The CPI-M led Opposition today staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly to protest the Government’s decision to go ahead with the Aranmula Green Field Private International Airport and warned they would do everything possible to stall the progress of the project.
Replying to a notice for an adjournment on the issue, moved by LDF, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the Government was of the view that the airport in Pathanamthitta district should come as part of improving infrastructure facilities in the State.
Chandy criticised the LDF for opposing the project now after according it all the necessary sanctions when they were in power in 2011. He also justified the Government resolve to have 10 per cent stake in the project.
Seeking leave for an adjournment, former Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratanakaran said the previous LDF Government only accorded “sanction in principle” for the project with condition that the promoters, Chennai-based KGS Group, would adhere to legal formalities.
However, now the promoters have violated various State laws and the UDF Government has given “sanctity to illegal activities” of the project with its decision to have 10 per cent stake.
Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan brought to the notice the wide protest the project had triggered among the local people and also resistance expressed by senior Congress leader V. M. Sudheeran and well-known poet Sugathakumari.
“In the changed circumstances, I appeal to the Government to reconsider its decision to go ahead with the project,” he said adding ‘it has become a practice for the UDF Government to accuse the previous LDF Government to shield its mistakes’
The Rs 3,000-crore airport project had run into trouble with environment activists coming out against it, holding that it would adversely affect the ecology of Aranmula.
They also alleged that a large stretch of paddy fields and water sources would be converted for purposes of the airport in violation of existing rules and causing environmental damage.
They also questioned the need for a fifth airport in a small State such as Kerala. Besides, Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumbassery and Kozhikode airports, work on the Kannur Airport in North Kerala had already started.
Keywords: Kerala Opposition walksout over Aranmula airport issue, Kerala Opposition alleges flouting of environmental norms in planning of Aranmula airport, Kerala Opposition LDF, Kerala Opposition Left Democratic Front, Aranmula Green Field Private International Airport
Comments:
1. Legally de-notification of the excess land more than 500 acres is
not possible. The Govt of Kerala can only cancel the entire
notification of 2500 acres of land declared as industrial area in
Aranmula, Kidangannur & Mallappuzhassery villages. The kerala govts
move to de-notify excess land over and above 500 acres is to help KGS
company to legally challenge the govt's decision in the court & to
help KGS Group reinstating the entire notified land of 2500 acres land
in their name. 2. The latest document as per RTI Act 2005 from the Pta
Dist Collector says that the KGS company has only 31.7 acres of land
with them. They have obtained various clearances claiming 350 acres of
land with them. All the various clearances and approvals that KGS
Group has obtained is by bogus reports & forged documents. All
approvals obtained by KGS has to be rolled back and it has to be
cancelled immediately.The govt should step back from the decision to
backup KGS in the light of vigilance enquiry ordered.
1. Legally de-notification of the excess land more than 500 acres is
not possible. The Govt of Kerala can only cancel the entire
notification of 2500 acres of land declared as industrial area in
Aranmula, Kidangannur & Mallappuzhassery villages. The kerala govts
move to de-notify excess land over and above 500 acres is to help KGS
company to legally challenge the govt's decision in the court & to
help KGS Group reinstating the entire notified land of 2500 acres land
in their name. 2. The latest document as per RTI Act 2005 from the Pta
Dist Collector says that the KGS company has only 31.7 acres of land
with them. They have obtained various clearances claiming 350 acres of
land with them. All the various clearances and approvals that KGS
Group has obtained is by bogus reports & forged documents. All
approvals obtained by KGS has to be rolled back and it has to be
cancelled immediately.The govt should step back from the decision to
backup KGS in the light of vigilance enquiry ordered.
As per the latest written information from the Dist Collector of Pta
through RTI Act, the company KGS is in possession of only 31.7 acres
of wetland in Aranmula, Mallappuzhassery & Kidangannur villages. The
company MD's claim above in the news is false, fraud and baseless.
They have obtained various clearances through fraudulent reports and
bogus documents. They caimed that they have 700 acres of land. They
had an agreement on purchasing 232 acres of wetland with Mount Zion
Group Chairman, Mr. Abraham Kalamannil. But, the Taluk Land Board has
cancelled the sale deed and also cancelled the mutation KGS had on 232
acres of wetland. The claim by KGS is an offence which can invite
legal enquiry.Kottayam Vigilance court has ordered for a Vigilance
enquiry on the land scam which involves the land mafia, KGS Group &
Govt. officials who helped KGS for illegal land transactions &
Pathanamthitta Munciff court has ordered KGS not to enter encroach in
the land till further orders from the court.
Please Email the Editor