Puducherry forms special cell to probe land grabbing complaints of French nationals

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry government has constituted a special cell at sub-divisional level to conduct inquiries into land grabbing complaints received from the French nationals following a request from the Consular General of France, Puducherry.
Revenue ssecretary D Manikandan issued a notification in this regard.
Sub-divisional magistrate-cum deputy collector will be the chairman of the cell and superintendent of police, tahsildar, deputy tahsildar and sub-registrar concerned on the respective sub-divisions will be the members of the cell.
The cell will receive land grabbing complaints from French nationals and after holding inquiries will demarcate their properties wherever required. It can pass orders under the provisions of CrPc and other relevant Acts and advise the parties to approach the jurisdictional civil court in case of disputes.
The cell can also refer the cases to the district registrar to initiate necessary action against the culprits in case of fraudulent registration. It can also recommend restoration of properties by the district collector based on the fraudulent registration under the provisions of the Puducherry settlement act, 1970.
The cell can also issue directions to the station house officer concerned to file a case based on its findings on the land grab complaints of the French nationals. It can also issue necessary directions to the authorities concerned to safeguard the properties of the French nationals whenever required.
The district collectors will monitor and review the functioning of the special cell once every three months, said Manikandan in the notification.