The Hindu : Kerala News : ‘Breach of lease pacts dealt with’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

‘Breach of lease pacts dealt with’

Charges false, says Viswom

‘Allegations aimed at defeating steps to check illegalities’
Government to stop cutting of trees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said here on Tuesday that the allegations over the land deals and cutting of trees by Harissons Malayalam Plantations Limited were aimed at defeating the measures taken by the Government to check illegal transactions.

Addressing a press conference, the Minister said that the Government had responded appropriately in respect of cases before the High Court regarding the breach of lease conditions at the Konni and Mukli estates of Harrisons Malayalam.

These cases would be coming up for hearing on September 28.

The Government would be taking a stand against cutting of trees in both the cases.

Breach of conditions

Mr. Viswom recalled that the Government had acted whenever breach of conditions of lease by the plantation had come to its notice.

When it sublet the plantation at Thalappally taluk for cultivation of pineapple and banana, the Revenue Department took over the land and transferred it to the Forest Department.

Besides, the plantations had been asked to remit the lease rent collected to the Government and show cause for breach of conditions.

Government pleader Anil Kumar was appearing in the case filed by the company in this regard.

The Opposition was hiding this fact while raising the allegations.

The Minister recalled that he had convened a meeting of Revenue and Forest officials and had directed a high-level committee to examine whether any other irregularity had been committed by the company. About 754 acres of vested forests, in possession of the company, was taken over.

Land recovery

Besides, the Government also took steps to recover 350 acres of vested forests, which had been cornered by an organisation called Travancore Foundation with the help of United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders.

Those behind the foundation included the son of an official who had been member of the personal staff of former Revenue Minister K. M. Mani. Another was the relative of a UDF leader in Pathanamthitta and a third was the daughter of a village officer.

He said that the Government was also planning to hike the rent on leased forest lands.

Those affected by such measures had been trying to weaken the actions of the Government by spreading misinformation and lies.

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