Ensure Jaisalmer fort is illuminated before Aug 15: HC to Govt

Rajasthan High Court has asked the state government to ensure that flood lights around Jaisalmer fort are installed and are functioning before August 15.
A division bench headed by justice Govind Mathur yesterday ordered the government to resume the lighting system around the fort and produce the action taken report by August 14.
Additional Advocate General P S Bhati said that the order of the court would be complied with by resolution of the issue between the concerned departments in order to ensure the re-illumination of the fort.
The lights around the fort were turned off in March due to non-payment of a huge outstanding electricity bill by the tourism department.

The high court had taken suo moto cognisance of a report at that time and had issued notices to the government on July 22, with directions to ensure the resumption of power supply.
The state government had installed 540 floodlights around the fort in 1996-97 at an expenditure of Rs 36 lakh to enable the tourists to savour the fort's imposing beauty in the night, even from a large distance.
But on account of the non-payment of the electricity bill, the municipal council, which maintains these lights, had backed off from continuing with the lights.
According to the sources, the electricity bill had exceeded Rs 10 lakh following which the connection of the lights was snapped in March.