Latest news with #MAYusuffAli
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.
Fashion Network
24-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Zouk launches store in Lucknow's Lulu Mall
Handbag, accessories, and luggage brand Zouk has launched a new exclusive brand outlet in Lucknow. Located in the northern city's Lulu Mall, the store houses the label's full range of vegan, print focused products. "New drop at Lulu Mall, Zouk is in the house," announced Lulu Mall Lucknow on Facebook, sharing images of the new store. "Totes, slings, and wallets with a desi twist and a modern heart, 100% vegan, 1000% stylish. Step into the store and step out in style!" The right side of the store is dedicated to luggage and features hard-shell suitcases in numerous sizes, featuring Zouk's signature heritage inspired prints. The centre and left side of the store is dedicated to the brand's handbag line, featuring a wide selection of larger models designed to hold laptops, tablets, and daily essentials. Backpacks and accessories such as wallets also feature in the outlet. Zouk launched in 2015 as a direct to customer accessories label and today counts over seven lakh customers across the country and works with over 1,000 artisans. Zouk's bags are PETA approved and the brand's products are made in India, according to its e-commerce store. Lulu Mall Lucknow is a mall by Lulu Group, headed by Kerala born, UAE based entrepreneur M A Yusuff Ali. The mall launched in 2022 and measures around 19 lakh square feet.
