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Thiruvananthapuram June 7 The Department of Forests, Kerala has issued notice to Tata Tea for possessing 3,113 acres of "excess" land in the Munnar hills, the Forest Minister, Mr Benoy Viswam, said on Thursday.

The company has been told to provide an explanation within 15 days, he told newspersons.

The Minister said that the notice was not being issued in haste. "Action would be taken against those who violated land lease agreement."

The State Government had, on March 29, 1974, allotted 16,898.91 acres to the company for raising "fuel wood" plantations.

Provisions of the Kanan Devan Hills Act and the Land Board Award were invoked to this effect.

As per records submitted following a subsequent dispute over the land management plan, the company authorities put the extent of coverage of plantation as a little over 20,012 acres.

The Forest Department has issued a notice in the backdrop of the company having admitted to the fact that the fuel plantation had spread to excess land, the Minister said.

The National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) is expected to submit a survey report within a fortnight on the extent of land owned by Tata Tea in the State.

As per rules, the company had the right to possess only 57,359.14 acres.

A combined meeting of the Forest and Revenue Ministers and officials has decided to expedite the survey of Harrison Malayalam Plantations, currently being taken up in six districts.

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