Land ‘non-residential'; patta denied for TNHB residents for 30 years in TN
According to sources, the land acquired to develop a residential township was divided into 1,055 plots in 1992, and disbursed to the public for different economic categories through a lot system. However, the residents were not provided patta, and the land is still classified as "government land" on the state website. The land had been used as a dumpyard by the Thoothukudi municipality before it was acquired by the TNHB, and it was not reclassified after for processing patta, said an official.
Speaking to TNIE, Thoothukudi corporation ward 3 councillor R Rengasamy, who is also a member of the TNHB People's Welfare Association, claimed they have petitioned the higher officials of TNHB, revenue, and corporation, all of whom had given contradictory statements and avoided accountability. Democratic Youth Front of India (DYFI) district town secretary M S Muthu said the district administration must take steps to issue patta for the 1,055 residents by reclassifying the land parcel.
A senior official from the TNHB (Tirunelveli division) said that steps are being taken to reclassify the land as per the request of the residents. These plots were developed, based on a government order, under the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Programme (TNUDP), which has been terminated. "We are collecting land records of the housing board to obtain patta for the TNHB residential area," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Midday meal workers protest in Hyderabad over unpaid dues, demand Rs 10,000 salary
HYDERABAD: Thousands of midday meal workers who prepare and serve meals to children in government schools across Telangana, staged a dharna on Wednesday in front of the Commissioner and Directorate of School Education office in Hyderabad, demanding the fulfilment of their long-pending demands. These include the payment of overdue bills, an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000, and additional funds to meet the revised meal menu. Police later took several midday meal workers into custody. The protesters pointed out that while the School Education department had sanctioned Rs 51 crore last week, the amount has not yet been credited to their bank accounts. They also highlighted that over Rs 70 crore worth of egg bills have been pending for the past 10 months. Moreover, midday meal workers have not been paid their salaries for the last five months. 'The government's budgetary allocation doesn't even cover the cost of two eggs. With egg bills pending for 10 months, how long can workers survive on debt?' one protester asked. 'We've been running from pillar to post, but our pleas are falling on deaf ears.' The workers also raised concerns about pressure from officials to implement a revised meal menu, including ragi java and two additional curries, without increasing the existing budget. 'There isn't enough money to manage the old menu, let alone a new one. Unless an additional budget is allocated, this is impossible,' a protester said. Speaking to TNIE, Telangana Midday Meal Workers Union general secretary SV Rama said, 'We are tired of complaining to officials about the unpaid egg bills and five months' pending salaries. Each time we raise the issue, we are given false assurances that the money will be credited soon. During the previous Assembly elections, the Congress promised in its manifesto to raise our salaries to Rs 10,000 per month. That has not happened yet. We still receive Rs 3,000, and even that is irregular.' Shanti, a midday meal worker, echoed the frustration. 'We've been requesting the officials to clear the dues till July. But because we haven't been paid, we are forced to serve only rice and dal, which is not in line with the prescribed menu.' Attempts by TNIE to get an official response from the School Education department went unanswered. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, district education officers were directed to make alternative arrangements to ensure that mid-day meals are provided to students without disruption.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Revenue officials issue eviction notice to Caste Hindus to remove alleged 'untouchability wall' in Karur
KARUR: Revenue officials on Thursday issued an eviction notice to remove the alleged 'untouchability wall' constructed by Caste Hindus on a 1.25-acre government poramboke land at Muthuladampatti, Karur. The move comes in response to objections raised by Dalit residents living near the disputed land, amid concerns that the wall was built to restrict their access. Officials said the action was taken to prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to TNIE, Karur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) M Mohammed Byzal confirmed that he had served an eviction notice to members of the Thottia Naicker community, who built a wall using concrete blocks, allegedly obstructing access for the Arunthathiyar community. 'Despite being warned during a peace meeting held on July 29, 2025, convened following a complaint lodged by Dalit residents on July 11, that members of a particular community went ahead and constructed the wall on government poramboke land, which is a violation of norms. Hence, we have issued a notice for its immediate removal,' the RDO said. According to sources, around 200 families belonging to the Caste Hindu community and approximately 45 Dalit families live in separate settlements in Muthuladampatti, which is located within the Karur City limit near the collector office. The 1.25-acre land has been under the informal possession of the Caste Hindus for several years, and houses a small temple and a drama stage. The Dalit community, which has its temple within their settlement, has long been requesting a portion of this land to construct a drama stage and a toilet. However, their demands have remained unaddressed for years, according to sources.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Karnataka to bring Vemula Bill to end caste discrimination
BENGALURU: The State Cabinet is expected to give its nod to the Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, 2025, on Thursday. It is expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of the state legislature starting from Monday. The Bill proposes to safeguard the right to education and dignity for the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and minorities across all universities in the state including public, private, and deemed universities. It aims to eliminate caste-based discrimination in universities and colleges. Speaking to TNIE, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa said there have been instances where students from backward classes were treated inhumanly. They were given mental torture too. The Bill aims to protect and instill confidence in them. This is applicable for college students in colleges and universities, he said. When asked if this will be extended to pre-university and schools, he said it will be decided in the coming days. Bill proposes penalty and imprisonment According to sources, the Bill proposes imposing penalty and even imprisonment of college authorities failing to take action in such cases. Such institutions will also lose government grants. It will be considered as non-bailable offence and those committing it could face penalty and imprisonment. Rohith Chakravarthi Vemula, a PhD scholar at University of Hyderabad died of suicide in 2016. He was known for raising issues of caste injustice, Dalit rights on the campus. The university had stopped his stipend as he was involved with Amebedkarite Students Association, fighting for the rights of Dalits. He was suspended, after which he committed suicide. Earlier this year, Rahul had written to CM Siddaramaiah urging the state government to bring the Bill. Siddaramaiah had stated: 'Our government stands firm in its resolve to enact the Rohith Vemula Act to ensure no student faces discrimination based on caste, class, or religion. We will bring this legislation at the earliest to honour the dreams of Rohith, Payal, Darshan, and countless others who deserved dignity, not exclusion,' he stated.
