1 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.12.2011 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.RAMASUBRAMANIAN W.P.(MD)NO.10905 of 2011 & M.P(MD)No.1 of 2011 Annai Theresa Salavai Thozhilalargal Sangam, Rep.by A.M.Duraipandi, Kurinji Nagar, Narayanapuram, Athikulam Village, Nagankulam Panchayat, Madurai-14. ... Petitioner -Vs- 1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, Madurai. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the first respondent to allot one cent of land in Athikulam 2 Bit, Survey No.20/4 in Nagankulam Panchayat or in any other land for the members of the Petitioner Sangam and issue patta. For Petitioner :Mr.A.M.Durai Pandi Party-in-person For Respondents :Mr.M.Algaguthevan, Special Govt Pleader. O R D E R The petitioner has come up with the above Writ Petition seeking a direction to the first respondent to allot one cent of land in Survey No. 20/4 in Athikulam 2 Bit, Nagankulam Panchayat. 2.Heard Mr.A.M.Durai Pandi, the petitioner appearing in person and Mr.M.Algaguthevan, learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents. 3. The petitioner is an association of Washer men, belonging to the downtrodden community known as Pudhirai Vannan community. The said community is treated as an untouchable even among the Scheduled Castes. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2 4.All the members of the petitioner were carrying on washing activities for more than 40 years hereditarily in Athikulam II Bit, Survey No.20/4. But, they were thrown out on 16.08.2005. 5.Thereafter, the petitioner has been tossed between this Court and the Collectorate and several other places seeking allotment of a small piece of land to the members of the petitioner association to enable them to eke out a livelihood. 6. Since none of the efforts produced any results, the petitioner has come up with the above writ petition. 7.In the counter affidavit, the respondents have narrated all the details, including the orders passed in the previous writ petitions namely W.P(MD)Nos.10505 of 2008, 2718 of 2009 and 8756 of 2010. But the respondents have also stated that they are prepared to allot sites at Idayapatti Village or Pottapanaiyur Village. However, the petitioners have rejected the offer, since the places identified by the respondents involved travelling to long distances by changing at least three buses every day. Therefore, the places sought to be allotted by the respondents would not actually be beneficial to the members of the petitioner, especially with the increase in the bus fare. 8.It is seen from the records that at the earliest point of time, the Tahsildar, Madurai(North) stated that the lands in Chattirapatti and Manjampatty could be examined for allotment to the petitioner. No steps appear to have been taken to examine this request. Therefore, I am of the view that the first respondent can be directed to examine the availability of the suitable lands belonging to the Government in those areas so that the suffering of the members of the petitioner association could be alleviated. 9.In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of, directing the first respondent to re-examine the request of the petitioner and see if any Government lands suitable to the petitioner are available in natham, Chattirapatti and Manjampatty and adjoining villages, so that the members of the petitioner could be rehabilitated. The first respondent- Collector shall examine and pass suitable orders within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(T&P) /True Copy/ Sub-Assistant Registrar https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 3 TO 1.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, Madurai. +One Cc to Mr.A.M.Duraipandi, Party in Person, SR.No.43729 +One Cc to The Spl. Govt. Pleader, SR.No.43863 gsr rl/5c – 26.12.2011 W.P.(MD)NO.10905 of 2011 14.12.2011 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/