The Hindu 18.12.2013
“Isha Foundation buildings constructed without approval”
Official makes submission before First Bench
The Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning, Coimbatore region, has submitted before the Madras High Court that Isha Foundation constructed buildings at Ikkaraibolluvappatty village, without any valid approval from competent authority.
The official made this submission before the First Bench headed by Chief Justice R.K. Agrawal, who was hearing on a public interest litigation filed by M. Vetri Selvan, an advocate who had sought a court order for demolishing all the “unauthorised buildings” constructed by the foundation in the village in Coimbatore district.
In his counter, K. Sabapathy, Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning said, “The Isha Foundation has neither obtained approvals from the District Collector, nor obtained the concurrence of the Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning as required provisions of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Building Rules 1997. It has not obtained clearance from Hill Area Conservation Authority, the foundation constructed 62 building blocks which are in use and 15 building blocks are being constructed without any valid approval from the competent authority. The school in question is being run in one of the constructed building. Hence, lock and seal demolition notice was issued last December.”
The official added that a proposal of foundation for approvals for the construction of buildings was returned in last January.
