Kerala minister resigns over land grab charges
Millionaire businessman-turned-politician Thomas Chandy resigned as Kerala’s transport minister on Wednesday amid mounting pressure over land grab charges against him.
Chandy’s resignation came a day after the Kerala high court severely reprimanded him over the charges and questioned his continuance in the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
Chandy’s company allegedly violated rules to construct a road through paddy fields to a lake resort owned by him in Alappuzha district. Last week, a vigilance court also ordered a probe into the charges. The Alappuzha district collector had submitted a report against him.
“These are all trumped up charges. I will come out clean,” Chandy said after quitting. Sources said he agreed to put in his papers only after Vijayan promised to give back his berth once he is exonerated by the court. Chandy said he will move the Supreme Court and expressed confidence of returning to the ministry after getting a favourable verdict.
He is the third minister to quit the Pinarayi government that came to power in May last year.
The minister was clinging on citing many technicalities but was finally forced to quit after allies questioned his continuance in the government. Four ministers of the CPI boycotted a cabinet meeting earlier in the day, considered an unusual step.
Despite mounting pressure from ruling allies and many senior leaders, including veteran VS Achuthanandan, Vijayan continued to defend him in public. The government came to power riding on a wave of public anger over alleged corruption by the previous Congress-led regime.
An expatriate businessman, Chandy was inducted into the government in April following the resignation of minister AK Saseendran in the wake of an alleged telephone sleaze scandal involving a woman journalist.
There are several allegations of land grab against Chandy.
The government had asked Alappuzha collector TV Anupama two months ago to inquire in to the charges and submit a report. She said that Chandy’s company grabbed government land and filled the water body illegally to construct a parking lot. But the government delayed action and then sent the report for legal advice.
Chandy also pleaded innocence, saying the resort was built 13 years ago and it was improper to raise allegations now.
The delay in sowing of wheat in Punjab, caused by smoggy weather and a dip in temperature, may hit its yield this season. So far, only 40% of the total area expected to be under wheat has been sown.
Agriculture director JS Bains told HT, “We expect a total of 34.90 lakh hectares under wheat cultivation by November 14 but the crop has been sown over only 14 lakh hectares yet.”
He said the period from November 10-15 is the ideal time for cultivation of wheat as it ensures optimum production. “Any delay beyond this implies a loss of 1.5 quintal of production for a week’s delay, which was due to lack of sunlight as smog engulfed most parts of the state. However, delayed winters conditions in March-April can co mpensate for the loss,” he added.
Punjab agricultural university (PAU) vice-chancellor BS Dhillon also said that the delay in sowing beyond November 15 means a loss of productivity. He suggested that farmers avoid burning paddy stubble as it leads to delay in sowing.
Tarn Taran district chief agriculture officer, Partap Singh, said, “Only around 30% farmers have so far sowed wheat in the district. The story is similar in other districts also. Though farmers can sow the crop till December 10, it will affect the produce.”
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: TARNTARAN: