Court directives on land and immovable properties in IMC area
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 10 2011: The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench, in a ruling today, directed the Manipur government to lift its order preventing sale and purchase of lands and immovable properties within Imphal Municipal Area which was issued eight months back.

An order of the Commissioner, Revenue of Manipur government issued on April 5, 2010 a temporary embargo on sale/purchase of land and immovable properties within the Imphal Municipal Area for six months.

Since then the government has not lifted the prohibition.

The Court today directed the state government to lift the ban within 10 days from the date of issue of the order of the court.

If the department concerned fails to do so, the government order will be treated 'automatically quashed', stated the ruling of Justice Madan Vimarao Lokur.

The Justice passed the ruling after a hearing was conducted on a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by Y Priyokumar, general secretary, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) against the state government's order.

The respondents of the case are state Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Revenue Department.

Priyokumar petitioned that even after a six month lapse the government has not taken up any action to modify or cancel the said order.

"By this illegal, unlawful and irregular order, it has affected the lives of the people residing in the Imphal Municipal area and the revenue income of the state" .

The impugned order has brought untold misery to the owners and public, particularly those who are residing in the area covered by the order.

It has effected more the people with low incomes because they have prevented from selling their immovable properties to ease unavoidable financial problems like medical treatments etc.

During the hearing, state respondents through its counsel sought a week's time for the state government to reconsider the matter in a Cabinet sitting to do the needful after reviewing the order.

The Judge gave 10 days time for the government to ensure lifting the embargo observing that it is very much necessary for the government to take immediate action to safeguard the development and livelihood of these people by cancelling/reviewing/modifying the "impugned" order.

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