The Hindu Business Line : Kerala panel to probe HMT land deal

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan. 30 The Kerala Cabinet has decided to constitute a high-level committee to look into the allegations levelled against the sale of land by public sector HMT to a Mumbai-based company for setting up a ‘cyber city’.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 4,000 crore, is proposed to be established by Bluestar Realtors, which has bought 70 acres of land from HMT for the purpose.

Panel members

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the committee would be headed by the Chief Secretary, Mr P.J. Thomas, and would comprise Secretaries of Revenue, Industry, Registration, IT and Law departments. It would submit its report within a week, he said.

Transport bonds

The Cabinet also decided to issue ‘transport bonds’ worth Rs 160 crore to settle the liabilities of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

The Chief Minister said that KSRTC would introduce 1,000 new buses every year as part of the efforts to make the corporation profitable. This was one of the recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee that was entrusted to find ways to rejuvenate the corporation.

Besides, the corporation will establish shopping complexes of international standard at 30 main centres in the State. This is aimed at increasing other revenues of the corporation apart from the revenue from the passenger tickets.

Kannur airport

It was also decided to acquire an additional 200 acres as part of the land acquisition for the proposed Kannur airport, which will be spread over 2,000 acres.

Out of the additional land, 150 acres will be set aside for the rehabilitation of the families.

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