DC had exposed the deal wherein the private land, 40% of which was covered by thick mangrove forests
Kerala CM Oomen Chandy. (Photo: DC/File)
KOZHIKODE: Criticizing the State Government’s move to allow the Coast Guard to acquire 26 acres of ecologically sensitive private land at an overrated price, the Lokayukta on Monday sent notices to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, former Kozhikode Collector P.B. Saleem, Kozhikode District Collector C.A. Latha, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliar and the Coast Guard Commandant. The court has asked the Government to explain how sanction could be accorded for such an acquisition.
The Lokayuktha passed the orders following a petition filed before it by social activist Ravi Ulliyeri who raised questions of possible corruption behind the deal. Deccan Chronicle had exposed the deal wherein the private land, 40 per cent of which was covered by thick mangrove forests, was owned by Karanthur Sunni Markaz. He alleged that the Markaz could not carry out any commercial construction on the property. He then conspired with the district administration and the Coast Guard authorities to sell off his land at an inflated price.
The Lokayukta heard the case on Monday and raised some serious doubts over the dubious nature of the deal. “The Lokayukta heard my version and examined the press footage regarding the deal. It has ordered notices to the offenders seeking an explanation,” Ravi Ulliyeri told DC.
It was alleged that former District Collector P.B. Saleem had quoted an inflated price for the property, covered with mangroves and water. Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash clarified that the Government would not allow that piece of land to be acquired if it was being done in violation of rules. The Deputy Collector had returned the files recently saying that no social impact assessment has been done on the property.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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