Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 08:
The Gauhati High Court has fixed December 20 for hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the construction of the controversy-mired Tipaimukh Multipurpose project.
An order to this effect was passed by a Division Bench of the Court in its Imphal Bench sitting today.
The day has been fixed as the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which is one of the State respondents in the case is yet to submit its counter-affidavit on the matter, sources said, adding that the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district has already filed his counter-affidavit in the PIL.
After hearing both the parties, the Court asked the MPCB to furnish the required counter-affidavits by the date fixed for hearing the PIL, the sources added.
The PIL was filed by general secretary of Envi- ronment Protection Committee H Sumati Devi contending that the Public hearing on the proposed Dam conducted at the office chamber of DC Chu- rachandpur on November 17 did not follow the standing legal criteria.
She prayed the Court to issue a direction to the State Government respondents to hold another such hearing to ensure all the indivi- duals and groups opposed to the proposed construction of the dam may join it, said advocate Nabacha-ndra, who is appearing on behalf of the PIL petitioner.