SC seeks UP govt response on project at Noida park

Already facing a tough time on the issue of memorials, Uttar Pradesh goverment was asked by the Supreme Court on Friday to respond to a report on going ahead with the installation of statues of Chief Minister Mayawati and other dalit leaders in a Noida park without environmental clearance.

Already facing a tough time on the issue of memorials, Uttar Pradesh goverment was asked by the Supreme Court on Friday to respond to a report on going ahead with the installation of statues of Chief Minister Mayawati and other dalit leaders in a Noida park without environmental clearance.

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Hours after another Bench stayed construction activities at Ambedkar Sthal in Lucknow, a Special Forest Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan declined to stop the work and gave Uttar Pradesh government a chance to respond to the Central Committee's report favouring stoppage of work in Noida.

"How can we pass the order unless we see the counter affidavit of the government"? the Bench, also comprising Justices SH Kapadia and Aftab Alam, said when one of the applicants sought a stay of the construction activities at the park in Noida, adjacent to the national capital.

"Let them file the counter affidavit on the Central Empowered Committee's report," the Bench said posting the matter for October 9.

Senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, appearing for one of the applicants, contended that urgent hearing is required in the matter as construction activities are on in full swing on day-to-day basis.

He said the construction activities were carried out without approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.