Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

New package for evictees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has announced a social security and rehabilitation package for the residents of Moolamppilly who are to be evicted in connection with the Vallarpadam International Tranship Container Terminal project in Kochi.

Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran told reporters here on Thursday that three slabs of four, five and six cents of land have been worked out for those who have to be evicted for rail and road connectivity for the project.

Those who had given land up to five cents will get an equal area of land close to the place where they have been living. Families which have to surrender more than five cents will be eligible for six cents.

Certain families had accepted the government proposal and accepted three cents offered earlier. Such families will get one more cent of land. The government will provide land suitable for constructing houses and also without disturbing their social relations and livelihood.

It may take 10 months for a family to construct a house. Till then, each family will get a monthly rent of Rs.5,000. The amount of Rs.50,000 will be given as lump-sum. In addition, a sum of Rs.10,000 will be given for creating facilities such as toilets and latrines. A member of each family will get a job according to his qualification on the completion of the project.

The State government will hold discussions with the Union Finance Ministry and Cochin Port Trust to give income tax exemption to those who have surrendered land for the project. This would be a major sop since the families will have to pay a substantial sum as income tax on getting the compensation for the surrendered land, he said.

Mr. Rajendran said that land from four villages will have to be acquired for rail connectivity and seven villages for laying the road. As many as 189 houses will have to be shifted for road development and 159 for the railway line. The Cabinet sub-committee has already held talks with the coordination committee and the package has been drawn up considering their suggestions too.

The Minister urged the committee leaders to withdraw the agitation.

The district administration has been directed to expedite the process. The rehabilitation package could be implemented from Friday, he said.

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