Tiff between CPI-led Revenue Dept, K-Rail Ltd casts shadow over LDF Govt's unity

Thiruvananthapuram: The tussle between the Revenue Department and the K-Rail Limited over the question of who has ordered the laying of boundary stones has reached a flashpoint. The mudslinging between both the sides has created utter confusion regarding the laying of stones for the dream project of the LDF Government. The dischord in the matter points to the strains in the CPM-CPI relationship in the LDF over the SilverLine project.

Revenue Minister K Rajan, a CPI nominee, rejected K-Rail's claim that the Revenue Department had first ordered the laying of stones. Due to the differences of opinion, the authorities are not able to give a definite answer to the question of the local people at the survey sites about the name of the agency which has ordered the laying of boundary stones.

Rajan said the Revenue Department had not given any directive to lay the survey stones. Stones were laid at the request of K-Rail, the Minister said.

He said stones would be removed if the results of the social impact study went against the project.  But for conducting a social impact study, laying boundary stones is necessary, he added.

The response of the minister belonging to the CPI came close on the heels of the question raised by party State assistant secretary Prakash Babu  why K-Rail officials were showing undue haste. He said the SilverLine project should be implemented only by allaying the fears of the public.

He further contended that all those who were opposing the project could not be considered as anti-Left or anti-government.

Prakash Babu wanted the State Government to rectify certain mistakes with regard to the project. The government should be able to showcase its open approach before the public in matters dealing with social impact study and environmental issues.

However, K-Rail had earlier stated that it was the Revenue Department that had decided to lay the survey stones. According to the company,  the K-Rail Board has only decided to conduct a social impact study.  It further claimed that it did not discuss or give any directive on laying stones.

CPI's Prakash Babu seeks corrections in LDF govt's SilverLine efforts...

Thiruvananthapuram: Even though the CPI, which is a constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, has officially supported the controversial SilverLine semi-high-speed railway project, a senior leader of the party has sought some corrections in the government's measures.

"The project should be implemented only after addressing the concerns of the people. Not everyone opposing SilverLine is against the government or anti-Left," said K Prakash Babu, the assistant state secretary of CPI.

He blamed government officials for the mess. "Why are some officials displaying haste to implement the project? Their intentions are suspect," said Prakash Babu.

"Officials should enlighten people about the ecological issues related to SilverLine and the environmental impact study," he added.

Moreover, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced that the project will not be implemented by hurting people, pointed out the CPI leader.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister K Rajan, who belongs to the CPI, said that he was unaware of Prakash Babu's comments.

"The official stand of the CPI is available at M N Smarakam, the party state headquarters of the party in Thiruvananthapuram," he told reporters who sought his reaction on the assistant secretary's statement.