Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala stated that the EMCC International’s project is totally mysterious. The government is trying to conceal every details of the project, he alleged.

The investors meet Ascend was held on January 9 and 10 in 2020. But the government signed the MoU with EMCC on February 28, 2020 which is 48 days after the Ascend. It is clear that MoU was signed after holding discussions in detail. But the government hid all this information.

Industries minister E P Jayarajan remained silent when MLAs Mons Joseph, P J Jose and C F Thomas asked about Ascend. Jayarajan submitted in assembly a detailed list of those who signed the MoU and showed interest in the project of Ascend. But he did not reveal the details of deep sea fishing contract, Chennithala alleged.

The opposition leader also disclosed a letter which the state sent to the Centre inquiring about the EMCC. The letter was written by principal secretary K R Jyothilal on behalf of the state government to the joint secretary of Ministry of External Affairs inquiring about the company. This indicates that a discussion regarding the contract was held in government level, he stated.

The government is trying to sell the entire sea and destroy the livelihood of the fisherfolk. They are deceiving the fishermen and robbing the fish wealth in the sea. If the opposition had not found out this, they would have issued an order. The government cannot blame a few officials. The ministers and chief minister are the real culprits, Chennithala alleged.