The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 (Madras Act 17 of 1961)
The Government of Tamil Nadu Law Department published The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 (Madras Act 17 of 1961), which establishes the Housing Board and sets out its powers over housing schemes, land, betterment fees, Board premises and finance. This office-use version incorporates modifications up to 31 March 1966.
What the Act governs
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 creates and incorporates the Housing Board and provides for its membership, officers, staff, meetings, committees and contracts. It also transfers the assets, liabilities, funds and existing employees of the City Improvement Trust to the Board.
The Act gives the Board powers to undertake housing and improvement schemes and incur expenditure on them. The Government may transfer land belonging to it, vested in it or acquired under the law identified in the Act to the Board.
Housing and improvement schemes
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 lists several kinds of schemes, including:
- House accommodation schemes.
- Rehousing or rehabilitation schemes.
- City, town or village expansion schemes.
- Deferred street schemes.
- Land development schemes.
- General improvement schemes.
The Act covers preparation and publication of scheme notices, representations by the concerned local authority, sanction, abandonment, modification and execution. It also addresses the transfer of buildings, land, private streets and squares for scheme purposes.
Land, streets and betterment fees
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 authorises land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, purchase or lease by agreement, and disposal of land. It also provides for streets and open spaces created or altered under schemes, traffic restrictions while work is in progress, and the turning or closure of certain public streets or squares vested in the Board.
The Act provides for betterment fees, assessment by the Board, notice to people liable to pay, agreements making the fee a charge on land, and recovery of money payable. The supplied text does not state any fee rate.
Who may be affected
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 may affect:
- Owners or occupiers of land and buildings included in a housing or improvement scheme.
- People whose land may be acquired, purchased, leased or subject to a betterment fee.
- Occupants of Board premises, because the Act provides powers of eviction and recovery of rent or damages.
- Local authorities involved in scheme representations, land transfers, streets and public facilities.
- Contractors and people building within a street alignment or building line.
Administration and enforcement
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 covers the Board's funds, borrowing, accounts, estimates and audits. It establishes a Tribunal for specified purposes, provides for appeals from Tribunal awards, and allows awards and orders to be executed by civil courts. It also lists penalties, powers of entry and survey, service and publication of notices, government directions, supersession or dissolution of the Board, and powers to make rules and regulations.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can the Housing Board acquire or otherwise obtain private land?
The Madras State Housing Board Act, 1961 provides powers to acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act and to purchase or lease land by agreement. It also gives the Board power to dispose of land.
Can a property owner be charged a betterment fee?
Yes. The Act provides for assessment, notice and recovery of betterment fees, including an agreement that may make the fee a charge on land. The supplied text does not give a rate.
Can the Board evict someone from Board premises?
The Act includes powers to evict certain persons from Board premises and to recover rent or damages as arrears of land revenue.
Will the public receive notice of a housing or improvement scheme?
The Act provides for preparation and publication of scheme notices, supply of documents to applicants, and representations by the concerned local authority. It also requires publication of the sanction of a housing or improvement scheme.
