Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Kitco being made a scapegoat, says forum

Thiruvananthapuram: The Coordination Committee of People against Eviction has accused the government of trying to make a scapegoat of Kitco (Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation), the agency that prepared the report on land acquisition for the Vizhinjam seaport project.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, chairman of the committee George Mercier, MLA, and general convener Venganoor Satheesh said the government could not wash its hands off the situation caused by the notification to acquire 1,088 hectares of land for allied industries.

“The government is trying to wriggle out of the situation by blaming Kitco. But the agency had prepared its report only on the basis of the terms prescribed by the government. Ministers were vying with each other to justify the decision to entrust Kitco with the preparation of the project report.”

Mr. Mercier said the government had to account for the Rs.13.5 lakh sanctioned to Kitco for the project report. He also demanded the cancellation of all the contracts with the agency.

He urged the government to ensure that there is no eviction of people for allied industries when the revised notification is issued.

He also called for a policy to ensure proper rehabilitation of displaced families. “Eviction should carried out only after making arrangements for resettlement,” he added.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu