The State government has rescinded amendments to the Land Assignment Rules, 1964, that sought to grant title deeds to encroachments made until as late as June 1, 2005.

Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash announced the withdrawal of the gazette notification here on Tuesday after the State government was roundly criticised for “quietly issuing the notification in unwarranted haste.”

Loud protests

Leader of the Opposition VS Achuthanandan said the order was meant to benefit resort and quarry mafia who had usurped revenue and forest land.

Even factions within the State Congress strongly opposed the move and voiced surprise over the timing of the announcement.

Ceiling raised

The amendment had raised the maximum extent of land considered for the purpose to four acres. The existing rules limit the grant of titles to encroachments up to one acre made till August 1971.

A clause that forbids the transfer of land for a period of 25 years too had been relaxed.

That neither the Congress party leadership nor the State Assembly, which was in session until a week ago, was consulted made it even more questionable, sources said.

CM’s version

Both Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Adoor Prakash tried to put up a brave front, saying that the decision was ‘long time coming’ and was not taken in haste.

But it failed to wash in the face of strong protests from within their own party as well as the Opposition Left Democratic Front and the BJP.

The so-called green brigade within the Congress came out with strongly-worded statements and said the cases of genuine settlers and encroachers needed to be treated separately.

TN Prathapan, the outspoken member of the brigade, said the amendment was made without referring it to either the ruling United Democratic Front or the larger Congress party forum. It will only help regularise encroachment of precious revenue land, he said in a letter to the Chief Minister.

VD Satheesan, his colleague, also questioned the motive behind the amendments.

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