Major changes in higher education sector soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has plans to introduce major changes in the higher education sector once this year’s admissions are over, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said. Talking to reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Chandy said that Kerala had not been able to go beyond the measures taken by the then Chief Minister A K Antony a decade ago in this crucial sector. No uncertainty will prevail in this year’s admissions, Chandy said, adding that talks were progressing with the management associations. “Decisions have almost been finalised and agreements have to be signed,” he said.Scooters for the HandicappedThe Cabinet has decided to provide all handicapped persons in the state who can drive  a motorised three-wheeler (tri-scooter) with one, the Chief Minister said. The Public Service Commission has also been asked to ensure appointments to the handicapped in 1,188 vacancies within six months. Government offices would also be made disabled-friendly, the Chief Minister said.Fair Value of LandA committee of Ministers K M Mani, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, P K Kunhalikutty, Aryadan Mohammed, K B Ganesh Kumar and M K Muneer will study problems in the determination of fair value of land. The committee will submit its report within a month.Mass Contact ProgrammeAfter reviewing complaints filed at Chandy’s mass contact programme, the Cabinet has proposed amendments to certain schemes and programmes. This include CM’s distress relief fund, APL-BPL ration card norms, procedures for getting birth and death certificates and nativity certificate and norms for organ donation.Medical Collegeat HarippadThe proposed medical college at Harippad would be set up in a public-private-partnership model on NTPC land, the Chief Minister said.Fire StationMoolamattam, home to the power house of the 780 MW Idukki power project, will get a new fire station.C Achutha MenonCentenaryThe Cabinet sanctioned `5 lakh for the centenary celebrations of former Chief Minister C Achutha Menon. The request had been made by the CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan who passed away recently.