Latest news with #VDSatheesan
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kollam student death: Opposition leader VD Satheesan demands audit across schools in Kerala
T'puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan slammed the state govt for not ensuring the safety of children and demanded an audit of all schools after a 13-year-old student was electrocuted at Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam. "The govt and the public education department must be prepared to audit the physical conditions in the state's schools and face an investigation," Satheesan said. "The electricity line has been running over the playground at the Thevalakkara school for years. The bicycle shed is constructed underneath it. Mithun climbed onto the roof of the bicycle shed through the classroom window to retrieve footwear. There are allegations of a delay in turning off the electricity line. How did the school receive a fitness certificate with such a dangerous electricity line passing through? Was the fitness certificate given because it is a CPM-run school? Or has the school been operating all this time without a fitness certificate? The govt, the public education department and the minister have the responsibility to answer these questions," the opposition leader said. The govt should be ready for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the student's death at the school, Satheesan said, adding that legal action should be taken against those responsible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Catching Attention Among People Managing Blood Sugar bio-nutrabalance Undo "It must also be ensured that such negligence does not occur in any school in the state," he said. Satheesan said that the opposition had raised a similar demand for an audit of schools when a 10-year-old girl died from a snakebite in the classroom in Wayanad five years ago. However, the govt and the public education department were not ready to take action, he alleged. "A child lost his life due to your negligence. If children's safety cannot be ensured in schools, what is the point of having such a govt and education department?" Satheesan asked. There is severe negligence in the public education sector, in addition to the health and higher education sectors. This is the situation everywhere. There is no government here to ask or speak up, Satheesan said.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
LoP V D Satheesan seeks vigilance probe into corruption in Kerala Digital University
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan wrote a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday, urging the immediate formation of a special vigilance team to investigate serious allegations of corruption, financial fraud, and irregularities at Kerala Digital University. In the letter, Satheesan raised grave concerns over the functioning of the university, particularly pointing to the role of India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre—a private company that partnered in the graphene project, which the chief minister had publicly championed. He alleged that the company began operations only after the government order on the project was issued but received advance funds even before completing necessary official procedures. 'It is deeply shameful for the state that such blatant corruption has occurred in a project of this scale,' Satheesan wrote. He claimed that various projects meant for the university are being hijacked by private interests using shell companies floated by faculty members. 'Reports suggest that some teachers have formed more than five companies to swindle project funds and are using university-paid staff to run these firms,' he alleged. The opposition leader further stated that in addition to Rs 94.85 crore granted by the Union Ministry of Electronics, the state government has also committed significant funds to the graphene initiative. He said this makes the alleged misuse even more serious. Satheesan also flagged concerns over the misuse of infrastructure, alleging that a building leased by the university for the proposed Digital Science Park—built at a cost of crores—was being used to house employees of private firms. 'These corrupt and misguided moves are unfolding right under the Chief Minister's leadership,' he said in the letter.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan slams draft amendment on solar power
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has demanded the withdrawal of the draft amendment on renewable energy regulations related to solar power plants, warning that it could cripple solar power generation in the state. 'The draft amendment mandates a three-phase connection for installing solar panels with a capacity of 3 kilowatts and requires those producing 5 kilowatts of solar power to store 30% of it in batteries. It also includes levying a surcharge of Rs 1 per unit of electricity generated, to be paid to KSEB, and implementing net metering for those producing above 3 kilowatts. None of these conditions are acceptable." "If the amendment is enforced, all solar plants in the state will be forced to shut down,' said Satheesan. He criticised the recommendation to use batteries from two unavailable brands in the market, calling it corruption. 'This is a pro-private, anti-people decision. Both the government and the Electricity Regulatory Commission should roll back the proposal immediately,' added Satheesan.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Oppn leader alleges graft, fraud in Digital University
T'puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan wrote to the chief minister requesting immediate appointment of a special vigilance team to investigate illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala). "Private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre, which was involved in the graphene project that chief minister proudly announced, began its operations only after the official order regarding the project was issued. Despite this, advance payments were made to this fraudulent institution before completing official procedures," he alleged. Besides the Rs 94.85 crore provided by Centre's ministry of electronics and information technology, state govt also has investments in the project, he added. It is a disgrace to the state to have corruption in such a large project, he said. "You might be aware of reports regarding illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption occurring at the Digital University. Unlike other universities, chief minister himself is the pro-chancellor of this university, which operates under the IT department," he said in the letter. "The corrupt are exploiting the condition that funds necessary for the university's operations should be raised through various projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The lack of an audit since the university's inception leaves no doubt about the possibility of corruption," he alleged. "Many projects intended for the university are being implemented in the name of paper companies created by faculty members, misusing the university's resources. Reports that some faculty members have formed more than five companies to secure projects are extremely serious. These faculty members use university-paid employees for the operation of such companies," Satheesan pointed out in the letter. The building constructed at great expense for the Digital Science Park, leased by the university, has been given to private company employees for accommodation, revealing the financial interests of certain individuals, he stated.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State's higher edu sector in complete disarray: Satheesan
Kochi: Opposition leader V D Satheesan criticised the entrance commissionerate and the higher education department for acting without foresight, saying their decisions are putting the future of students at risk and pushing Kerala's higher education sector into turmoil. Satheesan told reporters on Thursday that the govt must take urgent steps to resolve the ongoing issues as students are bearing the brunt of the crisis. "There are conflicts brewing in almost every university over petty issues. Twelve out of 13 universities are functioning without VCs. SFI members, including both staff and students, who protested against the governor were assaulted. The entire higher education system is now in a state of disorder," he said. Satheesan also strongly criticised the govt over the confusion regarding KEAM results. "The high court has annulled the KEAM exam results. Would anyone with common sense amend the prospectus at the last minute?," he asked. Satheesan also levelled serious allegations of corruption in the Graphene Aurora project launched in the state for advanced graphene research. "Credible information has surfaced pointing to large-scale corruption in the Graphene Aurora project at the Digital University, where the chief minister serves as chancellor," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transforme su trading con un Broker experimentado. FP Markets Empieza ahora Undo He said the contract for the project was handed over to a company named Graphene Engineering and Innovation, formed under a joint directive of the central and state govts. "The VC reported that funds were disbursed even before the necessary procedures were completed. There was blatant misuse of land and other resources for personal gain. The company that bagged the project has links to influential individuals," he said.
