Kannur in Kerala declared India's first 'zero landless citizen's district'

Union Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh on Friday declared Kannur in Kerala as the first district in India with 'zero landless citizens'. Under the flagship scheme of the UDF government, 11,103 landless families in Kannur have now become owners of land. Sadanandan, in his 60s, is suffering from Parkinson's disease and cannot work. His wife is a labourer. They manage to earn 500 to 1000 rupees in a month, but thanks to the government's scheme, they now own 3 cents of land. "At least before dying I am an owner, can have a place to stay," he says. The title deeds are given to the husband and wife-jointly.