Date:16/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/16/stories/2008021650060100.htm

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HMT deal: Cabinet to await legal opinion

LDF State Committee to discuss issue: VS
‘Advocate-General’s report will be obtained soon’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Friday decided to await legal opinion from the Advocate-General before deciding on the report of the official committee headed by Chief Secretary P.J. Thomas on the HMT land deal.

The committee had recommended cancellation of the transfer of registry of the land in favour of the Mumbai-based Bluestar Realtors, who had brought the land from the public sector HMT Limited, on the ground that the sale violated provisions of the Land Reforms Act.

CPI(M) and CPI Ministers reportedly differed on the findings of the committee. Therefore, it was decided that the matter should be discussed at the LDF State Committee also.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting that the report of the Advocate-General would be obtained soon. “You will be informed about the findings when a decision is taken.”

Mr. Achuthanandan announced that the government would provide more than Rs.4 crore to the State Civil Supplies Corporation as subsidy for supply of boiled rice at Rs.14 a kg and raw rice at Rs.13.5 a kg.

A sum of Rs.1.08 crore would be provided as subsidy for rice distributed earlier and Rs.3 crore for continuing the market intervention measures in February and March.

He also announced that the sports quota for appointments in government service would be increased from 20 to 50 a year.

The quota was remaining at 20 for the past 20 years. The government, he said, would open a tourism information office each in Kolkota and Mysore. Retired High Court judge Hariharan Nair would be appointed ombudsman for local self-governments.