The ‘Pattaya Mela’- the programme of giving away title deeds to the landless for the land on which they presently dwell, though didn’t attract much interest, was one of the happiest development recently in the state.

Because the state saw a lot of blood-shedding on the part of the homeless majority of whom are innocent ‘Adivasis’. After a long fight and endless suffering a few thousands of them got their right on Feb. 5^th. Though it was a bit late, the government (both the present and the previous) deserves a cheer up considering the lag in all governmental projects due to long a time spend on official procedures. 

Inaugurating the Pattaya Mela at “peroorkada” thanka mana stadium in Trivandrum district, the chief Minster V.S. Achuthananthan made governments commitment towards the scheme clear by saying that "there will be no homeless family in the state by the time LDF government completes its term". He also announced that the revenue department has taken necessary steps to make sure that at least 25000 families get its title deeds and other records by May in time for the first anniversary of the government (the numbers look really attractive).

Revenue minister K.P. Rajendran said in his presidential address that similar melas will be organized in all the districts of Kerala in coming days. “Around 3,000 acres of land will be given away to 25000 families” he said. He is also reported to have said that the government has taken necessary steps to speed up the distribution of surplus land to the needy. There are around 26000 cases pending on surplus land issues in the state. As many 3,310 families turned into legal land owners at ‘peroorkada’.

The district level inauguration of the distribution of title deeds was carried out by Law and Parliamentary minister M. Vijayakumar by handing over title deeds to K.P. Rajendran a beneficiary of the scheme from the district. As many as 50 counters were set up at the stadium of which 24 counters pertained to ‘neyatinkara’ taluk.

Most of the counters were packed due to lack of proper arrangements. The delay in starting the distribution also caused a small inconvenience to those who came from distant places. “It is difficult for us to be back on time after getting our deeds” they were calling out but such small difficulties are ignorable when considered to the life long comfort they receive.