Controversial order allowing for land reclamation withdrawn

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Government withdrew the order allowing Bangalore based company to retain excess land and reclaim the paddy fields at Madathupady in Kodungalloor and at Puthenvelikkara Paravur taluks following public protests on Wednesday.

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said in a facebook post that the order was cancelled because the applicant for the land had misrepresented facts and also because there was a case before the High Court relating to the land.,

The decision to exempt 127.5 acres from Land Reforms Act was taken by the Cabinet recently on the ground that the company would use it for entrepreneurial purpose.  However, many people pointed out that order was in violation of laws including the Kerala Land Reforms Act and Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act. The issue was complicated by fact that it was land taken over by the government after controversial godman Santosh Madhavan arranged the purchase of the land in violation of Land Reforms Act.

KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran wrote to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy demanding withdrawal of the order. The Chief Minister, who defended the order after Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, allowed withdrawal of the order on Wednesday.

It has been pointed out that officials at various levels had objected to the order.  Still the decision was taken. Congress leaders V. D. Satheesan and T. N. Pratapan urged that the matter should be probed.

Mr. Sudheeran, who congratulated the Chief Minister for withdrawing the order, said that more controversial orders needed to be withdrawn.