Latest news with #S.M.Subramaniam
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Plea to remove unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response of the State to a public interest litigation petition seeking removal of unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads including the National and State Highways roads. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete sought response of the authorities to a petition filed by A. Azhagesan of Kanniyakumari district. The petitioner also sought a direction to instruct Corporation, Municipality and local bodies to give effect to Rule 326 (22) and Rule 337 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, frame standing orders for placement and procurement of barricades, reduce the size of the plate covers to one-fourth of the total width of the barricade for installing advertisements or police instructions making the road visible to riders, drivers and commuters, within a time frame. He said that in the last decade the number of vehicles plying on the roads had multiplied. It is just and necessary for the authorities to maintain the public roads and streets as road worthy and motorable for all categories of vehicles and ensure the safety and well being of the commuters. The authorities have undertaken no major scientific studies and no concrete effective steps to resolve the traffic problems, he complained. Barricades were being put up in the middle of the roads in an unplanned and unscientific manner posing a threat to the drivers and commuters. These barricades were put up at various junctions with an intention to reduce the speed of vehicles and also allow the pedestrians to cross the road. However, instead of reducing accidents, the barricades have been the reason for accidents including fatal ones. The barricades do not have any reflectors or warning sign boards, the petitioner said and sought a direction for removal of unregulated barricades. The case was posted for hearing after two weeks.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madras High Court seeks State's response to PIL plea seeking to initiate process for empanelment of eligible IPS officers for T.N. DGP post
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday sought response of the State government to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking the direction to the Central and the State governments to immediately initiate the process for empanelment of eligible IPS officers for the post of Director General of Police (DGP), Tamil Nadu. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete sought response from the State on the procedure it would be adopting. The court also sought response regarding the Supreme Court guidelines in the Prakash Singh v. Union of lndia case, Supreme Court clarifications to the directions, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) guidelines and the Single Window System. The court was hearing the PIL petition filed by K. Yasar Arafath of Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district who sought appropriate directions regarding appointment of the Tamil Nadu DGP in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in Prakash Singh v. Union of lndia judgment. The incumbent DGP Mr. Shankar Jiwal is set to retire on August 31. However, till date the State government has not taken steps to initiate the mandatory process of empaneling eligible IPS officers and forwarding the names to UPSC for preparation of a panel, as directed by the Supreme Court, he said. He claimed there were credible reports indicating the possibility of appointing an in-charge or acting DGP or seeking an extension for the current DGP without following the prescribed process. It amounts to contempt of the directions laid down by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case, which require a merit based transparent selection of the DGP from a panel prepared by the UPSC in consultation with the State government, he said. The petitioner claimed in view of the upcoming Tamil Assembly Elections in 2026, the State government had planned to keep the Head of the Police Force as per their choice to get the support of the Police Department till the upcoming election. The Supreme Court has taken a serious note of the violation of its directions by several States, including the appointment of in-charge DGP and expressed grave concern over the continued non-compliance, he said. The petitioner sought a direction to restrain the State from appointing any officer as in-charge or acting DGP or granting extension to the retiring DGP, without following due process and UPSC panel recommendation pending disposal of the petition. The failure of the authorities to comply with the binding judicial directions undermines the rule of law and the independence and the professionalism of the police force, which has serious consequences for public administration and governance, he said. The court has ordered notice and posted the matter for hearing on August 11.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Consider complaints filed for removal of unauthorised constructions and dispose of them within a time frame, Madras High Court tells committee
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Madurai Collector, the chairperson of the Madurai District High Level Monitoring Committee to consider the applications/complaints filed for removal of encroachments/unauthorised constructions and dispose of the complaints within a time frame. The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by R. Mayilsamy of Madurai who sought a direction to Madurai Collector to constitute a District High Level Committee for monitoring and preventing unauthorised constructions as per a G.O. issued in 2024 by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. The State submitted that pursuant to the G.O., the Madurai Collector issued proceedings dated October 24, 2024, constituting the Madurai District High Level Monitoring Committee. The members of the Monitoring Committee comprise officers of various levels. The petitioner submitted that though the committee was constituted no action has been taken for removal of encroachment. The complaints filed by the aggrieved persons were not dealt with and kept pending for a long time. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that keeping the petitions pending for a long time would cause prejudice to the interest of the complainants who were suffering on account of unauthorised constructions. Urgent action should be initiated to deal with the complaints and initiate enforcement actions by following procedures as per the G.O.. The G.O. states that meetings should be conducted periodically. A report should be submitted to the State High Level Committee. However, the petitioner submitted that no such report had been submitted to the State High Level Committee so far. The G.O. should be followed scrupulously by the District High Level Monitoring Committee, failing which, the government has to initiate all appropriate action to ensure that the G.O.s are implemented in its letter and spirit, the court directed.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
HC disposes of plea seeking archaeological excavation in Ulaipatti
Disposing of a public interest litigation petition that had sought a direction to the Centre and the State to conduct an archaeological excavation in Ulaipatti near Usilampatti in Madurai district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the petitioner to pursue the representation before competent authorities. The court was hearing the petition filed in 2020 by advocate G. Thirumurugan. The petitioner said an ancient iron smelting furnace, various burial urns and other ancient artefacts were unearthed in Ulaipatti. A proper and systematic excavation could yield a good result in unravelling the history of the land. Such excavations at various sites by archaeological departments had raised the curtains on the past, he said. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that the High Court cannot issue a direction to conduct such activities unless the authorities had formed an opinion that it was necessary in the interest of the public and in accordance with the provisions of the Central Act and the Rules in force.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
PIL filed to bring Sarasvati Mahal Library under national mission
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday ordered notice to the Centre and the State government on a public interest litigation petition that sought the direction to classify the Sarasvati Mahal Library in Thanjavur as a Model Library under the National Mission on Libraries. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete ordered notice to the authorities concerned while hearing the petition filed by B. Prabhakaran of Chennai. He said that the 500-year-old library holds immense historical, socio-cultural, and academic significance. The petitioner said the library, also known as Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library, was one of the oldest surviving libraries in Asia, established in the 16th century during the reign of the Nayak kings of Thanjavur. It was enriched by Maratha rulers, notably King Serfoji II, who was an eminent scholar and polyglot, he said. However, the library, a historic repository of ancient knowledge, was languishing in a state of alarming neglect. Despite its rich legacy, the functioning of the library was severely affected by staff shortage, he said. He said the library was languishing under severe administrative neglect, acute staff shortage, unimplemented digitisation programmes, and lack of preservation efforts by the government, leading to loss of valuable books and journals. Effective steps have not been taken to ensure the preservation or proper management of the library's invaluable records. Sarasvati Mahal Library falls well within the purview of the National Mission on Libraries which was established under the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry of Culture exercises administrative supervision over several premier libraries, he said. The petitioner said he had made a representation to the authorities concerned in this regard. However, the officials had not yet taken action. He sought a direction to the Centre and the State government to classify the library as a Model Library under the National Mission on Libraries and to take steps towards digitisation, conservation, and implement development schemes administered by the Ministry of Culture by sanctioning requisite grants-in-aid to undertake restoration measures and infrastructure upgrade within a time limit. The court adjourned the hearing by two weeks.
