Walkout over govt refusal to order probe over tribals
Entire Congress led UDF Opposition in Kerala walked out from the assembly on Wednesday in protest against the government's refusal to order a probe into allegations that real estate 'mafia' had cheated tribals and taken over their lands in connivance with officials at Attappady forest regions in Palakkad district.
Entire Congress led UDF Opposition in Kerala walked out from the assembly on Wednesday in protest against the government's refusal to order a probe into allegations that real estate 'mafia' had cheated tribals and taken over their lands in connivance with officials at Attappady forest regions in Palakkad district.
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Cong), who sought to raise the issue through an adjournment motion,said 260 acres, including 180 acres belonged to tribals and that forest land at Nallachinga and Vanarambadi areas was illegally purchased by realtors under cover of setting up windmills, in violation of forest and tribal laws.
The company which purchased the land also managed to get Rs 33 crore as subsidy from the state to set up windmills,he said and asked the government to reterieve the land and return it to tribals.
Minister for welfare of backward and scheduled Communities and Power A K Balan said the government would take action on receiving the report of the District Collector, who has been asked to enquire into it ."The government will not allow land grabbers to encroach on tribal and forest lands," he said.
State Minister for Registeration S Sharma also assured the house that stringent action would be taken against officials found guilty on the issue.
The Speaker K Radhakrishnan refused leave for the motion after the ministers' reply.
Before the walkout,Opposition leader Oommen Chandy demanded a probe by an assembly committee and asked the government to order the windmill company to be closed.
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