The CPI appears to be opening another dispute with the State government, mainly directed at Industries Minister A.C. Moideen of the CPI(M) for promoting a feasibility study on the controversial proposal for deep sea sand-mining.
The pro-CPI trade union, All India Trade Union Centre (AITUC), decided to organise a sit-in in front of the Secretariat against the government’s attempt to spend public funds for the feasibility study under the banner of its affiliate Matsya Thozhilali Federation.
An earlier proposal for deep sea sand-mining in the early 2000s had run into strong opposition from various political parties. The proposal had been virtually given up owing to its adverse environment impact and successive governments did not touch it despite pressures from various quarters owing to the sensitivity of the issue.
The proposal got a fresh lease of life when it found a mention in the Governor’s Address on February 23. The controversy also got a new lease of life with several organisations coming out against it.
According to T.J. Anjalose, president, Matsya Thozhilali Federation, the control of the deep sea was within the purview of the Central government. Besides it had been established beyond doubt that the project cannot practically be implemented. “We are asking the State government to block the attempts of vested interests in the Industries Department to spend huge amounts on the feasibility study,” he said.
The AITUC’s opposition to deep sea sand-mining adds to the list of differences between the CPI and the CPI(M), the two majors of the LDF. The State secretaries of the two parties had been caught in a verbal sparring over their differences, with each urging the other not to provide a handle to the Opposition UDF.
The federation is also demanding demolition of resorts and hotels that have been constructed on encroached land in the backwaters. It also wanted the Fisheries Department, controlled by CPI(M) Minister Mercykutty Amma, to initiate steps to protect inland fisheries. It also wanted the Centre to restore the kerosene quota for fishermen.
