Kochi: The Kerala government has allotted an amount of Rs 6.15 crore to pay compensation to the owners of 34 flats at Maradu which are marked for demolition based on a Supreme Court order. The money would be directly credited in the apartment owners’ accounts.
The government had earlier decided to pay the compensation before October 25. Incidentally, the apex court had directed the government to report the progress of the demolition on October 25. The Justice K Balakrishnan Nair committee had recommended specific amounts for certain apartment owners. The money for each of these owners would be transferred before this date.
Over 200 applications were submitted to the committee and it has so far recommended compensation for 107 flat owners.
The four apartment complexes, which will be pulled down soon to comply with an apex court order over violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms comprise 343 flats.
The properties marked for demolition are: Jain's Coral Cove, Golden Kayaloram, Alfa Serene and H2O Holy Faith.
Their occupants were evicted recently and the pre-demolition processes commenced on Saturday.
Crime Branch issues notice
Meanwhile, the investigation into the Maradu apartment issue is now focusing on some politicians too. All the 21 members of the erstwhile Maradu panchayat have been summoned by the Crime Branch, which is probing the case, for questioning.
Two members have been told to appear each day and they would be made witnesses in the case. Crime Branch officials have received information that former panchayat president K A Devassy and other politicians had a role in allowing the construction of the apartments set to be razed now even after the violation of law was pointed out to them. Crime Branch believes that the picture would be clearer after questioning the former panchayat members.
