Thursday, May 31, 2012

HC asks govt to restore old status of dams

Source: DNA | Last Updated 04:58(30/05/12

Jaipur: The Rajasthan high court on Tuesday ordered the state government to ensure that all water reservoirs, including Ramgarh Dam, are restored to their 1955 status.

The court directed the state government to start anti-encroachment drive in catchment areas of all water bodies in the state. It advised the government to conduct surveys for assessing the exact nature of encroachments.

The court said the government should cancel all land allotments done in the catchment areas in violation of section 16 of the Tenancy Act 1955.

In his orders, Justice Manish Bhandari said land in the catchment area of water bodies should not be allotted in any form.

“If such allotment continues then strong action should be taken against the concerned officials and the person getting the benefit of allotment,” the court said.

The forest department was also directed to come up with a strong policy to develop and increase the forests cover, especially in the areas located near the water bodies or reservoirs.

All municipal corporations, UITs councils, panchayat samities and village panchayats have also been restricted from starting any housing scheme in the catchment areas. The court also directed the state government to present an action plan in the second week of July.


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