THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A project of Rs 1118 crore to develop and upgrade the Canoli canal to waterway level in Kozhikode. The cabinet approved in principle to implement the project through KIIFBY fund.

Environment and eco-friendly canal development will be implemented with special emphasis on freight transport, flood control in Kozhikode town and tourism. The width and depth of the canal will be extended to the waterway level.

Intercept sewers and treatment system will be installed to avoid pollution. Canal shores will also be beautified. Jobs will be created. The aim is to develop the Canoli canal so that Kozhikode can be addressed as canal city.

Govt’s first anniversary programmes
The first anniversary programmes of the state government will begin in the first week of April in Kannur and end in Thiruvananthapuram at the end of May. An exhibition will be organized under the aegis of the department of information and public relations at key centres. An organizing committee will be formed at the exhibition centres under the chairmanship of the minister in charge of the respective district.

The exhibition will cover the achievements of the government in one year, the history of the state reaching the highest standards in the country and the recognitions achieved. The activities of various departments will also be portrayed in a way that is relevant to the public. There will also be entertainment and commercial events.

Posts will be upgraded
It has been decided to upgrade the three Armour Police Constable posts in the Police Department to Armour Havildar posts. Permission was also granted to appoint them to the special operations group.

Photographer post in Raj Bhavan
A post of photographer will be created in the Secretariat of the Governor at the Kerala Raj Bhavan. It was decided to make permanent P Dileep Kumar, who is currently working on a contract basis, on the recommendation of the Governor.

Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Committee will be reorganized
It was decided to reorganize the advisory council under the Kerala Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act (KAPPA). Former High Court Judge Justice N Anil Kumar will be the chairman. The members are retired district judge Muhammad Waseem and advocate P N Sukumaran.

Financial aid
Assistance will be provided to the dependents of Ranjith, a contract employee who died in an accident while working on sulphur feeding at Travancore Titanium Products Limited. An amount of Rs 10 lakh will be sanctioned from the company’s fund.

Pay revision
Kerala State Industrial Enterprises has decided to implement the ninth and tenth pay revisions for its employees.

Renaming
The Public Distribution Department will be renamed as Public Distribution Consumer Affairs Department. The posts of Director General of Public Distribution and Commissioner of Public Distribution will be merged to form the Public Distribution Consumer Affairs Commissioner.

Tenure extended
Justice J B Koshy Commission, which has been appointed to submit a comprehensive report on issues related to the education, economic backwardness and welfare of the Christian minorities in the state, has decided to extend the deadline till February 23, 2023.