Free land titles to 41,482 residents in Thoothukudi

The government has started the process to provide free land ownership documents, known as pattas, to 41,482 residents in the Thoothukudi area. Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jeevan announced this at an event where 131 pattas were given out. On February 7, a special camp was set up to help residents apply for these pattas. More than 3,500 applications were received. The first phase of distribution took place on March 12, when 151 applicants received their computerised pattas. The Minister pointed out that many pattas issued during the time of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi are not recorded in official documents. Efforts are being made to create computerised records for those beneficiaries too. In Thoothukudi and nearby areas, approximately 11,739 individuals do not have clear ownership details on their pattas. Of these, 5,949 have land classified as irrigational or dry, while about 22,600 live on urban poramboke land and 1,100 reside on natham category lands. The government aims to systematically issue pattas to all these individuals.