M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, distributed sale agreements along with land pattas for 500 acres to about 500 women at a function held at Thirukuvalai near here on Saturday. The project was aided by LAFTI (Land for Tillers Freedom), the organisation working on distribution of land to tillers.
Krishnammal Jaganathan, Convenor, LAFTI, sought the assistance of the Deputy Chief Minister in sorting out the time lag encountered in land classification and securing Community certificates. She believed that the fruition of goal of land to the tiller would be ensured through continued support from the government.
Mr. Stalin lauded the relentlessness of Krishnammal Jaganathan and her husband Jaganathan in ushering in a struggle that began here at Valivalam and spread to other parts ensuring distribution of over 13,600 acres to tillers so far. He stated that the government partook in the goal, which was evident in the land ceiling legislation signed by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in 1971. The Chief Minister’s endeavour, then, was greeted by the veteran Communist Manali Krishnaswamy of CPI(M), when the legislation was passed, Mr. Stalin said.
Under the endeavour, land and beneficiaries are identified by LAFTI. Land is procured with a 50 per cent loan component from the National Scheduled Caste Financial Development Corporation (NSFDC) and 50 per cent subsidy component from the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation. Lands procured through LAFTI enjoyed exemption of stamp duty for the benefit of the landless. Further, the event witnessed loan repayment of Rs. 25 lakh that was secured through NSFDC in 2006.
