KL This Week: LDF Wages Legal Battle Against ED Actions on KIIFB, Rain Break Brings Relief

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has taken the legal route to the actions of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Development Board (KIIFB). The High Court of Kerala has exempted Thomas Isaac from appearing before the ED till August 17.

The Kerala government has convened the Assembly from August 22, after the Governor refused to approve the promulgation and repromulgation of 11 ordinance, which lapsed on August 11.

After massive downpour for almost 10 days, rains in Kerala have reduced due to the southwest monsoon. The reducing storage level in major dams has also come as a huge relief. Around 20 people died in the state due to rain related incidents.

The residential and agricultural areas are exempted from the eco-sensitive zones (ESZ), much to the relief of the residents. The government, semi government and public institutions will also be exempted as per the new order issued.

The fishermen from Vizhinjam and surrounding fishing hamlets held massive protest with boats seeking government attention on erosion and other livelihood issues with the

NewsClick brings a roundup of happenings around Kerala this week.

GOVERNOR REFUSES TO SIGN ORDINANCES

The governor of Kerala refused to sign 11 ordinance before August 11, letting them to lapse. The governor cited lack of time for not signing the promulgation of ordinances. The LDF leaders had questioned the governor’s action to wait until the last day to look into the ordinances including a few re-promulgated ordinances.

The government has passed an ordinance to curtail the powers of the governor in appointing Vice Chancellors to the state run universities, which apparently irked the governor.

The relation between the government and the governor has not been on good terms, as the governor has frequently intervened in the day to day activity of the government, as is the case in many non-BJP ruled states.

The LDF has been alleging that the actions of the ED and governor are aimed at destabilising the government which is taking developmental activities with vigour despite regressive actions from the union government.

A meeting of the cabinet has decided to convene the assembly session from August 22 to pass the bills. Read More

LDF CHALLENGES ED ACTIONS

The LDF has decided to take on the ED in the court of law, after the central agency sent a second notice to the former finance minister of the state to appear before it. Isaac approached the High Court of Kerala demanding the ED to explain the nature of offence or recall the summons.

The Judge questioned the ED’s move demanding Isaac to furnish his personal and family wealth in the second summons issued and asked the agency to respect the CPI(M) leader’s privacy. The court exempted the former minister from appearing before the ED as the agency has submitted that Dr Issac has been summoned only as witness and not as an accused.

Five LDF members of the assembly also have approached the high court with a public interest litigation seeking the ED to restrain from interfering in the activities of KIIFB. Read More

NOTIFICATION ON ESZ MODIFIED

The government has modified a 2019 notification on the ESZ, exempting agricultural and residential areas. The apex court of June 3 had ordered the creation of a 1 km radius buffer zone around the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

The government of Kerala had been contemplating the options of approaching the Supreme Court to seek exemptions, after passing an unanimous resolution in the assembly, citing the extensive forest areas and higher density of population.

IFFK IN DECEMBER

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will be held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 6-19 this year. The 27th edition of the extravaganza will be held after a 2 years gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival will consider Asian, African and Latin American films which completed production or released between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.

RELIEF AFTER RAINS REDUCE

The downpour across the state has reduced since August 11, bringing relief to the people residing along the riversides and low lying areas.

The central and southern districts witnessed massive rains in the last couple weeks, forcing around 7,000 people to move to relief camps. Around 29 people lost their lives in rain related incidents including flash floods and landslides.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) termed that the southwest monsoon remains weak over Kerala, despite the heavy rains received. There is no specific alert for any of the districts till August 14. Read More