Kerala - Kottayam   

Mani: ADB accord harmful to State

Staff Reporter

Says State's economic freedom may take some beating

KOTTAYAM: The agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government for taking loan for the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Development Project will put the economic freedom of the State under threat, Kerala Congress (M) leader and former Minister K.M. Mani has said.

Speaking to presspersons here on Sunday, the Kerala Congress (M) leader said the move by the Government in this regard was `suicidal.'

Mr. Mani said the controversial clauses in the final agreement, which gave a free hand to the ADB to gather information regarding the administration and financial condition of the State, were not part of the proposal put before the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government.

These provisions amounted to interference in the affairs of the State and would lead to control of the economic freedom by external forces, he said. Mr. Mani called for review of such clauses, which were detrimental to the interests of the State.

Mr. Mani also came down heavily on the Government and the CPI(M) who according to him had engaged in violent protests against taking credit facility from the ADB. They themselves had now signed a pact which was highly harmful to the interests of the State, he said. The KC(M) leader also criticised Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan for his contradictory stance on the issue.

``Either he had lied to the people, or he was acting against his conscience. He has no moral right to continue as the leader of the ministerial team which ratified the agreement with the ADB,'' Mr. Mani said.

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Mani: ADB accord harmful to State

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