Panel appointed to study Nelliampathy issue, says CM

Wednesday, July 11, 2012: Amid a showdown between Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar and Government chief whip P C George, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday clarified that the Congress-led ruling UDF had appointed a panel to study the woes of farmers in Nelliampathy belt, but Ganesh Kumar was not present at that meeting.


Responding to a point of order in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister clarified that there was no rift between the two members and it was only an internal matter of the UDF. The differences of opinion would be sorted out through discussions.


Earlier, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan sought the resignation of both the Forest Minister and the Chief whip who came out with conflicting stand on the take over of the Nelliampathy estate, the lease period of which has ended. He alleged from the reaction of George, it appeared that he wanted to help the estate owners.


The trouble broke out yesterday when the minister was replying to a notice for an adjournment motion over the issue. The minister argued that he was not aware of an UDF committee as claimed by George. An agitated George convened a press conference to level a series of allegations against Kumar and went on to the extent of arguing that the Opposition notice for an adjournment motion was sponsored by the Minister.