Provide ration cards, IDs to tribals of Kalvarayan Hills in 4 weeks, says Madras HC
Will summon Chief Secretary if order not heeded, deploy special officers to expedite work, TN govt told
Madras High Court (File)
CHENNAI: In good news for tribals of Kalvarayan Hills in Kallakurichi district, the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the State government to issue ration cards, Aadhaar and voter IDs to the applicants there within four weeks. Otherwise, the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu will have to face summons, it said.
A division bench of Justices SM Subramaniam and N Mala directed the State to deploy special officers to Kalvarayan Hills to ensure that ration cards and other IDs are issued as expeditiously as possible to help the villagers avail of basic amenities and services.
The bench also directed the Chief Secretary to monitor the process to ensure that the tribal people of Kalvarayan Hills are provided with all basic amenities such as roads, education, and health care. It was also observed that swift action is needed to complete the process. "The State should focus on laying roads, and ensure the functioning of schools and primary health centre at Kalvarayan Hills," it said.
A compliance report should be filed in this regard during the next hearing, the bench directed.
The special government pleader for the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department submitted the status report of the actions taken to provide identity cards to the villagers of Kalvarayan Hills. The report stated that more than 2,000 applications have been received to get the identity and the process is under way.
Perusing the report, the bench expressed its dissatisfaction over the State's submission as despite the court's directions the government has not completed the process of providing identity cards to the villagers.
Senior counsel KR Tamilmani, the amicus curiae appointed by the court, submitted that the State is not acting promptly to provide the basic amenities to the villagers. Still, for several kilometres, there is no road facility. Due to such conditions, the schools and primary health centres are not functioning and there are adequate teachers and medical staff in the area, he submitted.