Title deed property for other purposes: SC asks govt to submit affidavit

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed the state government to file an affidavit of Kerala's stance to amend the rules to use title deed land for other purposes. The Supreme Court also inquired as to how title deed land given for farming and house construction can be transferred for other purposes. The government announced its stand while considering the petition filed by the quarry owners against the High Court verdict. The Supreme Court, which had heard the case earlier, had clarified that there is no need to stay the High Court's verdict at present. The High Court had ordered that the title deed land granted by the government should not be used for other purposes.

In the High Court judgment, it was clarified that the officials can take steps to take back the title deed property used for quarry and other purposes. Government Standing Consul CK Sasi has indicated that the rules will be amended to allow the use of title deed property for other purposes other than farming. Sasi gave in the Supreme Court. Senior advocates KV Viswanathan and V Giri appeared for quarry owners.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the environmentalists, pointed out that there is collusion between the government officials and the quarry owners.