In a contentious development, the government of Kerala has decided to hand over valuable property worth crores to the Latin Church as part of the Vizhinjam project. While the government has been acquiring land from ordinary citizens for the ambitious project, it is now under scrutiny for granting high-value land to the church. This move has raised concerns about transparency and equity in the allocation of land resources.
The focus of the controversy lies in the exchange of land near the coast, where a significant cross is situated. Under the guise of the Vizhinjam project, the government is reportedly set to transfer property worth a substantial amount in return for the cross. This exchange has sparked a debate about the true motives behind the government’s decision and the fairness of the transaction.
At the heart of the matter is the land acquired in Vizhinjam Mullur, intended for ancillary works related to the Vizhinjam port. A team led by the Collector recently visited the area to discuss the proposed handover with the parishioners. As part of the deal, the government plans to relinquish two acres of land worth over 50 crores to the Latin Church in lieu of the cross.
Authorities have defended their decision by citing previous negotiations as the basis for releasing the land. However, the fact that areas around the Mullur Srikrishna Swamy Temple, acquired for the ring road under the Vizhinjam project five years ago, remain untouched has raised eyebrows among critics who question the government’s consistency in land management.
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