Lakshadweep admin issues fresh order to raze down buildings

Kochi: The Lakshadweep administration again issues an order to demolish buildings along seashores. In addition to the previous order to raze down unoccupied sheds, this time, buildings within 20 meter from the shoreline are ordered to demolish.

Earlier in Cheriyum Island, the administration had ordered to pulldown fishermen's establishments along the shoreline within seven days. If fishermen did not do it voluntarily, the order asserted that the Revenue Department would do it, and the former will be charged for the expenses incurred.

The administration had torn down fishermen establishments before in a similar fashion and which had incited serious outrage within people, including islanders and outsiders. This was one among many draconian schemes introduced by the new Lakshadweep administration headed by Praful Patel.

The Kerala High Court has stayed Patel's two of many controversial reforms. One was his order to shut down dairy farms, and the second was his order to stop serving beef and chicken in school midday meals.

Earlier, on Saturday, despite expert warnings on ecological concerns, the Union Government had approved a major tourism project in Lakshadweep. The government will lend 15 hectares of land for lease for a period of 75 years for a private company to build resorts in Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep.