THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M A Vaheed MLA has sought a vigilance inquiry into the sandmining project in Akkulam lake. Responding to his request in the Assembly, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty indicated that the sandmining project could indeed be illegal and that an investigation had in fact been suggested from the lower level. Vaheed has sought a vigilance probe into the previous LDF government’s decision to include Akkulam Lake in the desiltation and sandmining project. Kunhalikutty said that, on the face of it, things did not appear above board.‘’Reports from below say it is illegal and the orders should be set aside. A decision will be taken after discussions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy,’’ he said. Vaheed complained that five ministers of the previous LDF government had been involved in the project, but now, he was being hounded for corruption by the Left. Attempts were being made to steal a Rs. 30-crore 12th Finance Commission allocation as well as sand, he alleged. ‘’By all rights, either the Tourism Department or the Irrigation Department should have been entrusted with the project. But it was given to the Industries Department instead. The local people say that tens of thousands of loads of sand have already been trafficked from the lake,’’ Vaheed said, adding that the involvement of Travancore Cements Ltd (TCL) should be investigated.
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