Governor withholds signature on Land Transfer Amendment Bill

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has passed a law to regularize all constructions, excluding residential properties, on assigned land. The ‘Land Transfer Amendment Bill’ has been held back by the Governor without signing it. The Governor has forwarded the complaints received regarding the Bill to the Chief Secretary and has requested an explanation from the Government.

KC Sudheer Babu, the Secretary of Bharatiya Vicharakendram and some people from Idukki filed a complaint with the Governor urging him not to approve the bill. On September 17, 'Kerala Kaumudi' reported that the Bill was likely to be stalled in the Raj Bhavan. The Governor's assessment is that most of the unauthorized constructions in Munnar and the hilly regions are commercial establishments and the proposed law amendment is intended to protect large constructions and party offices. The complaints against the bill echo similar objections. Allegations suggest that the bill is an attempt to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on commercial constructions on assigned land.

The district administration has identified 226 illegal constructions in just 8 villages in Munnar and has reported them to the High Court. Most of these illegal constructions are on assigned land in Devikulam taluk. The High Court had previously halted the construction of CPM offices in Shanthanpara, Udumbanchola and Baison Valley due to these irregularities which may also be addressed by the bill. The Raj Bhavan has also observed that there is a lack of clarity regarding quarries and resorts on Pattaya land. Simultaneously, the regularization of livelihood constructions will benefit thousands of ordinary people. This aspect will also be taken into account in the final decision.

The ‘Dairy Farmers Welfare Fund Amendment’ bill aims to increase the membership of the governing body of dairy societies from 12 to 16. The government may nominate an additional 4 people of interest.

An amendment to the Excise Act is proposed to allow for the settlement of cases related to violations of provisions concerning alcohol-related scenes in films and advertisements. Penalties for advertisements promoting alcohol use will be increased. This move is intended to prevent these offenses from becoming criminal cases.

The Governor is expected to sign bills that replace the Medical Council of India with a National Medical Commission, make appointments to welfare boards through the PSC and empower the Deputy Collector to handle land conversion applications at the taluk level. Additionally, a bill to increase government assistance to the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple has been approved.