Opposition UDF stages walkout in Kerala Assembly over LDF Government’s ‘failure’ to prepare coastal zone management plan

ThiruvananthapuramCongress legislator K. Babu says thousands of houses abutting sea, lake or river in Kerala did not qualify for panchayat or municipal registration because of the State's inordinate delay in finalising the CZMP as mandated by the coastal regulation zone provisions

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition walked out of the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday to spotlight the Government's “failure” to submit a coastal zone management plan (CZMP) for approval from the Centre.

Seeking the leave of the House to move an adjournment motion on the subject, Congress legislator K. Babu said thousands of houses abutting sea, lake or river in Kerala did not qualify for panchayat or municipal registration because of the State's inordinate delay in finalising the CZMP as mandated by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) provisions.

The "apathy" had cost coastal dwellers dear. A majority of the "victims" are traditional fishers. With no house numbers, a bulk of the coastal population is beyond the ambit of Government welfare schemes and various State subsidies, said Mr. Babu.