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Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007
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Cabinet sub-committee corrects STF

Special Correspondent

Action against bigwigs who encroached upon Government land to continue

V.S. Achuthanandan commends STF's work.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Cabinet sub-committee on Tuesday reviewed the functioning of the Special Task Force (SFT) for eviction of encroachments in Munnar and corrected the force on its assessment that all title deeds issued at the hill resort by deputy tahsildar M.I. Raveendran in 1999 were illegal.

The Cabinet panel observed that the STF had erred in rushing to demolish the front portion of an office-cum-tourist home of the Communist Party of India at Munnar. However, action should continue against bigwigs who had encroached on Government land.

The review was attended by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran, besides members of the sub-committee.

Briefing presspersons on the decisions of the committee, the Chief Minister said he himself had erred in thinking that all titles issued by Mr. Raveendran during the term of the previous Left Democratic Front Government were illegal. Special Officer K. Suresh Kumar had erred in making a press statement, as if it was a policy statement, that all `Raveendran pattas' were illegal on the basis of the proceedings of the Revenue Divisional Officer. There were two types of titles issued by Mr. Raveendran — authorised and unauthorised. It was for the Government and courts to decide which were valid.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the deputy tahsildar had issued the titles deeds as authorised by the District Collector and a committee selected the beneficiaries. The titles were to be issued to the landless and more than 500 title deeds had been issued. However, Mr. Raveendran had issued more than 200 of these title deeds on his own volition. This was not in accordance with the directives from the Minister. (The title deeds were issued when CPI leader K.E. Ismail was Revenue Minister).

The Chief Minister said the STF was warned about the error. No other action was contemplated, as it was a mistake committed while working with sincerity. They had been convinced of their error during the discussions.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the STF was doing a commendable job. That should continue. It had become clear during the discussions that the STF had not received sufficient help. There was shortage of machinery and trained surveyors capable of using modern techniques. These would be made up in a week.

He said the STF had so far demolished 91 unauthorised constructions and resumed or taken steps to resume about 4,600 hectares.

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