Chief Minister: Development Implemented to Make Everyone a Rightful Owner of Land in Idukki

Idukki: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the vast majority of people were in a difficult situation without legal rights to their own land, and there was great anxiety and concern related to this issue. However, this has now been resolved, bringing great joy to the people of Idukki, he told the media during a press conference as part of his election tour.

Thousands of families in the hilly regions, including Idukki, had to live without legal rights to their own land. This was a widespread public issue in the hill districts. The land distribution issue in Idukki became even more complicated due to several complaints raised regarding the 1964 Land Reforms Act and the subsequent legal proceedings. A high court order issued on January 29 found that many constructions in the Munnar region had to be halted because it was illegal to use land allotted under the rules for any purpose other than agriculture or house construction. This included hospitals, educational institutions, places of worship, and commercial establishments.

When the Left Democratic Front (LDF) came to power in 2016, efforts began to find a solution to the problem. Discussions were held with a broad spectrum of groups, including political parties, social activists, environmental representatives, and media professionals. In the LDF’s 2021 manifesto, it was promised that this specific issue in the hill regions, including Idukki, would be resolved.

With the amendment to land laws, the subsequent changes in regulations, and the new policies that followed, the earlier assurances were turned into reality. On September 14, 2023, the Land Reform Amendment Bill was passed in the legislature. The Chief Minister stated that the amendment was introduced in a way that allows land distribution under government conditions to help ensure livelihoods. He also emphasised that the development, aimed at making everyone a rightful owner of land, had been the focus of Kerala's progress over the last ten years.