JAIPUR: A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Friday directed the state govt, through the chief secretary, to file a response in relation to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the govt’s policy on the haphazard construction of multi-storey buildings in previously inhabited colonies in various cities of the state.
A reply is required on the multi-storey building on 17,000 square metres of land of the proposed old Malviya Nagar Regional Engineering College (MREC) Campus and Officers’ Residence near Gandhinagar Judges’ Residence in Jaipur.
While pleading on the PIL of Badal Verma, Dr Abhinav Sharma told the court that govt property is being plundered in the name of redevelopment of govt officer’s residence near the judges’ residences in Gandhinagar, and there will be a revenue loss of more than Rs 1,400 crore.
“In the guise of re-development in Gandhinagar, it has been decided to build six towers of 18 to 19 floors in the first phase, and all the units of two towers will be sold. Commercial activities are also proposed on two floors on the road going from Tonk Road to Gandhi Circle, in which gyms etc. will be operated,” Sharma said.
Citing DLC rates, Dr Sharma said that the govt itself has fixed the minimum rate of more than Rs 73,000 on this road.
The petitioners also stated that despite the plan being approved by chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, when the court earlier took suo motu cognizance and granted a stay, false facts were presented through the state’s Advocate General, and it was told in the court that no such decision was taken.
Advocate General Rajendra Prasad told the court that since the division bench has already closed the case, the case of the proposed multi-storey housing in Gandhinagar should be closed separately from the case of flats being constructed elsewhere in the state.
