The Hindu Business Line : Expose land grabs by mafia, Achuthanandan tells media

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13 The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has asked the media industry to expose the land grab deals contrived by real estate mafia in the guise of setting up land banks in the State.

Inaugurating the 45th State conference of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) here on Monday, the Chief Minister said that there was a common thread that ran through corrupt officialdom, hawala deals and the real estate price bubble.

The entrenched real-estate mafia is, in this manner, engaged in big-time laundering of black or ill-gotten money. The media should seek to expose the mafia for what it is, Mr Achuthanandan said.

The KUWJ, which is the only fraternal organisation of journalists in the State, had been in the forefront fighting for the legitimate rights of the journalists.

‘Vested interests’

When a group of nouveau-riche persons took over the oldest Malayalam daily, a number of employees were rendered jobless. The Chief Minister recalled that KUWJ had taken up their cause with aplomb.

The Chief Minister cautioned journalists that vested interests would go to any extent to stymie their pursuits aimed at exposing corruption.

Media persons could even be physically targeted, but they should face the threat with determination.

Mr Achuthanandan said the State Government proposed to implement a comprehensive welfare scheme for journalists and non-journalists in the State.

The Government is awaiting the report of an expert committee, specifically appointed for the purpose, before launching the Media Workers Welfare Scheme during the course of the year. Mr Achuthanandan sought the cooperation of newspaper managements for the success of the scheme.

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Expose land grabs by mafia, Achuthanandan tells media