Guv Arif Khan signs five crucial bills, ends long feud with govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday signed the long-stalled bills including the much-discussed Land Assignment amendment bill. The long tussle between the government and the governor on Saturday eased a little after the governor changed his mind about signing five of the bills under his consideration.

Apart from the Land Assignment Amendment Bill, the Governor signed the Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment), the Paddy Wetland Amendment Bill, the Dairy Cooperation Bill and the Abkari Law Amendment Bill. Among them, the land assignment bill was the mainspring of the long dispute between the government and Raj Bhavan.

The LDF even conducted a protest march to Raj Bhavan against the governor not signing the land assignment bill. The bill which the government believes would solve Idukki’s ensuing land deal troubles was passed in the legislative assembly back on September 14.