May 25, 2007
Thiruvananthapuram
Captains of the tourism industry in the State on Thursday called on Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, his Cabinet colleagues, Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front leaders to apprise them of the problems faced by the industry in the wake of the demolition drive. The delegation also met Minister for Home and Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Revenue K.P. Rajendran, Minister for Labour and Excise P.K. Gurudasan, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI State secretary Veliyam Bhargavan and LDF convener Vaikom Viswan, among others.
Eviction concerns
The Chief Minister heard the concerns of the industry, but reiterated that he would show no mercy towards those who had encroached upon Government land. Mr. Achuthanandan assured the delegation that the difficulties being faced by them would be duly addressed as and when specific instances were brought to his notice. The Chief Minister told the representatives of the tourism industry that those facing difficulties on account of the demolition drive could submit a representation and that he would look into it expeditiously.
Assurance
The representatives of the industry assured the Chief Minister that "they fully endorsed the Governments drive and his efforts to protect and prevent encroachment of backwaters, paddy fields, rivers and forests," according to E. M. Najeeb, convener, Confederation of Tourism Industry of Kerala. The delegation included Jose Dominic (President, Kerala Travel Mart Society); James Kodianthara (Travel Agents Association of India); Sudheesh Kumar (general secretary, Kerala Hotels & Restaurant Association of Kerala); Suresh M. Pillai (vice-president, South India Hotel & Restaurant Association); M.R. Narayanan, Baby Mathew, Chandrasenan Nair (South Kerala Hoteliers Forum); and Ravisankar K.V (Indian Travel Media Forum). 
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.