Land identified for projects to increase revenue: Water Authority objects to land for KM Mani Memorial Building

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Water Authority has objected to the allocation of land for the memorial named after Kerala Congress leader and former minister KM Mani. The disagreement is over the handover of 25 cents of land owned by the Water Authority in Vellayambalam. Authorities state that this land was identified for projects aimed at increasing non-water revenue. It is also alleged that the Water Authority's position was not sought before taking the decision to hand over the land.

The cabinet meeting held on the 14th decided to give 25 cents of land of the Water Authority for the establishment of the KM Mani Memorial Institute for Social Transformation at a rate of Rs. 100 per 2.5 cents for 30 years. The land identified for this purpose is the Public Health Division Store-2 in Kanakanagar area near the Water Authority headquarters in Vellayambalam.

Land for revenue-increasing projects

This is currently the land used to store large pipes, etc., of the Water Authority. If the land is given away, another land will have to be found for this purpose. Officials say that since it is a prominent place opposite Manaveeyam Veedhi, it has development potential and can increase revenue. It was earlier decided to build a museum, infotainment park and guest house to increase the non-water income of the Water Authority. Officials also state that this is the land where a guest house was planned to be built.

Organizations oppose

Employee organisations allege that there is a mystery in the decision to transfer the land without holding sufficient consultations and without seeking the board's position. The Kerala Water Authority Staff Association, led by INTUC, hoisted the flag at the site. The Kerala Water Authority Employees' Association wrote a letter to Minister Roshy Augustine demanding the withdrawal of the decision. The leaders said that they will launch a strong agitation if the decision is to ignore the opposition.