News Roundup - Feb 11

# Politics * **Assembly Debates Drug Abuse:** The Kerala Assembly held a heated discussion on the state’s growing substance abuse crisis, with the ruling government and the Opposition trading barbs over enforcement efforts. Opposition leaders accused the government of failing to curb the drug menace, while the ruling front defended its actions as adequate​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-assembly-debates-substance-abuse-crisis-as-government-opposition-clash-over-enforcement-efforts/article69207280.ece#:~:text=Kerala%20Assembly%20debates%20substance%20abuse,11%2C%202025%2008%3A06%20pm). * **Private Universities Bill Cleared:** The CPI(M)-led Kerala Cabinet approved a draft bill to allow private universities in the state, marking a reversal of its earlier stance. The proposed law includes provisions like reserving 40% of seats for Kerala students, as the government opens the door for privately-run universities under regulated conditions​[newkerala.com](https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/move-kerala-cpi-m-greenlight-private-universities-hailed-188#:~:text=Key%20Points.%201.%20CPI,Reversal%20of). * **Supreme Court on Kerala’s Finances:** The Supreme Court urged the central government to consider granting a one-time special financial package to Kerala to help the state through its severe fiscal crisis. On Tuesday, the apex court suggested the Centre be “slightly liberal” and provide a one-time bailout to rescue Kerala from its mounting debt burden​[deccanherald.com](https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/financial-crisis-supreme-court-suggests-centre-to-consider-giving-special-package-to-kerala-2933092#:~:text=Financial%20crisis%3A%20Supreme%20Court%20asks,the%20state%20from%20its). # Economy & Business * **Rural Job Scheme Participation Drops:** The state government will investigate a sharp decline in worker participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Kerala. The Labour Minister announced a study to find out why far fewer rural workers are enrolling in the job guarantee program, amid concerns about reduced uptake of the scheme​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/govt-to-study-decline-in-mgnregs-participation-in-kerala-minister/article69207782.ece#:~:text=Govt,National%20Rural%20Employment%20Guarantee). * **Wealth Firm Expands to Kochi:** Scripbox, a digital wealth management company, has forayed into the Kerala market by opening a new office in Kochi. The firm’s entry into Kerala is seen as part of a broader expansion strategy and reflects growing investor interest in the state​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/business/wealth-management-firm-scripbox-forays-into-kerala/article69206080.ece#:~:text=Wealth%20management%20firm%20Scripbox%20forays,opening%20an%20office%20in%20Kochi). * **Startup Makes Forbes List:** A Kerala-based agritech startup founder, 28-year-old Devan Chandrashekaran, was featured in the Forbes India “30 Under 30” list for 2025. His inclusion in the prestigious list highlights the rising profile of Kerala’s startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial talent​[newindianexpress.com](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2025/Feb/11/kerala-startup-sparkles-on-forbes-india-list#:~:text=Kerala%20startup%20sparkles%20on%20Forbes,old%20founder). # Culture & Entertainment * **Backlash Over Comedy Skit:** Malayalis took to social media to roast comedian Jaspreet Singh for mocking Kerala’s 100% literacy rate and youth voter turnout on the show *“India’s Got Latent.”* His sarcastic “Kerala saar… 100% literacy saar” jibe didn’t sit well with Keralites, who flooded Twitter with sharp critiques of the offensive joke​[instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/time_being_/reel/DF3Ls9fTSmW/#:~:text=,flooding%20Twitter%20with%20sharp). (Singh later issued an apology after the online fury.) * **Malayalam Actor Passes Away:** Veteran Malayalam actor Ajith Vijayan passed away at the age of 57 in Kochi. He was remembered for notable supporting roles in films like *5 Sundarikal* and *Bangalore Days*, and the film fraternity in Kerala mourned the loss of the talented character artist​[newskarnataka.com](https://newskarnataka.com/entertainment/malayalam-actor-ajith-vijayan-passes-away-at-57-remembered-for-his-iconic-roles/11022025/#:~:text=Malayalam%20Actor%20Ajith%20Vijayan%20Passes,in%20Kochi%20at%20the). # Sports * **ISL Stalemate in Kochi:** In the Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters FC held NorthEast United FC to a 0–0 draw at home in Kochi, despite the Blasters being reduced to 10 men during the match. The hard-fought draw earned Kerala Blasters a vital point as they continue their push in the mid-table of the ISL 2024–25 season​[mid-day.com](https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/isl-10-men-kerala-blasters-hold-off-northeast-united-for-goalless-draw-23467499#:~:text=ISL%3A%2010,25%20on). * **Ranji Trophy Clash:** In domestic cricket, Jammu & Kashmir set Kerala a daunting target of 399 runs in their Ranji Trophy match after J&K’s Paras Dogra hit a century. By stumps on Day 3, Kerala’s batsmen – including skipper Sachin Baby – had an uphill task, needing 299 more runs on the final day to secure an outright win​[timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ranji-trophy-paras-dogra-ton-helps-jk-set-399-target-for-kerala/articleshow/118148434.cms#:~:text=Ranji%20Trophy%3A%20Paras%20Dogra%20ton,the%20final%20day%20to%20win). # Weather & Environment * **Elephant Attacks Spur Protests:** Kerala witnessed three tragic deaths in separate wild elephant attacks, triggering protests in the affected areas. The spike in fatal human–elephant encounters has alarmed locals, who are demanding stronger measures from authorities to manage wildlife and prevent further man-animal conflicts​[deccanherald.com](https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/human-animal-conflict-kerala-sees-three-deaths-in-wild-elephant-attack-in-kerala-3400016#:~:text=,The%20incidents%20have%20further). * **Climate Alarms Ringing:** Data confirmed that 2024 was Kerala’s warmest year on record, sounding the alarm on climate change’s impact in the state. Environmental experts and officials are urging the youth to lead green initiatives, as Kerala braces for the possibility of an even hotter 2025 and the need for stronger climate action​[leverageedu.com](https://leverageedu.com/discover/school-education/school-assembly-news-headlines-11-february/#:~:text=School%20Assembly%20News%20Headlines%3A%2011,Kerala%20recorded%20its%20hottest). # Crime & Legal Affairs * **Actor Acquitted in Drug Case:** A special court in Ernakulam on Tuesday acquitted Malayalam film actor Shine Tom Chacko and six others in a high-profile 2015 cocaine possession case. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges, giving the actor a clean chit after a years-long legal battle over the narcotics allegations​[daijiworld.com](https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1270878#:~:text=Popular%20Malayalam%20actor%20Shine%20Tom,a%202015%20drug%20case%2C). * **Serial Marriage Fraudster Held:** Kerala Police arrested a man accused of being a serial wife cheater who had married multiple women under false identities. The arrest came after his fourth wife filed a rape complaint upon discovering—via a Facebook post by his second wife—that he had duped and wed at least four women simultaneously​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/marriage-fraudster-in-kerala-arrested-for-rape-after-wife-uncovers-deception-through-facebook-friend/article69206286.ece#:~:text=Marriage%20fraudster%20in%20Kerala%20arrested,by%20second%20wife%20on%20Facebook). * **₹500-Crore Ponzi Scheme Busted:** A massive scam was exposed involving a Kerala man, Ananthu Krishnan, who ran a “half-price” ponzi scheme promising scooters and appliances at huge discounts under a fake CSR initiative. The fraud duped around 40,000 people in the state and swindled approximately ₹500 crore, until the scheme collapsed and authorities launched an investigation​[economictimes.indiatimes.com](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/kerala#:~:text=Latest%20News%20%26%20Videos%2C%20Photos,11%20Feb%2C%202025). # Healthcare & Education * **Trans Man Fights ART Law:** A 28-year-old transgender man moved the Kerala High Court, challenging provisions of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act that bar him from availing fertility services. He argues that the law – which restricts IVF and related procedures to certain categories – violates his reproductive rights and prevents him and his partner from having a biological child​[thenewsminute.com](https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/art-act-violates-reproductive-rights-trans-man-moves-kerala-hc#:~:text=ART%20Act%20violates%20reproductive%20rights%3A,and%20its%20exclusion%20of). * **Cancer Care Grid on the Way:** Kerala’s Health Department announced that a statewide “Cancer Care Grid” will become operational soon. Under this initiative, individuals identified as having a high risk of developing cancer will be tracked and provided expert treatment and screening, linking local hospitals with regional cancer centers to ensure timely care​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cancer-care-grid-to-be-operational-soon/article69207760.ece#:~:text=Individuals%20identified%20as%20having%20a,11%2C%202025%2009%3A25%20pm%20IST). * **School Closure Averted:** The Supreme Court stepped in to protect a 26-year-old Kendriya Vidyalaya (central school) in Kerala that was facing closure over a legal dispute. On Tuesday, the apex court stayed a Kerala High Court order related to admissions, effectively ensuring the Alappuzha-based school — which was under threat — can continue operating for now​[thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-saves-kerala-kendriya-vidyalaya-school-from-closure/article69206551.ece#:~:text=Supreme%20Court%20takes%20Kerala%20school,threatened%20with%20closure%20in). # Technology & Infrastructure * **Aadhaar Link for Vehicles:** From March 1, vehicle owners in Kerala must link an Aadhaar-registered mobile number to their vehicle registration certificate. The state government’s new mandate aims to streamline transport services, making the Aadhaar-linked mobile number compulsory for all vehicle registrations to improve verification and communication​[hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-news-live-breaking-updates-on-politics-economy-crime-today-february-11-2025-101739216284228.html#:~:text=,Kerala%20government%20has%20made). * **Power Banking Approved:** Kerala’s electricity regulator has approved new “power banking” agreements for the state power utility (KSEB). The initiative allows Kerala to bank its surplus electricity with other states or power grids and retrieve it later during peak demand periods, an arrangement expected to help optimize power supply and prevent shortages​[mercomindia.com](https://www.mercomindia.com/kerala-regulator-approves-ksebs-power-banking-agreements#:~:text=Kerala%20Regulator%20Approves%20KSEB%27s%20Power,February). **Sources:** The information above is compiled from credible news outlets and official reports, including *The Hindu*, *Hindustan Times*, *The New Indian Express*, *Times of India*, *The News Minute*, and others​ [thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-assembly-debates-substance-abuse-crisis-as-government-opposition-clash-over-enforcement-efforts/article69207280.ece#:~:text=Kerala%20Assembly%20debates%20substance%20abuse,11%2C%202025%2008%3A06%20pm) ​[hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-news-live-breaking-updates-on-politics-economy-crime-today-february-11-2025-101739216284228.html#:~:text=,Kerala%20government%20has%20made) Each event is backed by the cited source for verification.