THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged graft charges on government’s roadside rest project. “Government has made an agreement with a private company for the project. There are many irregularities including land reclamation for the project. Public works department and NORKA has issued special orders for the project,” he said. The Congress leader also stated that the revenue minister has also sent a letter to the government against the order issued by PWD. No formal procedures were followed for this project and it was not discussed in the cabinet also.

As part of the project, the government took measures to transfer government land on lease to private players. 26% of the stake under the project is for private parties. IOC, which has previous experience in running similar endeavours has given a letter to the government expressing interest for the project, which was denied by higher officials. “Why IOC was expelled and on what basis does the government has selected Abdullah and Shaji George for the project,” Chennithala asked.

He also asked why the MoU of the project is not yet publicised, the denial of reconsideration plea of revenue minister and the lack of cabinet nod for the project..

Chennithala also alleged that this government in its last year is transferring government’s land to its party men and other sycophants of this government. “As part of this larger plot, the government has given five scents of land to the employees cooperative society of electricity board,” Ramesh Chennithala said.