THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 6 October 2007 — The state government has decided to issue labor identity cards (ID) to migrant laborers working in the state following reports of their pathetic living conditions and poor wages.
There are an estimated 200,000 migrant workers, mainly from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, working in mainly construction and farming sectors. The Labor Department, which recently conducted statewide raids, found widespread irregularities in the construction industry.
Another Tiger Reserve
The federal government has approved Kerala’s proposal for declaring the Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve. Minister for Environment and Forests S. Raghupathi said his ministry considered the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala as the best managed tiger reserve in the country, with the forest dwellers on its fringes actively assisting the official machinery in the conservation efforts and it would soon complete formalities on Parambikkulam sanctuary. The PTR model of participatory forest management was being replicated in all the tiger reserves in the country.
Amrita TV Sets Up Reality Center
Amrita TV, which hosts four reality shows, has set up Amrita TV Reality Center and Studio here with a built-up area of 26,500 sq. ft. The reality center will hold grooming and orientation sessions for contestants from India and abroad. “All expenses of contestants to facilitate them for experts’ grooming, shooting, stay and travel are borne by us,” the channel said in a statement.
