Panel finds UDF's last orders illegal

Thiruvananthapuram: The Cabinet sub-committee has found that the majority of the orders issued by the UDF government at the fag-end of its tenure were in violation of existing rule and norms.

The sub-committee headed by culture minister A.K. Balan, which met here on Wednesday, has so far examined 127 controversial decisions issued by the Oommen Chandy government. Of these, nearly 50 decisions, including the major ones like those relating to Hope plantations, Karuna Estate, Methran Kayal and Vaikom Chembu, were taken throwing all norms to the wind.

The sub-committee felt that those behind the controversial orders should be held accountable. It has directed the revenue secretary and the chief secretary to file a detailed report on the issue. Once the officials finalise their reports, the matter would be discussed by the cabinet for appropriate action. Since the decisions were taken by the former ministers and secretaries, the government would also seek the law department's advice before initiating action against those found guilty of violating the norms.

Mr Balan told this newspaper, “We have not yet finished with the task of examining the orders. The process is on and appropriate action would be taken once the work gets over. As of now, the scrutiny is continuing,” he added.

Immediately after coming to power, the LDF government had constituted the sub-committee to look into the decisions.

It has alleged that the Chandy government had tried to sell off the land of the state to corporates. There was a move to sell off lakes, wetlands and paddy fields to private parties. These include 378 acres in Methran lake, 47 acres in Kadmakudi, 150 acres in Vaikom Chembu, 150 acres and 724 acres in Idukki Hope Plantation.

Apart from corruption, there are also allegations that the revenue department had abetted reclamation of wetlands by private landowners in gross violation of Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wet Land Act and Ramsar International Treaty for Conservation of Wetlands.

Though the UDF government was forced to withdraw many of its controversial orders, the new government is keen to unearth the reasons behind such decisions.