Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay the enforcement of the draught Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (LDAR) 2021 and asked the Centre and the Lakshadweep administration to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against it within two weeks. According to the PIL, filed by Congress leader K P Noushad Ali, the new draught regulation gives the island administration wide, arbitrary, and unregulated powers, and would kill the island’s unique culture and tradition. It was also mentioned that the rules would affect the ownership and retention of property by island residents.
While the petitioner’s counsel insisted on an interim stay on the regulations, a division bench of Justices K Vinod Chandran and M R Anitha noted that it was a policy matter and that all parties concerned should be given the opportunity to express their views to the court.
The court also served notices on the Union government and the island administration, and set a two-week deadline for the trial.
The controversial reforms of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel have sparked widespread outrage among the local population, with many claiming the changes are aimed at “destroying the islands’ unique culture and tradition.” Around a dozen MPs, including the island’s Mohammed Faizal, wrote to President Obama, requesting Patel’s immediate recall.
