Latest news with #AnilK.Narendran
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No permission to install idol on Sabarimala premises, TDB tells HC
The Kerala High Court has sought all files related to the alleged permission granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to a private person to install an idol of Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple. In a suo motu proceeding on Thursday, the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. wanted the board to clarify whether it had issued permission to any one to install the idol. The Bench initiated the proceedings based on a report filed by R. Jayakrishnan, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, who noted that the TDB had permitted the chairperson of a multi-speciality hospital in Erode to install an idol of Ayyappa made of panchaloham, an alloy of five precious metals, at the temple, without hindering the temple structure and rituals. The report also took note of the distribution of pamphlets bearing bank account number, QR code and mobile numbers that said that a two-feet high idol weighing 108 kg and costing ₹9 lakh was to be installed there. A fundraising campaign also began, on the strength of the 'permission' granted by the TDB, creating an impression that he was authorised to do so by the TDB and the State government, the report said. The Sabarimala Tantri had informed the Special Commissioner that he was unaware of the alleged attempt to install the idol, which was against temple rituals. The Special Commissioner sought the interference of the court in the issue and stringent directions to stop such practices in the temple. The TDB submitted before the court that no permission was granted to the hospital's chairperson to install any idol on the temple premises. Neither was permission granted to collect money from the public, it contended. The court directed the TDB to issue an advisory in the Virtual-Q platform that it has not authorised anyone to install an idol of Ayyappa for worship on the temple premises or to collect money from the public for the purpose. The case has been listed for hearing on Friday.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Division Bench of Kerala HC dismisses appeal by State government challenging order that quashed results of KEAM 2025
Upholding a Single Bench's order that quashed the results of the State engineering and pharmacy entrance examination (KEAM) 2025 that was announced earlier this month, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by the State government challenging the Wednesday's order. The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. observed that it found no ground to interfere with the Single Bench order which had directed the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations to publish the rank list in accordance with the prospectus that had been issued in February. Several students had approached the High Court alleging that the ranking procedure was amended on the date of publication of the rank list (July 1). Citing that the amendment was 'arbitrary, illegal and mala fide,' they said that this was made with 'the oblique motive to do away with' the weightage given to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE) students, and that this adversely affected them. The Division Bench added that the government had acted beyond the recommendations that had been made by its own expert committee, on the basis of which the earlier prospectus was prepared. During the hearing, the government's counsel contended that the prospectus was amended to correct a disparity that the State syllabus students faced. Citing clause 1.6 of the prospectus, the counsel said this gave power to the government to make changes in the prospectus at any point of time, even on the date of publishing the rank list. Moreover, the new formula of 5:3:2 (for Maths, Physics and Chemistry, instead of the old 1:1:1) was chosen from among the five options that an expert committee proposed in order to create a level playing field. The counsel for the respondents argued that the sudden change of the prospectus that was made without disclosing any compelling public interest or data-backed justification unfairly benefited the State syllabus students, while putting those who pursued the CBSE and the ICSE syllabus at a disadvantage. The counsel further said that the earlier method of assigning equal value to all three core subjects was adopted since 2011 and that the committee had not endorsed any change of norms for KEAM 2025. The committee had instead advised that the new 5:3:2 formula be tested thoroughly before implementation. Moreover, there was no evidence to show that the older method that was being followed for the past 14 years caused injustice.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Will accept court verdict and publish revised KEAM rank-list at the earliest, says Higher Education Minister R. Bindu
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu on Thursday said the government will accept the Kerala High Court upholding the quashing of this year's the results of the State engineering and pharmacy entrance examination (KEAM) 2025 and will publish a revised rank-list at the earliest. Upholding a Single Bench's order, the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. observed that it found no ground to interfere with the Single Bench order which had directed the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations to publish the rank-list in accordance with the prospectus which had been issued in February. The Division Bench added that the government had acted beyond the recommendations that had been made by its own expert committee, on which basis the earlier prospectus was prepared. Time constraints The Minister said the government respected the verdict and would not move the Supreme Court, citing time constraints. 'We cannot jeopardise the prospects of thousands of students. The revised rank-list will be published soon, based on the normalisation formula followed in previous years,' she said. The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations has already initiated steps for the revision with an aim to completing the engineering admission process before the August 14 deadline set by All India Council for Technical Education. Refutes charges Refuting criticisms of the government mishandling the issue, Dr. Bindu asserted that the intention was to bring justice and fairness to the process. 'We realised that the existing procedure was skewed in favour of a particular section. Though the court did not question our intention, it flagged the timing of the change,' she said. The Minister also clarified that the KEAM prospectus had clearly stated that the normalisation system could be modified by the government at any stage. 'Nonetheless, we will now adhere to the earlier system. There will not be any drastic change in the scores due to this correction,' the Minister added.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Distilleries liable to pay full pay to excise officers deputed to their manufacturing units: Kerala HC
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has held that private distilleries are liable to pay full pay and additional allowances of excise officers deputed to supervise manufacturing of liquor at their distilleries as cost of establishment to the State government. The Bench led by Justice Anil K. Narendran made the observation recently while allowing the appeals filed by the State government against the ruling of a single judge's verdict that only the additional allowance and not full pay of the officers needs to be paid to the government. The single judge's order came on writ petitions filed by the private distilleries which sell their products to the the Kerala State Beverages (Manufacturing and Marketing) Corporation challenging the collection of full pay. Senior government pleader Vinitha B. submitted that under the provisions of the Abkari Act, the Kerala Distillery and Warehouse Rules 1968, Foreign Liquor (Storage in bond) Rules 1961 and Kerala Rectified Spirit Rules 1972, the State government is authorised to depute excise officials for supervising activities and the cost for deputing such officers has to be borne by the distilleries. She also pointed out that as per the licence conditions, the distilleries are bound to pay the actual cost payable to the officer deputed. Therefore, the distilleries could not take the stand that only the charge allowance would be paid under section 53(b) of part I of Kerala Service Rules. Besides, the charge allowance was actually the one payable under Section 53(b) between the State government and its employees. The court observed that payment of establishment cost is one of the license conditions for granting the privilege of manufacturing intoxicating liquor. The court noted that there are no permanent cadre posts created for the supervisory functions of distilleries. The officers are deployed by the government. Therefore, private distilleries cannot contend that they are liable to pay only the charge allowance for the additional duty of an officer deputed to supervise the distilleries.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC extends tenure of TDB Devaswom Commissioner
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday extended till May 31 the tenure of C.V. Prakash as Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The Bench led by Justice Anil K. Narendran passed the order, taking note of the fact that the process for preparing a panel of candidates for the post is in progress. C.V. Prakash, Additional Secretary, Home Department was appointed on deputation as Devaswom Commissioner till May 18 on the basis of the High Court order. The Devaswom Commissioner also doubles as member secretary, High Power Committee for Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan.
