The apex court directed the committee to begin functioning immediately and instructed the Tamil Nadu government to provide all necessary logistical and administrative assistance.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a special committee headed by former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai to supervise the eviction and rehabilitation exercise in the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta held the Tamil Nadu government responsible for delays in receiving, identifying and adjudicating claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). It also directed the state government to complete the formation of the remaining Gram Sabhas within 30 days.
"A Special Committee is hereby constituted, headed by Justice BR Gavai, former Chief Justice of India to be assisted by an officer of the CEC (Central Empowered Committee), and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, State of Tamil Nadu. The Chairperson shall be at liberty to identify a suitable officer of the CEC to assist the committee in the discharge of its functions...The Committee shall scrutinise the orders passed by the competent authorities under the FRA, 2006, in respect of the claims received and shall submit its report to this Court in a sealed cover," the bench said.
The committee will also supervise the expeditious disposal of claims by issuing necessary directions to the authorities concerned.
The apex court directed the committee to begin functioning immediately and instructed the Tamil Nadu government to provide all necessary logistical and administrative assistance.
"The State of Tamil Nadu shall provide all necessary logistical and administrative assistance to the Committee for carrying out its functions with due deference to the status of the Hon'ble Chairperson. For this purpose, an officer to the rank of Joint Secretary (Administration) shall be designated as the Nodal Officer to coordinate with the Committee and facilitate the provision of all necessary assistance required in the functioning of the Committee," the court said.
Taking serious note of encroachments within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape, the Supreme Court had earlier directed the preparation and implementation of a time-bound eviction plan on priority.
