PM's directives go unheeded

While there is the inherent element of inefficiency of the administration in implementing government directives, which we cannot discount, there is the palpable element of collusion between the government and the vested interests in the whole affair that compels us to bring to question the sincerity of the government in resolving the matter.

It would not be out of place to suggest that flouting of the orders of the Prime Minister has put the prestige of her office at stake, and it is thus imperative that she takes it upon herself to initiate action to recover the land that rightfully belongs to the state.

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The Deputy Commissioners are perhaps in the most difficult position, having to contend mostly with political party stalwarts that are the biggest expropriators. The list of illegal land grabbers suggests that many of these belong to the ruling coalition or to influential business houses with political connection, and the government, by its inaction, only reinforces the perception of it acquiescing in the matter.

The government must act promptly if it is to demonstrate its sincerity in resolving the issue and before we are forced finally to conclude that it is itself a party to the shoddy affair of grabbing public lands.

Action must commence by the government making those in the ruling coalition to give up the lands that they are in wrongful possession, before it loses control of entire public lands, of which it has already lost control of about 88 percent, according to available statistics.