New Delhi: High court on Wednesday criticised Delhi Government for not granting forest clearance to the Central government for the completion of a 100-bedded hospital at Najafgarh in South West Delhi. High Court called it a ‘lethargic attitude’ of government.
“It is a misfortune for the public at large that a 100-bedded hospital could not be completed because of the lethargic attitude of the Delhi government. Despite the Union of India writing letter after letters, there has been no reply or counter affidavit by the Delhi government,” the Court observed.
The bench was hearing public interest litigation by Rajesh Kaushik, a lawyer, seeking a direction to the two governments to complete the establishment of the hospital at the site of Rural Health Training Centre in Najafgarh in southwest Delhi.
Court granted more time to resolve the issue
A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh gave time to the Delhi government to file its reply to the petition and point out the “least possible time” within which the permission/sanction, as required by the Centre under law, will be granted and posted the matter for hearing on November 8.
20% hospital construction remaining
Advocate Anurag Ahluwalia, who appeared for the Central government, informed the Court that despite the Union government having written continuously to the Delhi government for permission to transplant the trees, no reply had been received from them in this regard.
“80 % of the construction work has already been done. However, the permission which is required to be given by the Forest Department of GNCTD has been pending since December 2018,” Ahluwalia submitted.
The plea said that it would cater to the need of 15 lakh people spread over 73 villages in a radius of 10 km.
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