The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Government move to take action

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Thursday, Apr 26, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Government move to take action

Special Correspondent

Encroachments in Munnar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Cabinet meeting on Thursday will consider taking action against officials who had connived with encroachers in Devikulam and Udumbanchola taluks in Idukki district. Action will also be initiated against officials found guilty of dereliction of duty.

The Cabinet would consider shifting of Idukki Collector A.J. Rajan and initiate Vigilance inquiries against other officials on the basis of the recommendations of Forest Minister Benoy Viswom and Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran, who visited the taluks on Monday.

Talking to presspersons after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said that if required, he would also visit Munnar and nearby areas where the encroachments had taken place. His colleagues had already visited the areas and action was being contemplated. This was being done in regard to the demands of Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy also, he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan recalled that as the Opposition Leader he had raised the issue of encroachments at Mathikettan and Pooyamkutty. While the previous Government had acted on the Mathikettan issue, it had done nothing about the encroachments at Pooyamkutty. Subsequently, encroachments had taken place in other areas also. All the encroachments being detected now did not pertain to the past eight or nine months.

Referring to the controversy over the Pathrakadavu project, the Chief Minister said that no project harmful to the Silent Valley would be undertaken. The Cabinet had only decided to examine the scope of the project and place it before Centre for environmental clearance. Competent committees of experts would be examining the issue at the Centre.

Referring to settlers, he said that while he appreciated the concerns of the environmentalists, the problems of people who had sought a decent living by bringing more land under cultivation too should be considered. The protests by environmentalists helped understand the seriousness of issues.

Reservation

The Chief Minister said that he had discussed the issue of reservation for backward classes in appointments with the Rajendra Babu Commission appointed to look into the matter in view of court verdict quashing the recommendations of the Narendran Commission. Interim arrangements would be decided upon after considering the opinions of the old as well as the new commissions.

Postings

The Cabinet decided to post Principal Secretary Romanus Horo as Excise Commissioner.

Rajan Kobragade will be posted as Special Secretary, Scheduled Castes and Tribes Development, and head of the Tribal Mission. Agriculture Director M. N. Gunavardhanan will be posted as Director of Employment and Training.

Tourism Secretary V. Venu would be given additional charge of Culture.

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