Madras high court dismayed over inaction on encroachments – Times of India

CHENNAI: Expressing its dismay over the delay caused by the Tamil Nadu government in filing a comprehensive compilation of encroachments on water bodies across the state, Madras high court has warned that it would summon the chief secretary if the report is not filed in a week.
The report has not been filed even after two years of passing such an order, the first bench of acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P D Audikesavalu said on Wednesday. “Lethargy we will not allow. Mind it in our court we will not permit this to happen. When a direction is given it has to be complied,” the bench said.The court also directed district collectors to prepare a list of lands identified as water bodies and send a copy of the same to the offices of the registration department, TANGEDCO to ensure the encroachers are not provided water and electricity.
Tamil Nadu is suffering from floods because of these encroachments on water bodies, the judges said, adding: “We will pass final judgement next week and we will make the official concerned accountable. Today, December 1, is the sixth anniversary of the 2015 Chennai flood.”
“We pass orders for removal of all encroachments. Also, we cannot approve the delay caused for removal of encroachment due to rehabilitation or providing alternate space to encroachers. If we do, it would amount to approving the encroachment,” the court said. It is up to the state to take a stand on providing alternate space for landless encroachers, but delay in removal of encroachment cannot be allowed, the court added. The issue pertains to a PIL moved by K K Ramesh in 2018 seeking stringent action against those encroaching on water bodies.
During the course of hearing, the court referred to the CAG report of 2017, which said the system envisaged under the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachments (TNPTEE) Act did not help in protecting water bodies.