KL This Week: Assembly Resolution Demands Amendment to Wildlife Protection Act

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the important developments from Kerala during the week including the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) completing the seat-sharing agreement for the general elections, the state becoming renewable energy rich by generating 1,000 MW from wind and solar sources, ‘Ormathoni’, a programme to extend support to elderly people suffering from Dementia, hartal observed in Idukki district after the death of two people in elephant attacks, and the massive cracker unit accident in Tripunithura which killed one person and damaged around 25 houses. 

LDF COMPLETES SEAT SHARING PROCESS

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M), will content in 15 Lok Sabha constituencies, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) will contest from four constituencies and Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)] will contest from Kottayam Lok Sabha segment as per the agreement between the parties. The KC(M) has announced the candidature of Thomas Chazhikadan who is the incumbent member representing Kottayam.

The CPI(M) will contest from Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Vatakara, Malappuram, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alathur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Attingal segments.  The CPI will fight from Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad, and Mavelikkara (SC) constituencies. 

The CPI(M) district committees are expected to meet on February 20 and 21 to complete the candidate selection process. The state secretariat of the party met on February 16 to finish the discussions over finalising the candidates in the 15 segments. 

STATE BECOMES RENEWABLE ENERGY RICH

Kerala is now a state with rich renewable energy (RE), by generating 1,000 MW from solar and wind energy sources. The list of RE rich states include Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. The state is aiming to become fully green powered by 2040. This will also enable the state government to purchase electricity from the national pool at a relatively lower price to meet its increasing power needs. 

The state has also added around 250 MW of electricity generation through minor hydroelectric projects after 2019, besides increasing generation capital through solar and wind sources. 

ORMATHONI LAUNCHED IN 91 LOCAL BODIES

Ormathoni, the program to extend support to elderly people suffering from Dementia/Alzhemiers was launched on February 15 by the Department of Social Welfare in 91 local bodies across the state. Dr Bindu, the minister for higher education and social justice, announced that the state would become dementia-friendly through the Kerala Social Security Mission to provide care to the needy. 

The Department of Health, along with Directorate of Medical Education and Kerala University of Health Sciences will provide training to doctors, ASHA workers, and caregivers, with scientific study material. ‘Memory Clinics’ will be set up 91 Vayomithram Units in local self governments, while the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat and Olukkata block panchayat in Thrissur district have expressed interest in setting up day care centres for senior citizens affected by Dementia/Alzheimer's. 

TWO KILLED IN ELEPHANT ATTACK: HARTAL IN IDUKKI

The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking the Union government to amend the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 with number of human-animal conflicts increasing in recent months. The resolution was adopted in February 14 after the death of man in Idukki district due to an elephant attack. One more person has died of injuries. 

The government of Kerala is demanding that the Union government amend section 11 (1) (a) of the Act to provide power to the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) to hunt or kill animals which are dangerous to human life or disabled or diseased beyond recovery instead of the power now vested with Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW). 

After the two recent deaths, a hartal was observed in Idukki district on February 17 by the ruling and opposition fronts urging the Union government to amend the act. Meanwhile, the Forest Department continues its hunt for ‘Belur Magna’, identified as the elephant behind the attacks. 

CRACKER ACCIDENT KILLS ONE

A major fire cracker storage unit accident in Tripunithura in Ernakulam district led to the death of one worker, while more than 25 houses have been damaged.  The storage unit, functioning from a house in thickly populated area was reportedly functioning without valid licence. 

The driver, Vishnu (age 27) who transported the crackers to the unit from Palakkad died of burn injuries while three people suffered severe burns. The blast took place when the workers were unloading the crackers. Around 25 houses and two vehicles were also damaged during the accident.