The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Eviction to resume in a few weeks: VS

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Eviction to resume in a few weeks: VS

Special Correspondent

Kochi: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Saturday that eviction of encroachers from Government land would be resumed after two or three weeks.

Inaugurating a seminar on “Politics of the Earth,” organised by the Madhyamam Vicharavedi, he said eviction was stopped, especially in Munnar, because of the heavy rain and natural calamities.

Describing the decision of the Government to evict encroachers as second land-reform steps, he said the property taken over would be distributed to landless and tribal people. The remaining would be utilised for development.

He said the Government had plans to reconstruct Munnar and make it a modern town with the help of experts. A parallel administration under Tata Tea Ltd. had been ruling the area. The panchayats were unable to find land for development. Even electricity supply was under the control of the company.

He said the land-reform law had exempted estates from ceilings on the ground that they were providing employment to a large number of persons. However, the estate owners had encroached on Government land within their property.

He said the Left Democratic Front would discuss and chalk out the future course of action on utilising the recovered land.

Speaking at the function, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran said the Government would take steps, including enactment of laws, to control the land mafia and organisations on land-buying spree.

He said clear guidelines would be laid down on the conservation and utilisation of Government land. The Government was thinking of certain schemes to achieve these ends.

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