Kerala Govt clueless about consequences of amending Land Assignment Rules

The Kerala government that has reverted the Land Assignment Rules for granting title deeds for up to four acres and removes restrictions on land transfers is uncertain over the ramifications it could bring in the future. The government has no perception if the amendments could abet encroachments, encourage land mafia and resort mafia and raise unauthorised quarries/constructions.

When reversing the Land Assignment rules, the government's priority was only providing title deeds to those who had settled in Idukki district prior to January 1, 1977. Though amendment is being bought in the ''interest of the farmers in Idukki,'' the government is alleged to have not taken note of the wide spread ramifications it could have in the future. 

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash during a press conference last week had stated that the amendment was a first step and all the issues that could come up will be looked into. On the allegations that the amendment could only help the land and resort mafia, he said '' this is a first step. The amendments have been made for only occupied lands. The government will look into the allegations, if any, in the future,'' he said, which is clear indication that the government has brought out the amendment in haste.

The government has also not clarified on the steps that would be taken if the status of the land that is given for agriculture purpose is changed. The environmentalists doubt that once the title deeds are got, the land will be used for other purposes such as constructing resorts, quarry activities and other purposes.

The government in its order (24-12-2013) has done away with the amendments brought to the rules 5(A) and 8(1) of the Kerala Land Assignment Rules 1964 in 2005 and 2009, which had limited land holdings to one acre and the time stipulation of minimum 25 years for sale of land.


Source; the New Indian Express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/205503/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/30-12-2013#page/4/1

The State government's decision to amend Land Assignment Rules for granting of title deeds for up to four acres and remove restrictions on transfer of the assigned land has raised 
apprehension among environmentalists, stating that it will have serious ramifications and abet 
land encroachment.
Though the government says that the amendment is being bought in the ''interest of the 
farmers  in Idukki,'' it is alleged to help land and resort mafia. It is alleged that once the 
amendment is brought in, it would only help in legalising the illegal land transactions.  The new 
amendment could have a larger impact on the recent Kasturirangan and Gadgil reports, the 
environmentalists allege.The cabinet has proposed to do away with the amendments brought 
to the rules 5(A) and 8(1) of the Kerala Land Assignment Rules 1964 in 2005 and 2009. The 
amendments annulled are the one pertaining to possession of land, which was limited to one 
acre and the time stipulation of minimum 25 years for sale of land. With these annulments, 
title-deeds can now be given for land holdings up to 4 acres and sale of land made possible 
before reaching 25 years of possession, if the seller has an occupied house in that land.
Official sources said that the change of rules could only lead to unauthorised constructions, 
unauthorised quarries, large-scale felling of trees and illegal road construction. The 
government's reversal can only aid all the forces that causes destruction, they alleged. It is 
learned that some of the high ranking officials in the revenue department was against the 
scrapping of the rules.


Source: The New Indian Express
http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/203067/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/25-12-2013#page/1/1

Harrisons Malayalam: Govt Pleader Kept in the dark

In an apparent move to weaken the state government's interest in resuming the lands in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd (HML), special government pleader Susheela R Bhatt, who had been entrusted with the responsibility of handling the entire HML cases, was kept in the dark in a case related to criminal proceedings against HML officials, ultimately facilitating the company to get a stay.

Though the government through a special order (20/4/2012) had entrusted Susheela Bhatt to handle all the cases, it is learned that the files pertaining to criminal proceedings case against the HML officials was not sent to the government pleader. It is alleged that another pleader who had no knowledge about the entire case was entrusted with appearing in the case, which resulted in the granting of the stay to the HML.

It is also alleged that the government counsel who appeared in the case had not consulted the special government pleader.

Allegations have been raised that there was a deliberate move to sabotage the government's initiative of retrieving the lands in the illegal possession of HML. They alleged that such moves could only affect the government's drive against all encroachments in the state. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/201049/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/21-12-2013#page/2/1

Kerala Govt not to be deterred by Harrisons' petition

Taking serious note of Harrison Malayalam Ltd's contentions against Revenue officials and special government pleader (Revenue) on retrieving lands in its illegal possession, the state government has made it clear that nothing will deter it from its drive against illegal lands. 

In a petition before the High Court, the HML had alleged that there was a concerted effort on the part of the officials and the Law officers to resume the lands in their possession.

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash has said that the government had full confidence on the Special government pleader and she is dong a good job. It was because of the confidence in the pleader that the government had been taking stern actions against the company.

source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/200544/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/20-12-2013#page/2/1

Frequent shunting of secretaries hit Kerala revenue Dept

The frequent shunting of secretaries in the Revenue Department is posing hurdles in the smooth functioning of the department, with many important decisions getting delayed and files getting bundled up. The last time the department had a secretary for a long period was when Nivedita P Haran was the secretary for more than five years before she was made the director of the Institute of Management in Government in April 2012.

From April 2012, the department had seen a continuous change of guard with six secretaries till now. K B Valsala Kumari, who came after Nivedita P Haran, retired in October 2012,  which means she was at the helm of affairs for just six months. The government then appointed G Kamala Vardhana Rao and he took charge in January 2013. However, he went on leave in May 2013, the gap then was filled by T O Sooraj, who was given the charge. In June, the government handed over the charge to T J Mathew, who continued till September. Rao, who came back from leave joined as secretary in October and continued till November after which he took leave.  The government then gave the charge to Asha Thomas and Tom Jose, who were in the post for about ten days each. And now Satyajeet Rajan is the new secretary who took over on Tuesday.

The continuous shunting of officers has affected the sustained functioning of the department. Highly placed sources alleged that there are no takers for the post as there was much interference and pressure on the officers , especially in controversial issues.

They said that the officials had just vanished to avoid any compromise and as they were not given a free hand to take decisions.

Moreover, the government has shunted the officials who had taken stern decisions.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/197018/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/12-12-2013#page/4/1

Golf Course: Govt adds to the confusion over take over

The transfer of the Golf course to the Sports Authority of India has landed up in utter confusion even as the government adds to it mentioning that ''Golf Club'' instead of the ''Golf Course'' will be transferred. The use of the word 'Golf Club' instead of 'Golf Course' in the government order has created confusion as to what exactly the government intends to hand over.

Golf Club is a private club registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Society Registration Act 1955, in 1984. The officials have questioned how the government will be able to transfer a private club registered under this Act. It was the 25 acre Golf Course taken over by the Government during the previous LDF regime that was decided to be transferred to SAI. However, discrepancies have crept in the order dated November 19, which is in possession with Express that says that the Golf Club will be transferred.

Though the government can recommend that the rights of the present golf club members should be protected when handing over the golf course to SAI, it cannot say that the club will be given to another institution.

Moreover, in the order it has been said that the transfer will be be subject to final decision on a case before the Supreme Court regarding its takeover by the government. However, no such case is pending in the Supreme Court and all the cases are now before the High Court, the sources said and added that it was a grave mistake on the part of the government to have issued such an order without looking into the actual position.

Source; The new Indian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/197018/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/12-12-2013#page/17/1

Harrisons: Top officials from Land Bank, the Land Commissionerate, Registration and Survey to be part of Probe team

The vigilance that has initiated a detailed probe into the lands in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd and forgery of its documents, has stepped in to constitute a high level team, including top officials of the Land Commissionerate, State Land Bank, Registration and Survey departments.

The special team under DYSP V Shyamkumar will have Assistant Commissioner ( L A) and Special Officer D Sajith Babu, Land Board Assistant Secretary Shibu, first grade and second grade surveyors and top officials from the Registration department.

Official sources said that a recommendation for constituting the high level team, including the above officials and others from the Revenue department, has been submitted to the Vigilance Director. It is learned that the team will be constituted at the earliest.

The special team was constituted for a detailed probe into the whole issue highlighted in the preliminary report submitted by investigating officer DYSP Nandanam Pillai, who looked into the forgery of document 1600/1923, which comprised of about 26,000 acres of land registered at the Kollam Principal Registration office. The Vigilance has already registered a case against against HML executive officials C Vinayaraghavan, Dharmaraj, Ravi Anand and V Venugopal and four registrars for the alleged forgery of documents.

Apart from looking into the forgery of the documents, the investigation will cover the alleged financial dealings of the company, which includes diversion of funds, tax evasion, availing loans from various banks and tea subsidies. The team will have an intensive probe into the alleged corruption of officials in the revenue and registration departments.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/196550/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/11-12-2013#page/3/1

Kerala Ware Housing Chairman: Kerala Govt refutes agriculture dept and appoints tainted official

Defying the agriculture department's dissent, the Kerala government has appointed G Mohandas as Chairman of the Kerala State Warehousing Corporation, against whom a vigilance inquiry is going on with respect to the Purchase of 1850 MT Urea costing Rs 93.31 lakh and who is facing allegations of incurring a loss of Rs 91.76 to the corporation with respect to irregular appointments during his earlier tenure as Managing Director in the corporation.

The government appointed him as the chairman of the corporation on November 18, despite the agriculture department stating that all the allegations and the pending vigilance inquiry should be taken note of before proceeding with the appointment. 

The Vigilance department that was sought a clearance on the issue, noted that the administrative department can take action as per provisions under Warehousing Corporation (WC) Act, 1962. Though the vigilance had not mentioned anything else, the agriculture department in its note, which is with Express, had stated that all the allegations against Mohandas should be perused before proceeding. ''During his tenure so many irregular appointments are made in 6the corporation. Loss incurred to the corporation due to these irregular appointments comes to Rs 91,76,705. 1850 Mt urea was purchased during his tenure for distribution among farmers for an amount of Rs 93,31,215. The urea was not distributed and later it was sold out for Rs 51,66,678. There is a C&AG report regarding this,'' the department had said in its dissent note.

However, The Minister had given instructions on November 17 to issue the orders based on the fact that the Warehousing Corporation Act 1962 does not reveal any disqualification for the appointment. The Minister is alleged to have ignored the Vigilance inquiry and also the allegations against Mohandas that has been pointed out by his department.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/194381/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/06-12-2013#page/4/1

Land Issue: Kerala to serve notice to resume land from Planatation Majors

The Kerala Government that has initiated resumption of the lands in the illegal possession ofHarrisons Malayalam Ltd, will serve a notice on the company in two weeks time for the final

take over of the lands.

The special team constituted to take back the lands in the HML's illegal possession has 

completed 95 per cent inspection of the estates in four districts. 

Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki are the four districts that the special team 

headed by special officer M G Rajamanickam is surveying as part of document 1600/1923, which was alleged to be be forged. The special officer was appointed based on the High Court judgement, which had permitted the government to reclaim the land which is allegedly in illegal possession of HML by implementing the provisions of the Land Conservancy Act. 

Stating that all the three districts have been completed, Rajamanickam said ''the inspection inIdukki was conducted on November 29 and 30. The inspection of the remaining Pooppara  and Devikulam regions in Idukki will be completed this week itself, which will complete the whole inspection.''

Once the inspection is complete, a showcase notice will be served on the company as per the 

the Kerala Land Reforms acts and rules in the second week of December to prove its claims over the land, official sources said. The team was entrusted with inspecting a total area of 25630.94 acres of land that comes under the 1600/1923 document.  Of this, the HML had sold 6703 acres of land.  

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/192486/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/02-12-2013#page/3/1

Golf Course: Water Authority serves notice for Rs 18 lakh arrears

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has served a notice on the Golf club for water charge arrears to the tune of Rs 18 lakh and that the service will be disconnected on December 2.  Of the three water connections, the water authority had already disconnected two of them earlier for non-payment of the arrears. The notice issued by the Assistant Engineer, Vigilance cell of the KWA, to the Honorary Golf Club secretary states that connection KDR/757/N will be disconnected.

The Notice sent on November 27 had given five days time to the Club authorities to make the payment. It said that the club was to pay Rs 18.78 lakh to the Water Authority, the due from July 2003 to October 2013.

An amount of Rs 84,66,774 and Rs 58,05,120 has come as water charge arrears as on February 21, 2013 for the two disconnected services. The arrears for the water connections had accumulated over years even before the government took over the course in 2010.  The Golf Course will only be now left with the bore wells once the existing connection is also disconnected.

Source: The new Indnian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/192486/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/02-12-2013#page/2/1

Panel to probe financial fraud of Plantation Major

After the Kerala government initiating the process of retrieving lands in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, the government is all set to constitute a high level panel for looking into the alleged financial fraud of the company, including diversion of funds, tax evasion and availing of loans from banks.

The high level team will be under an official not below the rank of chief secretary. The team will also comprise of officials from Revenue, Finance, Tax, Survey and Registration departments.

The government decided to go ahead with unearthing the alleged financial fraud as it involves crores of revenue that is due to the government.

All financial dealings of the company that has a direct impact on the resumption procedures of the government with respect to the lands in their illegal possession will come under the probe. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/191334/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/29-11-2013#page/4/1

Aranmula Airport: Kerala Govt move dilutes Land rules

The Kerala Land reforms Act and the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act is allegedly being sabotaged with the government so adamant in allowing more reclamation and providing legal validity to the already filled fields for the controversial Airport at Aranmula and to give waiver to the excess land in the possession of KGS Aranumla International Airport Ltd. 

Legal experts and environmentalists who have already come out against the private airport says that the government's move will only dilute the very provisions of the Acts, which are considered to be landmark legislations.

They note that the government had the powers to grant exemption for conversion or reclamation of paddy land for public purpose but was subject to certain conditions. The exemption can be given only if it will have no adverse effect on the cultivation of paddy in the adjoining paddy land and also the ecological condition in that area.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/189499/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/25-11-2013#page/5/1

Aranmula Airport: Kerala's magnanimity when having tough time for giving land to the poor

The state government's move to hand over revenue land to the promoters of the proposed 
Private airport project at Aranmula comes at a time when the revenue department is going 
through a tough time to identify three cents of land each for the poor as part of the Zero 
Landless project.
Apart from Kannur and Kasargode, the landless outnumber the plots identified in the other 
districts. It has also been alleged that the government is giving prime land to the airport that
would have resulted in serious environmental disaster at Aranmula when the land distributed 
as part of the Zero Landless was mired in controversies related to ownership and its 
uninhabitable nature. Though the government claims to have identified about 75,000 plots in 
the first phase of the project, the proceedings have been completed only in the case of 
25,000 families. The government's hasty move to provide land to the KGS Aranumla 
International Airport Ltd has raised several questions even when apprehensions are there over
the implementation of the UDF Government’s flagship populist programme ''Zero
Landless Project''.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/188179/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/22-11-2013#page/4/1

Trivandrum Golf Course: Revenue Dept kept in the dark

The Revenue department, which is custodian of the Thiruvananthapuram Golf Course, has been kept in the dark even as the Cabinet in-principle gave an accord to the proposal for its takeover by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 

The cabinet had last week given its nod to the proposal from SAI with regard to the taking over of the Golf course and transforming it into one of international standards. However, the officials in the Revenue department allege that they were not aware of this.

Even as the Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash denies any big issue, the officials point out that the golf course was taken back from the Golf Club after many struggles. There is no doubt that it is a big venture and could give a fillip to the golf course. But before taking any decision, the matter should have been discussed with the revenue department,  the officials said.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/186219/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/18-11-2013#page/4/1

Plantation Major's threat of Lay off not to deter Kerala Govt from taking back lands in illegal possession

Irrespective of a threat of a lay-off and close down of the estates, the Kerala Government, which has embarked on retrieving land in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, is not for succumbing to the pressure tactics. It has decided to go ahead to initiate action under the provisions of the Kerala Land Conservancy Act. 

The Plantations Majors had sent letters to the State Labour department stating that it would be difficult to go ahead with the functioning of its estates. However, the government sees this only as a pressure tactics of the company in the wake of actions being initiated against it.

State Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash has said that the Government will not succumb to the pressure tactics and would go ahead with taking back lands in their illegal possession. 

The company had been adopting pressure tactics from the day the government initiated steps against them. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/183266/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/11-11-2013#page/6/1

License to KDH Bungalows; District Admn initiates steps

After alleged controversies were raised against the issuing of licenses to the bungalows of the Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Ltd in Munnar, the Idukki district administration is learned to take a decision on the unilateral decision of the secretaries of Munnar and Devikulam panchayats. The Devikulam RDO has submitted a report to the District collector in this regard. 

It is learned that the Devikulam RDO in his report had said that the panchayat secretaries had issued the licenses on the basis of the Ombudsman's order. The district administration will examine if the Ombudsman's order can be implemented in the wake of High Court order and other pending cases.

It is alleged that revenue and district administration have been kept in the dark while issuing licenses. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had come out against the decision, demanding the government to withdraw the order.

The licenses had been given when an interim order by the High Court clearly says that its concurrence and direction was needed for any decision related to giving license for Homestays or use of the land for tourism purposes. It had also directed that the order of the LSGD Ombudsman giving permission to grant licenses should not be implemented. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/181280/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/06-11-2013#page/5/1

Defying Court orders, KDH given licence for Home stays in Munnar , Kerala

Defying Kerala High Court's direction and contrary to Kerala government's objections, as many as 20 bungalows of the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited in Munnar have been given license for running Homestays. The Revenue and district administration have been kept in the dark while issuing license by the Munnar and Devikulam panchayats.

The panchayat authorities have also given NOC to M/s Muthoot Hotels Pvt Ltd to run tourist bungalows on the basis of the license already issued in the name of KDHP company.

In an interim order dated December 7, 2012 The High Court has said that its concurrence and direction was needed for any decision related to giving license for Homestays or use of the land for tourism purposes. The Court had also directed that the order of the LSGD Ombudsman giving permission to grant licenses should not be implemented. However, the Munnar and Devikulam Panchayat secretaries have issued licenses on the basis of the Ombudsman's order.

Devikulam RDO Madhu Gangadhar said that the NOC and the license has been issued without consulting the district administration or the revenue department.
Legal experts point out that the action of both the panchayat secretaries amount to contempt of court. There are allegations that certain political leaders leaders were behind issuing the license.
Source: The NewIndian Express
http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/180729/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/04-11-2013#page/6/1


 

Vigilance registers Case against HML, Revenue officials

The Vigilance in Kerala on Friday registered a case against Harrisons Malayalam Ltd and revenue officials after a preliminary inquiry found evidence of forgery of documents and survey maps with the Plantation Majors. The case has been registered against four company officials and four registrars who helped in allegedly forging the documents.

HML officials C Vinayaraghavan, Dharmaraj, Ravi Anand and V Venugopal are those against whom the Vigilance had registered the case. The registrars against whom cases were registered are T J Mariam, G Vijayakumar (both Punaloor), P S Sreekumar (Peerumedu) and N M Gopinathan Nair (Erumeli). The FIR was submitted before the Vigilance Court here.

The vigilance also proposes a special team for a detailed probe into the whole issue highlighted in the preliminary report submitted by investigating officer DYSP Nandanam Pillai.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1862022

Green seeks speedy implementation of Gadgil report

A group of about 30 environmental groups from the state on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Nikhil Kumar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan for the the speedy implementation of the recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil report on the Western Ghats.

In the memorandum, they said there was great concern with respect to the fast deterioration of the Western Ghats and its profound adverse impact on the very existence of the people of the state.

After submitting the memorandum, environmentalists A Achuthan, Thayyat Balan and T Shobheendran said that Chandy had given an assurance that a meeting of those who support and oppose the Gadgil report will be convened within a month. ''The Chief Minister said that the environmentalists, farmer's organisations and quarry owners will be called in a single platform to discuss the report,'' Achuthan said.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/180117/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/02-11-2013#page/3/1

Zero Landless: Kerala faces uphill task

Even as Kannur is declared as the first Zero Landless district, the government faces an uphill 
task in implementing the project in most of the districts with the authorities finding it hard 
to identify lands.
Kannur and Kasargode are the only districts where the government has identified excess plots.In all the other districts, the landless outnumber the plots identified, which raises doubt over the implementation of the UDF government’s flagship populist programme of distributing three cents of land each to poor families in a bid to make the state a place without landless people 
by 2015.
Though land  is available in most of the  districts, the government is facing many hurdles. Land
such as those which have completed lease period, encroached lands and lands that have 
violated lease agreement are available, the officials said and alleged that there was no 
political will to take back these lands. 
It has been alleged that though the government claims to have identified of about 75,000 

plots in the first phase, the proceedings have been completed only in the case of 25,000
families. Moreover, several of the lands distributed were mired in
controversies related to ownership or already owned by other people. 

Source: The New Inian Express
http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/180117/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/02-11-2013#page/4/1

Padmanabhapuram palace

Padmanabhapuram palace, a set on Flickr.

Land Force in All Districts

The Public Land Protection Force (PLPF), which has been designed for evicting encroachments on public lands, is being expanded to all the districts in Kerala. 

The PLPF, which is now deployed only in Idukki district, is being extended to the other districts after it was found to be effective in tackling encroachments on public lands.

The Protection Force has been formed to act as supporting staff of the District Collector in physically evicting the encroachments on call, act as surveillance staff of Government lands as a routine affair and to act as a deterrent force against encroachments on public lands. 

The PLPF has been given many powers. On detection of fresh encroachments the member of PLPF can physically remove the same after informing the same to the Platoon Head. On detection of encroachments which are non-removable, a case should be registered against the encroacher at the local police station under the Kerala Land Conservancy (Amendment ) 2009.

Source: The New Indian Express ..... http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/177850/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/28-10-2013#page/5/1

Vigilance initiates criminal case against revenue officials and a Plantation Major

The Vigilance that had unearthed documents and survey maps with Plantation Majors – Harrisons Malayalam Ltd – as fabricated, has taken a lead in initiating criminal cases against those involved in forging the documents, including the company and revenue officials.

In the vigilance report submitted by DYSP Nandanam Pillai, it is learned that he had recommended registering cases against company officials and the registrars who were involved in the alleged forgery of document 1600/1923. The report is said to have recommended further investigation into the role of the revenue officials and to take appropriate action against them.

Nandanam Pillai who probed the authenticity of document 1600/1923, which comprised of about 26,000 acres of land registered at the Kollam Principal Registration office, found that the documents and survey maps with the company are all fabricated and have been made outside the country, especially England. They had found that the document registered in 1923 was prepared in high quality paper with John Dickinson and company water mark, which was not in use then. Moreover, the conch insignia of the Travancore royal family embossed in the paper did not tally with the insignia of that time, which was egg shaped. A marked difference between the lithographic maps submitted by the company and the government was also found.

Source: The New Indian Express .....read more here....http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/176687/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/25-10-2013#page/5/1

Govt to look into alleged financial frauds of Plantation

After the state government taking the lead in retrieving the lands in the illegal possession of plantation Majors – Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, the government is all set to initiate a probe into the alleged fraudulent financial dealings of the company, including tax evasion and diversion of funds.

The government is for constituting a committee comprising of legal and financial experts to look into the alleged financial frauds of the company. Diversion of funds, tax evasion, selling of land, accounting of money, loans availed from banks and tea subsidies will all come under the purview of the probe.

The government has already initiated action with respect to taking back the illegally held lands. Special Officer appointed for retrieving the lands M G Rajamanickam had already inspected the estates under the Company in Kollam district in the first week of this month. The other estates would also come under the scanner in the coming months.

Source: The new Indian express .......http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/175779/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/23-10-2013#page/4/1

Golf Academy: Sports Authority visits Golf Course at trivandrum

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), which plans to set up a Golf Academy in the state, visited the Trivandrum Golf Course and conducted a feasibility study of the course. Golf Management expert Liam Timms led the SAI team , that inspected the course.
''It was just a preliminary survey. He had come here to study the course and the possibility of setting up the academy,'' Sports Authority of India, Kerala region, director G Kishore told Express.
He said that they would also do a preliminary survey of the technical prerequisites and parameters required for setting up the academy. ''Timms even had a game at the Trivandrum Course,'' Kishore said. The expert will submit the report to SAI.

Source: New Indian Express........ http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/175779/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/23-10-2013#page/17/1

Tribals apprehensive of Zero Landless Project

Even as the government moves ahaed with the Zero Landless Project that provides three cents of land to the landless, the Tribals in the state are apprehensive over the promised land to them by the government.

The Adivasis feel that the Zero Landless project will only sabotage the real issue of landless population in the state. They said that it will only undermine the Kerala Land Reforms Act, Adivasi Agreement of 2001, Chengara Agreement of 2009, Supreme Court verdict of providing one acre land and the Draft National Land Reforms Policy (2013). They alleged that the government by extending the zero landless project to the tribals is only deviating from their promise of five acres of land to the tribal families.

The tribal leaders point out that most of the lands earmarked in Idukki, Kannur and Wayanad for the adivasis were taken over by the government for setting up various projects.

Alleging that the government was only having a negative approach towards the Tribals, Adivasi Gothra Sabha leader M Geethanandan said that the government has scant regard for the various agreements. ''The Chengara package and Supreme court verdict are all still in papers,'' he said.

Source: The New Indian Express

readmore:

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/174154/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/19-10-2013#page/1/1

Compensation to Plantation; opposition leader raises concern

Kerala Opposition Leader V S Achuthanadan calls for canceling the move to provide compensation illegally to a plantation owner for the land to be acquired for setting up a centre of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Wayanad. 
Pursuing the case in earnest , he also sent a letter to Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash urging him to interfere in the matter at the earliest. He said that the move to give compensation for the government land was illegal and would lead to corruption.

In the letter quoting the news from Express, he said ''it is learned that the government proposes to acquire 75 acres of land from Glen leven estate and to give a compensation of Rs 25 crore. This land has been declared as excess land by the Taluk land Board and is entrusted to the government. However, the government is moving ahead for giving compensation to Glen Leven company citing technical reason that the land has not been taken from them.'' As the land has been declared 'excess land', there was no impediment in acquiring the land and giving it to the Institute, he added.

Achuthanandan also mentions in the letter that the opinion given by the Special government pleader (revenue) against giving compensation was not taken into account by certain revenue officials concerned. They then approached the Advocate general who had given a legal opinion that compensation could be given, he said and alleged that certain revenue officials and the AG were hand in glove.

Source: the New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/174154/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/19-10-2013#page/5/1

Land for Sree Chitra Institute caught in compensation issue

The proposal to set up a centre of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Wayanad has met with a roadblock with the Revenue Department coming out against the move to grant compensation to the owners of the Glen Leven Estate citing that it was actually government land.
The 75 acres of land to be acquired that comes under exempted category is controlled land for which the revenue department says that no compensation need to be given. It is learned that a compensation of about 20 to 25 crores is proposed to be given to the land owners. ''There is no need to give compensation to exempted land when it is acquired,'' highly places sources said.

The report of the Revenue Divisional Office, Manandavadi dated November 30, 2012, says that an extent of 64.93 acres belonging to Glen Level estates is declared as excess land by the Taluk Land Board. Once declared as excess land, it has to be surrendered to the government free of cost. There is no provision to give compensation to excess land under the land acquisition Act, they said.

source: the newindian express

read more: http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/170041/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/09-10-2013#page/4/1 

Kerala Govt prohibits tree felling in HML Land

The Kerala government that has initiated resumption of land in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd (HML), has directed the officials not to allow cutting of trees or grant possession certificates for the holdings of the Company. The Special Officer, appointed as per the directive of the High Court to resume the land from HML, issued the directions to all the village and Taluk officers.

In the direction, the officials have been asked not to allow any change in the tenure of the land, such as leasing, ownership change or otherwise. The transfer of lands should also be not allowed, the directive specifies.

The officials in the village and Taluk offices have been instructed to report all illegal actions on the part of the HML to the Special officer, highly placed officials said. ''Any action that is against the proceedings should be intimated to the Special Officer by the concerned officers, including the Forest officials,'' the sources said. They also said that the company should get prior permission of the Special Officer with regard to any issues related to the plantations.

 Source: New Indian Express

Read more here: http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/167442/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/03-10-2013#page/3/1

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1767614

Aranmula Airfield: Kerala Govt says promoters have right for exemption

Even though strong protest is brewing among social , political and environment groups against the proposed private airport project at Aranmula, the government has intimated the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest stating that the KGS Group, promotoers of the airfield, has a right to claim exemption under the Kerala Land Reforms Act.

In the letter sent to the union ministry of Environment and forests , Principal secretary, Department of Environment Pradeep Kumar has said that the proponent has a right to claim exemption under the Kerala Land Reforms Act on the basis of Government order dated September 2010, which was issued while granting' in principle approval' for the said Green Field project. However, this is against the Cabinet's decision that land will be acquired only under the existing rules.

Kozhencherry Taluk Land Board had a few months ago declared 232 acres of land at Aranmula that forms part of the proposed airport site as excess land, and directed the Revenue officials concerned to take possession of the excess land, invoking the relevant provisions in the Kerala Land Reforms Act.

The Environment secretary states that no permission will be issued for filling the land except filing required for airside activities. The government land will be transferred to the promoter at market price as per established procedure. 

source and for more : http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/State-government-letter-on-airport-project-kicks-up-a-row/2013/10/08/article1825103.ece 

Regional drug testing lab facing uncertain future

The first regional drugs testing laboratory in Ernakulam, which was set to be launched this year seems to be facing an uncertain future with the delay in creating posts and a section of the employees allegedly scuttling the project for fear of transfers.
Though the building work for the laboratory has been completed and the necessary equipment installed by and large, the issue of sanctioning of posts has led to the delay of the launch, State Drugs Controller P Hariprasad said.
The file is now pending in the Chief Minister’s office and once it is cleared, there will be no further delay, he said.
Though the Drugs Control Department had recommended 79 posts for the regional drug testing laboratory, the Finance Department had sanctioned only 30 posts. However, the number of posts was further cut down to 26 allegedly after a section of the employees approached the government. The government seems to have decided to stick to 30 posts. Sources said that a few employees in the Drug Testing Laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram by using political clout had delayed the sanctioning of the posts for fear of getting transferred.
Once the regional lab is set up in Ernakulam, promotions can happen and some of those working at the Thiruvananthapuram lab would be shifted. Moreover, there is also an issue with respect to the post of Chief Analyst after the Drugs Department had recommended such a post at Ernakulam also.
Apart from the lab at Ernakulam, the fate of other regional drugs testing laboratories at Thrissur and Kozhikode is also uncertain. Though the government claims that the works have progressed, lack of sufficient funds is said to be causing problems.
The regional drug testing laboratories were envisaged after it was found that the lone laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram could not handle the bulk samples from across the state. Though about 5000 samples are collected a month from the market for conducting tests, the laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram has the facility to check only a limited number.
Moreover, there is also a backlog of three to six months in announcing the test results.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Drug-testing-lab-in-Ernakulam-facing-uncertain-future/2013/10/07/article1822569.ece