Cong demands judicial inquiry into Smart City deal

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today demanded a judicial inquiry into the agreement between the Left Democratic Front Government and the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (TECOM) for setting up the Smart City IT park in Kochi.

''The Congress demands a judicial inquiry into the deal by a sitting judge as the agreement was not made in the interest of the State,'' Pradesh Congress President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here.

Stating that the final agreement was contrary to the Cabinet decision, he alleged that eight major changes have been made to the Cabinet decision, financially benefitting the TECOM, and it was against the interests of the State.

Asked if the agreement that the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front had signed with the TECOM should also be subjected to the judicial inquiry, Mr Chennithala said the Congress was not against it.

The people have the right to know the changes brought into the agreement that the UDF had signed with the Dubai-based company, he said.

Mr Chennithala said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had not given a proper reply to the six questions raised by Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Oomen Chandy regarding the agreement.

UNI