Thwart constructions in Chitlapakkam lake, officials told

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar gave the direction on a Public Interest Litigation moved by advocate S Vaidyanathan, seeking a direction to the authorities to repossess the government lands forming part of the Chitlapakkam lake from illegal occupants, restore the lake and its tail-end areas to its original extent and size and maintain it properly.

The petitioner had contended that lack of proper outlet to drain the excess water in the Chitlapakam lake during monsoon usually resulted in flooding of the arterial road and layouts of the area surrounding it, causing untold hardship to the residents who have constructed houses after obtaining due permission and approvals from the civic authorities. 

Also, noting that the situation had turned grave during the 2015 floods resulting in the main roads of Chitlapakkam being flooded for almost a week, he said the cause of flooding was mainly due to the uncontrolled construction and rampant encroachment on its banks. He also pointed out that such encroachments had come about owing to the apparent connivance of the local authorities who have turned a blind eye to it despite repeated representations.

The occupation of the water body was not only illegal, but has led to growing water shortage in Chitlapakkam and surrounding areas where approved residential layouts have been developed, and about 45,000 people were entirely dependent on this lake for replenishment of groundwater, he added.

The Madras High Court has directed the Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, to enable children of retired personnel from para military forces avail reservation meant for them in educational institutions for the academic year 2017-2018.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar, on noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has already issued a communication on November 23, 2012, providing such reservation, said, “We direct the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, to take necessary decision in pursuance of the Central government communication qua the issue of reservation for retired personnel from para military forces insofar as admission to educational institutions is concerned and the same should be done immediately in order to facilitate the benefit to be availed of by such persons for the academic year 2017-2018.” 

The Petitioner P Santhakumar, who retired as a head constable in the Border Security Force (BSF), had submitted that despite the Ministry of Home Affairs extending reservation to children of retired personnel of para military forces, the State had failed to implement it. He noted that lack of response by the State had resulted in children of persons like him, who retired from para military forces like Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashatra Seema Bal, Assam Rifles and National Security Guard, not being considered in the reserved category. He also noted that the plea has been pending despite multiple representations from 2015.