Minister E Chandrashekharan repeats Thomas Chandy investigation month later

Thiruvananthapuram: Revenue Minister E. Chandrashekharan on Thursday said action will be taken against Transport Minister Thomas Chandy without any prejudice in connection with the allegations that the resort owned by him had encroached Punnamada lake. He said that Mr Chandy's ministership would not be an obstacle in conducting a free and fair probe into the charges. Action would be taken immediately after getting report from the collector. The minister had sought an interim report from the collector when the allegations first surfaced.

It may be recalled that on August 16, Mr Chandrashekharan had made a similar statement. He had sought a detailed report from Alappuzha collector into the allegations of encroachment by the resort. However, 36 days later, the minister's promise to look into the matter on priority and take action in the event of any illegality is yet to be fulfilled. He had then pointed out that there was no encroachment during the past 14-15 months and that no illegal activity had taken place in the area since he took over as minister.