Hands tied by ordinances, CMDA tells High Court

CHENNAI: The order dated August 23, 2006, of the Madras HC could not be fully implemented due to the ordinance promulgated by the State on July 27, 2007, which culminated in ordinance 1 of 2007 and Act 39 of 2007, the CMDA said in its affidavit on Tuesday.The affidavit was filed by CMDA vice-chairman in response to two PILs from the Consumer Action Group and T Solomon on Tuesday.By the Ordinances, the government had constituted a committee, headed by a SC retired judge, to suggest modifications to the TN Town and Country Planning Act and for preparation of the second master plan for Chennai metropolitan area. As per the said ordinance, moratorium was granted with regard to the buildings put up in Chennai prior to July 26, 2007, from initiating any punitive action. The said Act was extended by three subsequent ordinances. The CAG filed a petition challenging the ordinances and this HC allowed the petition. Against this, the CMDA preferred an appeal in the SC, which ordered maintenance of status-quo and it was in force till March 15, this year.The counter added that the CMDA was taking all steps to arrest unauthorised constructions in the city and taking steps to lock and seal the premises effectively. Till date, 39 buildings had been sealed and locked and it would take effective steps to lock and seal all the unauthorised/deviated commercial buildings here.