Quick Summary: The Madras High Court has increased the payment for land taken in Ariyalur for a cement factory. The court decided that landowners should get more money than initially offered.
The story starts with the Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation Limited (TANCEM) taking land in Ariyalur for a government cement factory. The initial payment was set at Rs.200/- per cent based on nearby land sales. However, landowners, including Thangaraj and others, weren't happy with this amount.
On April 19, 2017, the Sub Court in Ariyalur increased the payment to Rs.1,200/- per cent. But the Special Tahsildar (LA) Unit II, representing the government, challenged this decision, arguing that the increase was too much.
The High Court had already dealt with similar cases. On January 29, 2024, the court decided that Rs.1,500/- per cent was fair, and TANCEM agreed to this rate in a resolution. This made it difficult to argue for a lower amount.
On February 2, 2026, Justice Dr. A.D. Maria Clete ruled that the payment should be Rs.1,500/- per cent, aligning with earlier decisions. The court also decided that the landowners should get this amount without any reductions for development.
"The market value of the acquired land is fixed at Rs.1,500/- per cent."
The court ordered the government to pay the remaining amount within eight weeks. This decision ensures that all landowners affected by the acquisition receive equal treatment.
