Munnar is a national asset and it needs to be protected, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Sunday.
Inaugurating a ‘pattaya mela’ here on Sunday, as part of the first anniversary of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, Mr. Vijayan said the government viewed land encroachment differently from land occupied by farmers. It is imperative that stern steps be taken against the former while protecting the rights of the latter.
The government had aimed at distribution of over 10,000 title deeds in the first phase. However, due to the complexities in preparing title deeds, only 5,490 could be distributed. He said it should be ensured that title deeds once given should be final. The government wanted to distribute title deeds to all deserving farmers within two years.
Court issues
The Chief Minister said the process of title deed distribution had slowed down because of affidavits filed in the court by revenue and forest departments. In cases before the Supreme Court, effective intervention by the government was needed. The government would protect the farmers who had toiled to make the district rich in spices and vegetables.
Encroachers were trying to protect illegal occupations under the guise of farming. That should not be allowed, he said. The government would take strong measures against the encroachers. Land categorised as plantation should not be used for other purposes and lease land should only be used for the purpose to which it was meant for.
Plantations should not be closed down under the pretext of incurring losses. The government can intervene when an estate closes down for years. They should be made productive and owners should take the initiative to make the estates functional.
Complicated
The land issue in Idukki is complicated and in certain cases, need joint verifications by the forest and revenue departments. Hence the delay in title deed distribution, he said.
Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan, who presided over the function, said the government would take a favourable stand on the demand for distribution of title deed to farmers in abandoned hydroelectric projects and Ten Chain areas.
