Kochi: UDF convener Benny Behenan has demanded a probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau into the controversial land deal in Kunanthunadu in Ernakulam district. While talking to mediapersons here on Thursday, the UDF convener asked the government to cancel the order for filling 15 acres of paddy land, instead of freezing it. He also sought vigilance probes into all such land deals which had taken place in last one year.
The allegation is that the government allowed a private firm to reclaim the paddy land by violating norms. "The 15 acres are included in the government's wet/paddy land data bank. The district collector issued the order after consulting the advocate general. The hasty decision to give permission for filling is mysterious. Revenue secretary P.H. Kurien gave permission in haste just one day before his retirement from service without even the knowledge of the Revenue minister," Mr Behenan alleged.
He also alleged involvement of Chief Minster's office in the deal and demanded that all the biggies involved in the scam should be brought before the law.
"Political affairs committees of the UDF and the KPCC discussed the matter in detail and if the government is not taking a decision favouring the Vigilance probe, strong protests will be launched. The real estate mafia will not be allowed to own the paddy land at any cost," he added. The UDF will also send a letter to CPM veteran V.S. Achuthanandan in this regard.
The UDF convener also demanded seizure of all files of the land deal. V. P. Sajeendran MLA, who was with Behenan, said that not even an inch of paddy land in Kunnathunadu will be allowed to reclaim.
