Ponmudi land sale issue triggers noisy scenes in Kerala assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala assembly witnessed a brief but noisy session yesterday when the opposition United Democratic Front led by the Congress party raised concerns over the legality of sale of land by an individual to the Indian Space Research Organisation at the Merchiston Estate at Ponmudi near here.

Congress MLA K.C. Venugopal demanded an adjournment motion on the matter in the background of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala being stopped by estate workers when he went there on Wednesday for an on-the-spot study.

The sale was effected by one Xavi Mano Mathew to Isro for the latter to set up its proposed Indian Space Science Institute but disputes have been raised about the legality of what has once been notified as vested forest land being sold to an institute.

The opposition has alleged the connivance of the forest and revenue ministers in the issue and has demanded that the government order a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter.

Despite the Speaker's attempts to calm the situation, the opposition benches continued to shout their protests and a little while later the House was adjourned for the day.

The opposition also pointed out that home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's official residence was owned by Xavi Mano Mathew. Balakrishnan said he was only staying at a house that was leased out by the local administration department and that he would not be liable for the deeds of the landlord.

Opposition leader Oommen Chandy said there appeared to be "undue haste" in the sale and registration of the land in Ponmudi. He said it was unfortunate that Isro's name was dragged into the controversy, adding that the state government should identify alternate land and hand it to the Isro for its space institute.

The Ponmudi issue has become an embarrassment for the Left Democratic Front government given that its public works department minister T.U. Kuruvilla had to resign this Monday following allegations against him in a land-related controversy.