Probe on into charges of KDHP's illegal toll collection

The Revenue department has initiated a probe into widespread complaints raised against the illegal tourism activities and levying of fee from public/tourists by the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations.  The tourists and public are alleged to be taxed by way of entry charges, sight seeing charges, toll charges, road user charges and road maintenance charge, which cannot be done as per the Kanan Devan Hills Resumption Act.

The Land Board secretary, which has got an instruction from the Government Principal Secretary to look into the complaints, had directed the Idukki district administration to look into the issue and file a report at the earliest.  

Highly placed officials said that they have been receiving complaints with regard to levying fee from the public as well as tourists.  They said that as per the Kanan Devan Hills Resumption Act, 1971, the public right is protected and the company has no right over the roads. Further the roads are now maintained by the concerned panchayats from the state fund. Moreover, they also have no right to sell the greenery to the tourists and above all the land is offered to them on lease for plantation purpose only.

It is alleged that the company was levying road user fee of Rs 50 and road maintenance fee of Rs 150. On the allegations, PWD secretary T O Sooraj told Express that an affidavit has been filed with the High Court in this regard. As per the KDH Act, the company does not have any right over the roads and the land has been given to them on lease for plantation purpose only, he said.

Public Interest Protection Association (PIPA) , on whose complaint the Government had now given the instructions, alleged that KDHP had erected check points in major tourist spots and roads.  PIPA Secretary V Mohan Kumar alleged that the road to Devikulam lake from Ciggerrete point, road to Mankulam side, Rajamally and to Pothenmedu were all blocked and fee was being levied. Though the authorities were intimated about this many times, they have not taken any action, he claimed. 

source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/262580/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/25-04-2014#page/4/1

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