HC direction to CMDA on planning permission

The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to process applications and pass orders on planning permission for building constructions.
In its order, the Court said "expeditious processing also would be required because these applications have been unnecessarily kept pending in respect of the aforesaid plea. CMDA to ensure due compliance and we are sure that no cause would be given for initiation of contempt proceedings."
The matter relates to a PIL filed by Confederation of Real Estate Developer's Association of India (CREDAI) seeking a direction from the court to direct the Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Commissioner of Town and Country Planning , CMDA, to pass orders on applications submitted for planning permission for building constructions.

CREDAI further submitted that processing of planning permissions for building constructions have been brought to a standstill "on the specious plea of impending elections."
When the matter came up before the first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M M Sundresh, last week, it inquired with the respective counsel for Chief Electoral Officer (Public) Elections Department, the state government and the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
On inquiry, counsel stated that with regard to the matter, "once it does not concern any policy issue, the normal processing has to be done and the Election Commission is no way concerned with it."

Counsel for CMDA said the applications will not be kept in abeyance and would be processed expeditiously as per the Provisions of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
Recording the above submissions, the bench disposed of the PIL.