Idukki (Kerala), February 23 The Congress-led UDF stated on Monday that it would reverse the alleged illegal conversion of revenue land into forest land in the Idukki district if voted into power, and promised a permanent solution to the long-standing land issues in the hill district.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, made the assurance during an interactive programme titled 'Samvadikkam Puthuyugathinayi', which was part of his ongoing 'Puthuyuga Yatra'.
He said that thousands of people in Idukki were facing hardship due to what he termed as government apathy, negligence, and inconsistent stances taken before courts on land-related matters.
"When the UDF comes to power, the land issues in the district will be permanently resolved," Satheesan said, adding that a comprehensive 'Idukki document' incorporating the key concerns of the district would be prepared to ensure time-bound solutions.
He pointed out that a conclave highlighting the district's issues had earlier been organized under the leadership of UDF MP Dean Kuriakose.
Alleging administrative delays, the LoP said that two government departments had taken differing positions regarding the Neriamangalam road project, leading to prolonged inaction.
The opposition leader further alleged that around 54,000 acres had been notified as forest land during the tenure of former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and during the last ten years under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, claiming that a majority of the land was actually revenue land.
"Land that has been wrongly notified as forest will be denotified by the UDF government," he said.
He also opposed the move to regularize buildings constructed on patta land by levying fees, stating that the structures had already been built after paying the required amounts and that imposing additional charges would amount to "double collection."
The senior leader further alleged that complaints related to rising incidents of wildlife attacks were being reported from various districts and that even compensation had not been adequately provided.
Accusing the government of failing to take effective measures to prevent wildlife attacks, the opposition leader said that a comprehensive plan would be implemented to address the issue if the UDF assumes power.
