Trade unions affiliated to the political parties which dominate the ruling CPI(M)-led government in Kerala have openly protested at the latter’s proposed demolition of check dams on the tea estates of a company in which the Tatas have a significant stake, in the Munnar region of Idukki district.
Subsequent to the state cabinet’s decision to pull down the two check dams on land leased to the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHPC), at its Lekshmi and Chanduvurrai estates, and the electric fencing erected on its rose plantations at Munnar, CPI-led trade unions have openly come out in support of the company management.
The Chittuvare division of AITUC, the CPI union, with the support of the Congress-supporting INTUC, observed a one-day strike today against the demolition of the dams. CITU, the union which is led by CPI(M) members, is also supporting the KDHPC management on the issue; however, their workers abstained from the strike. CPI is the second-largest political constituent in the state government; their ministers handle the forests and revenue departments, both involved in the proposed crackdown. In fact, state forest minister Binoy Viswam today said the government was committed to demolish these two check dams.
Meanwhile, KDHPC representatives explained their stance before the Idukki collector today. The collector said he would consider their plea. The two dams, said KDHPC, have been there for the past 80 years and the company management is performing timely maintenance only. The check-dam in the Chanduvurrai estate was put up for supplying drinking water to workers employed in the southern division of the estate. The dam at Lekshmi was constructed for wild animals. These are located in the 58,741.82 acres of land restored to the company as per Kanan Devan Hills (Resumption of lands) Act, 1971.
A ministerial team, under the chairmanship of state Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had said the dams were constructed illegally, by obstructing the flow of water to the nearby Kundala dam. Considering the ministerial team report, the state Cabinet decided to demolish the dams and the Idukki district collector had issued notice to the company.
In a writ petition filed by the company challenging the collector’s actions, the Kerala High Court ordered status quo till Tuesday. The state government is awaiting the court decision before it proceeds further against the company.