Chennai: Madras high court has censured state govt and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for their failure to show the same zeal in providing civic infrastructure as they do in collecting taxes.“When a citizen fails to remit property tax or electricity charges, the authorities swiftly initiate coercive action, including disconnection of services. However, the same alacrity is not shown in discharging their corresponding duty to provide better civic infrastructure,” a division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice R Rajesh Vivekananthan said on Friday.“Collection of property tax, water tax, and license fee by GCC mandates them to provide services to the people residing in the city. It is a corresponding duty vested on the authorities, and failure on their part must be viewed seriously,” the bench said.The court made the observations on a plea moved by Saju Alex seeking direction to GCC to take appropriate actions in accordance with law to remove the encroachments and stop the illegal parking of vehicles and carrying out of unauthorised automobile repair works on Scheme Road, Ellaimman Colony, Teynampet.On one hand, property taxes, electricity charges, infrastructure charges, planning permission charges, and other statutory levies are enhanced periodically. On the other hand, the services provided by GCC, such as laying of good motorable roads, provision of encroachment-free footpaths and other basic amenities essential for public health and well-being of the citizens residing in the city are found to be grossly inadequate, the court said.The judges added that this situation warranted a serious consideration and immediate attention on the part of the govt as well as GCC.Despite directions issued by this court on April 28, 2025, the corporation as well as the police authorities are insensitive, and they are attempting to take undue advantage of listing the matters after long intervals. Such practice, in no circumstances, be encouraged by this court, the judges said.“Authorities are expected to identify strategically important places and ensure that footpaths in those locations are made free from encroachments in order to have free flow of traffic and enable the road users/walkers to use footpaths,” the court said.The insensitiveness shown by the authorities will not be viewed lightly by this court. Thus, two weeks’ time is granted to file action taken report as well as the proposed action initiated for providing better infrastructure facilities, encroachment-free footpaths to the benefit of the people residing in and around the city, the bench said and adjourned the hearing to Oct 26.
