Thiruvananthapuram: The assembly on Wednesday passed Kerala Maritime Board Amendment Bill amid a walkout by the opposition, which alleged that the legislation threatened the constitutional rights and livelihoods of traditional fishing communities.The bill triggered a sharp exchange between the ruling and opposition fronts, with chief minister V D Satheesan defending its provisions as necessary to attract investment and develop the state’s ports. Leader of the opposition Pinarayi Vijayan warned that it would pave the way for the takeover of coastal land by private interests.Clarifying the provisions related to the proposed land bank, Satheesan said only land falling within port limits would be included and denied allegations that govt intended to acquire all available land. He said land outside port limits wouldn’t be acquired and any acquisition would be for development purposes.The maritime board was a statutory body, and land acquisition would be undertaken for the state, said Satheesan. Responding to the opposition’s objection to the use of the term ‘concessionaire’ in the Bill, he asked whether Adani Group, which operates Vizhinjam port, wasn’t a concessionaire.Govt couldn’t develop all 18 ports on its own, making private sector participation and corporate investment necessary, Satheesan said. “Development is possible only if investments come in,” he said, adding that he had participated in discussions during the investment meet organised by the previous govt.He said private investors, govts from outside the state and foreign countries were expected to invest in port development. Govt would identify ports and associated land suitable for investment, with the proposed land bank intended to facilitate such projects.Satheesan said the move was aimed at simplifying procedures when investments came in, though the exact extent of land falling within port limits couldn’t be specified at this stage.Vijayan, however, alleged that the legislation threatened coastal land and marine resources traditionally protected and used by fishing communities. He also raised concerns over the proposed creation of a land bank through the acquisition of land belonging to other govt departments.He warned that traditional fishermen could permanently lose their natural access to the sea, affecting more than two lakh families dependent exclusively on fishing for their livelihood. He alleged that govt was seeking to facilitate the exploitation of mineral resources and open the door to private interests at public expense.“The concern is that the land will be handed over to private interests permanently,” he said, describing the Bill as an instrument to transfer control of the coast to corporate interests.
