LDF not to oppose talks on Smart City

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 12 (UNI) Giving the green signal for further talks on the proposed Smart City project at Kochi, the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) today made it clear that it would not place any hurdles before the contentious land ownership issue.

Addressing newspersons here after a meeting of the LDF state committee, front convener Vakkom Viswam said the LDF has authorised the government to hold further talks with the Dubai Internet and Media Free Zone Authority 'TECOM' on the issue.

The decision assumes significance as the talk ended in a deadlock over the issue of allowing full ownership rights over the Smart City land to the company to be floated by TECOM and the state government, after the expiry of a lease period of 25 years. The Dubai-based developers of the project insisted on 100 per cent ownership of land.

However, Mr Viswom refused to divulge whether the LDF meet had authorised the government to give ownership of the land to the company after the expiry of the lease period.

''It is in the discussion stage and we cannot reach any conclusion before negotiating with them'', he said, adding the LDF would not pose any hurdle for the project.

On whether the LDF would go against the declared policy of the Left parties over the issue of giving land to monopolies, he said the front would take a decision that would not affect the interest of the commonman.

UNI