SARAMMA JOSEPH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THERE are 22 petitioners herein who have joined together to claim assignment of land in Chinnakanal village in Idukki District. This writ petition is filed claiming that they are adivasies. Various details have been averred in the writ petition to show that they are entitled for such assignment. Ext.P12 order is specifically under challenge also. In Ext.P12 order, the view taken is that the assignment applications cannot be considered as the land sought for is given on lease to the Hindustan News Print Ltd. and many of the parties are encroachers also.

(2.) THIS Court had the advantage of the affidavit filed by the Secretary to the Government along with the application for extension of time. It is averred in paragraph 2 therein that in the meeting convened by the then Chief Minister on 16.10.2001, it was decided to allot land to an extent of not less than 5 acres to adivasies, in places like Sugandhagiri, Pookode etc. where land is available and to allot land not less than 1 Acre and upto 5 Acres wherever possible to adivasies who are landless/in possession of land less than 1 Acre. The Government Order allotting land in Pookode and Sugandhagiri have been mentioned in the said paragraph.