"This can only happen in this country": Madras High Court slams State for nearly 54-year long delay in paying compensation for land acquisition

The Madras High Court recently slammed the government for its lethargic indifferent and cruel approach when dealing with the rights of citizens, after an extension of time was sought by district government officials to pay a part of the compensation for land acquired in 1967 (The District Collector, Dindigul District and anr v. Saraswathi and ors)..Justice R Subramanian took critical note that this can only happen in this country, while commenting that the facts in the case shocked his conscience. The matter has put the Special Government Pleader tasked to defend the authorities in a rather unenviable position, he observed.."I do not think any further fact is necessary to justify my conclusion that neither the Government nor its officials are interested in the welfare of the citizens and honouring orders of this Court. Excuses after excuses have been made to satisfy the award passed by this Court. It is almost 54 years now since the land was acquired. This can happen only in this country and with these Government officials", Justice Subramanian said..All the same, in view of the fervent request made by the Special Government Pleader, the Court granted one more extension of time for the Government to pay the entire remaining amount of compenstation by March 25. If the government again failed to deposit the said amount by this date, the District Collector of Dindigal would have to appear in person before the Court, the Judge added. .The land, in this case, had been acquired in 1967 for the construction of a bus depot. The Court recounted that the landowner was initially awarded a "princely sum" of Rs 1.70 per square feet, which was later enhanced to Rs.7.82 per sq. feet in 2004, nearly 30 years after the initial award was passed by the Land Acquisition Oficer in 1971. A challenge to the grant of the enhanced award was dismissed by the Madras High Court in 2017. .The legal heirs of the original landowner file an execution petition in 2007. In 2010, the executing officer directed the attachment of tables and chairs in the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Palani. This order was challenged by way of a revision petition in 2011. .The revision petition was disposed of in 2019 by granting the government officials time to pay the amount due. After the government failed to pay up this amount, the Revenue Divisional officer, Dindigul again came before the High Court, seeking an extension of time. .The matter has now been fixed to be taken up next by the Court on March 26. .Read the Order: