Law to check property acquisition by public servants

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today told the State Assembly that the government would bring in a new legislation to control the acquiring of properties illegally by public and government servants.

Replying to questions by Mr P Krishnaprasad and others, he said the 'Corrupt Public Servants (Forfeiture of Property) Bill,' prepared by the government was under the scrutiny of the Vigilance Director.

The Director had been instructed to submit the suggestions to the government after rectifying the lapses in the Bill, if any, he said adding that only bringing in such an effective Act, people indulging in acquiring illegal properties could be brought under control.

Though the Centre had sent such a Bill to the then United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in 2003, it had not been taken up.

Mr Achuthanandan said the government would consider to amend the Charitable Societies Act, in order to check the misuse of the Act.

He informed that necessary orders had been issued for re-survey of land owned by Kannan Devan Tea and to submit a report within six months.

Though the previous government had decided to withdraw the palm oil case, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government decided to go ahead with it and the case was now under the consideration of the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister said.

UNI CGV JJ VD DS1545