Munnar land encroachments: Kerala govt to nix ‘Raveendran Pattayams’

Kochi: The state government has decided to cancel the illegal title deeds issued in Munnar by Devikulam Taluk additional tehsildar MA Raveendran in 1991, during the tenure of EK Nayanar government. The move to cancel title deeds controversially known by the name ‘Raveendran Pattayams’ has been initiated by the present revenue additional chief secretary Dr A Jayathilak IAS. He has already issued the order and Idukki district collector needs to take action on it.

According to the order, the procedures need to be completed within 45 days. Once executed more than 530 title deeds will be invalid.

In 2019, a meeting was held in the revenue minister’s chamber and decision on reviewing actualities in the illegally issued title deeds was taken. The objective was to reissue the title deeds to the eligible ones and cancel the ones that are ineligible. In this regard, a two-membered team led by Devikulam tehsildar examined the deeds and handed over a report. The order comes in the back of this.

If the title deeds are cancelled, then the entities in possession of it need to apply for new title deeds with the Devikulam tehsildar. Similarly, in each village that have been issued with ‘Raveendran Pattayams’ a special team need to be constituted for reviewing the new application to ensure eligibility.

Under a deputy tehsildar in each village of Devikulam taluk, a special team need to be formed. In all villages except KDH villages, the measures to issue title needs should be taken within two months after completing the due land related procedures. While in KDH villages, tehsildar need to ready the assent reports over the applications and submit it before the collector. The procedures to issue title deeds to the eligible ones need to be completed within two months.