Minister seeks to allay fears over constructions in Idukki

Revenue Minister K. Rajan on Friday sought to allay concerns over constructions on lands for which title deeds had been issued under rules in 1964, adding that rules allowing constructions would be issued soon.

The government on Wednesday promulgated rules for implementing a 2023 legislation that seeks to grant unrestricted land-use rights.

The rules provide the government with a broad framework for expeditiously implementing the Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023. The law empowers the government to regularise violations of land-use norms over the decades, freeing settler farmers from undesired litigation, red tape, and governmental action.

The new rules legalise construction violations until June 7, 2024. However, it is silent on permission for new constructions and farmers’ groups and the Idukki diocese of the Syro Malabar Church have raised concerns.

The original law of the 1960s frowned on the use of land for any livelihood or commercial purpose other than farming or housing. Subsequently, the Assembly amended the law unanimously.

“The government aims to regularise constructions by imposing a fee. However, the construction ban in Idukki will continue. The government announced that it has solved land-related issues in Idukki by framing land assignment rules but it has failed to solve the issue,” says Fr. Jins Karakkattu, director of the Idukki Diocese Media Commission.

Mr. Rajan says the government decided to form two rules Sections 4A(1) and (A2) to solve land-related issues in Idukki. “Section 4A(1) facilitates regularisation of constructions on land with title deeds and Section 4A(2) aims to provide permission for constructions. The rules for Section 4A(2) will be formed soon,” he says.

“The deemed regularisation of constructions can be completed with simple steps. The government has directed that no application for regularisation should be rejected,” says Mr. Rajan.

Rasak Chooravelil, convener of the Idukki Land Freedom Movement, says the government can easily include rules allowing unrestricted use of land under the amended rules. He says the new rules to legalise construction violations were aimed to collecting money in the guise of regularisation.

Meanwhile, Idukki District Congress Committee general secretary Bijo Mani says land issues still persist in the district. “As per the new rules, people could regularise their homes and shops by paying a fee. But the constructions have been done after obtaining all sanctions from local bodies,” he said.