MoU today, but doubts remain

Thiruvananthapuram: Just a day ahead of the signing of the agreement between the state government and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd for the construction of the Vizhinjam International Transshipment Terminal, Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan and CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday voiced their apprehensions about the project.

Mr Achuthanandan, while speaking to reporters, alleged that top priority in the Vizhinjam project is for the real estate component.

The seaport component is only secondary. Mr Achuthanandan wanted the government to reveal the conditions of the alleged deal made between the BJP and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with the Vizhinjam project.

It should be remembered that the feasibility study had found that the project was not viable. Then how the project turned viable all of a sudden, Mr Achuthanandan asked.

The Vizhinjam project should be implemented in such a way that it is profitable for the state. The government has given all facilities for Adani to gain profit by keeping the project for 80 years without depositing a single penny in their custody, Mr Achuthanandan said.

Mr Achuthanandan also asked Mr Chandy to reveal the steps taken to protect the livelihood of fishermen and to rehabilitate them when the project is commissioned.

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, meanwhile, said his party is not against the Vizhinjam project, but is against the non-transparency in signing the project, Kodiyeri said at a press
meet.

“Adani group is spending only Rs 2,500 crore in the Rs 7,500-crore project. The rest of the amount is being raised as public participation. If that is the case, why is the project not implemented in the public sector?” he asked.

The LDF is not aware about the signing of the MoU of the project, hence, will not attend the MoU signing function on Monday.

The anxiety raised by Archbishop . Soosapakyam on the lack of a proper rehabilitation programme for fishermen who will lose their livelihood due to the project is genuine.

The CPM will support the strike being organsied by the church. In case, they are withdrawing from the strike, they should make clear the reason for it, he said.