Kerala - Kochi   

Action sought against lease violation in Nelliampathy

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to conduct an inspection on the leased out estates in Nelliampathy and to take appropriate action if it was found that the estate owners were operating any eco-tourism project in violation of the lease agreements.

Justice S. Siri Jagan ordered that such action should be taken, after complying with the procedural formalities, against the owners within four months.

The court passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by the New World Investment Private Limited against the refusal of the government to grant permission for starting an eco-tourism project in its leased out forest land.

A Bench comprising Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair and Justice V.K. Mohanan on Wednesday directed the Principal Secretary, Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation Department, to file a detailed report regarding the implementation of the Inland Water Transport Development Project and the government’s proposal to make the project operational for cargo and passenger movements.

The court issued the directive when a batch of writ appeals relating to the acquisition of land for the project came up for hearing. The court pointed out that the project was started by the Inland Water Ways Authority of India more than 11 years back. As of now, around Rs.80 crore had been spent, mostly towards the cost of dredging, acquisition of land and construction of terminals. The scheme covered Kottappuram to Kollam. It was seen that the acquired land had not been handed over to the authority. The State government did not appear to have any enthusiasm to get the project completed .The court was of the view that further wastage of public funds should be stopped if the government was not willing to coordinate and complete the project within a reasonable time.

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