Entertaining KGS group again in Aranmula is suicidal

Pathanamthitta: Chief convenor of Aranmula Paithrukagrama Karma Samiti Kummanam Rajashekharan has sought withdrawal of permission granted yo conduct environmental impact assessment by Central Appraisal Committee. The statement was made at the inauguration of Paristhithi Reksha Sangamam in Aranmula held under the aegis of the Karma Samiti.

Seeking the intervention of Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, Kummanam said that it was erroneous on the part of the committee to have even accepted the request from KGS Group. “The KGS had earlier submitted a similar proposal to the committee during the tenure of the Congress government. This was later questioned by the Court. There has been clear verdict against the stated airport project by the Supreme Court and Green Tribunal. The Union Defence Ministry and Civil Aviation Ministry have also annulled the previously granted acquiescence. Under such circumstances, the Appraisal Committee should have rejected the proposal submitted by KGS. However, the committee which was formed during the tenure of the UPA government still happens to show its commitment towards the previous government,” said Kummanam Rajashekharan.

Pointing out that permission for any such study requires permission from Union Defence and Environmental ministries, Kummanam stated that the ministries had clearly rejected the proposal. “Then how can permission for any such study be granted under such circumstances? Instead of conducting a study on environment, measures should be taken to conserve the same. Instead, these study groups, under the garb of conducting research have agendas of filling water bodies and paddy fields with earth and reaping financial benefits out of the same. They wanted to do away with sacred shrines and hillocks.

Stating that Aranmula is a place where as many as 13 rules were violated, Kummanam said that the reprehensible activities taking place was undoubtedly with the blessings of the state government. “The officers who were keen on studying the matter to bring a favourable solution for Aranmula were transferred, so also the Revenue officers. This clearly shows the state government’s stand and their congeniality towards KGS Group,” he added.

Responses