State Government Takes Back Kovalam Palace Illegally Held by Galfar Group of Oman

Congress takes back what BJP Donated?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending one phase of a political drama created by the ulterior move to hand over the Kovalam Palace Hotel to an unholy nexus of NRI businessmen and politicians, the state government today decided to take over the Halcyon Castle and 4.21 hectares of surrounding land in Kovalam, near here. The historically important palace and the adjoining area have been illegally possessed by the Muscat based Galfar group, whose Managing Direct Dr.P.Mohammed Ali has been closely linked to prominent state politicians. It may be recalled that Kerala Monitor has a special reason to feel elated as the issue was first highlighted through this portal (We proudly reproduce this story which appeared on February 21 2004).

. While the mainstream media, especially Mathrubhoomi, Deshabhimani and other media took over the issue and started a campaign against the illicit deal, it was KM that reported the issue on February 7, 2004. The portal has also highlighted the other illegal occupation of Indian School Al Ghubra by the same businessman with the active support of E.Ahmed, the current minister of external affairs. V.S.Achuthananthan, the firebrand opposition leader, who raised the issue in public forums despite strong opposition from a coterie within the CPM, needs an applause for defeating the deal, which had many hidden partners.

Temporarily tackling one of the issues that rocked the UDF alliance, especially some of the Muslim Ministers who were the real culprits behind the corruption linked deal, the state government will take over the palace from the Galfar group which had already started marketing the property to international customers. Defying growing public resentment against what appeared to be a daylight robbery of public property, the Galfar group has been lobbying at various level to retain the palace, which was not part of the Ashoka hotel.

Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting, the new Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said there was no question of the government losing the castle and it would go to any extent to take its possession. The Castle, built by the Travancore Royal Family came under the M-Far Group of Hotels, a subsidiary of the Muscat based Galfar group, when it purchased the Kovalam Asoka Beach Resort owned by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) during the previous BJP government at the centre. Chandy said the Cabinet took the decision to take over the castle after studying a report of senior officials headed by the Chief Secretary.

While taking the right decision, the state and central governments have a moral obligation to make public the name of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians who were instrumental in handing over a public property to a private individual. When Sitaram Yechury, the CPM leader raised the issue of Centaur hotel at a press conference before the recent election, Congress leaders had raised a hue and cry about the corruption in various privatization deals signed by the former BJP Government. More Stories on Kovalam Palace from Keralamonitor Kovalam Hotel in Assembly and Media More on Kovalam Palace

SHRI E. AHMED TO VISIT PALESTINE

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed will be visiting Palestine from September 17-19, 2004. Shri Ahamed’s visit reflects the present Government’s continued commitment and support to the Palestinian cause, including to the relief and reconstruction efforts of the Palestinian National Authority.During his visit, Shri Ahamed is expected to call on President Yasser Arafat, and hold talks with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Nabeel Shaath and other Palestinian leaders.