Business chamber urges Kerala Govt. to restrict demolitions

Kochi, May 22 (UNI) The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today urged the Kerala Government to restrict the demolition of unauthorised structures, raised spending very huge amounts, to the barest minimum.

Reacting to the demolitions going on in different parts of the state to remove buildings from encroached government and forest lands, Chamber president K Retnan said that buildings which in no way affected the environment or ecology should be retained.

The government can dispose of the buildings either in public auction or in any other appropriate manner, thereby avoiding wastage of costly construction materials and human resources. This would also bring in sizeable revenue to the exchequer, he said in a statement here.

While lauding the government move against encroachments, he said a distinction should be made between cases of wilful encroachment and instances of cheating by a well-knit nexus of responsible agencies. ''It is desirable to adopt a lenient view and judicious approach towards the genuinely aggrieved parties coming under the latter category,'' he added.

UNI