Chandy’s fifth year and ‘S’ and ‘B’ factors

Into the fifth and final year of Oommen Chandy's rule, its ‘Saritha’ and ‘Bar’ that is going to stay with the people as the greatest contribution of the Chandy government.  Its the negatives that always becomes hot topics of discussion rather than all the positives. Well, the people cant be blamed also with Chandy and his team always in the helm of Saritha or bar or infighting with the congress or the UDF.

No metro, Vizhinjam port, smart city or any other development activities is going stay along with Chandy and his team but sure the ‘S’and ‘B’ factors.

Into the fifth year and the final year, Chandy has come out with some programmes of providing insurance to Asha workers, renovating fishermen colonies, digitalising text books and providing welfare pensions direct to the bank accounts. And Chandy also announced his priority of completing all the projects undertaken.  

Though full with projects, the government is raked with scandals, allegations of corruption and infighting, which no doubt will haunt chandy and his team down to the last days.

But one thing is there that Chandy will be facing the toughest fight within his Congress and his UDF. Even some young turks in the congress has come up saying that Chandy government, terming is under dark shadows of graft. But Chandy has a solace that he has no threat from the opposition. Even after all the scandals and allegations of corruption, the Opposition has let the chandy ship to sail safe to the shore. They do not even show the courage that some of the Congress leaders have. And with all the scandals and corruptions, Chandy still sails along…..   

laproscopic Sterlisation: Docs denied medico-legal support

Doctors in the government sector performing laproscopic sterilisation are a worried lot with the government not providing medico-legal support if and when the persons subject to such surgery approach the court. Once the doctors face court cases, they only get support from the Professional Protection Scheme of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and that too only provided to life term members.

Noting that failures can happen in some persons who undergo laproscopic sterlisation, the doctors said that they were not getting the due support in most of the cases. IMA state secretary Dr A V Jayakrishnan said ''The doctors now perform laproscopic sterlisation at their own risk. They face mental trauma and physical strain when fighting the case individually at a time the sterilisation is being done as part of a national programme,'' he said.

Moreover, people file cases even after signing the approval letter that clearly states that they would avail the insurance amount as part of the national programme if there is a failure. Most of the people are said to file cases if they get a girl child after the sterlisation failure. If its a boy child, no cases are generally filed, the doctors said. Another thing pointed out is that the people who undergo sterilisation are asked to approach the doctor in case of any failure. But in most cases, they do not turn up but only approach the court.

Stating that fighting cases without any support was difficult most of the time, Dr Maya of the Women and Child Hospital, Thycaud, said '' it is really hard for fighting the case all alone. The only support that we get is from the IMA and that too only if a doctor is a life term member.''

source: The New Indian express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/326824/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/26-08-2014#page/6/1

Digitalisation of Land: A long road ahead for State

Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the Government is preparing for online mutation (pokkuvaravu) across the state, the officials in the village, taluk and other revenue offices are quite apprehensive about its implementation as there is a dearth of qualified staff who can handle the documents online. Moreover, doubts have also been raised if online mutation would be fool proof.

Now being implemented in Palakkad district, the government says that it is being smoothly implemented in the district and no complaints have been raised till now. However, those who are apprehensive said that though Palakkad is claimed to be a success, the government was yet to prove it. They also pointed out the possibility of technical error when registration of documents are made online.

Stating that there was nothing to worry when online mutation was introduced, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said that the online facility that was introduced in Palakkad district was functioning in a smooth manner. However, he pointed out that once the resurvey was completed, everything would be streamlined. ''Once the online mutation comes into force, there will not be any complaints with regard to land transactions,'' he said.

Once online mutation is completely introduced across the state, the government thinks of monitoring all land transactions and hopes that all suspicious land transactions in sensitive areas could be curbed. A document registered in one place can be checked at any place, which helps in checking bogus transactions.

However, the employees in the revenue department and the document writers forum have raised concern with regard to online mutation. Kerala Document Writers, Scribes and Stamp vendors Welfare Board member Mannoorkonam Sathyan said that there was not enough qualified staff in the revenue offices who can handle the documents online. Once the online mutation comes into effect, there are chances of more delay and extra financial burden on the part of the people, he said. Pointing out that around 50,000 document and scribe writers were in the state, he expressed his fear that the proposed reforms in the registration department will render them jobless and adversely affect their livelihood. However, he said that once all the offices are brought under the system, there would be more transparency.

Kerala Govt yet to act on Illegal LT Pattayams

The government is yet to act on the reports of Land Tribunal Pattayams (Title deeds or Purchase Certificates) under the illegal possession of certain institutions, trusts, companies and individuals even though the Land Board had intimated about widespread irregularities.

The Land Board is known to have sent a communication to the government more than two months back about the irregularity in LT Pattayams. In the communication, it was said that the LT title deeds that are generally given to cultivating tenants are now largely in possession of various companies, trusts, institutions and individuals. Moreover, the title deeds have been given for bulk land holdings of 100, 500, and 1000 acres of land respectively that exceed the stipulated ceiling limit as per the Kerala Land reforms Act.

Though LT pattayams had always been an issue for a long time, the Land Board is also blamed of having not done anything in this regard. Though Land Board itself could have taken action, the officials are said to be taking a lackadaisical attitude. 

Source: The New Indian Express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/318102/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/09-08-2014#page/5/1

Land Acquisition Act: Draft Rules given to State

The National Centre for Land Governance (NCLG), a Central Government initiative under the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, has submitted to the state government draft rules for the newly introduced Land Acquisition Act. Though the Centre had introduced the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act in January, the state government had not yet framed the Rules that had led to many issues related to land acquisition for many of the development projects.

The NCLG submitted the draft Rules to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Revenue secretary Satyajeeth Rajan on Wednesday. In the rules framed, the focus has been given to social impact assessment study and social impact management plans, sources said. The Rules contain rehabilitation package to the land owners, price fixation of lands, acquisition procedures and a lot more, they said.

Source

The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/298510/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/04-07-2014#page/5/1 

Kadakampally Land: Govt allows to remit Land tax

The land owners in Kadakampally Village can heave a sigh of relief with the government directing the revenue officials to collect land tax for survey numbers which are not disputed. The direction was given after a meeting convened by Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash took stock of the issues related to non collection of land tax in the Village.

Several complaints such as difficulties in getting educational loans were raised by people whose land were not involved in the case. The officials have been instructed to collect tax for survey numbers that were not included in the case pending in the High Court, Prakash said.

The Revenue secretary was also directed to take steps to get copies of the 'thandaper register from the CBI, which is probing the Kadakampally land scam. Revenue Secretary, Law Secretary, Land Board Commissioner, District Collector and Survey Director were present in the meeting.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/283968/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/06-06-2014#page/3/1

Amendment to Kerala Land Reforms Act put the Govt in a fix

The State Government and the Land Board is in a fix over the practical implementation of the Amendment brought to the Kerala land Reforms Act, which gave exemption to cashew estates. Though the amendment was brought two years ago, the Land Board officials are in a quandary as the amendment, which they say have no clear guidelines and is incomplete.

Even though the amendment was brought in 2012, the Land Board has been continuously raising doubts over the implementation and the negative impact it would have on the land reforms. The confusion is very evident from the latest direction sent last month to the Land Board secretary that the amendment should only be followed. 

In the 2012 amendment, no specific cut of date for the plantations has been said, which has added to the confusion.  As per the amendment, any land having not less than 150 cashew trees per hectare before and after the amendment was brought in can be given exemption. The land board has been demanding the government to come out with specific guidelines as the present amendment brought in could hamper the good intentions of retrieving surplus land, which could be used for public purposes. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/258626/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/17-04-2014#page/4/1

Aranmula: Govt for giving exemption to over 200 acres of land

The state government, which is so adamant in supporting the controversial private Airport at Aranmula despite widespread protests citing several legal impediments pertaining to land acquisition and environment disasters , has decided to go ahead with granting exemption to more than 200 acres of land that the airport promoters -- KGS group had acquired as part of the project.

The Revenue department has been asked to make a proposal in the cabinet with regard to providing exemption to the land acquired by the private company inviloation of the Land Reforms Act. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday, which was attended by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Pathanamthitta MLA K Shivadasan Nair, Revenue Principal Secretary Sathyajeeth Rajan and top officials from the Land Board and Commissionerate of Land Revenue.

In the meeting it was also decided to file a counter affidavit against the Green Tribunal order that stayed the construction of the airport until further orders, highly placed sources said. The meeting observed that the government had the discretionary powers to give exemption for the project under the Land Reforms Act and also from the Wet land and Paddy Conservation Act, the sources said.

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/225885/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/08-02-2013#page/4/1

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

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

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

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

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