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New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Will respond to amicus curiae report in court: Former Minister Thomas Isaac
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former finance minister Thomas Isaac has said that he would respond to the amicus curiae's findings in the court. The amicus curiae was appointed by the Kerala High Court on a public interest litigation challenging the appointment of Isaac as an advisor to the Vijnana Keralam (Knowledge Kerala) project of the government. Addressing reporters here on Friday, Isaac said he has not read the amicus curiae's report. However, he responded to the allegations over his appointment. On the allegation on his remuneration, Isaac said he receives only a travel allowance. The project involves skill training for all students in the state. He has to travel extensively and stay at guest houses. He said the K-DISC was formed with the approval of the finance department. The allegations in this regard are baseless. Another criticism was on the sanction given by the KDISC ex officio secretary. There are several precedents in which ex officio secretaries issued similar sanctions. ASHA workers' strike was politically motivated Issac said the ASHA workers' strike was politically motivated. The previous LDF government raised the honorarium for the workers from Rs 1000 to Rs 7000 not because of any strike. Also, the social security pension was raised to Rs 1600. The previous government hiked these amounts because it had money. 40 per cent of the government's revenue was central funds during the time. Now it has come down to 25 pc and the government is facing a severe fund crunch, he said.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
No scope for controversy over Vijnana Keralam post, says Isaac
Former Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac on Friday ruled out any scope for a controversy over his appointment as advisor to the Vijnana Keralam initiative of the State government. Dr. Isaac was reacting to a public interest litigation questioning his appointment and an amicus curiae report to the High Court based on it. Dr. Isaac said he was happy to have received an opportunity to explain matters before the court. Only travel expenses On the question of the remuneration for his post, he said he was eligible only for travel expenses. Vijnana Keralam is aimed at aligning skilling with job creation, according to Dr. Isaac. Skilling programmes for the student community under the Vijnana Keralam campaign is to be rolled out from August, he said. He went on to add that the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) assumed its present structure during the previous LDF government's term. K-DISC was shaped with the approval of the Finance department, he said.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala HC amicus flags T M Thomas Isaac's appointment to non-existent department
KOCHI: The amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court to assist the court in a public interest litigation challenging the appointment of former finance minister T M Thomas Isaac as an advisor to the Vijnana Keralam (Knowledge Kerala) project has informed that the appointment made is to a department that does not exist. Considering the submission, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S Manu impleaded Isaac as an additional respondent. It also directed the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) and Isaac to file a reply to the report of the amicus curiae. The petitioner, who claimed to be a public activist, had submitted that the government order stated that, 'For the coordination of activities of 'Vijnana Keralam', it was decided to appoint Isaac as the advisor of the project till the end of the tenure of the present government. This was a clear example of nepotism and favouritism,' the petitioner alleged. Isaac was appointed the advisor for Knowledge Kerala Project by the government in December 2024.
