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Action against officials involved: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Friday that action would be taken against the officials who aided the transfer of land vested in the Government at Ponmudi (Merchiston Estate) to a private party and the sale of a part of the land to the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said no inquiry was needed into the land deal as the facts were clear. An inquiry would only delay action. If the officials who knowingly or unknowingly aided the deal told the truth, a probe would not be necessary. The transfer of the estate to Xavy Mano Mathew was irregular.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the proceedings for denotification of the estate under the Kerala Forests (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Act were invalid. No gazette notification for denotification had been issued though the custodian had issued an order.

Asked about the recommendation made by Forest Minister Benoy Viswom for an inquiry by a Central agency, the Chief Minister said he should not necessarily accept the suggestions of his Ministers if those did not make sense. Steps protecting government lands and the environment would follow.

He said that Xavy Mano Mathew had taken possession of the Merchiston Estate during the UDF rule.

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