Kerala govt announces job for athlete Vineeth, Chithra given Rs 10k scholarship

Thiruvananthapuram: The State Cabinet on Wednesday announced monthly scholarship of Rs 10,000 to athlete P.U. Chithra and government job to ace footballer C.K. Vineeth.

Apart from scholarship, Chithra would also be given daily allowance of Rs 500 to meet her training and food expenses. The money will be provided through Kerala Sports Council. She was included in the APJ Abdul Kalam Schol-arship scheme. Chithra won gold medal in women’s 1,500 metres at the Asian Athletics Cha-mpionship in Bhub-aneswar in July. How-ever, she was excluded from the Indian squad for the world championships which begins in London on August 4.

The employment to footballer C.K. Vineeth will be to a post equivalent to that of Secretariat Assistant. The government decision comes in the wake of AGs office decision in March to terminate his services due to shortage of attendance. Vineeth was working as auditor at the Principal Accountant General’s Office here.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vinayan had appealed to the Centre to reinstate Vineeth. However, the AGs office and Union sports minister did not accept the plea. Later, the state government decided to provide him employment.

Cabinet decided to extend the validity period of all caste certificates being issued by Revenue Authorities to three years. A new department will be created for the welfare of ex-servicemen.

Cabinet also decided to amend Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code to impose an interest of 12 per cent on those who defy court orders providing alimony to divorcees.