HP govt may file review petition in SC after NGT bans construction in core, green and forest areas

The Himachal Pradesh government may file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the National Green Tribunal's order banning construction in any part of the core, green and forest areas and within three metres of national highways.

In November last year, the tribunal had rapped the state government for permitting indiscriminate construction and said it has failed to discharge its constitutional obligations and it was this failure that has exposed picturesque Shimla to natural and man-made disasters.

Replying to a question in the Assembly today, Urban Development and Town and Country Planning Minister Sarveen Chaudhary said, the government is sensitive about the issue and had filed the review petition in the NGT on February 20, 2018 which was listed for March 13.

However, two out of the four members of the NGT, including chairperson, have retired. We will see if the two member bench can consider it or we may file a review petition in the SC, Chaudhary said.

On the issue of regularisation of buildings, the minister said, The government cannot make any policy on the issue on its own.