'When he was Transport Minister, he was not aware of e-mobility project, now he is not aware of tree felling in Mullaperiyar'; Sabarinadhan lashes out at Forest Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader KS Sabarinadhan has lashed out at Forest Minister AK Saseendran over the latter's remark that he was not aware of the permit given to Tamil Nadu to fell trees near Mullaperiyar dam.

'When AK Saseendran was the Transport Minister, he said that he was not aware of the e-mobility project. Later, he said that he was not aware of the felling of trees in Muttil. Now, he is saying that he was not aware of the felling of trees in Mullaperiyar. What is the minister doing?' Sabarinadhan wrote on his Facebook page.

On November 5, Tamil Nadu had sought permission to cut down the trees near the Mullaperiyar dam to facilitate the strengthening of the dam. On the same day, Chief Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas issued an order permitting Tamil Nadu to cut down the trees. However, the Forest Minister and the Chief Minister came to know about the order only after receiving a letter from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Forest Minister AK Saseendran responded by saying that he was not aware of the order.