Parambikulam-Aliyar Project: CAG pulls up Kerala Forest dept for failing to revise licence fee on land leased to Tamil Nadu (opens original article in a new tab)

The CAG found Kerala's Forest Department at fault for not updating licence fees on forest land leased to Tamil Nadu, leading to significant revenue loss and interest liability.

• CAG criticized Kerala Forest Department for not updating licence fee on 2,400+ hectares leased to Tamil Nadu since 1958
• Revenue shortfall of ₹1.14 crore and interest liability of ₹56 lakh due to outdated fee rates
• Licence fee remains at ₹100 per hectare since 1998 despite Kerala land tax revisions to ₹800 per hectare by 2022