UDF govt in trouble over 'Methran’ land issue

Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of the assembly polls on May 16, Congress-led UDF government in the state has landed in trouble for according sanction to reclaim about 430 acres of 'kayal backwaters' and paddy field for commercial purposes, allegedly in violation of norms.

The government has come under attack for its order issued in the first week of this month, for reclamation of 387 acres of 'Methran kayal backwater' paddy fields at Kumarakom village in Kottayam district and 47 acres of paddy land at Kadamakuddy in Kochi.

While the land in Kumarakom was earmarked for an eco-tourism project, the Kochi land was meant for setting up a multi-super speciality hospital mooted by two companies in the private sector.

Seizing on the issue, CPI-M-led LDF and BJP alleged corruption in the deal and demanded immediate withdrawal of the order.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government had only followed up on a project approved "in principle" by the previous LDF regime.

"If there is any anomaly in the order, government will definitely look into it," Chandy said.

The reclamation order assumes significance in the wake of objections raised earlier by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President V M Sudheeran.

Slamming the government on the issue, CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged corruption in the deal and said LDF would reconsider the orders and decisions taken by the present government in a month if it comes to power.

CPI-M veteran and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said both projects would cause ecological damage.

The order also violates the rules under Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2008, he said.