KIIFB row: Kerala LoP fires back at CM, says Kannur land acquisition followed legal process

Kannur: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday (October 18) rejected allegations of irregularities in land acquisition linked to the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), accusing Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of presenting facts contrary to the actual procedures followed. 

Vijayan said the land acquisition process was carried out in accordance with the law and questioned the criticism surrounding projects planned in Kannur.

His response comes after Satheesan claimed at a press conference that a committee of experts had identified major irregularities in KIIFB during Vijayan-led LDF government's regime. The Chief Minister had also raised questions about land acquired in Kannur.

Pinarayi Vijayan defends land acquisition process

Vijayan said land acquisition was carried out through established government procedures and not through arbitrary payments to landowners.

“Land is not acquired by taking money out of a desk drawer and handing it over. People, journalists and public representatives know the procedures involved in land acquisition. Has anyone questioned those procedures?” he asked.

He also criticised the media for not questioning what he described as factually incorrect allegations.

According to Vijayan, landowners could receive compensation exceeding their expectations, sometimes more than twice the amount they had anticipated, because of the provisions governing land acquisition.

“This is a law recognised by the country. Land is acquired in accordance with that law. If the compensation is inadequate, the owners can challenge it in court and obtain what they are entitled to,” he said.

Vijayan questioned whether those raising allegations were unaware of the legal provisions governing land acquisition.

Kannur projects should not be viewed differently, says Vijayan

Vijayan also defended the selection of Kannur for development projects, including a science park and an IT park.

He said science parks had been planned across Kerala, but land was available in Kannur for the project in question. The IT park initiative, too, had been planned for multiple locations, he said, adding that work in Kannur had progressed quickly.

“What is the reason for such distress whenever Kannur is mentioned? Are Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode not all parts of Kerala? Which region does not belong to Kerala?” he asked.

Referring to an industrial park planned in Palakkad, Vijayan said land had been acquired there quickly as well. He questioned why such acquisitions should be portrayed negatively.

He argued that projects in specific locations could require higher expenditure in those areas and said this should not be interpreted as political favouritism.

Vijayan cites KIIFB's role in infrastructure development

Vijayan maintained that KIIFB had helped Kerala make significant progress in infrastructure development, particularly in areas where large-scale investments had previously been considered difficult.

He cited investments in education and healthcare, including schools and hospitals across districts, and asked whether development projects had been restricted to selected constituencies.

“Look at all the projects implemented, including schools in the education sector and hospitals in healthcare. Aren't they present in every district? Have we discriminated against anyone?” he asked.

He accused his political opponents of misrepresenting development initiatives and attempting to obstruct projects intended for the state.

Expert committee flags land acquisition costs

The allegations against KIIFB stem from findings by an expert committee appointed by the Satheesan-led UDF government, which reportedly identified issues including land purchases at prices up to five times the market value.

According to the figures cited in the report, the LDF government acquired 5,366 acres in Kannur and Palakkad at a cost of Rs 12,727 crore.

The report also raised concerns that substantial progress had not been made on projects planned on the acquired land, even five years after the acquisition.

The Sudha Pillai committee, which examined KIIFB, also reportedly noted that Kinfra had paid rates higher than market prices for land it acquired.

Kannur accounted for a significant share of the acquisition. Kinfra purchased 1,000 acres for Rs 2,409 crore. A notification was also issued to acquire an additional 3,829 acres for Rs 9,572 crore.

The findings have brought the cost of land acquisition and the progress of projects funded through KIIFB under scrutiny. Vijayan, however, has defended the process, maintaining that the acquisitions followed the law and formed part of Kerala's infrastructure development plans.