Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 23: The state high court (HC), which took the state government severely to task for failing to clear illegal buildings that have encroached upon government land near Salethur junction in Kolnadu village in the taluk, commented that administrative machinery in the state has crashed. It also expressed frustration at the fact that courts are made to pass orders for the job the government is expected to do on its own.

The division bench of the high court presided over by acting chief justice, H G Ramesh, and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar, which heard the public interest petition filed by Abdul Hakeem seeking directions to the state government and Dakshina Kannada district administration to clear encroachment of government land near Salethur junction, expressed dissatisfaction about the way of functioning of the government.

"What is the relevance of a government if courts have to interfere and get things done by passing orders? Does the government expect courts to take over its jobs? Our directions and diktats are not having any affect on the government. The officials seem to be lacking the minimum understanding that court orders are meant to be obeyed. They get realization only if they are imprisoned. The court can only say that the  encroached land has to be cleared. Do you expect us to spell out each stage of work like bringing of trucks, digging of land etc?", the bench questioned.

It finally upheld the request of the petitioner and asked panchayat development officer of Kolnadu gram panchayat to clear encroachment of government land near Salethur. It also said that, if necessary, police protection can be obtained for the same. It also told that the petitioner will be at liberty to file contempt of court petition if the panchayat fails to act as per the court order.