Take back leftover land fast: Revenue Minister Chandrasekharan

Kochi: Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan has instructed the officials to speed up the takeover of 4200 acres of encroached land and distribute it to the landless people. Addressing a state-level conference of revenue department officials held here on Friday, the minister asked them  to check  the major hurdles in taking over the land.

“Strict measures are needed to prevent encroachment of government land and the lapses in land acquisition should be addressed at the earliest. Land encroachment is not possible without the knowledge of revenue officials at various levels,” he said.

The minister stressed the need for speedy disposal of cases pending with the Land Board. “Revenue officials have to be more socially committed as the only way to improve the government’s performance is through better cooperation and support of officials. People will assess the government on the basis of the services and experience they get from village offices and other revenue institutions. Revenue files  should be settled on a priority basis and the district collectors should find time to meet public to listen to their grievances,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister promised steps to revise staff pattern and  provide all facilities for officials. Though the government will protect the officials, strict action will be taken against those violating norms. “The revenue officials should be fearless and determined to take stringent measures against lawbreakers engaged in wetland and paddy filling and razing down hillocks,” he said. He  added that the Bill to abolish 3A section of the Wetland Act will be introduced during the next Assembly session.

He also instructed them to take stock of granite quarries in the state and  take stringent action against those functioning illegally.

The conference was convened to discuss various issues pertaining to the department and to equip the officials in more effectively handling the public grievances. Revenue secretary P.H. Kurian, joint commissioner N. Padmakumar, survey director K. Devadas, district collectors, deputy collectors, sub-collectors and other officials attended the meeting.