Himachal HC puts a check on "retention policy"

Shimla Dec 29 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court today put a brake on the state government's so-called 'retention policy' which had paved the way for regularisation of unauthorised construction in the capital town and its surrounding areas.

While admitting a writ petition filed by a social activist Trisha Sharma challenging regularisation of unauthorised constructions, a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice V K Gupta and justice V K Ahuja directed the state government not to take any decision on any application seeking regularisation of unauthorised construction without the leave of the court.

The Petitioner had assailed a notification of the Town and Country Planning department dated Nov 20, 2006 providing for regularisation of unauthorised construction carried out till June 30 this year in the captial town and the surrounding areas this year by imposing a compounding fee.

After issuance of the notification, the State Town and Country Planning department and Municipal Corporation of Shimla had been facing unprecedented rush of applicants seeking regularisation of unauthorised constructions.

UNI XC JN MSJ VC2016