Latest news with #KeralaDevelopmentandInnovationStrategicCouncil
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Knowledge Kerala project: facilitation centres to be set up in Ernakulam
Facilitation centres and job stations aimed at offering job opportunities and skilling programmes for youth will be set up at the panchayat and municipal levels in Ernakulam soon as part of the 'Knowledge Kerala' project. These facilities will act as a support system to help job seekers and provide them with adequate training. The Knowledge Kerala project intends to create more opportunities for job aspirants. There are plans to organise skill development and job placement programmes. The project is being implemented through the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council. A district-level council has been formed as part of initiating the programmes in Ernakulam. The authorities are hopeful that the project will have good possibilities in the district, in view of the presence of industries and commercial units, according to a communication. The district council will take steps to form a three-tier system of resource persons associated with the implementation of the project. It will include key resource persons, district resource persons, and local resource persons. As part of the project, final year students in higher educational institutions will be offered skill enhancement programmes that will help them secure campus placements. Job seekers will be encouraged to register on the digital workforce management platform developed as part of the initiative. The government hopes to help around one lakh aspirants gain jobs through the project.
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.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Appointment as Knowledge Kerala project adviser: HC issues notice to former finance minister Thomas Isaac
Kochi: High court has issued notice to former state finance minister T M Thomas Isaac and the vice-chairperson of Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council in a petition challenging Isaac's appointment as an adviser for the ' Vijnana Keralam ' ( Knowledge Kerala ) project. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S Manu directed both respondents to file their replies before the next posting date, May 27. The petitioner alleged that Isaac was appointed as project adviser by a govt order dated Dec 12, 2024, and had agreed to render his services free of charge. However, the order included provisions for allotting Rs 70,000 per month as fuel expenses for the vehicle used by Isaac for official purposes and for paying wages and daily allowances to his driver at rates fixed under state govt contracts. The petitioner, Navas, further alleged that over Rs 1 lakh are being spent monthly on an adviser for a post under an 'imaginary department and project,' resulting in a significant loss to the public exchequer. Previously, while considering the petition, the division bench enquired into the credentials of the petitioner, removed him, and appointed a lawyer as amicus curiae to assist the court. The amicus curiae filed a detailed report stating that the appointment of Isaac was to a department that does not exist. Since Isaac had not been arrayed as a respondent, HC suo motu impleaded him in the petition and issued notice.
