Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan Disputes LDF Government's Progress Report Claims

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, criticised the LDF government's progress report marking its fourth anniversary. He claimed the report's assertions were inaccurate, comparing them to the damaged sections of NH-66 after recent rains. Satheesan accused the government of unscientific construction methods and neglecting soil testing before building the highway.

Satheesan stated that while the UDF supported widening NH-66, they opposed land acquisition due to inadequate compensation. He noted that after the Right to Fair Compensation Act in 2013, land acquisition became smoother with increased compensation. This led to more people offering their land for the project.

State Contributions and Political Allegations

Satheesan refuted CPIM's claim that Kerala was the only state funding land acquisition for NH development. He cited a parliamentary reply indicating states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and West Bengal also contributed significantly. This was under the Value Capture Finance Model introduced by the central government in 2021.

He urged the state government to reveal any agreements made under this scheme. Satheesan alleged that initially, the state and its Public Works Department (PWD) claimed thorough oversight of NH construction but distanced themselves after cracks appeared along the highway.

Political Reactions and Infrastructure Claims

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar echoed Satheesan's sentiments, accusing CPIM of opportunistic politics. He said they take credit when convenient but deny involvement when issues arise. Chandrasekhar mentioned that NHAI would determine who was responsible for the faults in construction.

Satheesan further alleged that despite damages to NH-66, the state government had no complaints against NHAI or the Centre. He criticised the LDF government's claims regarding other projects like Vizhinjam port and public healthcare improvements.

Criticism of Government Initiatives

Satheesan argued that the government could only be credited for delaying Vizhinjam port and failing welfare boards. He highlighted unpaid pensions and DA arrears as evidence of mismanagement. Additionally, he accused a current minister of opposing the GAIL pipeline during Oommen Chandy's tenure.

He also pointed out failures in coconut and paddy collection and storage, as well as not raising rubber's minimum support price to Rs 250 as promised. The UDF opposed only one project: K-Rails Silverline, which Satheesan vowed would never proceed in Kerala.

The opposition leader's remarks underscore ongoing political tensions in Kerala over infrastructure projects and governance claims. His allegations highlight discrepancies between government reports and on-ground realities, sparking debate over accountability and transparency in state administration.

With inputs from PTI