Creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority
Highlights:
♦ Mr Patel is the first political appointee to the post of Administrator, which is usually held by retired civil servants.
♦ Islanders have complained that the legislation is out of step with the archipelago’s social and environmental realities.
♦ The establishment of the Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA) with broad powers includes the eviction of landowners.
♦ It is generally believed that this was promoted by the real estate lobby group and violated the interests of the islanders.
♦ Hundreds of islanders have written to administrators requesting the withdrawal of the proposed regulations.
It contains provisions such as:
♦ the orderly and progressive development of land in both urban and rural areas, as well as the preservation and enhancement of its amenities;
♦ the grant of permission to develop land and other powers of control over land use; and
♦ the conferring of additional powers in relation to the acquisition and development of land for planning purposes.
