The government will frame a legislation to ensure functional freedom for student organisations on campuses, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.
While replying to questions in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Balakrishnan said the government had no plans to ban campus politics. Legal protection will be given to student organisations for functioning in a free and fair manner. Anarchy prevailed on the campuses where student organisations were inactive. The government will hold talks with student organisations and political parties to elicit their views on the proposed legislation. Student organisations had not been permitted to open offices on the campuses, but college unions have their offices. Accumulation of arms will not be allowed in colleges, the Minister said.
The government had taken steps in line with the High Court verdict following violent incidents at CMS College in Kottayam. Inspector-General of Police B. Sandhya who investigated into the incident had submitted a report. Further action will be taken on the basis of the report, he said.
Duty hazard fund
The Minister said a Duty Hazards Victims Relief Fund had been proposed for policemen who sustained injuries while discharging their duty. A proposal to start a group insurance scheme for the police too would be considered. The government had taken steps to intensify vigil along the coastline to prevent terrorist strikes. The government had asked the Centre to set up 10 more coastal police stations in the State. A new coastal police station will start functioning in Fort Kochi in July and those at Kannur and Alapppuzha will become functional in three months, he said.
Vacancies reported
Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said 848 posts were lying vacant in the Forest Department. This included the posts of watchers, guards, foresters and deputy rangers. The vacancies had been reported to the Public Service Commission, he said.
