HC asks MRTS to consider representation of land owners

Four land owners, who failed to get compensation for their land acquired by Mass Rapid Transit System due to non-entry of their names in revenue records, got a reprieve after Madras High Court today directed MRTS to consider their representation and pay them after verifying the records as per their rules.
"Lands have been acquired by the authorities without notice to the petitioners as mutation of the records was not done," Justice S Manikumar said.
In case of dispute over disbursement of compensation, the authorities should refer the same to the Principal Civil Court for adjudication, the judge said.
He also directed MRTS to consider the representation by losers of the land (land owners) and as per rules of Metro Railways (construction of works) Act, 1978 and take a decision within four weeks.

The four petitioners submitted that they owned lands along MRTS Phase II, Thirumailai Station alignment for several years. Their lands were acquired by authorities without any notice.
Authorities served notices to those whose names figured in the Patta (Revenue records) from whom they purchased lands. The four had failed to change the names in the Patta after the sale deed was executed by the earlier owner.

The acquisition rule says compensation should be paid to the persons in whose name the Patta is entered in the revenue records.
After coming to know the intimation went to the earlier owners of the lands, the four approached the Special Tahsildar (land acquisition) and Kancheepuram District Collector to get their names entered in the Patta as well as compensation for their acquired lands. As there was no response, they moved the Madras High Court.

The petitioners contended they were the rightful owners to get compensation and erstwhile owners seized their right over the lands immediately after sale. They prayed that the Court restrain authorities from disbursing the compensation to anyone except them.