Encroachments on water bodies must be removed following due procedures to protect public interest; eligible landless poor may seek alternate accommodation under government welfare schemes.

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.)

The facts stated in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petitions as well as the representations sent by the petitioners would show that encroachments are identified in water body.

2. Notice for removal of encroachments was issued by the authorities.

The encroachers made a request to allot an alternate accommodation.

3. It is needless to state that eligible landless poor encroachers may be provided with an alternate accommodation under the Government Welfare Scheme through TamilNadu Urban Habitat Development Board. The eligible encroachers are at liberty to submit an application seeking allotment of tenament or plot, as the case may be, under any one of the welfare scheme. The authorities shall consider their case, based on the terms and conditions stipulated under the Scheme.

4. As far as the encroachments in the water body is concerned, it is to be removed by following the procedures and the water body is to be protected for the public interest.

5. Therefore, the authorities are directed to remove the encroachers in the water body by following the procedures as contemplated under the relevant statutes and rules. The said exercise is directed to e completed within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6. With the above directions, the Writ Petitions are disposed of No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.