DLF issue: Govt to proceed further after getting report

Environment Minister has said that the committee was stated to visit the site on July 21 and a report will be available on July 22

Government would take further action on alleged violation of Coastal Regulation Zone Act by DLF realtors while constructing their flat-complex at Chilavanoor river bank in Kochi after getting the report of an expert committee set up to probe the charges, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said.

Replying to a point of order on the issue raised by leader of Opposition V S Achuthanandan in the state assembly, Chandy said the three-member committee could not complete its report as a member was out of station.

Intervening, Environment Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the committee was stated to visit the site on July 21 and a report would be available on July 22.

Achuthanandan wanted to know from government what action it took on the violations allegedly committed by DLF in the construction of the complex.

When the issue was raised in the assembly earlier this month, the government had cancelled clearance issued by the Environment Department to DLF for the project and had asked the Chief Secretary to look into allegations that clearance was given in violation of CRZ act.

However, the Chief Secretary's report had pointed out that there were certain technical matters that needed clarifications and the need for setting up of an expert committee to look into the matter.

The committee, comprised Dr Padmakumar of Fisheries University, Prof Ramachandran of Cochin University of Science and Technology and Dr Kamalakashan Kokkal of Kerala State Science Technology Environment Council.