The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : No repeal of Land Reforms Act

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

No repeal of Land Reforms Act

Land ceiling has not hindered development, says V.S. Achuthanandan

Government to take back estates after expiry of lease
He alleges discrimination in fixing grain price

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has ruled out repealing of the Land Reforms Act.

Referring to media reports on a proposal from the Industries Department that the reforms should be rolled back, the Chief Minister said on Thursday that the reforms had helped overall progress of the State.

“The reforms have not been completed. Many more things remain to be done.”

On the argument that land ceiling hindered development of the State, Mr. Achuthanandan said if any factory needed land, the government would arrange for it.

Asked about the controversy over CPI Ministers securing the release of a local councillor from police custody, the Chief Minister said it was not unusual for party leaders to rush to the assistance of their cadre when they were arrested during public protests.

He said he did not know the details of the incident and would enquire about it.

He said Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had not complained to him about the incident.

While it was normal for political parties to hold protest demonstrations over public issues, the police resorted to action if the protest turned violent.

He said the government’s policy was to take back estates on land leased by the government after the expiry of the lease. Government property would not be allowed to be sold by lessees.

A meeting of Collectors would be held here on November 23 and 24 to discuss eviction of encroachers.

The Chief Minister said the government had demanded that the Centre should fix the procurement price of coconuts at Rs.6.

The State government was already providing a subsidy of 80 paise per coconut. The Centre should add to that. He said the Centre had agreed to consider the demand.

Procurement price

Mr. Achuthanandan said the Union government was discriminating against southern States in fixing procurement price for grains.

While the price for wheat was increased from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,000, the price of paddy was increased only by Rs. 50.

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