Governor’s nod sought for prosecuting Chief Minister

Aranmula action council says Chandy favoured airport firm

The Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council (AHVAC) has sought the permission of Governor P. Sathasivam for initiating prosecution proceedings against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

In a letter handed over to the Governor on Thursday, action council chief patron Kummanam Rajashekharan alleged that the Chief Minister had made a “criminal” intervention by writing on a crucial file, forwarded to the Union government, in favour of the KGS Aranmula Airport company, sidelining the Principal Secretary’s adverse remarks on conversion of paddy land at Aranmula.

Mr. Rajashekharan said the Principal Secretary’s report categorically stated that the land identified for setting up the airport project comprised wetland and paddy land, and its conversion would lead to serious environmental problems.

But, the Chief Minister had directed the official concerned to forward the report to the Union government, after making certain amendments in favour of the airport company, sidelining the Principal Secretary’s findings, he alleged.

‘Misuse of position’

In the letter, the action council accused Mr. Chandy of misusing his official position to mislead the Union government to facilitate undue advantage for the private company. Addressing various meetings held in connection with the airport issue, the Chief Minister had maintained that the land conversion had taken place prior to the legislation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Land Act, 2008, and hence there was no violation of law at Aranmula, Mr. Rajashekharan said. However, the Chief Minister had hidden the fact that the conversion of paddy land was not allowed as per the Land Utilisation Act of 1961, he said.

The action council also alleged that misleading statements were filed before the National Green Tribunal and other courts of law on the directions of Mr. Chandy. He did not act even when the Kerala Land Revenue Commissioner and the Comptroller and Auditor General recommended stern action against those responsible for conversion of paddy land and wetland.

The letter said prosecution steps against the Chief Minister were inevitable for violating Sections 177, 209, 219, and 191 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The Governor said he would go through the letter and take appropriate action.