Madras HC: Issue free house pattas to SC families

08 Jul 2024 CW Team

Petitioner P Selvakumar, who belongs to the arunthathiyar community, highlighted that approximately 500 scheduled caste families reside in poor conditions in Teppampatti village. When these families applied for free house sites, the government identified land in Kallimandayam, Oddanchatram taluk, for allotment in 2012. However, in 2022, authorities informed the petitioner that the land was needed for constructing a taluk office for the proposed Kallimandayam taluk. Dissatisfied with this decision, the petitioner filed the present petition challenging the order.

Justice G R Swaminathan observed that currently, Oddanchatram has not been divided, and Kallimandayam has not yet been established. The crucial question is whether the process initiated 12 years ago should be halted in anticipation of forming the new taluk. According to constitutional principles, people are entitled to live with dignity.

The judge pointed out that the authorities did not adequately consider whether it was absolutely necessary to construct the taluk office specifically at the site designated for the scheduled caste community. There was a lack of comparative evaluation, and the decision to prioritise the taluk office over the allocation process for the beneficiaries was made unilaterally by officials. The court concluded that this decision was arbitrary.

Justice Swaminathan emphasised that such a decision should not have been made without informing and consulting the stakeholders. The prospective beneficiaries had a legitimate expectation that was significantly violated. The judge firmly stated that the authorities should have considered the broader perspective, where benefiting 500 families should have been prioritised over constructing a taluk office at the chosen site. This, he emphasised, is what constitutes the proper exercise of governmental authority. The court found that the decision made by the authorities was severely deficient in this regard as well.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The Madras High Court noted that the legitimate expectations of the people were violated when authorities decided to construct the taluk office on the site initially earmarked for issuing house site pattas to them in Dindigul district. In response, the court directed the authorities to identify the beneficiaries and issue house site pattas to them free of charge.Petitioner P Selvakumar, who belongs to the arunthathiyar community, highlighted that approximately 500 scheduled caste families reside in poor conditions in Teppampatti village. When these families applied for free house sites, the government identified land in Kallimandayam, Oddanchatram taluk, for allotment in 2012. However, in 2022, authorities informed the petitioner that the land was needed for constructing a taluk office for the proposed Kallimandayam taluk. Dissatisfied with this decision, the petitioner filed the present petition challenging the order. Justice G R Swaminathan observed that currently, Oddanchatram has not been divided, and Kallimandayam has not yet been established. The crucial question is whether the process initiated 12 years ago should be halted in anticipation of forming the new taluk. According to constitutional principles, people are entitled to live with dignity.The judge pointed out that the authorities did not adequately consider whether it was absolutely necessary to construct the taluk office specifically at the site designated for the scheduled caste community. There was a lack of comparative evaluation, and the decision to prioritise the taluk office over the allocation process for the beneficiaries was made unilaterally by officials. The court concluded that this decision was arbitrary. Justice Swaminathan emphasised that such a decision should not have been made without informing and consulting the stakeholders. The prospective beneficiaries had a legitimate expectation that was significantly violated. The judge firmly stated that the authorities should have considered the broader perspective, where benefiting 500 families should have been prioritised over constructing a taluk office at the chosen site. This, he emphasised, is what constitutes the proper exercise of governmental authority. The court found that the decision made by the authorities was severely deficient in this regard as well.

Resources

26 Jun 2026

G R Infraprojects Founder Vinod Agarwal Passes Away

Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Founder and Promoter of G R Infraprojects, has passed away. He had been associated with the company since its inception in 1995. His vision, determination and entrepreneurial acumen laid the foundation for the company and helped shape its growth into a leading name in India’s infrastructure sector.Agarwal served as Managing Director from 2008 to 2021 and later as Chairman and Whole-time Director from 2021 to 2025. He stepped down from the office of Director on 10 November 2025. During his leadership tenure, the company moved through significant phases of growth, operatio..

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

Infrastructure Urban

25 Jun 2026

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..