One acre for each tribal family: Mani

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, SEPT. 15. The Revenue Minister, Mr. K.M. Mani, has said that the policy of the State Government is to ensure that every tribal family in the State possesses one acre of land.

Speaking in a `Meet-the-Press' programme of the Alappuzha Press Club here today. Mr. Mani hinted that the demand of the tribals would not be conceded. (The Adivasi-Dalit Action Council which spearheads an agitation in this regard demands five acres for each family.) ``But the Government will make sure that all tribal families, irrespective of whether they had lost their land or not, possess one acre of land,'' he said.

Mr. Mani said those tribals who had lost their land will be provided land equivalent to what they had possessed earlier. The Government had identified the land to be distributed to the tribals.

Mr. Mani said the Government will evacuate all those who possessed more than two hectares of land which had belonged to tribals earlier. But he did not reveal what the Government proposed to do with the land thus confiscated.

Fast track courts: Mr. Mani, who also holds the Law portfolio, said 27 fast track courts will be opened in the State soon. The first of these will be in Kottayam.

Mr. Mani demanded that the Union Government grant permission to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (Nafed) to procure copra from Kerala. Only this could stop the downslide in the price of coconut and save the farmer. Mr. Mani opined that the support price announced for rubber was not sufficient. He requested the Centre to raise it.

The Minister said the production bonus for paddy farmers would be distributed soon. He requested the Union Government to immediately provide more aid to the State for helping farmers who had been affected by the flood. The State, he said, had submitted representation to the Centre to this extent.

Mr. Mani later inaugurated the Alappuzha district-level camp of Kerala Congress(M). The party chairman and Minister for Rural Development, Mr. C.F. Thomas, delivered the keynote address. The district president, Mr. V.T. Joseph, presided. Those who offered felicitations included Mr. Joseph M. Puthussery and Mr. K. Narayana Kurup, MLAs.

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Section  : Southern States
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