Oommen suspects 'hidden agenda' in Smart City agreement

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition Oomen Chandy in the Kerala Assembly today said he suspected a 'hidden agenda' in the changes made in the final agreement signed between the state government, the Dubai Technology and the Media Free Zone Authority (TECOM) to set up Smart City at Kochi.

Talking to newspersons here, he said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had made atleast ten changes after the draft agreement was finalised by the State Cabinet. These changes were not beneficial to the state and the Chief Minister should explain to people the motive behind making such changes in the agreement.

He said though he had asked six specific questions to the Chief Minister last week regarding the agreement, he had not replied to them. ''If he is reluctant to disclose the details, then I will come out with the details regarding the hidden agenda in this agreement,'' he said.

He alleged that several provisions like job opportunity, land value and lease agreement were diluted in favour of the TECOM in the final agreement.

UNI