The latest addition to the long catalogue of controversies is the Government’s decision to take 10 per cent stake in the proposed Greenfield International Airport project of a Chennai-based private company at Aranmula.

That the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has voiced its strong opposition to the Government’s move is understandable. But the decision has displeased even senior Congress leaders, including V M Sudheeran. While Sudheeran has demanded repeal of the decision to have 10 per cent stake in the airport project, well-known poet Sugathakumari has sought cancellation of the project itself.

Ironically, while they were in the Opposition, UDF leaders including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had vehemently criticised the erstwhile LDF Government for according sanction, in principle, to the Aranmula airport project. It is the Chandy Government’s persistence on the same path on the ground that the airport is in the interests of the people, which has angered Congress leaders like Sudheeran.

What must cause utmost concern is the Government’s green signal for the project in utter disregard of the findings of the Assembly Committee on Environment, which has uncovered serious lapses committed by officials in reclaiming paddy fields in violation of rules.

What has compounded the UDF Government’s offence is its failure to conduct the mandatory studies, including environment impact assessment. Mr Sudheeran said the project had been approved in flagrant violation of the Land Reforms Act and Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act

Equally questionable has been the inclusion of a government nominee on the director board of the airport company, adding that this had been done to make it appear as if there is public interest in the project. The Government has set a wrong precedent by backing the move of entrepreneurs who do not scruple at violating the rule of law.

The Government, which flaunts its commitment to protect paddy and wetland day in and day out, has not shied away from participating in a project in which the District Collector has ordered cancellation of the transfer of registry of the land, citing violation of the Land Utilisation Order.

What the Government must do, in view of the strong opposition to the project, is to scrap the project and take immediate steps to revive paddy cultivation and protect the water bodies in the area. Even chief whip P C George, who belongs to the Kerala Congress(M), an ally of the Congress in the UDF Government, has frowned upon the idea of an airport in Aranmula. Since the project would adversely affect the environment of the area, the government should cancel the project itself, he has demanded. (IPA)