THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Xavy Mano Mathew, proprietor of the Merchiston tea estate at Ponmudi, has alleged that Forest Minister Benoy Viswom is nursing a “personal grudge” against him.
At a press conference held in the city on Tuesday, Mr. Mathew protested against a remark made by the Minister in the Assembly recently in connection with the purchase of his estate. The Minister, describing the Opposition as “friends of Xavy Mano Mathew,” had said that Mr. Mathew had purchased the estate from Jayasree Tea and Industries Limited when the UDF was in power in the State. The sale was registered despite the area being notified as an ecologically fragile land, the Minister had said.
Mr. Mathew said he had all the required documents with him to prove his ownership over the estate.
At a press conference held in the city on Tuesday, Mr. Mathew protested against a remark made by the Minister in the Assembly recently in connection with the purchase of his estate. The Minister, describing the Opposition as “friends of Xavy Mano Mathew,” had said that Mr. Mathew had purchased the estate from Jayasree Tea and Industries Limited when the UDF was in power in the State. The sale was registered despite the area being notified as an ecologically fragile land, the Minister had said.
Mr. Mathew said he had all the required documents with him to prove his ownership over the estate.