Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 08, 2007
ePaper
Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Sep 08, 2007 ePaper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Front Page |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Front Page
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Forest Department on Friday wrote to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvanathapuram, seeking cancellation of the transfer of registry of Merchiston Estate near Ponmudi in favour of Xavy Mano Mathew of Southern Field Ventures. The action follows allegations over the sale of a part of the tea estate to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by Mr. Mathew when the estate was actually vested with the Government. Forest Minister Benoy Viswom told mediapersons here that the purchase deeds furnished by Mr. Mathew were illegal, as the estate was vested with the Government under the Kerala Forests (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Ordinance of 2000. Mr. Mathew had registered three documents showing purchase of the estate from Jayashree Tea Plantations for Rs. 4.5 crore. The transfer of registry was effected by the Revenue Department on June 30, 2005, when the UDF Government was in power. The Minister said he had no links with Mr. Mathew. “If I have accepted bribes from him, let the Opposition say so,” he said in response to the Opposition demand for his resignation over the land deal. Mr. Viswom said he had first met Mr. Mathew when he had convened a meeting to discuss a complaint from Mr. Mathew referred to him by Labour Minister P. K. Gurudasan. Though the complaint was that he was being forced to close down the estate because of interference by the Forest Department, the issues raised by him were about the cutting of trees from the estate area. Cases to be registered
A decision was taken at the meeting to allow cutting of trees for repair of workers’ lines. This was because the Left Government cared for the workers, and the decision was subject to clearance by the custodian of the vested lands, the Minister said. He said that cases would be registered against Mr. Mathew for the irregularities. He had already been charge-sheeted for cutting trees from the forest area vested with the Government. He said prima facie there had been no irregulari ties on the part of the officials in the proceedings undertaken for the denotification of the estate. If any official had erred, action would be taken.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Home |
Copyright © 2007, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
