Cabinet nod to fast-track International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium project in Keralam

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The Cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday (November 4) decided to expedite steps to realise the State government’s ambitious International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium project. The Cabinet approved the draft Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA) of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed for the purpose. Initially, the entity will be established as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, with its financial model to be finalised in the second phase.

The project envisages the development of a state-of-the-art oceanarium, billed as the most advanced in the country, which is expected to give a major boost to the State’s tourism sector. It will also include an international-standard maritime museum showcasing Keralam’s rich maritime history, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has said.

As part of efforts to address the shortage of staff in the Health department, the Cabinet has decided to create 28 new posts, including 12 dental hygienist (grade II) and 16 cath lab technician (grade II) positions. Despite the prevailing financial constraints, the posts were sanctioned considering the difficulties faced by several hospitals in conducting operations due to the shortage of cath lab technicians, Mr. Satheesan said.

The Cabinet also decided to create supernumerary posts to retain six employees recruited through the Public Service Commission (PSC), whose jobs were at risk following the cancellation of their irregular promotions. Five of the beneficiaries are from Kozhikode district and one from Ernakulam. The issue arose after a court ordered the cancellation of promotions granted to PSC-recruited typists to the post of clerk through category change. The employees were consequently reverted to their original posts, putting their continued service at risk, he said.

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