As per records available with Express, CMDA has violated the rules despite the State government orders and the high court’s direction to the contrary. The observations of an audit report — Annual Accounts of CMDA — highlighted the defects in the appointment and promotion of the then deputy planner R R Kubendran (currently chief planner). The report says that Kubendran, who holds ME (Urban Engineering) degree, did not have the requisite qualification in line with the approved CMDA service regulations, 1980.

As per the norms, the deputy planner should have a master’s degree in town planning or be an associate member in the Institute of Town Planning, India (ITPI). The report said, “any amendment regarding appointment may be effected by the authority only with the previous approval of the government.” Though the authority prescribed ME (Urban Engineering) as one of the qualifications for the post of deputy planner by way of amendment, this qualification was taken away by the government constituted panel while formulating the draft regulation.

“At present ME (Urban Engineering) is not prescribed as a qualification, either in the approved service regulation or in the draft service regulations pending approval with the government,” the report states.

“In the event of refusal by government for the approval of the said amendment, ratification of government would need to be obtained for having promoted to the post of deputy planner based on the amendment approved by the authority,” the report adds.

According to a HC order, “so long as the word ‘prior approval of the government’ is found in Section 124 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, the CMDA making its own amendment and not getting approval from the government does not make any regulation valid.” Despite the audit observation, government order and court direction, the individual was promoted to the post of deputy planner without masters in town planning, the ITPI points out. This is not the only occasion when the CMDA flouted norms.

The issue has resulted in court battles as well as non-government organisations taking up cudgels against the CMDA. Many outfits like Citizens Care Foundation and Forum for Practising Qualified Post Graduate Town Planners in Tamil Nadu have also sent representations to Chief Minister seeking disciplinary action against the administrative officer in CMDA.