Stop evacuting people from lake beds: CPI(M)

Chennai, Dec 12 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI(M) today urged the state governemnt to stop evacuating people living in lake beds where there was no source of water.

In a statement here, party state secretary N Varadharajan said the government had announced free house site pattas would be given to those living in government poromboke lands for the last ten years and more than 25 lakh families were living in such places.

At a time when steps were initiated to issue pattas in certain districts, the government, citing a court order, has started evacuating people living near dry lake beds, where there was no source of water, for several years.

The PWD department has said dwellings in such places in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts should have to be evacuated or else it would be demolished.

It had also issued notice to this effect following which thousands of people would be affected.

When the matter was drawn to the attention of Revenue Minister I Periyasamy, he had assured that the government would not take any immediate steps in this regard and that the evacuation process would be stopped for the time being.

The government should stand firm on its announcement and withdraw the notices issued to the people, Mr Vardharajan said and urged the government to issue free land site pattas to those living near the dry lake bed areas.

UNI