Court notice on plea to attach Secretariat

PUDUCHERRY: A local court on Tuesday issued an order directing the government to explain why the chief secretariat building should not be attached for paying compensation for land acquired for a waste management project.Second Additional District Judge T Mohandass directed the respondents -- Secretary to Government (Revenue) and Deputy Collector (Revenue-Land Acquisition) to furnish their reply by April 20.The judge has passed this order in response to a petition filed by Velmurugan and another by three persons -- Sunkanya Venugopal, Kugan and Porbai -- for non-payment of full compensation of land acquired in 2009–10 for a solid waste management project.The government acquired land to an extent of 11 acres in Thattanchavady Revenue village from Velmurugan at a rate of `2,33,27,950 but paid only `77,69,559. The balance of `55,58,391 was yet to be paid and had now become `4,37,12,376 along with interest. Land of four acres was also acquired from Sukanya Venugopal, Kugan and Porbai at Thattanchavady Revenue village. It was worth `7,22,91,225. However, the government paid only `3,18,38,442 and a balance of  `4,04,52,783 was pending. This along with interest had become `11,36,34,828. The petitioners have prayed for attachment of property for non-payment of dues.