Aanchal Agarwal-
Published on: September 15, 2021 at 16:44 IST
The Delhi High Court today criticized the State Government for providing forest clearance for the construction of a 100-bedded hospital unit in the Najafgarh area of Delhi.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing the Petition which was filed by a Lawyer named Rajesh Kaushik.
The PIL sought completion of the construction of a 100-bedded hospital at Najafgarh in Delhi, the foundation stone for which was laid earlier in 2014.
Advocate Anurag Ahluwalia on behalf of the Centre stated before the Bench that 80 per cent of establishment has already been made. The only thing left is obtaining permission from the Forest Department of GNCTD, which is pending since December 2018.
The Centre’s Counsel also stated that the Government is continuously asking the State Government permission to transplant the trees, but no reply has been received till now.
However, the Delhi Government Counsel requested time to sought instructions and file a response.
After hearing the arguments Bench stated,“It is a misfortune for the public at large that a 100-bedded hospital could not be completed because of lethargic approach on part of the Government of NCT of Delhi. The Union of India is writing letters after letters and no reply has been given by the Government of NCT Delhi, nor has any counter-affidavit been filed in the writ petition.”
The Bench also granted time to the State Government for filing a response within the least possible time according to the permissible sanctions.
The Petition which was filed by Rajesh Kaushik through Advocates Sameer Chandra and Kuldeep Singh pointed out that even though the construction was completed long back, the hospital’s operation has not started till now.
The Petitioner, therefore, had urged before the Court to start its functioning before the third wave of Covid-19 to ensure that the residents of the neighbouring 73 villages can avail of its facilities.
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