HC directs govt to grant land, compensation to evictees

Kochi, Jun 20 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the State Government to grant land and compensation to evictees who were displaced while implementing the Vallarpadam rail and road projects.

Justice Pious C Kuriakose also directed the evictees to handover the possession of land to the Government before July 15, disposing of a batch of writ petitions filed by the evictees demanding for better package from the Government.

The court also directed that those who were deprived of houses in Cheranellur village should be granted 4.5 cents, if the land acquired was below five cents and 5.5 cents if the land acquired exceeded five cents.

The High Court also directed to ensure that the evictees were paid special rehabilitation allowance equal to the value of half-a-cent of land at the rate fixed by the District Level Purchasing Committee.

The government should also ensure that the allotees were able to construct residential buildings on the land alloted without objections from Coastal Zone Management Authority or local self-government having jurisdiction.

The court also directed that the directions should be compiled within six months, by January 15, 2009 and in case there was delay the state government shall pay Rs 5,000 per month as house rent.

UNI XR VV HS KN2120