Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Thursday staged a walk out in the Assembly to protest against the government decision to go ahead with the Aranmula airport project disregarding the environmental consequences and violation of laws.
The government launched a scathing attack on the LDF, accusing it of playing a double game on the issue, approving the project while in power and opposing it while in the Opposition.
Seeking leave for an adjournment in the House, former Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran (CPI) said the government had not secured the mandatory clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests before deciding to pick up 10 per cent stakes in the airport project. He alleged that the government was playing second fiddle to the Chennai-based KGS Group, the project promoters.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the LDF government under V.S. Achuthanandan had cleared the grounds for the project in 2011. Defending the decision to pick up stakes in the project, he said the airport would earn revenue for the State.
15/02/13 The Hindu
