A public interest litigation petition filed in the Madras High Court highlights the hardship faced by the people of the Kalvarayan Hills in Villupuram district owing to the absence of infrastructure.
K.R. Tamizhmani of Koyambedu here said in his petition that he and his family had stayed at Karumandhurai for two days. The Kalvarayan, Periyakalrayan and Chinnakalrayan areas, spread over 2,000 sq.km, was inhabited by a tribe called ‘Malayalis.’ In the absence of job opportunities, 90 per cent of the population lived in poverty. Furthermore, transport, education and hospital facilities were inadequate.
Mini-rulersThis was because the mini-rulers were unwilling to recognise the Union government, abide by the statutes and hand over 105 villages to the government. Only during the Emergency was it possible to get rid of the rulers. The Jagirdhars or mini-rulers (Poligars) said they were forcibly dispossessed, but the government claimed the area was handed over to it on June 25, 1976. During 1979-80, the government started building roads, hospitals and schools. Yet, the progress was not adequate.
At present, 40 per cent of the area in the interior regions lacked roads. Hence, there was no public transport.
During medical emergencies, it was impossible to reach a hospital. A Primary Health Centre worked at a distance of 20 km, but it had no life-saving drugs or doctors. A hospital where one could expect a reasonably good emergency treatment was 40 km away. Roads were not being maintained properly; when it rained, travel was impossible. Drinking water was also a cause for concern. An elementary school was four km away. High/higher secondary schools were rare.
When the matter came up before the First Bench of Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, notice was taken on behalf of the Central and the State governments.
Counter in four weeksThe Bench directed the authorities to file a counter, within four weeks, with details, including colour photographs, to show the works, if any, implemented.