Latest news with #P.Rajeeve
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Industries Minister demands withdrawal of Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules 2025
Industries Minister has demanded that the Union government completely withdraw the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules 2025, which includes a provision to grant permission to the private sector to conduct mining and exploration of nuclear minerals in the country's offshore regions. In a statement on Monday, he said that indiscriminate mining would destroy the marine ecosystem and adversely affect fish stocks and national security. said that the Union government is trying to unilaterally formulate rules without seeking Kerala's opinion or suggestions, even though the soil containing nuclear minerals is included in the coastal maritime area of the State. 'A situation has arisen where private entities designated by the Union government are also getting permission to mine nuclear minerals like Uranium and Thorium from the maritime area. The coastal areas of the States of Kerala, Orissa and Tamil Nadu are rich in beach sand minerals. Minerals such as Thorium for nuclear power generation are present here. The new rules will seriously affect Kerala. According to the rules, the power to grant mining permits lies with the Union government and its agencies. The States cannot interfere in this matter. This is a denial of the constitutional rights of the State. The rules will threaten public sector enterprises in the sector,' he said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Student Police Cadet is Kerala's contribution to world, says Minister P. Rajeeve
Student Police Cadet (SPC) programme is one of the many novel concepts contributed by Kerala to the world, said Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeeve. He was speaking after inaugurating the SPC Day celebrations at the Keezhmadu Model Residential School in Ernakulam district on Saturday (August 2, 2025). SPC plays a significant role in inculcating among students awareness about law, discipline, social commitment, humanitarian values and sense of justice. The Minister hailed SPC for fulfilling an honourable mission in a prideful manner. Key role The State government has devised a comprehensive programme to resist drugs even as the drug menace is getting worsened across the world. More than penal measures, there is a need to create awareness about drugs and its threat. The State now has a system to report students found abusing substances and to bring them back to normal life with the support of experts. SPC is best placed to make schools drug-free. Mr. Rajeeve wished SPC to be able to live up to that challenge. Consent letters were handed over to schools, which were newly issued SPC programme. Keezhmadu Model Residential School and Mar Elias Higher Secondary School bagged the first and second prizes for the best SPC platoon. Anti-drug pledge was administered to students at the event. Kochi City Deputy Commissioner Juvvanapudi Mahesh hoisted the flag marking the inauguration of celebrations. A parade by SPCs from 10 schools was also held.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Administrative sanction for food processing park at Kunnukara in Kochi
The government has accorded administrative sanction for the food processing park initiated by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) at Kunnukara. The park will be set up under the mini food park project of the government. Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve said in a communication on Thursday (July 31, 2025) that around 37.8 acres would be acquired for the food processing park in Kunnukara village. The project would be implemented utilising the assistance under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, he added. He said that the park is being set up to extend the benefits of agricultural progress achieved in the Kalamassery Assembly constituency to more persons. The 'Krishikkoppam Kalamassery' project has been expanded to more areas. Five value-added products were launched in the market as part of the agriculture project. The third edition of the agri fest held as part of the initiative will begin in August, according to the communication. 'The food processing park will have units based on spices, coconut, fruits, cake and bakery and milk products. The land acquisition process will be speeded up in association with the district administration,' it said.
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coconut oil price in Kerala to be brought down: ministers
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G.R. Anil has said that the price of coconut oil in the State will be brought down. He was speaking after a meeting with industry players here on Monday. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve was present. Traders reportedly agreed to make coconut oil available in the market avoiding excessive profit. The government is making efforts to rein in prices in a manner beneficial to traders, farmers, and customers alike. Coconut oil traders will be allowed to participate in Supplyco's tender for Onam at a lower rate. It is expected that it will help bring down price in the market. A drop in the price of coconut oil at Supplyco is expected to reflect in the entire market. Mr. Rajeeve said that inspections to check adulterated oil would be stepped up, and that stringent action would be taken against the guilty. The Industries department has taken a slew of measures to improve Kerala's productivity in coconut oil. The Kerala brand, ' Nanma,' has been assigned to 13 companies. The Minister said all measures had been taken to increase domestic productivity. Representatives of around 60 companies attended the meeting. The ministers assured payment in 15 days to companies that supplied coconut oil at lower price to Supplyco. The government has adopted a policy of helping the public by cutting down on various expenses. Steps will be intensified to increase domestic production of coconut oil. Discussions will also be held with public sector enterprises, including Kerafed. Industries department Principal Secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Supplyco Managing Director Aswathy Sreenivas, and Kerala Tourism Additional Director (General) P. Vishnuraj attended the meeting.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Govt. to explore GenAI to simplify administration
The State government will explore the possibilities of using artificial intelligence (AI), including GenAI, to simplify the State administration's day-to-day operations for the benefit of the people, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said here on Tuesday (July 15). Kerala, he said, has a progressive social climate that encourages free thinking and scientific consciousness. So, there is great potential for innovation, he observed after inaugurating IBM's Ecosystem Incubation Center (EIC) at Infopark Kochi. The EIC has been conceived as a strategic space designed to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across start-ups, enterprises, and academia, while serving as a hub for early-stage ventures, skill-building, and co-innovation. Emphasising the need for a 'clear understanding and consultation' ahead of introducing AI in the government's daily operations, Mr. Rajeeve said its implementation would not compromise on privacy and data security. 'This kind of a change will be very beneficial to the people,' he pointed out. The Minister recalled that the government had prepared a draft proposal called 'Industry 4.0' for the introduction of AI in the industrial sector. 'We will take a decision on this after receiving feedback from the industry,' he added. Kerala has 16 colleges that have made it to the top 100 colleges in the country. Three universities are in the top 20, the Minister pointed out. Mr. Rajeeve also inaugurated a symposium 'GenAI and Agentic AI for start-ups, academia, and enterprises'. IBM Software senior vice president Dinesh Nirmal said Kerala enjoyed an advantage in the availability of skills and operational excellence. The State's transport connectivity is 'excellent' compared to other places, he said, noting that the incubation centre was started to 'fully utilise the excellent IT ecosystem' in Kerala. 'By collaborating with organisations such as the Kerala Startup Mission, Infopark, Technopark, and the academia, we aim to scale the development of impactful software solutions to solve our clients' hybrid cloud and AI needs,' he added. Principal Secretary (Industries) A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, KSIDC Managing Director Mir Mohammed Ali, IBM India vice president Vishal Chahal, Infopark CEO Susanth Kurunthil, and representatives of industry associations attended the event.
