Finally realising that poor homework on ‘Emerging Kerala 2012’ had landed the Oommen Chandy Govt in a soup, constituent partners in the UDF buried the hatchet on Thursday and emerged with a united banter to save themselves from the Opposition onslaught.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy clarified that no govt land will be handed over to any upcoming project for 99 or 90 years as is being made out by critics now. The meet has recommended a maximum lease period of 30 years.
The UDF liaison committee which met on Thursday bowled in unison for the summit after it dawned on it that the initiative of the govt has only courted criticism.
It also took stock of the internal schism and opposing voices within the front and asked the Chief Minister to prevail upon such elements and take the lead to clear the path.
Chandy and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty made it clear at the meet and while addressing media later that no proposals harming the interests of the state will be promoted through the initiative. Conversion of paddy field will not be allowed under any pretext.
“The stance of the Opposition is really unfortunate. It seems that there is politics in it. It should reconsider its decision,” the CM urged.
He said a section of the media was not keen to take the views of the govt when there is suspicion on points related to the summit.
“ I’m a Chief Minister who had thrown open my office through the web. I want no secrecy. The same transparent approach was followed in the presentation of the ‘Emerging Kerala’ proposals through its website. The summit is not an event where a memorandum of understanding is going to be signed or where Chandrasekharan Nair stadium will be put up for sale. At the most, it will take an expression of interest of entrepreneurs for listed projects,” he said.
“Every step will be posted on the website. All the projects will be subjected to Environment Impact Assessment studies also. Not even a single existing law will be bypassed either,” he added.