The Revenue department on Thursday distributed 2,788 title deeds under the “Pattaya Mela” organised at Cheruthoni Town Hall in Idukki.
Inaugurating the district-level “Pattaya Mela” virtually, Revenue Minister K. Rajan said that the government would take steps to solve land-related issues in the district. “The government is seriously considering to amend Land Assignment Rules, 1964, and will soon take action in this regard,” he said.
The Minister also inaugurated emergency operation centres, revenue guest house and the official residence of Idukki Tahsildar.
Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine presided over the meeting and distributed title deeds to the farmers.
Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, Udumbanchola MLA M.M. Mani, Peerumade MLA Vazhoor Soman, Devikulam MLA A. Raja, District Collector Sheeba George, Sub-collectors Arun S. Nair, Rahul Krishna Sharma and Additional District Magistrate Shyju P. Jacob among others attended the function.
Sixteen months after cancelling the “Raveendran title deeds”, the department distributed 11 new titles on Thursday. The controversial title deeds known as ‘Raveendran pattayams’ were allegedly issued illegally by M.I. Raveendran, the then additional tahsildar in Devikulam, in 1999. The department in January last year issued an order to cancel 551 Raveendran land titles, which violated the Land Assignment Rules, 1964. The order stated that the government would distribute new title deeds within two months.
According to officials, 69 titles were sent to the District Collector for immediate approval. “The approval was received for 18 title deeds. On Thursday, 11 titles were distributed. The remaining titles will be distributed soon,” said an official.
