PIL against SEZ selection dismissed

THE ALLAHABAD High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the state government not to finalise the selection of the multi-product special economic zone in favour of the Reliance group at NOIDA. A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice AN Ray and Justice Ashok Bhushan, dismissed the writ petition for non-inclusion of the necessary party, the Central Government.

THE ALLAHABAD High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the state government not to finalise the selection of the multi-product  special economic zone in favour of the Reliance group at NOIDA.

A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice AN Ray and Justice Ashok Bhushan, dismissed  the writ petition for non-inclusion of the necessary party, the Central Government.

The petition filed by  Raj Kumar Singh Chauhan, an advocate, alleged that for setting up the special economic zone, giving financial concession, land was  being acquired, debarring poor farmers from their source of livelihood by paying a paltry amount to them.

On the other hand, land was being given to  a private company to earn huge profit, it said.

The petition said that the State Govt be restrained  from finalizing the selection of multi-product  special economic zone on the basis of the board meeting of NOIDA held on September 1, 2006 in favour of Reliance under the UPSEZ policy 2006.

The petition alleged that  it was in violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 300 of the Constitution of India (Right to Property).

State to file counter affidavit

ON A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the state government to constitute Nyaya Panchayats in the State, the Allahabad High Court has asked the State authorities to file reply (counter affidavit) within four weeks.

The public interest litigation alleges that due to non-constitution of Nyaya Panchayats, even the petty disputes arising amongst the villagers are being filed in the regular courts, putting additional burden on the courts.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice AN Ray and Justice Ashok Bhushan on a writ petition filed by Ramesh Chandra Patel of Chitrakoot district passed this order.

In the PIL, it has been said that section 42, 43 and 44 of UP Panchayat Raj Act provides for constitution of Nyaya Panchayats in the State.

The elections of Gram Panchayats have been held in August 2005 and Gram Panchayats have been constituted, but till date no Nyaya Panchayat has been constituted. Though it is the duty of the state government to constitute nyaya panchayats, the petitioner alleged.

Meerut fire tragedy

HEARING IN the bail application filed by the accused in Meerut fire tragedy willcontinue on Thursday before the Allahabad High Court.

To recall, a fire tragedy had taken place at the consumer fair at Victoria Park in Meerut on April 10, resulting into death of several persons.

The above-mentioned order was passed by Justice Ravindra Singh after hearing counsel for the applicant, counsels for the victims and Additional Government Advocate, who represented the State.