Latest news with #KeralaMunicipalityAct
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Decide on resuming Siri Jagan committee set up to process dog bite compensation cases: Kerala HC to govt
Kochi: High court on Monday insisted that the state govt decide on the resumption of the Justice S Siri Jagan Committee, which was constituted to process compensation claims from victims of stray dog attacks. The bench of Justice C S Dias was considering multiple petitions related to the stray dog menace in Kerala. HC noted that around 9,000 applications for compensation are currently pending before the committee and observed that the govt cannot remain inactive on the issue. If the govt fails to take a decision, the court said it would appoint someone to continue the task and indicated it may ask Justice Siri Jagan to carry on until a decision is made. One of the petitioners, Keerthana Sarin, was attacked by stray dogs on May 30 while returning home from Nedumangad town in Thiruvananthapuram. She highlighted the hazardous conditions faced by residents due to the stray dog threat. In a related matter, the secretary of the Ranni-Perunadu grama panchayat challenged an order directing the panchayat to pay compensation to a victim of a stray dog attack. The court observed that since the state has informed, in another case, that it is considering declaring stray dog attacks a state disaster, the question of panchayats paying compensation may not arise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Once such a declaration is made, the compensation would fall under the disaster management fund, making the authorities duty-bound to pay it, the court said. The matter was adjourned to July 21. In another petition filed by T N Manoj Kumar of Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, HC directed the Kochi corporation to ensure that T G Sunil Kumar does not shelter stray dogs in his residence without a valid license under Section 437 of the Kerala Municipality Act. The court noted that 60 stray dogs were being housed there without proper permission. This matter was adjourned to July 28.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
SHRC orders urgent action on violations at apartment
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed immediate steps to address the flaws detected by multiple government agencies at the PTC Western Ghats Apartment complex near Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta. In an order, commission member V. Geetha has directed the municipal secretary of Pathanamthitta to ensure that the builder, PTC Builders, rectifies the defects listed in the report within 10 days. Failing this, legal action must be initiated within 15 days under the relevant provisions. The order noted that the building lacks a functioning liquid waste treatment system and a sanitary waste disposal mechanism. The Pollution Control Board's operational permit expired in May 2021 and several provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act have been violated. The commission also ordered that all three elevators be made fully operational for emergency use, warning of action by the District Fire Officer if neglected. Authorities have been asked to clarify whether an occupancy certificate was issued despite objections from the Pollution Control Board, Health Inspector and Fire department. The builder , meanwhile, has been directed to form a residents' association within 30 days and maintain all shared amenities until then. The complainants have been advised to approach the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority for compensation if promised facilities remain undelivered.
New Indian Express
22-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Old tea godown threatens Fort Kochi boat jetty; SWTD seeks its demolition
KOCHI: An old godown building, in dilapidated condition, is threatening the Fort Kochi customs boat jetty, which is relied on by hundreds of commuters and tourists. In fact, a portion of the large building has already caved in, damaging the ceiling of the walkway of the boat jetty, which was reopened to the public just a couple of months ago following a `80-lakh renovation. The 'Imperial' building, owned by a Willingdon Island-based export company engaged in tea packaging, used to exhibit artwork during the Kochi Biennale. But now, it's mostly employed as a godown. Constructed using stones and mud bricks, it has the height of a two-storey building. With the structure threatening to cave in at any time, the state water transport department (SWTD) and the Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) has written to Kochi corporation, demanding that the building be demolished. 'A portion of the building caved in last week, damaging the roof of the jetty, which was aesthetically renovated using a false ceiling and illuminating lights. We suffered a damage of Rs 20,000. We've also taken up the issue with the Disaster Management Authority,' a senior SWTD official said. The portion of the walkway facing the godown building is restricted for commuters to ensure their safety. As a result, the walkway connecting the jetty with the road remains crowded during rush hour. Meanwhile, ward councillor and health standing committee chairperson T K Ashraf has also filed a complaint, demanding the immediate demolition of the 'dangerous' building, following which the corporation assistant executive engineer served a notice to the owner, A V Agencies. The notice threatened action under the Kerala Municipality Act if the owner fails to act. 'Firm to bear expense' Meanwhile, Kalvatty ward member Ashraf said he held talks with representatives of the company, which owns the building, and the latter agreed to demolish the portion posing a danger to the boat jetty. 'The company agreed to bear the expense for levelling the section, which will probably start tomorrow itself. Demolition experts visited the site today. A fire force team also examined the building and agreed to assist the process. The continuous rain has worsened the situation. We've initiated action on a war footing,' he told TNIE. 'A portion caved in last week, and no measure has been taken yet to ensure the safety of commuters. We demand that authorities demolish the building at the earliest,' said M M Abbas, president of the West Kochi Passengers Association.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Railway inquiry committee inspects closed-down catering firm in Kochi
A three-member inquiry committee constituted by the Southern Railway on Saturday inspected a catering firm at Elamkulam, Kochi, Kerala, that served food on trains operated by the Southern Railway and was sealed by the health wing of the Kochi Corporation following the seizure of large quantities of stale food and the discovery of the unhygienic state of its kitchen. The high-level committee comprising the Divisional Commercial Manager, Thiruvananthapuram; the Health Officer, Thiruvananthapuram; and the Area Manager of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was constituted on Wednesday when the firm was sealed. The committee's visit for evidence collection was kept under wraps. The firm, Brandavan Food Products, has a presence across the country and serves food on trains of various zonal railways directly and also on trains catered to by IRCTC. The unit in Kochi reportedly served food directly for five sets of trains under the Southern Railway and another three sets of trains through the IRCTC. The committee, it is learnt, will not just restrict itself to the instant case in Kochi but will look at the larger issues related to the food supply on trains and make recommendations. At its preliminary meeting, the committee had decided to slap a fine of ₹1 lakh on the unit and asked the IRCTC to take stern action. The committee will look into the quality of food being served on trains and recommend corrective measures, wherever necessary, sources said. The catering unit will have to comply with all requirements before resuming operations, according to sources. 'Initially, they will have to secure a no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board and then apply for licences from the Corporation and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The unit will have to ensure necessary waste disposal and management facilities, clean drinking water and health cards for its kitchen workers. The unit didn't have the Corporation licence. It had a registration from the FSSAI, but its scale of operation warranted a licence from the authority,' said Corporation sources. The firm has been under the Corporation Health wing's scanner for a few months following complaints from people and has been served multiple notices. The health wing on Thursday submitted a report to the Corporation Secretary on the action taken against the unit. The action was taken under the Kerala Municipality Act Section 447 (licensing for the use of places within the municipal area for various purposes) and 340A (prohibited waste disposal). The stale food seized from the unit was sent to Brahmapuram for disposal.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Closure of IRCTC contractor's kitchen: railway panel to look into larger issues
A three-member inquiry committee constituted by the Southern Railway to probe into the closure of a kitchen run by a catering contractor of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at Elamkulam here will not limit the investigation to the present case, but will look at the larger issues and make recommendations. A high-level committee comprising Divisional Commercial Manager, Thiruvananthapuram; Health Officer, Thiruvananthapuram; and Area Manager, IRCTC; was constituted on the day the Health wing of the Kochi Corporation sealed the catering unit, Brindavan Food Products, following the seizure of large quantities of stale food and discovering the unhygienic state of its kitchen. The decision to slap a fine of ₹1 lakh on the unit was taken at the preliminary meeting of the committee, which also asked the IRCTC to take stern action. The committee will look into the quality of food being served on trains and recommend corrective measures, wherever necessary, sources said. Inspection on Saturday The Kochi city Corporation has been informed of the proposed visit of the committee to inspect the catering unit on Saturday. The catering unit will have to comply with all requirements before resuming operations, according to sources. 'Initially, they will have to secure a no objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board and then apply for licences from the Corporation and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The unit will have to ensure necessary waste disposal and management facilities, clean drinking water and health cards for its kitchen workers. The unit didn't have the Corporation licence. It had a registration from the FSSAI, but its scale of operation warranted a licence from the authority,' said Corporation sources. Multiple notices The firm has been under the Corporation Health wing's scanner for a few months following complaints from people and has been served multiple notices. The Health wing on Thursday submitted a report to the Corporation Secretary on the action taken against the unit. The action was taken under the Kerala Municipality Act Section 447 (licensing for the use of places within the municipal area for various purposes) and 340A (prohibited waste disposal). The stale food seized from the unit was sent to Brahmapuram for disposal.
