Madurai
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the Southern Railway officials to ensure that nobody was permitted to put up flex boards on its premises. It should also be ensured that defaced railway compound walls were whitewashed and maintained.
The court took serious note of certain railway employees taking leave everyday without authorisation and observed that nearly 5%, about 4500, employees taking unauthorised leave was of great concern as public service was involved.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar directed the railway officials to see that nobody availed leave unauthorised, taking advantage of being a member of any union. The court was earlier informed by Southern Railway that biometric attendance system for employees would be implemented.
Southern Railway also informed that CCTV cameras would be installed at strategic points at railway stations. On healthcare facilities, the court was told that an emergency clinic had been opened at Chennai Central railway station and an ambulance stationed there. A similar clinic would be inaugurated at Madurai railway station.
A total of 346.42 hectares of land belonging to Southern Railway was encroached upon, out of which 57.89 hectares of land was in Tamil Nadu and 288.53 hectares in Kerala. Cases had been registered against 163 persons for violation, the court was informed.
The court observed that it was brought to its notice that the drinking water, ‘Rail Neer,’ and food supplied by Southern Railway were sub-standard and sought a report.
During the course of hearing, Advocate R. Gandhi, counsel for the petitioner pointed out that in the wake of increase in the number of crimes against women and children, it was necessary that helpline numbers were prominently displayed at railway stations. The court took a note of the submission and adjourned hearing to April 24.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by T. Prabhakar of Madurai, who complained that railway premises were being used without permission to put up flex boards, banners and cut-outs. He sought a direction to Southern Railway to remove flex boards and banners from railway premises and take action against encroachers.