• July 1, 2021

Kerala News: Covid-19 funeral protocol updated: Anil Kant appointed new DGP: OTT platform for Malayalam films

By A Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM July 1: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a change in the funeral protocol for Covid victims, with relatives now being permitted to see the body and perform limited religious rites, all within an hour.

“Family members and relatives are unable to pay their last respects to those who died of COVID-19. This is adding to emotional distress. To address it, the bodies of those who died of COVID-19 will be allowed to be taken home. The body can be kept for up to one hour,” he said.

He also informed that the banks have been directed to halt the revenue recovery proceedings of Covid victims who have defaulted on bank loans.

Meanwhile, Kerala has extended the lockdown restrictions in the state for one more week. The new restrictions would come into effect from Thursday, July 1, Mr Vijayan said.

Anil Kant appointed as new DGP of Kerala

Anil Kant, a 1988 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Director-General of Police (DGP) of Kerala. He will replace outgoing Kerala police chief Lokanath Behera.

Vigilance Director Sudesh Kumar and Fire and Rescue Services Director B Sandhya were also in the race for the prime post. However, the cabinet chose Anil Kant, who has seven more months of service.

A 1988 batch officer, Kant is presently serving as the Road Safety Commissioner in the state.

Kant had begun his police career in the Kerala cadre as an assistant superintendent in northern Wayanad district. He later served in Thiruvananthapuram rural and Railway in the same position.

Before being appointed as the Road Safety Commissioner, he also served as Assistant Director of the Intelligence Bureau in Delhi and Shillong.

Kerala to float OTT platform for Malayalam films

New Kerala Minister for Cinema and Culture, Saji Cherian said that he plans to make large scale changes in the way the Malayalam film industry.

“The state will float a new OTT platform for release of our Malayalam films. While the mega star acted films might not require this facility in the beginning, the ordinary films made by our people will need this and we will come out with such an OTT platform,” said Cherian.

He also pointed out that the state-run Chithranjali studio in the heart of the city will be revamped to make it as a destination for shooting of South Indian films.

With regard to the Malayalam TV serials being aired on the TV channels here, he said it would be in the interest of all if the standard of serials is raised and for that he will speak to the various channel heads.

According to industry sources close to 100 films are ready for release, but are unable to be released and around Rs 800 crore is currently blocked because of this.