Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob has said that the Cabinet decision exempting the site of the proposed electronics and hardware project at Amballoor from the provisions of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act is expected shortly.
Addressing a meeting convened at the community hall of Amballoor panchayat on Saturday, to remove the local residents’ doubts about the project , Mr. Jacob said that this will be done invoking the clause to grant such exemptions for public interest initiatives.
Technical or legal hurdles will not delay implementation of the eco-friendly project, which will conform to environment preservation standards. It will be implemented preserving the canals and water bodies on the site.
He said that the government is duty bound to set up the park as its a need of the entire State. Nobody needs to be in any doubt about the fate of the project. Big ticket projects, by their very nature, are likely to raise apprehensions. This project, however, will be implemented in a completely transparent manner taking the people in to confidence, Mr. Jacob said.
Compensation
The State government will also give shape to fair rehabilitation and compensation package for those surrendering land and house for the project.
A committee chaired by the District Collector will be formed to discuss the issues of rehabilitated families.
District Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareed has said that 390 acres earmarked for the project had been included as paddy field in the basis tax register. Efforts are being made to secure special government order to change this, he said.
Fast track
Land will be acquired under the fast track process as this will facilitate negotiations with landowners to fix the land price and payment of 80 per cent of that price immediately.
The land which is still shown in documents as being part of the Valiya Thampuram Kovilakam can be acquired only after issuing title deeds to holders. Steps in this direction will be taken in land tribunal. The Collector said that separate adalat will be held to decide on title deeds.
Amballoor panchayat president K.F. Kuriakose presided.
