VS government had included Aranmula Airport in action plan: Papers

Contrary to its claim, the V S Achuthanandan-led government had included the Aranmula greenfield airport in the action plan as part of its fourth anniversary celebrations.

The Government Order (MS) no. 248/10 GA, dated  July 17, 2010, says “the greenfield airport  at Aranmula will be commenced as the second project of the Industries Department after the Kumarakom Tourist Resort Village”. 

The two projects were proposed by the department as part of its anniversary.

However, the Opposition Leader while inaugurating the meeting ‘Aranmula Samrakshana Sangamam’ organised by the Left Democratic Front, at Aranmula on October 26 said that his government had made only ‘an in-principle acceptance of the project, categorically mentioning that it should be executed in strict compliance with the existing laws of the land’.

The Government Order (MS) no. 179/2010/ GA on  May 5, 2010, says that the Cabinet had decided to coordinate and implement the action plan as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations in a time-bound and efficient manner.

While another order (MS) no. 204/2010/ GA on May 26, 2010, had assigned Ministers for overseeing the work in each district.

The order signed by the department secretary U K S Chauhan further says that the Cabinet on June 2, 2010, had decided to make necessary amendments if any in the May 5 order after  considering the opinion of the ministers in this regard. Based on this, the Cabinet on June 9 accepted the recommendations and decided to make the necessary amendments according to the recommendations of the Ministers.

Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kottayam, S Soman had directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) director on November 23, 2011,  to conduct a preliminary inquiry into a complaint that anomalies and violations of law had occurred in filling of the paddy fields, wetlands and a river in Aranmula for the proposed airport.

In August, Land Revenue Commissioner T O Sooraj, had recommended a Vigilance probe into the levelling of paddy lands and Revenue lands for the proposed airport at Aranmula as there were allegations that the promoters of the project had managed to obtain various clearances through the back door, violating the laws of the land.