3 months ago
1
A missive issued by the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) Joint Director successful Idukki has restricted operation permits crossed 13 panchayats successful the district.
The letter, sent connected February 6, 2026, states that panchayats indispensable lone contented operation permits upon the presumption of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Revenue Department.
According to a transcript of the missive accessed by The Hindu, the 13 affected panchayats are Chinnakkanal, Munnar, Pallivasal, Vellathooval, Devikulam, Bison Valley, Santhanpara, Udumbanchola, Mankulam, Marayur, Kanthallur, Edamalakkudy, and Vattavada.
“Based connected the High Court bid of January 21, 2010, a Revenue Department NOC is mandatory for operation activities successful 8 villages crossed Devikulam and Udumbanchola (including Chinnakkanal village). Any permissions without NOC already issued by panchayats for operation indispensable beryllium verified and halted immediately. Officials indispensable guarantee nary further operation is permitted successful these villages without a anterior NOC,” the missive stated.
The LSGD Director further directed panchayat secretaries to verify ongoing operation and study their actions to the Joint Director without delay. “ The details tin beryllium provided to the authorities and the High Court,” said the letter.
The missive emphasised that support is required for each operation activities. This includes impermanent sheds, imperishable residential buildings, commercialized establishments, and adjacent LIFE Mission Project buildings (including those connected panchayat-owned land).
In July 2023, the Idukki Collector imposed curbs connected these 13 panchayats pursuing an interim bid by the Kerala High Court successful a lawsuit filed by an NGO. In July 2024, erstwhile Idukki District Collector Sheeba George—just earlier her assignment arsenic Additional Secretary of the Revenue Department—confirmed the restrictions nether the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Act. This determination followed a technological survey identifying these areas arsenic “red zones.”
According to sources, the LSGD Deputy Director’s caller missive means panchayats are present efficaciously barred from issuing immoderate operation permits without Revenue Department clearance. “Based connected this order, adjacent LIFE Mission homes and impermanent sheds necessitate an NOC,” said a source.
