Land assignment rules an Onam gift for residents of Kerala’s hill districts, says Minister

Rules for implementing the Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023, are an Onam gift for the people of hill districts in the State, Minister for Revenue K. Rajan has said.

The 1960 land assignment Act was amended and new rules made to find a permanent solution to the over six-decade-long land-related problems of the people, particularly in Idukki. The rules would come into effect after a scrutiny by the Assembly Subject Committee by mid-September, the Minister said.

He pointed out that a solution to the land use issues in Idukki and amendment to the rules for the purpose were promised in the Left Democratic Front manifesto for the Assembly polls in 2021.

The 1960 law and its rules frowned on the use of land for any livelihood or commercial purpose other than farming or housing. Over time, there was a huge change in the land use pattern. Educational institutions, places of worship, cooperatives, and commercial buildings as part livelihood activities came up since there were no restrictions on such construction on assigned land.

Construction stopped

However, various groups went to court pointing out violations of land use norms. Constructions in Munnar, and later in the entire district, had to be stopped following court orders, prompting the government to amend the law. To frame the rules for effective implementation of the law, many court orders were examined. Many of these pertained to the 1964 rules for the 1960 land assignment Act.

The government was keen that the new rules do not give rise to any controversy or burden the people. The rules were also intended to kickstart the possibility of land use in keeping with the times.

Easing procedures

The rules regularise violations of land use norms and give the government the power to grant permission for using land for purposes other than stated. Another provision pertains to free regularisation. They are also intended to ease procedures related to regularisation. An order for initiating further procedures without any delay for scrutiny as soon as an application for regularisation is received will be issued, the Minister said.