Vizhinjam: Govt reps clueless as Judicial Commission asks if state will lose the acquired land

Kochi: Representatives of Kerala Government were clueless when Vizhinjam Commission asked about terms allegedly detrimental to the interests of the state. The Judicial Commission headed by Justice CN Ramachandran Nair asked the government representatives if there will be a situation where government will lose the land acquired for the Vizhinjam port. The representatives of the goverment were not able to give a clear reply.

The commission was asking about a clause in the agreement which allows Adani Group, the contractor of Vizhinjam project, to mortgage the acquired land for loan.

The government representatives replied that as part of being investor friendly, maximum compromise was done. The commission wondered if being investor-friendly could go to such extent

“Government is spending Rs 5000 crores. Besides, the government has allowed the group to mortgage the acquired land to avail loans. The company is liable to spend only 33 percent in the project. However, if the company incurred more liabilities, it is doubted that government will have to bear those liabilities too. The term which allowed Adani Group to mortgage the acquired land will create such a bad situation”, the commission observed.

The commission sitting is continuing for the third week to examine if the contract has irregularities. The commission ctiticized CR Neelakandan and two others, who alleged impropriety in the contract, but did not show up for hearings. CR Neelakandan had asked for more time to examine the records when he appeared for the sitting held last week. His request was approved and time was allowed. However he could not appear for the sitting held on Tuesday.