Stay on eviction of slums refused

The vacation bench comprising Justice MS Ramesh and GR Swaminathan, which refused to offer any interim relief, however, ordered notice to the State government returnable by January 5.

Pennurimai Iyakkam, a women’s welfare organisation, which moved the plea contended that the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Corporation have resorted to forcible mass eviction of slum-dwellers in the city, without notifying their residential areas as slum areas, as required under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act of 1971.

The plea further noted that already residents of about 22 slums in MK Stalin Nagar and Thideer Nagar had been evicted, and five had been evicted partially.

Residents of about 36 slums in the west, east and south of the Cooum, Tiruverkadu and Melpakkam, among other places, were facing the threat of eviction.

Moreover, the alternative accommodation provided for such evicted families at far-off locations, has led to loss of livelihood and loss of educational opportunities for their children, the plea added.