The government is withdrawing around 46,000 passports issued under the Z-series and has asked holders of such passports to get these replaced by submitting fresh applications.

The CPI (M)-led LDF Government in Kerala yesterday decided to implement the Sachar Committee report on backwardness of Muslim community, including the proposal to form a Minority Welfare Department.

A decision has been taken at the meeting presided over by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to speed up the eviction drive in Idukki. The minister directed the district collector to coordinate the working of the police, forest and revenue departments.

The 'Vision Kerala 2025, a study commissioned by the Confederation of Industries - Kerala State Council, has called for a green and sustainable development model which will ensure globally comparable living standard for the people of the state.

The Vision Kerala 2025 was released by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, at a function here.

Countering the Left attack on the UPA Government's foreign and strategic policies, Defence Minister A K Antony today said India would never be a part of any military alliance though there would be defence co-operation with several countries.

Expressing outrage over the killing of Indian construction workers in Afghanistan by suspected Taliban, India on Saturday said it would never succumb to the threats by the Islamist militia and measures would be taken to protect Indians working in that country.

The land for rehabilitating those displaced from Kadamakkudy village for the road connectivity of the proposed Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal will be readied and distributed to the beneficiaries within a month, District Collector A P M Mohammed Hanish has said.

The Indo-German bilateral naval exercise which will see participation of three German warships including an Air Defence Ship (ADS) and two Indian naval vessels will commence off the Kerala coast.

India is enrolling women for the first time in a combat role, overturning a mindset in the country's security establishment that women are no good at defending frontiers or fighting wars. The largely conservative country's 1.3-million strong army has less than 1000 women, all of them in non-combat jobs such as engineering and nursing.

The government today denied that Kerala was being discriminated against in allotment of Central funds for development of tourism on the basis of party affiliation of the state government.