THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the case of Kadamakkudi Medicity project,the government has not given sanction to fill up paddy fields or wetland areas as is being campaigned, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
‘’The criticism is that exemption has been given to the Land Ceiling Act, which insists on a maximum 15 acres as holding capacity for an individual or company, for the project.
“The exemption given was in accordance with S.81(3) of the Land Ceiling Act only, which was made applicable by the former government in the SmartCity and IT Park initiatives and other governments preceding it while pursuing various other projects,’’ Chandy said.
He said the former LDF Government had given sanction for the Methran Kayal Tourism project and the Greenfield Aranmula Airport project under the Industries Department vide a GO issued by the General Administration Department on July 17,2010, among a slew of projects announced as part of the fourth year celebrations of the former government. Nothing was mentioned then on availing environmental clearances or conforming to the Paddy and Wetland Conservation Act, 2008,’’ he said.
He parried queries that undue haste was visible from the side of the government to push the interests of private promoters involved in the projects. ‘’The government has nothing to hide. The process was going on for many months. The tourism project was revised many times and made eco-friendly. The sanction was given in continuation of it,’’ Chandy said.
‘’The government feels the Methran Kayal project is very difficult to materialise since all mandatory laws have been listed to be complied with.
“When the promoters were promising they would conform to rules and regulations, what the government had done was to make it a pre-condition for a go-ahead for both the projects,’’ he said.