The State Cabinet on Wednesday recommended to the Governor the convening of the Assembly from June 9.
The monsoon session is being convened early this year in view of the Opposition demand that the Mullaperiyar issue should be discussed in the House. The session is also to consider the budgetary demands for grants for the current year, besides supplementary demands for grants and legislation.
The Cabinet decided to appoint Antony Chacko (Director, Operations of HMT, Bangalore) as Managing Director of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. It permitted continued supply of eucalyptus, reeds and bamboo to the Hindustan Paper Mills at last year’s price.
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It decided to amend the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, on the rights of properties of deceased son received by his mother. After the mother’s death, only the wife of the son and their children would be eligible to get a share in the properties, according to the proposed amendment.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the media after the meeting that the date for discussion on the Mullaperiyar issue in the Assembly would be decided later in consultation with the Opposition.
The Chief Minister said the continued operation of Aluminium Industries Limited (ALIND) at Kundara was entrusted to the Somany group (which has a stake in the company), keeping in view the interests of the workers and the government. Loss to government was avoided.
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Asked about any Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Chandy said he had only said that the matter would be considered after the declaration of election results. He was not commenting about the exit polls, as official results were only a few days ahead.
On the controversy over the move to amend the law on conservation of paddy land and wet lands, the Chief Minister said the government was against filling up of wetlands. However, the law in this regard could not be enforced in toto. “One has to be practical. People cannot be subjected to difficulties in remitting tax and getting clearances for construction on land filled five decades ago. The media was publishing only one side of the controversy,” he said.