Terming the arguments of the Maradu municipality not to approve the demolition plan of the Maradu apartments “superficial”, the State government has asked the local body to strictly follow the timeline for demolition.
Additional Chief Secretary T.K. Jose said it was not “appropriate for the municipality to deviate from the schedule approved by the Supreme Court or exhibit defiance or disobedience of the court’s order”.
The State reminded the local body that the apex court had approved the 138-day schedule for razing the four apartments that came up in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone guidelines in its September 27 order.
“We have to carry out the demolition as per the schedule approved by the Hon. Supreme Court. The court has given clear direction to the Government of Kerala,” the Additional Chief Secretary reminded the municipality.
The Maradu apartments were to be handed over to the firms chosen for demolition on October 11, as submitted in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court.
The face-off between the local body, which felt that the State was keeping it in the dark regarding the demolition programme, and the State government has delayed the handing over of the sites.
With the government speaking tough, the local body may convene an emergency meeting of the council on Thursday to consider the agenda of approving the demolition plan.
