meeting, chaired by District Collector Alex Varghese, directed that the inspections be completed by Wednesday and a report submitted to the Collector. The issue regarding the fitness of school buildings was raised by H. Salam, MLA, at the meeting. P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, and Mr. Salam requested that a meeting be convened at the Collector's chamber to decide whether sculpture of the Matsya Kanyaka should be relocated or rebuilt as part of the reconstruction of the District Court bridge in Alappuzha town. The MLAs also demanded that the bridge construction work be expedited. The MLAs urged National Highway Authority of India officials to take immediate action to address the waterlogging caused by rain on the National Highway 66 and in nearby residential areas. Kuttanad MLA Thomas K. Thomas urged officials to take necessary steps to expedite the completion of the Kuttanad Drinking Water Project, being implemented with funding from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board across 13 grama panchayats in Kuttanad taluk. Mr. Thomas informed the meeting that the construction of Family Health Centre at Neelamperoor had been completed and that it would be inaugurated soon.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- The Hindu
'Karuthal'‘ scholarship scheme empowers students from plantation sector in Idukki
The 'Karuthal' scholarship, a pioneering effort to provide support to students in government schools within plantation communities of high ranges of Kerala, continues to offer hope to students in the region. Instituted in 2022 during IAS officer Arjun Pandian's tenure as the District Development Commissioner (DDC) of Idukki, the scholarship was envisioned as a tribute to his roots in Elappara grama panchayat. 'As the first IAS officer from this region, I wanted to give back to my native place, especially to the children of plantation workers,' he said. 'I hope the scholarship inspires them to aim higher and realise their potential.' Initially awarded to top-performing Class X and Plus Two students from the Government School in Elappara, the scholarship — now in its fourth edition — has expanded its reach. This year, it covers students from Government High Schools in Chemmannu and Vagamon as well, effectively bringing the entire panchayat under its fold. 'I hope to extend the initiative to more schools in the future,' Mr. Pandian added. Funded through Corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships and, at times, from Mr. Pandian's own salary, the scholarship has so far benefited 68 students, with total contributions exceeding ₹8 lakh. While it was originally based solely on academic performance, the scope of the award has grown to include excellence in sports and other extracurricular activities. Certificates of merit, presented by District Collectors, add further recognition and encouragement for recipients. This year's award ceremony was inaugurated by Idukki District Collector V. Vigneshwari. A total of 34 students received scholarships. The event was attended by Elappara grama panchayat president Ammini Thomas, ESAF executive vice-president George Thomas, Principal Sofitha Beevi, and headmistress Haseena Begum, among others. The ESAF Foundation supported this year's edition through its CSR initiative. Other notable contributions Beyond this initiative, Mr. Pandian has played a key role in improving education, healthcare, tourism, and the welfare of plantation workers in the region. Notably, he was instrumental in securing the affiliation of Idukki Medical College and facilitating the admission of its first 100 MBBS students in 2022 — a landmark moment for the district. A 2017-batch IAS officer hailing from Elappara, Arjun Pandian currently serves as the District Collector of Thrissur.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
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₹5 crore sanctioned for amenity centre at Ambalappuzha temple
The State government has sanctioned ₹5 crore for the construction of an amenity centre on the premises of Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. H. Salam, MLA, said here on Friday that the centre spanning 17,300 sq ft across two floors would have nine deluxe rooms and a suite room on the ground floor, and 11 deluxe rooms and a suite room on the upper floor. In addition to spacious parking facilities, the centre will feature separate dormitories for men and women, storage space, and restroom facilities. 'The amenity centre is proposed as part of efforts to provide better accommodation with modern facilities for devotees, including those arriving from distant places for darshan at the Ambalappuzha temple. It will be constructed after demolishing the existing Devaswom sathram located to the southwest of the temple. The 40-year-old sathram had become uninhabitable due to wear and tear, and for the past two years, it has been functioning only partially. As a result, devotees from other regions currently rely on private lodges for accommodation,' Mr. Salam said. In addition to the amenity centre, the stage used for cultural programmes, along with the open-air auditorium, will also be reconstructed. Apart from the ₹5 crore, an additional ₹1 crore has been allocated from the Budget fund for the purpose. The construction of the amenity centre will be carried out by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation.
