Yet another land assignment order cancelled by UDF govt

In the fourth such instance, the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today cancelled another of its decisions to hand over 'surplus' land to a private planatation in Peerumedu in Idukki district after protests from various quarters and the Opposition parties.
The decision to cancel to assign 750 acres of land to Hope plantations was taken at the cabinet meeting held here today, official sources said.
They said the decision was taken in view of the fact that it would result in similar demand from other plantations also.
The government's decisions to hand over the land to private parites had been criticized by CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition and also KPCC President V M Sudheeran.

This is the fourth land assignment order being cancelled by the UDF government following protests and criticism and comes at a time when the state goes to the polls on May 16.
A decision to hand over 127 acres to a company having alleged link with controversial self-styled godman Santhosh Madhavan had been repealed by the government last week.

The government was forced to backtrack on granting permission to an Eco-Tourism project in 420 acres of land at 'Methran Kayal backwater' paddy fields at Kumarakom village in Kottayam district and for super speciality medi-city project in 47 acres of paddy land at Kadamakuddy in Kochi.

Similarly, government came under attack for issuing an order to accept basic land tax for about 800 acres of a private estate owner at Nelliampathy in Palakkad.
Reacting to government's decision today, Sudheeran said it was a very good decision and welcomed it.