Image credit : Illustrative Image

Kerala Power Minister M.M. Mani on Thursday blamed the CPI for opposing the Athirapally power project.

Talking to reporters at New Delhi, the Minister said the Electricity Board’s opinion was that the project should be implemented. “The CPI (M) also holds this view. As the Power Minister, I am also in favour of the project. A unanimous​ decision will be taken on the project, which was opposed by Dr Kasturirangan Committee on Western Ghats protection,” he said.

“The Kurinji sanctuary in Idukki must be protected. The farmers there have been facing a lot of problems. Their grievances should be addressed. All these issues will be addressed soon during the three-member ministerial committee’s visit to the region,” Mani said.

The committee, comprising Mani, Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan and Forest Minister K. Raju, will visit the Kurinji sanctuary on December 11 and 12 to hold talks with the local people and people’s representatives on disputes regarding fake pattas.

(The Power Minister was against the district administration for acting against land encroachers in Devikulam recently and had gone to the extent of calling Idukki Sub-Collector ‘insane’. The Sub-Collector had cancelled the land ownership of Joice George in Kottakamboor – where his father had bought the land that was reserved for poor migrant farmers by the Kerala government.)