HC asks TN govt to frame policy on conversation of agricultural land

New Delhi: The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to come with a comprehensive policy regarding conversion of agricultural land into layouts without affecting the people at large.

Seeking to prevent further development of unauthorised layouts and conversion of agricultural areas for non- agriculture use in an unplanned way, the court had on September 9, 2016 restrained registration authorities in Tamil Nadu from registering sale deeds for plots in such layouts or any flats or buildings constructed on them.

The interim order then was given on a PIL from ‘Elephant’ Rajendran an advocate, seeking to forbear authorities concerned from giving approval or permission to convert agricultural land into layouts and construct flats or buildings on them.

A bunch of impleading petitions were filed by various developers and individuals seeking relaxation to the blanket order, which has come up today for hearing before the First Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan.

Additional Advocate General Ayyadurai submitted that the government had proposed to categorise the lands into four divisions — recognised, unrecognised, wetlands and dry lands.

The bench then asked the him to take immediate policy decision on the matter, keeping in view of different categories and to come with a solution at an early date and posted the matter for further hearing to March 28.

PTI