A Madhya Pradesh High Court Indore Bench in an important decision has served notices to the Water Resources department, Ganga Conservation Ministry, the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Simhasth Mela Authority, Ujjain in connection with purification of Khan, Saraswati, Krishna rivers under Rs 400 crore worth Ganga Action Plan of the Union Government as well as under the diversion scheme to prevent linking of Khan River with the Shipra.
The showcause notices have been served following a public interest litigation which had sought ban on the implementation of the scheme as according to the petition, the Government had started work on these projects without serving any prior notice and giving any compensation to the villagers for acquisition of their land for the project.
In the petition, the petitioner had alleged that under the project the Government agencies without acquiring private as well as Government lands had started excavation and accordingly sought immediate stoppage of excavation works.
Taking cognisance of the petition, the High Court on Thursday served a showcause notices to Secretary, Ganga Conservation Ministry, Govt of India, water resources department, director, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board as well as chairman of the Simhasth Mela Authority, Ujjain asking them to submit their replies within the stipulated time period.