Exempt, surplus land is still no man’s land in Kerala

The state government is dragging its feet on a proposal to appoint one deputy collector each for two districts, exclusively to handle matters related to such land. 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite having spoken of action against encroachments on government land, the state government is dragging its feet on a proposal to appoint one deputy collector each for two districts, exclusively to handle matters related to such land. 

Several officials, including the Deputy Collector (LR), had put forward a suggestion to appoint one deputy collector each for two districts, to handle lands that fall under the Kerala Land Reforms Act, and for protection of exempted lands. 

The proposal gains significance in the wake of the government raising doubts on the relevance of Land Boards in the state. Though the post of Deputy Collectors (LR) and other officials under him in the Taluk Land Boards (TLB) have been exclusively created for implementing the Land Reforms Act, for decades, these officials have been used for other purposes. 

This, in turn causes inordinate delay in taking steps for protecting government land. For decades, the officials have been assigned with other works such as settling survey disputes, acquisition and other works in the revenue department, highly-placed sources said. These officials never had the time to handle issues related to surplus and assigned lands, they said. 

Even decades-old court orders for resumption of land in ceiling cases have not been implemented yet. All the files are pending with the TLBs. The Kerala Revenue Department Staff Association (KRDSA), affiliated to the ruling LDF, has already submitted a memorandum for appointing seven top officials exclusively for handling exempted and surplus lands under KLR Act.

“We have submitted a proposal to the government. But a decision on this is yet to be taken,” KRDSA president Jayachandran Kallingal said.He said the process could be streamlined only if an exclusive official is appointed for this task. 

Though officials are appointed for land reforms activities, they are engaged in other works, he said.

Despite the numerous TLBs in the state, no work is being done with respect to surplus land. In a recent inspection of Wayanad and Kasargode districts, the Land Revenue Commissioner found that no action was initiated by the officials against surplus land held by plantation majors and others. Sources said there is an attempt from many quarters to dilute the Land Reforms Act, to prevent which the TLBs must be strengthened. 

Revenue Minister Chandrashekaran told Express the relevance of Land Boards is not lost, but they need to be strengthened.

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