Congress hails SC verdict to set aside NGT order, Naresh Chauhan credited CM Sukhu Govt for effectively pleading the case
Himachal Pradesh Congress party hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to quash the National Green Tribunal orders on the Shimla Planning Area and two other orders staying the implementation of the Shimla Development Plan.
Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister (Media) Naresh Chauhan told media persons today that this has been possible due to the concerted efforts of the present state government to effectively plead the case before the Supreme Court.
He said that the case against the ban on development activities and constructions was pending before the SC for the last five years however it was decided by the SC on Thursday on the submission of state counsel to hear the matter on merit. He said that the Shimla Development Plan was notified by the present government in March 2023 with a new blueprint for construction activities in Shimla plan areas arguing that the NGT had exceeded its jurisdiction.
He said today’s decision of the Supreme Court has given much-needed relief to the people of Shimla to complete the development activities that have been hanging in the balance for the last many years.
Naresh Chauhan credited this to the determined efforts of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukh as the government took the services of experienced lawyers to hear this case.
Mr Chauhan said that SC also appreciated the submission of the state that the power to finalize the development plan rests with the state government and the NGT couldn’t issue directions and couldn’t encroach on the statutory functions of the state. .
It is worth mentioning that the Division bench of Justice BR Gavai and Arvind Kumar of SC pronounced in a 100-page judgement that state government SLP is allowed and the MGT verdict of November 16 2017 set aside. SC also allowed the Special Prayer of the Government to implement Shimla Development Plan 2041 which was notified by the state government in March 2023.
