Latest news with #KeralaStateScienceandTechnologyMuseum
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
LuLu Group to fund planetarium project in Pinarayi's panchayat
Thiruvananthapuram: A planetarium project is coming up in chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's native village with financial backing from LuLu Group. The state govt, in a revenue department order issued on April 23, permitted the acceptance of funds from LuLu Group chairman M A Yusuff Ali for the purchase of land in Pinarayi panchayat for the project. The order states that the fund will be directly deposited in the Kannur district collector's account and used to acquire 2.09 acres of land, including a five-metre-wide access road. The land will be registered in the name of the governor, and exemptions have also been sought on stamp duty. It says the planetarium is intended to promote scientific temper among students and the general public. According to official records, the offer of financial assistance came in response to a public appeal from a citizens' committee formed under the leadership of the Pinarayi panchayat president. The proposed site was inspected and deemed suitable by officials from the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum. Owners reportedly agreed to sell the land at a negotiated rate of Rs 1.2 lakh/cent (which means approx. Rs 2.5 crore for the total area). Once the land is purchased, it will be transferred to the higher education department to proceed with the project. The district administration has also provided the govt with survey sketches and land records and sought the necessary approvals for the registration and transfer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Its correspondence with the govt also acknowledges that LuLu Group agreed to fund the purchase of land following the committee's appeal for voluntary contributions. The project has, however, brought up questions over what prompted the contribution and the unusual route taken to facilitate it. Though private contributions to govt-led initiatives are not new, what stands out in this case is that there is no clear legal framework under which the funding is being accepted. The contribution is not being made through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) route, the standard channel of support for public infrastructure from private companies. Nor is the land being acquired through either of the two usual statutory means — the Land Acquisition Act or voluntary relinquishment by a private individual through the Land Relinquishment Act 1958. At best, this could be categorised as a 'negotiated purchase' by the govt, but even that is done using govt funds. TOI sought the response of the LuLu Group management on what prompted it to fund the project in Pinarayi panchayat, and how it justifies using a non-CSR route for a public project in the absence of a defined legal mechanism. The group has not responded to the query.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Phase-I of Science City in Kottayam set to start functioning from May 29
KOTTAYAM/KOCHI: The decade-long wait for the Science City, touted as the first one in South India, is coming to fruition. The construction of the Science Centre, which is the first phase of the project coming up at Kozha near Kuravilangad in Kottayam on 30 acres of land, has been completed and it will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on May 29. The project is being established under the auspices of the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum under the Department of Higher Education. Besides the Science Centre, the Science City project also envisages a planetarium, motion simulator, augmented reality/virtual reality theatres, musical fountain, light and sound show, astronomical observatory, gardens, visitor facilities, entrance gate and related infrastructure. A science park and dinosaur enclosure have also been developed, along with a telescope to enable public to dabble in astronomy. The Science Centre building spans 47,147 sq ft, and houses science galleries of Fun Science, Marine Life and Science, Emerging Technology, 3-D theatre, temporary exhibition area, activity centre, seminar hall, conference hall and workshops. The first phase works are nearing completion, with essential infrastructure such as internal roads, campus electrification, a water supply system, a visitor canteen, and rest room facilities being finalised. The establishment of the Science Centre was projected to cost Rs 14.5 crore in 2015, with equal financial contributions from both the Central and state governments.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Science City Project in Kottayam to be Inaugurated on May 29
Following years of delays and political tussles, the Science City project at Kozha in Kottayam will finally open its first phase on May 29, informed Higher Education Minister R. Bindu. Developed under the aegis of the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, the project is coming up on 30 acres of land allocated by the State government. At its core lies the Science Centre, which will house science galleries, a 3D theatre, a science park, seminar halls, and an innovation hub. Planned future additions include a planetarium, motion simulator, AR/VR theatres, an astronomical observatory and other supporting infrastructure. The Science Centre building spans 47,147 square feet and features galleries on Fun Science, Marine Life and Science, and Emerging Technologies. Other facilities include a 3D theatre, temporary exhibition area, activity centre, seminar and conference halls and dedicated workshop spaces. A surrounding science park and artificial dinosaur enclosure have also been developed, along with a telescope to enable public night sky observation. The project's first phase was conceived with an estimated budget of ₹14.5 crore, equally funded by the Central and State governments. Construction is being handled by the National Council of Science Museums, a central government agency. Beyond this shared contribution, the state government has already spent approximately ₹50 crore on supporting infrastructure. Plans for the second phase of the Science City, with a proposed budget of ₹45 crore, have already been drawn up. In parallel, a large-scale Biodiversity Park is also under development within the campus in collaboration with the Uzhavoor block panchayat and Kuravilangad grama panchayat, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The park will host a diverse collection of flora native to Kerala's forests, including medicinal herbs, rare and endangered species, orchids, carnivorous plants, ornamental and aromatic varieties, bamboo species, and palms. The project, which was first envisioned in 2014, has endured multiple delays over the years.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Higher Education Minister hails Supreme Court verdict dismissing plea for enforcement of NEP in 3 States including Kerala
Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu has hailed the Supreme Court's decision to dismiss a plea seeking enforcement of the National Education Policy (NEP), including the three language formula, by the Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal governments. Addressing a press meet here on Monday (May 12, 2025), Ms. Bindu said that the NEP and recent UGC regulations encroached into the rights of the States and were against the federal principles. They were against Constitutional provisions and created a lot of difficulties to the States. The protest against these developments were ubiquitous. The apex court verdict is in keeping with the basic tenets of the Constitution, she said. Ms. Bindu said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Science Centre, which is the first phase of the proposed Science City, at Kuravilangad grama panchayat in Kottayam on May 29. The Science Centre, spread over 47,147 sq. ft., features science galleries, 3D exhibition centre, science park, seminar hall, and innovation hub. The Science City is being proposed on 30 acres under the Higher Education department's Kerala State Science and Technology Museum. It encompasses planetarium, motion simulator, augmented reality, virtual reality theatres, musical fountain, light and sound shows, stargazing facilities, gardens, visitor's area and related infrastructure facilities. Ms. Bindu said that the government has already spent ₹50 crore for the project. A second phase of ₹45 crore has been drawn up. Efforts are on to set up a biodiversity park on the Science City campus in association with the Uzhavoor block panchayat, Kuravilangad panchayat and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
