GPS mapping of govt lands: HC directs Union Secy to implead

The Madras High Court has directed impleading the Union Secretary in the Department of Land Resources as a respondent on a plea seeking details of government land in Tamil Nadu and protection of these land by GPS mapping.
A PIL was filed by V B R Menon, an advocate, seeking for a direction to the authorities to constitute a permanent Special Task Force with adequate powers and responsibilities to conduct periodical inspections, field surveys and removal of encroachments from all categories of vacant government land in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.
He also sought appropriate actions to ensure proper utilisation of each properties including disposals of excess lands with a prescribed time.

Additional Advocate General submitted that the tender process for implementation of GPS for only three districts was complete and for whole state it would be worked out in a phased manner.
He also expressed apprehension regarding the funding by the Centre for floating of tender.
The bench which recorded the above in its order said "to avoid any such complication, we consider it appropriate to implead the concerned department of the Central Government as party in this petition".
The court posted the case for further hearing to December 12.