The failure of the officials in responding to such representations has resulted in the court being flooded with litigations seeking for directions to the official concerned to take appropriate action, pointed out a division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha.

“The officials part of CMDA and Corporation are public authorities exercising statutory powers, and whenever any representations are submitted alleging unauthorised/deviated/illegal constructions, they are bound to consider the representations and give a disposal in accordance with law at the earliest. But they are repeatedly failing to do so,” the bench observed. It noted that it was high time the Housing and Urban Development Department Secretary and the concerned administrative heads put a mechanism in place to monitor the activities of the CMDA and the city Corporation in the consideration and disposal of the representations alleging unauthorised constructions. Though the government claimed that grievances would be addressed without any loss of time through e-Seva centres and ‘people to government connect’ endeavours, it did not impress the bench.

“In the considered opinion of the court, it prima facie exists merely on paper without any strict implementation and it may be on account of lack of supervisory or monitoring mechanism,” the bench led by Justice Sathayanarayanan said. Based on this, the bench without going into the merits of the claim projected by the petitioner to take action against M/s Rishabh Info Park Pvt Ltd, for violating the building norms by constructing additional floors at TVK Industrial Estate, Guindy, directed action in accordance with law within six weeks.

While disposing of the plea, the bench posted it to January 7, 2021, for filing of status report with supporting documents and photographs.