Smart City CEO comes to get drunk: VS

 
Abdulrahman had said earlier Friday that arbitration would be the company’s last resort to end the prolonged delays. Achuthanandan was reacting to questions from reporters over the project’s delay.

“He (Smart City Dubai and Smart City Kochi CEO Fareed Abdulrahman) comes to Kerala to get drunk. He never informs the state government on issues that the government has to be informed. In a week’s time, we will take a final decision on the project,” said the chief minister. Earlier, Achuthanandan had said the company had gone broke due to the global recession and that was the cause for the delay.

The 23rd board meeting of Smart City Kochi was held in Kochi on Friday, which completed proceedings in only 20 minutes with no decision taken on the contentious issue of giving 12 per cent free hold rights to Smart City Dubai - the builders of the project.

In the post-meeting press conference, the two parties continued to stick to their respective stands.  Abdulrahman said UAE-based businessman M A Yousuf Ali, who held talks with them, is not a mediator but only a government representative.

However, Smart City Kochi chairman and State Fisheries Minister S Sarma said: “The talks between Ali and Smart City Dubai are progressing well. But the government, at no cost, will deviate from the policy decision that no land in the project can be sold. We expect that in two weeks’ time, we will get a reply from them.”