‘Irregularities in 12 more cooperative banks found’

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that the investigation into the irregularities in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank is in a crucial stage and that the probe revealed similar irregularities that have taken place in 12 other cooperative banks in the State.

The ED said it was noticed during the investigation that the activities of the bank were in violation of the provisions of the Kerala Cooperative Society Act. The statements of various persons were being recorded and the same had revealed the involvement of political leaders.

The ED pointed out that the Registrar of Cooperative Society was aware of the scam. Prima facie involvement of the Registrar needs to be examined.

The probe revealed similar irregularities in 12 cooperative banks. They are — Ayanthole Service Cooperative Bank, Thumboor Service Cooperative Bank, Nadakkal Service Cooperative Bank, Mavelikara Service Cooperative Bank, Moonilavu Service Cooperative Bank, Kandala Service Cooperative Bank, Perunkavilla Service Cooperative Bank, Mylapra Service Cooperative Bank, Chathannoor Service Cooperative Bank, BSNL Engineers Cooperative Bank, Konni Regional Service Cooperative Bank, and Marayamuttom Service Cooperative Bank.

DRainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday

Forecast for Saturday: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning/ hail/gusty winds likely at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha

CITIES

TEMPERATURE DATA: IMD, POLLUTION DATA: CPCB, MAP: INSAT/IMD (TAKEN AT 18.00 HRS)

SO

Poor

NOModerate

Good (Readings indicate average AQI)

SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Shortterm exposure can harm the respiratory system, making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues and monuments.

NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters.

CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death.

PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature death in people with heart or lung disease