Kochi: It seems that each and every step taken by the promoters of the proposed KGS Aranmula Airport (KGSAA) and the government is getting mired in controversies.
The latest controversy to hit KGSAA is the sabotaging of a government decision at the cabinet-level, resulting in the denial of the chairmanship of the airport project to a government representative. The new move is in total contradiction to the decision arrived at a ministerial-level meeting earlier.
On August 22, 2012, a meeting under the chairmanship of minister K Babu had made decisions on two points - the government participation in the project and the chairmanship. The meeting was attended by K Sivadasan Nair MLA, Tom Jose, principal secretary (Transport), Gigi George, Managing Director and P T Nandakumar, Executive Director of KGSAA and H Salim Raj, ADM in-charge of Pathanamthitta.
According to the minutes of the meeting, the MLA had forwarded the suggestion of having government participation in the project. Principal secretary (Transport) proposed the inclusion of two government nominees in the board of directors, with one of them appointed as the chairman of the board. The meeting finally decided that the state government would have a 10 per cent equity participation in the company and the government nominee would be the chairman.
However, the cabinet meeting on January 10, 2013, remained silent on the chairmanship for its representative while all other points were stated.
19/04/13 Chandrakanth Viswanath/New Indian Express
