National

CPM Unveils Bold Plans to Draw Significant Private Investment to Kerala

Published

11 months ago

March 8, 2025

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the policy document titled ‘Navakeralathe Nayikkan Puthuvazhikal’ (Novel Ways to Lead New Kerala) at the CPI-M state conference in Kollam, which garnered widespread support from the attending delegates. However, some expressed concerns regarding the proposed cess and fees, fearing potential backlash from the public.

The document outlines several strategic proposals aimed at attracting significant private investment, tackling the state’s financial challenges, and creating sustainable revenue sources.

A key aspect of the policy focuses on increasing private involvement in sectors such as higher education, industry, and tourism. This includes plans to establish private universities and research centers through public-private partnerships (PPP) and converting underperforming public sector units into PPP models.

To enhance revenue, the document suggests categorizing citizens by income and raising fees in sectors where they have remained stagnant for years. It also proposes implementing cesses in various areas to address the state’s ongoing financial difficulties.

Emphasizing the development of industrial and tourism infrastructure, the document outlines plans for Vizhinjam Port, logistics parks, dedicated industrial zones, warehousing corporations, and comprehensive capital region development. It reaffirms commitments to major infrastructure projects, such as SilverLine and the Sabarimala airport.

On the welfare front, the document suggests increasing welfare pensions, ensuring their timely distribution, and extending pensions to housewives. Additionally, it aims to support new start-ups and create one lakh job opportunities while establishing industrial clusters across the state.

Renewed focus is also placed on resource mobilization through sand mining in dams, a longstanding proposal. The document highlights the intention to strengthen the investment cell to attract greater investment in the tourism sector, particularly for large-scale hotel projects led by private entities.

The policy indicates a significant shift towards capitalism, advocating for private involvement in the industrial and tourism sectors, and proposing to end the protection of loss-making public sector undertakings (PSUs) that are deemed unsalvageable, transferring them to private management under PPP arrangements.

Furthermore, the document suggests reconsidering the distribution of freebies to wealthier individuals, stating, “The government should evaluate the potential for imposing a cess and reassess the provision of freebies to affluent sections of society based on income.”

During discussions, a delegate from Kozhikode voiced concerns about the document’s alignment with party ideology, cautioning against the media’s portrayal of neo-liberalism.

It appears that the CPI-M is opening its doors to capitalists at its Kollam conference, signaling a notable shift away from its longstanding opposition to private investment.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.