Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash has said that efforts are on to distribute land to at least one lakh out of the 2.33 lakh landless people in Kerala by August 15 next year.
Speaking after inaugurating the launch of the construction work of the Pazhoor-Kakkad hanging bridge on Monday, Mr. Prakash said at least 10,000 acres would have to be identified for distribution to about two lakh landless persons. He said land would have to be taken over from those who are holding on to excessively large tracts.
The Minister said the government would not shy away from taking tough decisions if needed. He said the satisfaction of the needy would be preferred over that of big guns. Harrisons Malayalam Limited was presumed to be in possession of 59,000 acres. Mr. Prakash said he was targeting not just one company but many others with such large landholdings.
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The proposal to relocate the Piravom Village Office to the mini civil station would be proceeded on the basis of the District Collector’s report.
The government was giving top priority to resolve the problems of the people for which the coordination of various departments would be needed, he said.
In his presidential address, Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said complaints of shortage of items in Supplyco outlets would be addressed within a week. He said discussions had been held with the Agriculture Minister about setting up an outlet of Horticorp in Piravom.
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He said funds needed for relaying the road in connection with the JNNURM drinking water project should be deposited in advance. The hardships of the public in this connection should be minimised. An all-party meeting would be called shortly in this connection.
The government was giving prominence to infrastructure development. Lack of road development in keeping with the rise in vehicle density was the bane of the State.
Mr. Jacob said for the first time in history, the Supplyco had organised a 50 day-long Onam market this year. Markets were held even outside the headquarters of assembly constituencies.
District Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareed, Marketfed vice-chairman N.P. Paulose, district development committee member Elias Mankidy, Pampakkuda block panchayat president Sherly Stephen, and district panchayat member July Sabu, spoke.
Piravom grama panchayat president Sabu K. Jacob welcomed the gathering and ward member Latha Ashokan proposed a vote of thanks.