The New Indian Express 18.12.2013
Isha Foundation Constructed 62 Illegal Buildings in Kovai, Says Govt
The Isha Foundation, founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev aka Jagadeesan, has already constructed 62 buildings and been putting up another 15 buildings without approval from government authorities on the foothills of Velliangiri near Coimbatore, the Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning, Coimbatore region, submitted in counter affidavit filed in the Madras High Court on Tuesday.
The counter was filed in response to a PIL from advocate M Vetriselvan, praying for a direction to the authorities concerned to demolish the unauthorised constructions. The counter said that the Foundation commenced the construction in 1994. But it had not obtained the clearance from the Hill Area Conservation Authority, which came into existence in 1990. Prior approval from the Coimbatore Collector was necessary as per the provisions of Town and Country Planning Act and TN Panchayat Buildings Rules. But the Foundation has not obtained the clearance from the Collector and the Deputy Director of Town and Country Planing. Hence, ‘lock and seal and demolition’ notice was issued to the Foundation in December, 2012.
In July, 2011, it had submitted proposals for construction of 12 buildings, but it was returned with a direction to resubmit in full shape in February 2012. In September same year, the Foundation resubmitted the proposal and during inspection by the officials in October, it was found that the construction has already begun and the building plan was not tallying with the actual.
The Foundation was directed to resubmit the plan as per the construction made at the site along with NOCs from the Forest, PWD, Collector and others. As the construction was not stopped, ‘stop work’ notice was issued on November 5, 2011. Subsequently, sealing notice was issued on December 24, 2012, the counter said and the proposals were returned as they were not in full shape in January this year.
