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The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line project: HC issues notice to Centre, H.P. govt. over fissures in houses
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Railways, the State government, and others, seeking their response to a petition that has raised concerns over fissures in houses in some villages of Bilaspur district allegedly caused by ongoing tunnelling work for the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line project. In its direction on July 2, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma has asked the respondents to file their reply within four weeks to the Public Interest Litigation plea filed by social activist Rajnish Sharma. A 63-km broad gauge railway line from Bhanupali near Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district of Punjab to Beri in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh is being constructed. The petition alleges that unscientific excavation and blasting for the railway project have caused significant damage to homes in Nog, Bamta, and Kallar panchayats in Bilaspur, endangering the lives and livelihoods of villagers, many of whom are from below poverty line (BPL) families. Villagers have reported big cracks in their homes due to the construction of the tunnel, which is located just 10 metres from some residences, the petition stated. The petitioner alleged that authorities have failed to rehabilitate or resettle affected families. He urged the court to direct authorities to immediately halt the tunnelling work, acquire the affected land, and rehabilitate villagers in accordance with Corporate Social Responsibility and Rehabilitation and Resettlement norms. Residents of Badhiyad village in Nog panchayat have been staging a 'chain hunger strike' near the tunnel's entrance since June 1 to raise their concerns. 'This village is right above the tunnel and has posed a serious threat to the houses of about 20-odd families. We are not against the railway line, which is for public benefit, but their homes and lives are at stake,' the petitioner said.
United News of India
08-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
DB stays order relaxing bond conditions to PG doctors
Shimla, June 8 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed a Single Bench order that had directed the release of original MBBS degrees and undated cheques to a group of doctors who had completed their postgraduate studies. The state government preferred a Letters Patent Appeal (LPA No. 285 of 2025) against the decision, arguing that the doctors were trying to avoid their legal obligation to serve in government health services as agreed under a bond. The division bench of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma stayed the impugned order, maintaining that the bond conditions and two years of mandatory service in the rural areas couldn't be relaxed once MBBS signed the bond. The State, represented by Advocate General Anup Rattan along with Pranay Pratap Singh and Swati Draik, told the court that each doctor had signed a bond of Rs 40 lakh in January 2022, agreeing to work for the State for two years after completing their course. They were also paid monthly stipends by the government during their studies. The policy behind the bond aims to ensure that trained doctors serve poor and rural areas of Himachal Pradesh. However, after the results were declared on April 7, 2025, the doctors wrote to the government on April 9, asking for the return of their degrees and cheques, claiming that they hadn't received field posting orders within the time limit set by the policy. The policy says that posting orders must be issued within one month of the result declaration, failing which the bond would not apply. The doctors argued that this condition was not met. The State disagreed, explaining that the candidates had only been officially relieved from their colleges on March 10, 2025, and that the posting orders were issued on April 10, 2025. They argued that the timeline should start from the relieving date, not the result date, and that the State had acted within the required time. The State further accused the doctors of trying to escape their service obligations while having already taken full benefit of the scheme for three years. The Division Bench found that the matter needs closer examination. The court noted that the doctors approached the court on April 23, 2025—after the government had already issued their posting orders. It questioned why the doctors didn't first seek enforcement of the postings if they were serious about joining service. As a result, the High Court stayed the Single Judge's directions to release the degrees and cheques. However, it allowed the part of the judgement that asked the State to take action against officials responsible for any delay in issuing the posting orders. The case would now be heard again on August 4, 2025. This case raises important questions about the enforcement of service bonds and the responsibilities of medical professionals who receive government-funded education. The court would consider whether the doctors' actions were genuine or an attempt to avoid public service duties. UNI ML ARN
United News of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Himachal HC allows holding of Mata Nabahi Devi fair in school grounds
Shimla, June 5 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has allowed the holding of the historic Mata Nabahi Devi Mela at the playground of Government Senior Secondary School, Nabahi Devi, in Tehsil Sarkaghat of Mandi district. The fair will be held from June 15-17, as per the court's order passed on Tuesday. The court was hearing an application filed in connection with a pending public interest litigation. The applicant stated that the mela has been held for generations and holds deep cultural and religious significance for the people of the region. A No Objection Certificate from the school principal was also placed before the court. While granting permission, the division bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma directed the organisers to ensure that no damage is caused to the school property. The court made it clear that the school ground must be cleaned properly after the event and no banned plastic materials should be used. It also directed that the school toilets be kept reserved for students and staff, and that the organisers should make separate arrangements for public toilets. The court further directed the local administration to maintain law and order during the event and asked the applicant to deposit a sum of Rs20,000 in the school's Students Welfare Fund. The bench emphasised that the fair must be held peacefully and held the organisers responsible for any untoward incident that may occur. The application was disposed of with these directions. UNI ML RN
