Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of scuttling the development projects of the state because of political vendetta.
“The centre’s decision is part of the broader agenda of Sangh Parivar to deprive Kerala and its people of development projects, including NH widening. If there is one organisation that has not contributed anything to the growth of Kerala, it is the Sangh Parivar,” he told reporters here.
It was shocking to note that BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai had written a secret letter to the centre demanding that the NH development project be halted. “It shows the sadistic mindset of Pillai who wants the people of Kerala to remain stuck in traffic jams on the congested roads,” he added.
The BJP government at the centre had adopted a hostile attitude towards Kerala which was evident during the devastating floods last year, Ockhi cyclone and Nipah virus, he said. The Modi government not only blocked Rs 700-crore aid offered by the UAE government, but also prevented the Malayali diaspora from contributing for the rebuild Kerala project, he added.
On the NH issue, he said the NHAI regional officer had sent a letter stating that as per the policy guideline, the works had been designated as high priority-1 and high priority- 2. The project directors were directed that high priority-2 projects - 3 D notification (land acquisition final notification) and 3 G notification (price of land award - distribution of compensation) should be stopped forthwith. The NHAI took the decision without holding any discussion with the state government. No reason has been given to put the project on hold, he said.
The letter was prepared after the completion of elections in Kerala. The PWD secretary contacted the NHAI and demanded withdrawal of the decision. The PWD minister wrote a letter to union minister Nitin Gadkari. The work will be put on hold for two years. This makes it clear that the project should not be completed within the remaining two years of LDF government, he added.
If land acquisition process is delayed by two years, then the price of land would shoot up like anything, he said.
