Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) general council has decided to transfer its land to the bi-pole station at Vellanikkara only on an acceptable package.
The council decided to hold discussions with the Power Grid Corporation, KSEB, and district administration to evolve a comprehensive package for transfer of the land. A committee has been formed to conduct discussion.
The university has to hand over 50 acres of land. There were protest against handing over of the university land for the bi-pole station.
Speaking at the meeting, council members Jiju P. Alex and V.S. Sathyaseelan said that unconditional surrendering of land used for research purposes was against the interests of the university. Executive committee member M.P. Vincent, MLA, said that adequate compensation would have to be paid. Following this, his proposal to hold further discussions to evolve a package was accepted by the council.
The delegation of council members, which had earlier held discussions in the presence of the Chief Minister, was authorised to hold further discussions to formulate a package to protect the university’s interests.
The council opined that land surrendered by the university should be recompensed by the land adjacent to the KAU centres and/or monetary compensation as well as compensation for likely loss due to future programmes associated with the bi-pole station.
The council also mooted a sub committee to oversee the welfare of farm labourers. The committee with Francis Kombara as chairman will have Sony Sebastian and labour representatives C.H. Muthu and M.A.Yohannan as members. An accident insurance scheme for labourers was also suggested.
Vice Chancellor P. Rajendran said that recruitment and career advancement promotion of academic staff would be expedited. He said the revival of Manjeswaram station of the KAU was being actively pursued.
The council approved the award of degree to students who successfully completed courses during 2014-15. Annual report and annual accounts of the university for 2014-15 was approved. A resolution appreciating the successful conduct of Pooppoli and Agrifiesta 2015 was also passed by the council.
