The Hindu : Mathikettan: Mani sticks to decision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 09, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Mathikettan: Mani sticks to decision

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM MAY 8. The Kerala Congress(M) leader and Minister for Revenue, K.M. Mani, today made it clear that under no circumstances would he retract from his decision to renounce the claim of the Revenue Department over the Mathikettan Shola.

"As far as I am concerned, Mathikettan is a closed chapter and now it is up to the Chief Minister to take a decision,'' he said speaking to mediapersons here.

As per available statistics, Mathikettan is spread over 3,119 acres of land and his decision will not in any way adversely affect the protection of this area, he said when asked about the interim arrangements during the transitional period. "Now, the Cabinet will see to the matter,'' he said.

Reacting to a question, the Minister pointed out that the State Government was not under any constitutional obligation to provide up to five acres of land to landless Adivasis. "You should not link the Adivasi Rehabilitation Programme with the Adivasi Land Alienation and Reclamation Act of 1975," Mr. Mani said and pointed out that under the rehabilitation programme the land was being given to Adivasis as goodwill. Under the 1975 Act, only dispossessed Adivasis were eligible for land, but under the rehabilitation programme all landless Adivasis would get land.

The Kerala Congress leader dismissed the contention that the UDF partners were on a path of conflict and said that there were only "differences of opinion''. He, however, took a serious view of these `differences of opinion' being aired in the public. "The Kerala Congress has its studied opinions regarding all the issues being discussed now, but we shall take up the matter only in the appropriate forum,'' Mr Mani said. He expressed confidence that the present controversy would die down naturally. "If it does not end naturally, we will interfere,'' he said.

According to him, as a senior leader of the UDF dispensation, he has observed maximum restraint. "I have not openly criticised another department, I have not indicted an officer of another department, I have not levelled allegations against any of my colleagues in the UDF Ministry,'' said Mr Mani without naming either the Congress party or the Forest Minister, K. Sudhakaran.

There were others who should speak out before he, leader of a coaltion partner, speaks out, Mr Mani felt. "There is the UDF convener, the KPCC president and the Chief Minister,'' he quipped.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Mathikettan: Mani sticks to decision

Govt. releases ADB papers