The proposed bill seeks to fast-track clearance for projects undertaken by the government.Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is considering amending law to make reclamation and conversion of paddy fields and wetlands a non-bailable offense with a three-year jail term.
The next cabinet meeting is likely to consider a draft bill aimed at amending the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, based on suggestions received from the law department.
Since the draft bill has clauses that could emerge controversial, there is a demand to discuss it within the ruling LDF before the cabinet gives its approval.
The bill will be presented in the next assembly sitting.
Under the existing rules, encroachers can get away from penal action by paying a nominal fine.
The current rules allow conversion without permission from local bodies if a paddy field or wetland is being reclaimed for public purpose.
This provision, according to critics, gives a loophole for influential people to convert paddy fields.
A meeting chaired by the chief minister had considered a proposal to dislodge local level monitoring committees, but dropped it after several participants including agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar reportedly opposed it.
The proposed amendment might adversely affect the agriculture sector.
The draft also has provisions to regularize conversion of paddy fields made before August 12, 2008, and give permission to build houses on such plots after levying a fee.
The draft allows conversions below 300 square meters for domestic purposes and up to 100 square meters for industrial purposes.
If the reclaimed land is more than that, half the base rate should be paid as fee.
Quick approval for govt projects
The proposed bill seeks to fast-track clearance for projects undertaken by the government.
If the local bodies fail to submit their reports on such project proposals within a month the government can take the decision.
The bill doesn’t have any provision to allow reclamation of paddy fields for private projects.
Compulsory farming on fallow land
Local bodies or the farming collectives that they set up will have the right to do farming on uncultivated land overruling the reluctance of the owners, if need be.
The RDO can be petitioned if the landowner refuses to allow cultivation on fallow land. The RDO can take over the land and hand it over to the farming collectives or local bodies.
The land should be returned to the owner after two years.
During this period, the committee that is carrying out farming activities should pay the property tax.
The committee can keep 10 per cent of the profit and must pay the rest to the landowner.
