Over 5,000 growers apply to get encroached govt land on lease in Kodagu | Mysuru News
Madikeri: Tahsildars in Kodagu received over 5,000 applications to get encroached govt land on lease for plantation purposes. The applications need to be verified for further action in this regard.The state govt announced plans to lease plantations developed on encroached revenue land before 2005, and applications from growers were invited for the same. The deadline for submission was extended twice and the final deadline was July 15. In Kodagu, a total of 5,006 growers submitted applications requesting govt to lease out the revenue land they encroached for plantation purposes. The applications were submitted to the tahsildars, and the verification process must be undertaken by the revenue officials concerned.As per govt rules, a family can apply for lease for up to 25 acres of govt land, provided the encroachment occurred before 2005. Ponnampet taluk in the district ranks first, as the tahsildar received a total of 1,249 applications from growers. While Madikeri tahsildar received 979 applications, Kushalnagar tahsildar received 165 applications. At Somwarpet, 1,762 growers submitted applications for the same, and 851 growers submitted applications in Virajpet taluk. The growers submitted applications to the tahsildar in Form 9.Growers who are illegally cultivating coffee, cardamom, tea, pepper, and rubber crops on govt land are allowed to take a lease for 30 years, even as prices for the lease are yet to be confirmed, depending on the extent of the encroachment. However, if more than 25 acres of land is encroached, the additional area must be handed over to govt, and govt will have possession of trees grown on the leased land.
