The Madras High Court Thursday took a serious view of encroachment of water bodies, observing that people cannot live in constant fear of floods and directed authorities to remove all encroachers in the city within eight weeks.
Justice S M Subramaniam gave the direction while dismissing a batch of petitions by encroachers seeking grant of 'patta' (since they were in possession of the land).
He said officials were right in not granting them 'patta' (land ownership document) as the petitioners occupied water bodies.
When the pleas came up for hearing, the government advocate opposed the petitioners' plea stating that even the official proceedings, enclosed by the petitioners, clearly stated that the property in question was classified as pond.
Concurring with the view, the Judge said, the court was of the strong opinion that encroachment of water bodies by "a few greedy men" had become a routine affair in the state and particularly in and around Chennai.
"...such encroachments are happening certainly with the collusion and connivance of a few greediest officials and with the support of some local politicians," the Judge said.
Such encroachers must be treated as grave offenders and they were not entitled for even flood relief fund from the taxpayers' money, he added.
Citing the floods faced by Chennai in previous years, the court said people were apprehensive that even mild showers may inundate their localities in view of encroachments.
"It is the duty of the state to remove such apprehensions from the minds of the citizen of the city and all over the state," the judge said and directed the Chennai district collector to evict all encroachers from water bodies under his jurisdiction within eight weeks.
The collector was also directed to conduct an enquiry on encroachments and initiate action against officials if they were found to be guilty of negligence or collusion.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
