Assembly for changes in Ghats report

The State Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to reject the “anti-farmer” recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee, besides totally exempting thickly populated centres and agriculture land while identifying Ecologically Sensitive Areas, taking into consideration the apprehension of the people. Substantive Motion “The State Assembly urges the Central Government to take a final decision only on the basis of the proposals submitted by the State government in deference to the general sentiments expressed on the floor of the House,” said the Substantive Motion moved by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy under Rule 275 of the House procedures. Replying to the one-hour debate on the adjournment motion under Rule 130, Mr. Chandy said he had received a communication from the Prime Minister’s Office in response to the Memorandum that he, along with his Cabinet colleagues, had submitted to Dr. Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the State. Responding to the criticism of CPI members, Mr. Chandy, reading out CPI State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s letter to him on the issue, said Mr. Vijayan had taken a realistic stand on the issue arguing for conservation and development.