Following flak, Kerala drops move to amend land rules

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 4
A day after the Kerala government's move to amend the land assignment rules to regularise encroachments in the state's hilly areas came under fire from several quarters, a Kerala minister on Tuesday said the move had been dropped.

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash told reporters on Tuesday evening that the decision to drop the amendment came after the "well-intentioned" move of the government was questioned in different quarters.

"Our only aim was to see that we give title deeds to many people, especially in Idukki district, as they have custody of the land. But following the discussions and criticism, we felt that the said order should be withdrawn," said Prakash.

The amendment was brought in through a gazette notification on Monday, and it was meant to help regularise occupation of government land, subject to a cut-off date of June 1, 2005, and a maximum of four acres.

People possessing land but not a legal title in hilly districts like Idukki, Wayanad and Pathanamthitta were expected to benefit.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said after the order came out on Monday that successive governments had tried to act in the matter, but it got delayed for various reasons.

However, senior party legislator and state Congress vice president V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday reacted sharply and said the decision was taken without discussion.

"This order came as a surprise and a decision that defies logic. This issue was never discussed either in the party or in the United Democratic Front. Under no circumstances can this be allowed to be implemented," said Satheesan.

Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said the order will only benefit resort and quarry mafia who had usurped revenue and forest land.

Former Idukki Lok Sabha member and Congress leader P.T. Thomas said he was shocked to hear about the new order.

"A detailed study should be conducted to find out the implications of this move. We will then know who benefits," said Thomas.

There was also criticism that the new order will turn detrimental as more than 500 cases of land encroachment in these hilly districts, in which the state government is a party, are expected to come up in the Kerala High Court shortly.

"I came across media reports that due to the new order, cases against usurping of government land might get affected. That was one of the reasons for withdrawing the order," said Prakash.