The Finance department has warned government departments and agencies not to sit on payment of compensation for acquisition of land, especially in cases where the courts have ordered compensation.
Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K.R. Jyothilal has issued an internal circular in this regard asking departments to act upon court orders relating to payment of compensation in Land Acquisition Reference (LAR) cases on a priority basis. Mr. Jyothilal pointed out that such delays were posing “legal and administrative complications” for the State government.
Timely action by the departments and the officers heading them can prevent such situations, the Additional Chief Secretary said in his September 1 circular.
“It has come to the notice of the government that, in several Land Acquisition Reference (LAR) cases, compensation amounts ordered by competent courts have not been disbursed within the prescribed time due to delays in initiating and completing the required administrative and financial procedures. Consequently, decree holders have initiated execution proceedings leading to attachment of government/Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) bank accounts, thereby causing avoidable legal and administrative complications,” according to the circular.
Departments have also been asked to closely monitor all pending LAR cases involving financial liability. Department heads have been directed to coordinate with the District Collectors, the Land Revenue Commissionerate and other concerned authorities.
Further, the Finance department has directed government departments to establish an internal monitoring mechanism for prompt compliance with court directions “so as to avoid execution proceedings and attachment of government bank accounts,” and to ensure accountability.
Delays resulting in the attachment of government bank accounts or other adverse judicial orders due to non-compliance with court directions will be viewed seriously, the Finance department said.
