Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh high court has warned that the education secretary would have to appear in person if the state govt failed to provide a definite timeline for depositing the long-pending Rs 30.03 crore required for constructing the Central University’s north campus at Dharamshala.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed that despite repeated directions, the amount sought under Section 2(ii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, has not yet been released.The court noted that the state govt’s communication dated July 21 revealed that a proposal seeking Rs 30.03 crore had been submitted to the planning department. However, the proposal was returned to the education department after certain queries were raised, and those issues are yet to be addressed.The bench, on July 22, observed that its earlier order dated June 2 had not been complied with and directed that if the required action was not completed before the next hearing on Sept 7, the education secretary must remain personally present before the court.During the previous hearing, the petitioner informed the court that the demand for funds had originally been raised three years ago on July 26, 2023. Replies filed by the state govt and other respondents acknowledged that the amount was payable and that the proposal had been sent to the finance and planning department for additional funds towards net present value (NPV), compensatory afforestation, and a 5% contingency component under the compensatory afforestation scheme. The court had then directed the state to file an affidavit indicating a definite timeline for depositing the amount if it had not already been paid.The matter had reached the high court last year through a public interest petition filed by Atul Bhardwaj, highlighting the prolonged delay in establishing the Dharamshala campus of the central university. The petitioner had pointed out that the university project had remained stalled for over a decade despite plans to develop two campuses in Kangra district – one at Dehra and the other at Dharamshala. The court continues to monitor the progress of the long-pending project.MSID:: 132602941 413 |
