Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 (IANS): With 2020 coming to a close, it can be said that the southern state of Kerala had its fair share of ups and downs in the current year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. From being feted for flattening the coronavirus curve to getting brickbats for the surge in cases, and several scams rolling out, Kerala saw it all in 2020.
Kerala's tryst with Covid-19
Kerala was the first state in the country where a person was diagnosed with Covid-19. It was on January 30, 2020, a student who came to the state from Wuhan in China was diagnosed with the disease. The state government announced that all those who had reached the state from China after January 15 were to undergo 14-day quarantine. This was news for the state.
The Sprinklr controversy
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala came out with a major allegation that the state government had entered into a contract for data sharing with a Sprinklr, a US based technology company, and that the data of 1.75 lakh quarantined people of the state was being transferred to a US company without any proper tender process or security process. This turned into a major controversy and this was the first instance wherein M.Shivashankar IAS, then Principal secretary to the Chief Minister came under the public scanner.
The beginning of migrants return to their homes
A special train service was put into service for migrant labourers of the state. A total of 1,200 labourers of Odisha were sent home by the first special train service from Aluva to Bhubaneshwar.
The return of non-resident Keralites
The maiden flight ferrying non-resident Keralites touched down in the state on May 7. Two flights, one from Abu Dhabi to Kochi and the other from Dubai to Kozhikode were put into service thus bringing relief to thousands of non-resident Keralites who were anxious on whether flights would be resumed or not.
Inhumanity shocks the nation
The death of a pregnant elephant after its jaw was broken having eaten explosive-laden pineapple was an eyesore. Former Union environmental minister and animal activist Maneka Gandhi had charged people of Malappuram for the cruelty. The elephant was found dead on June 6 at Mannarkkad which is in Palakkad district of Kerala.
Gold smuggling case unfolds
Thirty kg of 24 carat gold worth Rs 14.82 crore was seized by the Central board of Indirect taxes and Customs at Thiruvananthapuram airport from a diplomatic bag on July 5. This bag was to be delivered to the UAE consulate. M.Shivashankar, the powerful Principal secretary of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was suspended from service and later arrested for having had direct links with the accused Swapna Suresh, P.S. Sarith and Sandeep Nair.
CM Pinarayi feels the heat of gold smuggling case
M.Shivashankar, Former Principal secretary of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was arrested on October 28 in gold smuggling and money laundering cases.
Fissures in UDF appear
In October, bidding goodbye to the Congress and UDF after 28 years of alliance, Jose K. Mani MP and his Kerala Congress(Mani) joined the CPI(M)-led LDF, putting an end to months long discussions and confabulations.
Two Muslim League leaders held
Muslim League leader and former Minister V.K. Ibrahim Kunju MLA was arrested in the case related to the Palarivattom flyover corruption. Another Muslim League leader and Manjeswaram MLA, M.C. Kamaruddhin was also arrested and jailed in the case related to a gold deposit scheme scandal. A total of 77 criminal cases were foisted against the Muslim League leader.
Ruling Left wins local body polls
Amid the scams, the ruling Left front gained in the three tier elections in the local body polls in December. The LDF won five out of the six corporations and most of the District Panchayats. It also has an upper hand in the Municipal and Gram Panchayat elections.
Sister Abhaya case verdict wait comes to an end
The verdict in the death of Sister Abhaya, a nun who was found dead in a well in the hostel of Pious Tenth Convent was a landmark judgement that came in December. After 28 years Sister Abhaya got justice and the relentless campaign undertaken by Chairman, Abhaya Action Council, Joemon Puthenpurackal was highly appreciated.