Kerala to scrap ’23 land act, set up vigilance panel headed by judge

Key points

• THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The V D Satheesan-led UDF govt has decided to scrap the Kerala Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the 2025 Rules, and to create an independent state vigilance commission headed by a sitting high court judge.Two of the boldest measures contained in the govt's 'Vision 2031' policy document indicate a sweeping political and administrative reset with far-reaching implications for the state's high ranges and anti-corruption architecture.
• The decisions were taken at the new govt's cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
• The document, accessed by TOI, promises a "permanent solution with retrospective effect" using the powers available under Section 7(1) of the Kerala Land Assignment Act, 1961, including resolving issues related to construction restrictions.The then LDF govt's 2023 amendment had inserted Section 4A into the Kerala Land Assignment Act, 1960, enabling govt to regularise violations of patta conditions and permit alternative land use in assigned lands under prescribed conditions.
• The 2025 rules...