Govt will take steps to acquire leased lands: Rajendran

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 16 (UNI) Kerala Revenue Minister K P Rajendran today informed the state assembly that the government would take all measures to regain the possession of leased land that had been misused by institutions violating the Lease agreement.

Replying to questions by Mr V J Thankappan and others, he said the government had noted that the leased lands were being used for other purposes violating the agreement and the government would take stringent action against them.

Mr Rajendran said the government had leased out 6,459 plots to various institutions and only a few of them were paying levy.

The government was planning to take back such lands and it had already acquired 41 acres of lands from defaulters, he added.

The government would constitute a ''land bank'' with statutory powers, to protect the lands regained from leasers, he informed.

Mr Rajendran disclosed that the government had to receive Rs 52 crore on account of lease, of which Rs 42 crore was written off.

Pointing out that the government had noted some clubs in the state which used such leased lands for business purpose, the Revenue Minister said if such lands were regained, it would be an asset to the state.

UNI