PATHANAMTHITTA: Revenue Minister E Chandasekharan has ordered a probe into the alleged delay in the takeover of the excess land declared at Aranmula.
The probe into the delay in the implementation of the takeover of the excess land at Aranmula bought for the defunct airport project was based on the complaints and media reports connected with the lapse by the revenue authorities at the district-level.
Delay in implementation of Land Board order
The Kozhenchery Taluk Land Board meeting headed by ADM Anu S Nair on July 12 took the decision to declare the 293 acres , including the 232 acres at Aranmula, spread over Kozhenchery and Adoor in Pathanamathitta district and and Alathur taluk in Palakkad district, under the custody of Mount Zion Charitable Society. However, the Land Board order was issued only on August 1.The most intriguing fact is the excess land declaration order reached the village offices concerned only after the time limit.
In the meantime, Mount Zion group chairman Abraham Kalamannil, who held the land, got a stay order from the Kerala High Court.
Though the High Court order was connected with taking up the excess land at Aranmula, the inclusion of the land in Adoor and Alathur taluks before the Kozhenchery Taluk Land Board raised doubts over the vested interests of the authorities concerned, said Aranmula Anti-Airport Agitation Committee convener Shaji Chacko.
The inordinate delay of the Land Board decision reaching the village offices concerned also raises doubts over the flawed intention of the authorities, he said.
Collector confirms query
Collector R Girija confirmed the query from the Revenue Minister’s office on the complaint connected with the land board.She said measures were already completed for the takeover of seven hectares of land.The proceedings for takeover of the remaining land was progressing when the court order came, she said.
“Action if charges are proven right”
Kottayam: Making his stance clear on encroachment allegations against Transport Minister Thomas Chandy and Nilambur MLA P V Anwar, Revenue Minister E Chandransekharan, on Sunday, said action will be initiated if the charges are proven right.
The minister told mediapersons here that he has already sought a comprehensive report on the charges from the Alappuzha and Kozhikode district collectors. “The government does not want to intervene in the matter with a prejudiced mind. However, if there is any merit in the allegations, strict action will be taken irrespective of the position of persons facing the charges. Earlier, the government had sought preliminary reports on allegations and the detailed report has been sought now as a follow-up measure,” he said.
VS demands probe into allegations
T’Puram: Administrative Reforms Commission Chairman and CPM veteran VS Achuthanandan wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, demanding detailed probes into the land-related allegations against Transport Minister Thomas Chandy and PV Anvar MLA.