The Opposition in the Kerala Assembly staged a walkout on Thursday protesting what it described as the unlawful position taken by the Government in the High court with respect to the palmolein import case in which the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, is an accused.

The Opposition alleged that the Government pleader had argued in favour of Mr Jiji Thomson, the sixth accused in the case and currently a seSUB JUDICE

Responding to the Opposition accusation, the Law Minister, Mr K. M. Mani, it would not be proper to discuss about a subject that is being considered by the court. The Minister said that this would amount to contempt of court.

To this, the Opposition said that it would not like to dwell into the specifics but merely focus on the stand taken by the Government as represented in the High Court.

It pushed for an adjournment motion on the issue in the House, which was refused leave by the Speaker. The Opposition protested this, and walked out.

VILLAGE ROADS

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, informed the House during question hours that 8,000 km route length of village roads in the State has been taken over by the Public Works Department.

Members of the House were invited to put in their suggestions to the government in this regard.

The Chief Minister assured the House that the interests of land owners would be adequately protected when widening of the national highways are taken up. The State Government intends to soon come up with a package in this regard.

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