Personal duty of officers to address citizens’ issue: Madras HC

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has warned that it will not sit silent on the non-response of government officials to the pleas of citizens and if any representation of the people is kept pending without any reason, it will personally arrest the official concerned. Will go. Responsible.

Justice P. Velmurugan, disposing of a petition, said, “The attitude of the authorities shows that they are only in favor of those with money and muscle power.” District. Of Perambalur.

Referring to common people approaching the courts even for simple requests like release of patta, he said, “Government officials are not giving proper response to the common citizens who come to their aid to apply even for simple relief like change of patta. Come closer. Issuance of lease, topographic survey, survey and determination of territorial boundaries.”

The judge said, sometimes officials do not comply with court orders within the stipulated time for reasons best known to them. Officials do not pay attention to the court’s instructions. He said, they do not follow the instructions/circulars issued by the government or the directions of the court.

A copy of the court order will be sent to all government officials.

“This court will not merely watch your inaction as a mute spectator,” the judge warned. He directed the Registrar of the High Court to send a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary for distribution to all government officials.

The order was passed on a petition filed by Ponnusamy and Shanthi, seeking a direction to the Perambalur District Collector and the Veppanthattai tehsildar to issue a patta while considering the application filed on August 29, 2023, in Veppanthattai village. The judge ordered authorities to consider the request in accordance with law.