The High Court Legal Services Committee, High Court, Madras, comprising of Their Lordships Justice S.Vaidyanathan as Chairman and other 3 Hon’ble Judges, namely, Justice RMT.Teekaa Raman, Justice N.Sathish Kumar and Justice C.Saravanan had an interaction session with various officials of the Government, to find out the feasibility of disposal of more number of cases for the ensuing National Lok Adalat, to be held on 12.11.2022.

P R E S S   N O T E

The High Court Legal Services Committee, High Court, Madras, comprising of Their Lordships Justice S.Vaidyanathan as Chairman and other 3 Hon’ble Judges, namely, Justice RMT.Teekaa Raman, Justice N.Sathish Kumar and Justice C.Saravanan had an interaction session with various officials of the Government, to find out the feasibility of disposal of more number of cases for the ensuing National Lok Adalat, to be held on 12.11.2022.

 

2. During the interactive session Mr.Kumar Jayant, I.A.S., Principal Secretary to Government had brought the notice of the Hon’ble Committee regarding the issuance of the G.O.(Ms)No.346 dated 26.07.2022 which enables formation of Empowered Committee to decide the compensation amount for settlement in respect of LAOP cases in the Lok Adalat wherein, the Chief Secretary is designated as Chairperson of the said Committee. Further, the said G.O also envisages for the formation of Sub-Committee to assist and advise the Empowered Committee and he further conveyed to the Committee that the categorization of nature of the cases and the quantum of amount that can be awarded in respect of the lands in the said Survey Number in the stated villages are on the identification process and sofar no decision has been taken with regard to fixation of payment of enhanced compensation and the lower limit and the higher limit that can be offered on behalf of the Government for the settlement of compensation amount to be payable in LAOP and connected C.M.As and also conveyed that within a couple of months a ‘workable solution’ could be arrived at in respect of settlement of LAOP Cases.

 

 

3. Mrs.Jayashree Muralidharan, I.A.S., Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) also placed before the Committee during the interaction that certain lands have been acquired for the Jayamkondam Lignite Power Project due to administrative reasons, the Government has decided to reconvey the portion of acquired lands to the owners, however subject to certain conditions, in this regard as per G.O.Ms.No.110, Industries (MIE.1) Department dated 02.06.2022 was published, wherein, pursuant to the same, re-conveyance has been effected to 56 land owners and necessary mutation of revenue records has also been taken place and they are actively coordinating with the District Legal Services Authority at Ariyalur District and organizing special Lok Adalat for settlement of land acquisition cases. The Government has taken a policy decision within the scope of the above said G.O and the Committee has assured the Chairman, TIDCO that “once in a month special Lok Adalat will be organized by the DLSA, Ariyalur” in co-ordination with the chairperson-cum-Principal District Judge of the Ariyalur District for earlier settlement as well as for the settlement of more number of pending cases and the cases in pre negotiation stages in respect of those lands.

 

4.The District Collector, Chennai has brought to the notice of the Committee that there are approximately 400 LAOP cases pending and the  officials have been instructed to prepare a proposal in order to forward it to the Sub Committee, which will, in turn suitably recommend the Empowered Committee to decide the compensation.

 

5.Mrs.Jothi, representing TANGEDCO has asserted that they are trying to settle cases, which are compoundable in nature, relating to theft of energy. She has further asserted that TANGEDCO has been paying compensation ranging from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.18 lakhs to the injured/family of the deceased persons, who suffered electrocution. They are also making every effort to settle cases with regard to shifting of transformers, poles, etc.

 

6.The representative of Salem Transport Corporation has stated that they are allocating Rs.3 crores every month to the claimants towards compensation and they refrain themselves in preferring unnecessary and further appeal, as they are more interested in settlement, instead of delaying the payment of compensation.

 

7.After the deliberations by the Senior officials of the Government and also the participation of the Managerial staff from the Nationalized/Private Insurance Company as well as Transport Corporation of various zone and MTC, TNSTC, TANGEDCO and other officials have been enlightened about the role they have to play in the ensuing National Lok Adalat.

 

8.The following type of cases will be taken up before the National Lok Adalat to be held on 12.11.2022.

(i) Criminal Compoundable Offences;

(ii) NI Act cases under Section 138

(iii) Money Recovery cases

(iv) MACT Cases

(v) Labour and Employment dispute cases

 

(vi) Electricity and Water Bills cases and other bill payment cases (excluding non-compoundable)

(vii) Matrimonial disputes (except divorce)

(viii) Land Acquisition cases; (Pending before Civil Courts/Tribunals)

(ix) Services matters relating to pay and allowances and retiral benefits;

(x) Revenue cases (Pending in District Courts and High Courts only)

(xi) Other civil cases (rent, easementary rights, injunction suits, specific performance suits) etc.,

 

9. 7 benches are proposed to be constituted at the Principal seat of Madras High Court and 3 benches at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

 

10. The Law Secretary Mr.Karthikeyan, District Judge attended the meeting.

 

 

(K.SUDHA)

SECRETARY / District Judge

High Court Legal Services Committee,

High Court, Madras.