The Hindu : National : Court lifts stay on demolition and renovation of buildings by U.P. Govt.

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Court lifts stay on demolition and renovation of buildings by U.P. Govt.

J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed two interim orders of the Allahabad High Court imposing a ban on demolition and renovation of government buildings in Uttar Pradesh.

The Bench of Justice H. K. Sema and Justice Markandey Katju granted the stay on appeals filed by the Mayawati Government challenging the High Court’s interim directions.

The Bench also issued notice to the Gomti Nagar Jan Kalyan Mahasamiti and certain others who had challenged the Government’s proposal to demolish and renovate certain buildings, including a building situated at Mall Avenue, Lucknow. They alleged that demolition was planned by amending the Master Plan.

The High court passed orders on October 12, 2007, and November 6, 2007, restraining the Mayawati Government from carrying out renovation, maintenance, construction and demolition activities in any of the Government buildings.

The UP Government had opposed the PILs as being politically motivated and submitted that renovation and demolition of various government buildings was essential as some of them were more than 80-years-old and required immediate attention.

The High Court rejected the State Government’s contentions and passed the restraint orders. The present appeals are directed against these orders.

On April 21, the Supreme Court had permitted the State to carry out construction activities at Ambedkar Park in Lucknow.

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