Rajasthan High Court stays allotment, transfer of land in catchment areas

Taking a suo-motto cognizance on the issue of encroachments on Ramgarh Dam and other feeder river and culverts of various water bodies at state, a double bench of Rajasthan High court has stayed allotment and transfer of land in the catchment areas of these water bodies. 

During the hearing on Thursday, the court ordered district collector and UIT chairman of Bharatpur district to submit a status report on encroachment on such water bodies in their area. 

The court also sought a compliance report from the state government regarding its decision of 2007 for establishment of treatment plant in Pali and Balotra. 

However, the attorney general representing the state government sought some more time to submit the compliance report. 

The court said that timely execution of its orders could have prevented the situation from turning worse and warned of action against the responsible officials.  

Meanwhile, the monitoring committee appointed by the court also appeared discontented with response by various government departments. 

As members of the monitoring committee, senior advocate Virendra Dangi and Ashok Bhargav, submitted in court contradictions between the replies submitted by five government departments. 

The court on this ordered state government to submit an affidavit on the status of encroachments. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled on July 5. 

REPORT SOUGHT

During the hearing on Thursday, the court ordered district collector and UIT chairman of Bharatpur district to submit a status report on encroachment on such water bodies in their area.