LDF walkout from Assembly to protest against stalemate in construction

They were protesting against alleged govt failure to check spurt in prices of raw materials used for construction works

CPI-M led LDF Opposition members in Kerala today staged a walkout in the assembly to protest alleged government failure to check spurt in prices of raw materials used for construction works that had resulted in a stalemate in the sector.

LDF members, while seeking leave for an adjournment motion on the issue, said things have reached such a stage that all development works in the state had come to a standstill.

Moving the motion, Mullakara Ratnakaran (CPI), pointed out government contractors have stopped taking works as arrears to the tune of Rs.2,500 crore for work done were yet to be cleared.

Admitting that there were some problems in the availabilty of raw materials, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John said the government planned to import construction sand to overcome the shoratge and to check the high price of local river sand.

Replying to a notice, John said it was also proposed to explore possiblity of mining sand from dams in the state.

Another major proposal was to allow quarry operations wihtout affecting the environment, he said adding there were some of plans under consideration for the availability of resources for construction sector.

Denying that governed owed Rs 2,500 crore to its contractors, John said it was only Rs.1,400 crores and this would also be paid soon. 'Arrears up to September last had been cleared', he said.

Speaker G Karthikeyan disallowed leave for the motion after the reply of the Minister.

Alleging indifferent attitude towards the sufferings of lakhs of workers who have lost job due to crisis in construction sector, LDF memebers led by its leader V S Achuthanandan trooped out of the House.

Breakdown in the sector had virtually affect the overall economy of the state, Achuthanandan said before walkout.