SC ruling clears way for developing villages in MP natl parks

Bhopal, Sep 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court has granted permission to the Madhya Pradesh government to undertake community development work at villages located within national parks and sanctuaries, official sources said.

The September 14 ruling allowed the regime to undertake work related to potable water, power supply, school buildings, anganwadis and dispensaries. State Forests and Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah and Chief Conservator of Forests R D Khare met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today and provided details of the ruling.

Without logging, the government could lay underground water pipelines of 4-inch diameter, 11-KV lines, telephone lines, optical fibre lines, sink wells, erect handpumps, create ponds etc.

''The ruling has removed obstacles in the path of community development work at the villages,'' said Mr Chouhan. Such villages are located in Hoshangabad, Seoni, Dindori, Umaria, Sidhi and several other districts.

UNI