The MP high court has directed the Bedaghat chief municipal officer (CMO) to file an affidavit explaining action taken with respect to the notices served on encroachers of Narmada bank in Bedaghat.
Located some 21 km away from Jabalpur, Bedaghat is a tourist spot known for waterfall and white marble rocks
The court’s directive came after petitioner Satish Verma submitted that the CMO issued notices to 36 encroachers. To support his point, Verma furnished the details sought under RTI Act from Nagar Panchayat Bedaghat regarding action against illegal constructions and other illegal activities.
Verma contended more than a year passed since the notices were issued on July 2015 but no further action taken to remove the encroachments.
A division bench comprising acting chief justice Rajendra Menon and justice Anjuli Palo directed the CMO to explain in an affidavit what action was taken against encroachers and if no action was taken, then why the matter was pending. The court directed the CMO to file affidavit within three weeks.
Verma filed the petition seeking removal of encroachments falling within 300 meters from the Narmada. He also appealed the district administration be directed to fix the high-flood level of the river to stop illegal constructions.
{{/usCountry}}Verma filed the petition seeking removal of encroachments falling within 300 meters from the Narmada. He also appealed the district administration be directed to fix the high-flood level of the river to stop illegal constructions.
{{/usCountry}}The high-flood level is the limit fixed depicting predominant monsoon flow higher than other seasons. “As per norms, it is specifically stated that on both sides of river Narmada up to 100 meters land be reserved for plantation. All the developments within 300 metre of land area, including any religious structure and development of ghats, will be carried out only after permission from competent authority,” he said.