Himachal Pradesh High Court approves the decision of 50 percent discount in bus fare for women
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has approved the decision to give 50 per cent concession in bus fare to women. A division bench of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Virendra Singh dismissed the plea of private bus operators. The court has justified this decision of the government in the upliftment of women. The bench said that a small part of the government’s budget would be helpful for girls in rural areas to study. Some girls in rural areas are forced to drop out of school due to lack of money. The court said that giving concession to a particular section of the society is a policy decision of the government.
Canceling such decisions is against Article 15 of the Indian Constitution. Himachal government alone has not taken the decision to give concession in buses to women and children. Earlier many states of the country have made such schemes for women empowerment. Private bus operator Ramesh Kamal had alleged that the notification issued by the government on June 7, 2022 was contrary to the principles of law. There should be equal fare for women and men. At the same time, the Secretary Transport and Director Transport had argued that it is the cabinet’s decision to give exemption in bus fare to women.
Stoppage of multi story construction work near Kumarhatti with immediate effect
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has stayed the multi-storey construction work near Kumarhatti with immediate effect. The bench ordered the TCP department to issue a notice to stop the construction work. A division bench of Chief Justice AA Syed and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua made it clear that if approval is not taken for construction of more than eight floors and 2,500 square metres, then the construction work will not take place. The matter has been fixed for hearing on December 26. The court clarified Section 1(3)A of the TCP Act, saying that if the construction work is done on 8 floors and the area is more than 2,500 square meters, then this area is considered as a planning area and all the rules of the TCP Act are applicable. There are Under these rules, the court has banned the construction of buildings on both sides of the road in the 6 kilometer stretch from Kheel-Jhalashi village to Kainthri village.
The order was passed while hearing a public interest litigation filed by petitioner Kusum Bali. It has been alleged in the petition that huge buildings have been constructed from Kheel-Jhalashi village to Kainthari village. For this the hill has been cut. This is not only causing damage to the environment, but also poses a threat to life and property. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the government has constituted a 10-member high power committee. Principal Secretary TCP has been made the chairman of this committee. Chief Conservator, Revenue Secretary, Rural Development, Urban Development, Tourism Department, Director of TCP, Member Secretary of Pollution Control Board and Chief Engineer of Public Works Department have been made its members. This committee will explore possibilities for implementation of TCP Act in the entire state.
