Conversion of sect't building into hospital:matter posted to

Madras High Court posted to April 4 for final hearing on a petition challenging conversion of the newly built Secretariat complex into a multi-speciality hospital by the AIADMK government.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices M Jaichandren and M Venugopal heard arguments on the request of the petitioners' counsel and posted the matter to Apr 4 for final hearing.
DMK advocate R Veeramani had filed a petition on behalf of PWD Deputy secretary, challenging the order of the National Green Tribunal,enabling the state government proceed with work of converting the secretariat building into a Multi Speciality Hospital.
The bench had yesterday posted the matter for orders today.

When the matter came up before the bench, it heard arguments of the petitioner and posted the matter for final hearing for April 4, 2014.
Veeramani contended that NGT (South Zone) has failed to note that the Environmental Clearance given to one project cannot be changed and had erred in concluding that State Level Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) can entertain an application for amendment of conditions already granted in the Environmental Clearance.

Even assuming it is an amendment, it could only be for the existing project for which EC was granted and cannot grant fresh EC for a different project under the guise of amendment.

Raising several other grounds against the NGT's order, he had sought a stay and also prayed for constituting an independent Experts Committee to find out the suitability of the subject building in terms of physical and legal requirement of establishing a multi-super speciality Hospital.
When the matter was taken up yesterday, a counter was filed by the PWD Deputy Secretary, saying it has complied with NGT's directions and also conditions.
As there was no representation from the petitioner's side, the bench had posted the matter for orders today.