Aim is to provide land to all landless in Kerala: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the government is carrying out activities aimed at providing land to all the landless and making them land owners. He was laying the foundation stone of the Revenue Bhavan, the headquarters building of the Revenue Department, to be constructed in Kowdiar.

"The government is collecting the figures of the landless people in the state. In seven and a half years, 6000 acres of land have been handed over to seven thousand tribal families. 45 acres of land from various districts were purchased and handed over to tribals. Central approval was obtained to distribute 7693 acres of reserved forest land. Out of this, about 2000 acres have been distributed. 3647 tribal families will be benefited. Distribution of title deeds will be made more efficient," the CM said.

Revenue Minister K Rajan, who presided over the function, said that the Revenue Department will seize land from all those who possess the land illegally and then distribute it to the poor.

Uralungal has been awarded the contract for the construction of Revenue Bhavan, which will be built on three floors in 34,000 square feet in Kowdiar. The building will be completed within a year. The construction cost is 25 crores.

Ministers V Sivankutty, GR Anil, VK Prasanth MLA, Councillor S Sathikumari, Revenue Principal Secretary Tinku Biswal, NGO Union General Secretary MA Ajithkumar, Joint Council General Secretary Jayachandran Kallingal, Collector Geromic George and Land Revenue Commissioner Dr A. Kaushigan spoke at the function.

No corruption, ministers can stand tall
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that there was no need for his government to bow down to anyone when it comes to corruption.

"The cabinet and ministers can stand tall anywhere. If you don't commit a crime, you can face anything with your head held high. The peace of mind will be broken only if the thought of being guilty comes to mind. If investors go to other states, there is a situation where they have to fix the commission first. Kerala is a state without any such arrangement. Kerala is the least corrupt state," he said.