VAOs challenge High Court order on grievance cells
‘With advancement in technology, the presence of VAOs at their village has become obsolete’
21/01/2020 , B. Tilak Chandar, MADURAI
A group of seven Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) filed an appeal before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday, challenging a single bench order that directed the State to constitute grievance cells to hear complaints against the VAOs.
Challenging the order, the VAOs said that the single bench order was passed on a writ petition that sought a direction to the State to instruct the VAO of Melaiyur revenue village in Thanjavur district to reside in the village for grievance redressal.
However, the scope of the petition was expanded and an order was passed directing the State to constitute grievance cells to hear complaints against the VAOs and give appropriate directions that action would be initiated against those not following the order.
In their appeal, they said that VAOs were entrusted with a plethora of duties which includes preparation and maintenance of village revenue and land records, collection of various taxes, issuance of certificates and other important functions.
They have dedicated a major portion of their efforts and energy towards the upkeep and well-being of the villages where they have been stationed. But, VAOs are often left struggling to find decent accommodation.
Sometimes, the area of posting may be an isolated village with no road connectivity or accommodation available.
Some areas lack infrastructure facilities as the area of posting may be nothing but plantations or agricultural lands with few houses.
In several cases, women VAOs struggle to find decent accommodation and even an office with proper sanitation facilities.
The VAOs pointed out that they were constantly present in their offices throughout the day during office hours and beyond and it was only during the night they they went to their residences. The necessity of VAOs to reside in their village was when communication was largely possible only through word of mouth. With advancement in technology and the availability of mobile phones, the continued presence of VAOs at the village of their posting had become obsolete, they added.
The position of law must change in accordance with changing times, they said. They sought a stay on the single bench order.
A Division Bench of Justices M. Duraiswamy and T. Ravindran sought a response from the State government and adjourned the hearing of the case till February 7.
‘With advancement in technology, the presence of VAOs at their village has become obsolete’
21/01/2020 , B. Tilak Chandar, MADURAI
A group of seven Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) filed an appeal before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday, challenging a single bench order that directed the State to constitute grievance cells to hear complaints against the VAOs.
Challenging the order, the VAOs said that the single bench order was passed on a writ petition that sought a direction to the State to instruct the VAO of Melaiyur revenue village in Thanjavur district to reside in the village for grievance redressal.
However, the scope of the petition was expanded and an order was passed directing the State to constitute grievance cells to hear complaints against the VAOs and give appropriate directions that action would be initiated against those not following the order.
In their appeal, they said that VAOs were entrusted with a plethora of duties which includes preparation and maintenance of village revenue and land records, collection of various taxes, issuance of certificates and other important functions.
They have dedicated a major portion of their efforts and energy towards the upkeep and well-being of the villages where they have been stationed. But, VAOs are often left struggling to find decent accommodation.
Sometimes, the area of posting may be an isolated village with no road connectivity or accommodation available.
Some areas lack infrastructure facilities as the area of posting may be nothing but plantations or agricultural lands with few houses.
In several cases, women VAOs struggle to find decent accommodation and even an office with proper sanitation facilities.
The VAOs pointed out that they were constantly present in their offices throughout the day during office hours and beyond and it was only during the night they they went to their residences. The necessity of VAOs to reside in their village was when communication was largely possible only through word of mouth. With advancement in technology and the availability of mobile phones, the continued presence of VAOs at the village of their posting had become obsolete, they added.
The position of law must change in accordance with changing times, they said. They sought a stay on the single bench order.
A Division Bench of Justices M. Duraiswamy and T. Ravindran sought a response from the State government and adjourned the hearing of the case till February 7.
No comments:
Post a Comment