Date:12/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/12/stories/2006101219690100.htm

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Cabinet for higher rents on leases

Special Correspondent

Government land given to Tata Tea on lease to be surveyed on court directive

Grace marks for participating in cleanliness drive

Watch tower and boat for police at Mullaperiyar

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday asked the Revenue and Forest Ministers to submit proposals on fixing higher rent for government leases on their renewal.

Briefing journalists on Cabinet decisions here on Wednesday, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the Government wanted to increase the rent on expiry of the leases. The next Cabinet would consider the proposals.

The Chief Minister said an expert committee would be constituted to survey the government land which was on lease to Tata Tea Limited, in view of a High Court directive. There had been allegations that the company had been holding land in excess of what had been awarded to it on lease. The High Court had rejected the claims of the company in this regard and directed the Government to appoint an expert committee to look into the matter.The committee was to submit its report in six months. As there had been complaints that the committees appointed earlier had bee been influenced, the Revenue Department was being asked to appoint honest, sincere and able officials for the job. Modern methods would be used for the survey.Mr. Achuthanandan said that the police stationed at the Mullaperiyar dam site would be provided with boat and residential facilities. A watchtower would be constructed for them. The police personnel at Mullaperiyar had been dependent on boats provided by Tamil Nadu and this had affected their independent functioning.

He said the Cabinet had decided to award grace marks to students who actively participated in the cleaning operations planned across the State on October 13. Teachers, students and employees should come forward to make the programme a success.

He said that Ujaghar Singh, returning from deputation to the Centre, would be posted as Secretary (Transport). Special Secretary (Transport) V.R. Padmanabhan would be posted as Project Director of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. The incumbent K.M. Ramanandan would be posted as Chief Executive Officer of NORKA ROOTS Centre.

Replying to questions, he said a general enquiry was under way on the high expenditure incurred on repair and maintenance of official residences of Ministers. Discussions on the Smart City project were continuing.