Thiruvananthapuram: P V Anwar, MLA, who is facing charges of environment law violations, is a member of the environment council of the assembly.
Despite charges of blocking the flow of river and possessing excess land, the LDF-backed independent MLA continues to be a member of the council. With the council examining the complaints, including encroachments, against him, the continuation of Anwar in the council has raised serious questions about its integrity.
Anwar had violated environment rules and regulations even before he became an MLA. Manorama News had in 2015 reported that he built a check dam on a private property in Cheenkannipara.
The district administration ordered the demolition of the illegal check dam that was blocking the flow of the stream. Amid the illegal check dam controversy, he fought the elections in 2016 and became an MLA.
The CPM, however, nominated Anwar to the environment council. The council headed byMullakkara Ratnakaran has Anil Akkara, PV Anwar, K Babu, OR Kelu, PTA Raheem, KM Shaji and M Vincent as members.
The council's is the assembly's system to study environment issues and submit reports on them. When the council comes to examine the Kakkadampoyil issue, as a member even Anwar can attend its sitting.