Submit report of lands assigned to private institutions: HC

Wondering as to how the State can be justified in assigning a huge extent of land to commercial institutions either for free or by collecting a meagre amount while evicting those who had encroached on one or two cents for their livelihood, the Madras High Court has directed the State Revenue Secretary to verify and review all the assignments already granted in favour of private institutions and individuals and submit the report to the State for further action.

While the government had granted the college nearly 95 acres, it had also sought for another 41.92 acres adjacent to it on the basis that it has been in its possession and use. But, the Revenue Secretary rejected the plea on the basis that the land has already been assigned to the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu for the construction of a multipurpose stadium to encourage sports development in the state. Challenging this, VIT had moved the High Court.

But Justice Subrmaniam while upholding the government’s rejection of VIT’s plea, said, “This court has no hesitation in holding that VIT has not established even a semblance of legal right so as to consider the relief as such sought for in the present writ petition. The order of rejection passed by the Revenue Secretary is in accordance with law and no infirmity as such.”

The Judge also directed the Revenue Secretary to review the writ petitioner in respect of the assignment of land to an extent of 98.80 acres and identify all such assignments which violate the Revenue Board Standing Orders, conditions imposed, Government Orders and policies.