Cancel Emerging Kerala, says Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan on Wednesday demanded that the `Emerging Kerala' meet, the ambitious project of the state government to attract investment in various sectors, be cancelled as the proposals were `anti-people and disgraceful.'

He alleged that there was no co-ordination between government departments and that Emerging Kerala arouses suspicion. There is hidden agenda behind taking over of forest lands and ecologically sensitive areas for the project.

Achuthanandan expressed his willingness to attend talks on certain conditions. He said he had written to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy citing doubts for clarification, but the latter did not reply.

Addressing reporters here, he said certain 'anarchic proposals' had crept into the projects to be presented at the meet, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 12. "These should be solved through detailed negotiations," he said.