CHENNAI: Following a directive of Madras High Court that a mechanism should be set forth enabling the persons aggrieved during eviction in encroached lands, the State Government has directed all district Collectors to constitute Grievance Redressal Committees immediately at the levels of taluk, division and district.
While giving the direction on August 11, the HC had observed that once such a mechanism is set up, there would be no occasion to entertain a PIL, on the first instance in such matters as an administrative machinery would be available for remedying the position.
All the District Collectors were instructed to give publicity on constitution of Redressal Committees on eviction of encroachments through the media, pamphlets and other means of communication from the District level office upto the Village level. The Revenue Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration were requested to monitor the working of the Committees.
The petitioners should file an original petition before the Tahsildars. On receipt of such a petition, the Tahsildar should cause an inspection at least at the level of Deputy Tahsildar, to decide if the Government land is being encroached or not. If convinced that the Government land is being encroached, he should serve a “Show Cause Notice” to the encroacher. Subsequently, other procedure as laid down under the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act should be followed within a stipulated time.