Land for all landless in five years: Minister

PATHANAMTHITTA: Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said that the government will distribute land to all the landless people in the state within the next five years.Inaugurating the distribution of title deeds to the settlers as part of the 100- day programme of the UDF Government at the district-level function in Ranni on Saturday, the Minister said that barring Kozhikode district, 19,200 title deeds out of a total of 20,000, including 617 title deeds in Pathanamthitta district, had been distributed till date.For Kozhikode, the government will distribute title deeds at an earlier date, he said.In the case of the remaining title deeds, the government will hold adalats to sort out the issues in the next six months.He also said that the government would come out with a law enabling the title deed owners the power to sell their land.However, the Minister said that the government would not relax the rule against selling the land, which was distributed for the landless, for a period of 25 years. The Government will allow the title deed holders to cut the trees on their land, barring four types of trees, including teak, rosewood and sandal.The Revenue Minister assured his department’s help to the Health Department for the successful implementation of Clean Kerala Project, in the wake of the spread of viral and rat fever cases in the state.The Minister distributed 617 title deeds and land revenue receipts for another 658 title deed holders.Health Minister Adoor Prakash inaugurated the distribution of financial assistance. District collector P Venugopal welcomed the gathering. Raju Abraham MLA, presided over the function. P J Kurian MP, inaugurated the organic protection fund distribution. Anto Antony MP, delivered the key-note address.