Ernakulam (Kerala): In a setback to the Lakshadweep administration, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday stayed two controversial orders issued by the island administration. The orders that have been stayed, including on the removal of beef and chicken from the noon meal scheme and the decision to close all the dairy farms on the island. The court was hearing the public interest litigation filed by advocate A.Akbar hailing from the island.
When the court had asked the reason behind passing such orders, the Centre replied that since there were no proper facilities for storing meat, it was decided to drop it from the menu. The reason for the Animal Husbandry department to close down the dairy farms was that such farms were found not to be financially viable. The court, however, did not find these reasons valid and stayed both the orders until further notice.
Read: Kerala HC seeks response from Lakshadweep administration on Aisha Sultana's bail plea
Since the appointment of former Gujarat Minister Praful Khoda Patel as the new island Administrator, things have been in turmoil following new orders, which the islanders feel are a breach of their culture and traditions. Since then there have been numerous protests on the island and the day Patel arrived on the island on a few days visit on June 14, all of them wore black and shouted slogans of 'go back from their homes.
Read: Kerala HC asks Lakshadweep Police to file statement in Aisha Sultana's bail plea
(IANS)
