Kerela Land Revenue Minister K. Rajan at his office in the Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram on March 19, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran
As yet another land-grab controversy rocks Kerala’s hilly Idukki district, Revenue Minister K. Rajan has said that his department would take stern action against the encroachments, but by adhering to government procedures so that future legal loopholes are not leveraged by the perpetrators.
“One thing should be clear without any scope for confusion. Encroachments similar to that at Parunthumpara and Chokramudi have taken place in many other locations as well. Action against all such encroachments will be swift. Nothing less needs to be expected. We will take an uncompromising stand, but we also need time for such action. We cannot say we can do it within so many days. If procedures are not followed conscientiously, it could imperil such measures,” Mr. Rajan told The Hindu in an interview.
Excerpts from the interview:
Why was the action in the land grab incident in the Chokramudi hills under the Bison Valley taluk confined to the suspension of just three officials?
This is a minor circuit covering thousands of acres. Inside it, a person may have been issued a title deed (Patta) in one location, but he may have constructed a building in another corner altogether. A careful examination is required to measure lands in a minor circuit. Three officials were suspended and the investigation is in progress. But a digital survey alone is the permanent solution. Allegations flew thick and fast, whether the Revenue department had a hand or whether the party [Communist Party of India (CPI)] or the Left front had a hand. But now it is very clear. The Revenue department has cancelled four title deeds and recovered 13.79 acres of encroached land without any hesitation. Would we have done it if we had a hand?
Revenue Minister K. Rajan at his office in Kerala Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The media had reported the alleged land grab in August 2024. My attention was drawn to it on my way back to Thiruvananthapuram from Wayanad, where the post-landslide relief works were under way. On the same day, I instructed the District Collector to look into the matter, which the officer did. When her probe showed that there was indeed a discrepancy, a ban was imposed on all construction activities there. The Collector, as chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, sought an inspection by the Local Self-Government, Forest and Environment departments. As the preliminary report itself showed a problem, I issued orders appointing the Sub Collector as the Investigating officer. The Sub Collector, with the help of surveyors, comprehensively measured the area.
We cannot simply cancel land [ownership] for which title deed has been issued. A hearing and survey should be conducted, the F-line [field boundary line] has to be demarcated, and it has to be proven that the construction is not on land allotted to a particular individual, or that it is indeed an encroachment.
There are previous instances where recovered land had to be returned on the strength of Court orders. So, the important thing is to complete the government procedures.
Parunthumpara also witnessed rampant illegal construction activity.
Here, the extent of construction is much higher. The government took strong measures after noticing that a prohibition on new constructions was being thrown to the wind. Prohibitory orders were put in place. A 15-member revenue team was put together with care. An eight-member survey team was also formed. Their terms of reference were finalised. Speedy action was ensured.
The Parunthumpara issue covers Manjumala and Peerumade villages. The land they (perpetrators) are using under the pretext of it being in Manjumala is actually in Peerumade village. That survey number alone has over 9,500 acre. A major problem is viewing it as a minor circuit.
The officials have been suspended pending an inquiry. Will there be strong follow-up action?
I expect to receive the report within a few days. If they are found guilty, they will be punished. But procedures will be followed.
Is digital resurvey a solution for rampant land grab in places like Idukki?
The distinguishing feature of digital resurvey is that it covers government land first, followed by privately owned land. In the case of private land, possession too will be marked. Encroachments also can be known to an extent. Through this, we are moving towards the concept of a conclusive title. It would also give us an idea of the extent of usable and unusable land in Kerala.
I would say the integrated portal — offering land-related services of Revenue, Registration and Survey departments on a single platform — is an even bigger development. It is also arguably a first-of-its kind concept in the country.
What is the timeframe for the digital resurvey?
We have scheduled it over four years for covering 1,666 villages. Although the Chief Minister inaugurated it on November 1, 2022, we could start it only by August 2023, due to the delay in procuring the necessary equipment. We have so far measured 6 lakh hectares of land.
Published – March 20, 2025 08:07 pm IST