THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even in the midst of financial crisis, no efforts are made towards collecting revenue arrears of Rs 1155.31 crores in 415 cases. The Revenue Minister’s declaration in the Assembly that lands passed their lease period would be seized and arrears will be collected didn’t see light due to the slow advancement of the officials. In Ernakulam district where the arrears to be collected are the highest, Rs 585.41 crores need to be collected in over 96 cases. There is no case of arrears in Wayanad.

584.47 hectares of Revenue Land is with individuals. The decision was to collect money after hearing the part of these people. As this didn’t reach anywhere, the direction was to acquire the land. However, there is no clear strategy on how to take action against nonpayers. Not even the lease amount is renewed.

According to the Land Protection Act, Land Reception Officer issued an order to take back 38,171 acres of land in possession of Harrison Company at Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki. Harrison approached SC and secured an order in favor of them. The government response plea didn’t reap any fruit either as the court asked govt to file a case with the Civil Court to prove their ownership of the land.

Lease Arrears District-wise Thiruvananthapuram – Rs 154.07 crores

Kollam – Rs 95.66 crores

Alappuzha – Rs 1.46 crores

Pathanamthitta – Rs 4.84 crores

Kottayam – Rs 11.38 crores

Idukki – Rs 26.44 lakhs

Ernakulam – Rs 585.41

Thrissur – 213.17 crores

Palakkad – Rs 3.41 crores

Malappuram – Rs 11.50 crores

Kozhikode – Rs 70.33 crores

Kannur – Rs 31.90 lakhs

Kasaragod – Rs 3.50 crores