TNHB order to R Nallakannu to vacate house triggers outrage

CHENNAI: An ‘oral order’ from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, asking veteran communist leader R Nallakannu and the family of former minister P Kakkan to vacate the board’s houses in CIT Nagar, T Nagar, has triggered outrage, with political parties condemning the state government’s “lack of sensitivity.” Nallakannu who had been staying with his daughter in the house on CIT Nagar First Main Road for 12 years vacated it on Friday, while Kakkan’s family one of his sons, his wife and their children awaits the state’s intervention.


Late on Saturday evening, as condemnation poured in from all quarters, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam called up 94-year-old Nallakannu and informed him about a “possible” policy decision on alternative accommodation. Earlier, senior TNHB officials called on Nallakannu at his new house and pointed to the election code of conduct for their inability to make any ‘offer’. "They told me to vacate but did not issue a formal notice. I left on my own before the May 15 deadline. But look at how Kakkan’s family is being treated," he told TOI. The officials also met Kakkan’s family, explaining the difficulties in providing housing as “others would demand a similar gesture.”

In 2011, a committee of experts including from Anna University declared the TNHB buildings in CIT Nagar unsuitable for occupation in 2011. “These houses were constructed in 1960s. We issued notices to the occupants in 2011 and 2014 to vacate them citing the dilapidated status,” an official said. The occupants then moved the Madras high court and Supreme Court before a verdict came in favour of the TNHB last month.

DMK president M K Stalin said allotment of TNHB houses was made as a mark of respect to politicians. “As an opposition leader, I urge the state to immediately allot him [Nallakannu] a house without causing any crisis,” he said. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran said asking Kakkan’s family to vacate the house allotted by former chief minister M G Ramachandran “has only proven that EPS and his government lack respect for sacrifice.”

TNCC chief K S Alagiri said the two leaders had sacrificed a lot for the country’s freedom and for the state’s welfare. “Now they lose their houses as well. The government should have acted with responsibility. Even now it can provide accommodation within 24 hours.”

TNHB sources said that of the 119 occupants, 83, including Nallakannu volunteered to vacate the houses each of which currently draws rent of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,700.