THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press conference that bringing a new rule for building construction in hilly areas is under consideration. The major demand in the tourism sector is construction activities in sloping areas. The examples of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh will be followed to make rules to convert and use the land allocated for agriculture.

The 'Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill' passed by the Legislative Assembly will be a big relief to the people of hilly areas including Idukki. The aim is to validate the commercial constructions done with government permission apart from agriculture and houses on assigned land. There are hospitals, educational institutions, cooperatives, places of worship, small businesses and commercial establishments included in this. Many of these have received construction approvals. There were court orders that it was illegal to use the assigned land for purposes other than agriculture and house construction. The amendment was brought because it will affect the lives of the people in the hilly areas.

It is aimed to adjust the construction activities which are hampered only due to deviation from the provisions of the Land Assignment Rules. The amendment of the law is such that the land allotted for agricultural purposes and not being used for that purpose can be converted for any other purpose. Constructions made for livelihood under a certain limit will be regularized by charging an application fee and a special fee for regularization. Chief Minister said that he will stand with the migrant people in their life problems.