Kannur (Keralam), Oct 18 Marxist veteran and former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday questioned the criticism of KIIFB’s heavy spending in Kannur, asking whether the district was not part of the state.
Addressing an extended CPI(M) district committee meeting here, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly referred to a report by an expert panel constituted by the UDF government to examine whether the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board should continue to function.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan had said on Thursday that the panel had flagged serious financial irregularities, violations of rules and huge financial liabilities at KIIFB.
Satheesan had alleged irregularities in land acquisition, particularly in Kannur and Palakkad, claiming that KIIFB had approved the acquisition of 5,366 acres at a cost of Rs 27,727 crore.
Around 1,000 acres had been acquired in Kannur, but only about 50 acres had been used for an industrial park and another purpose over the past five years, Satheesan had said. A further 3,829 acres had been notified for acquisition, he had added.
Responding to the allegations, Vijayan questioned why KIIFB’s spending in Kannur had become a matter of concern.
“Is Kannur not in Keralam? Did anyone think why the metro came in Ernakulam district? There was land available here, so it was acquired. Why the disappointment over hearing Kannur’s name?” he asked.
Vijayan alleged that the UDF government was attempting to undermine development in the state.
He said KIIFB had funded development projects across Keralam, including in the constituencies of the incumbent CM and the state’s Home minister, without discrimination.
(PTI News)
