THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor may hold back the 'Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill, 2023' passed by the Legislative Assembly to regularize all constructions other than houses on assigned land.

The governor has assessed that most of the illegal constructions in Munnar and hilly areas are commercial establishments and the law amendment is intended to protect large constructions and party offices. As soon as the Bill reaches the Raj Bhavan, legal advice will be sought on it. The Governor has directed the Raj Bhavan officials to seek legal advice on such controversial bills. At the same time, the final decision of the Governor will be after considering the fact that the regularization of small constructions for livelihood will bring relief to thousands of common people. The bill will not become law without the governor's signature.

Raj Bhavan believes that the bill was introduced to overcome the restrictions upheld by the Supreme Court against commercial constructions on assigned land. The district administration found 226 illegal constructions in 8 villages of Munnar itself and reported them to the High Court. Most of the illegal constructions are on assigned land in Idukki Devikulam taluk. The High Court had stayed the construction of CPM offices in Santhanpara, Udumbanchola and Bison Valley. These irregularities will also be cleared by the bill. Raj Bhavan also assessed that there is no clarity about the quarries and resorts in the assigned land.

The Land Assignment Act of 1960, was amended. Accordingly, the Land Assignment rules of 1964 and 1993 will also be amended. Accordingly, with the creation of new rules, legal approval will be given to all the construction works carried out so far on the assigned land in the hilly areas. There are two amendments in the bill. One to empower the Government to regularize constructions made for purposes other than those granted, and the other to allow and use of land included in titles obtained up to the date of enactment of the Amendment Bill for other purposes. Raj Bhavan assessed that the previous stand of the government was that illegal constructions in Munnar could not be accepted under any circumstances.

Preventive court proceedings

1. The High Court had ordered that the revenue department's NOC for commercial constructions on assigned land should be made mandatory across the state. The Supreme Court had also rejected the government's appeal against this.
2. The Supreme Court rejected the government's demand that the control should be limited to Idukki only and asked if there was no assigned land in other districts. The court also rejected the government's argument that there was practical difficulty in implementing the order.
3. High Court ordered statewide NOC for construction on assigned land to prevent illegal constructions. The High Court had taken contempt action for non-implementation of the order.

15 bills without signature

The governor is yet to sign 15 bills passed by the legislature. The Lokayukta Amendment Act and the bill to remove the governor from the post of chancellor have been blocked. The appointment of the two persons recommended by the government as PSC members and the appointment of retired High Court Chief Justice Manikumar as the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission has also not been approved by the Governor.