SANJEET SINGH GREWAL Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners in these five petitions maintain that the Government is struggling to keep its appearances up and the expenses down. It is facing an acute financial crisis. Yet, it has decided to have a new town - 'Anandgarh'. Next to Chandigarh. The petitioners complain that the Government's decision to set up the city and the notifications for acquisition of about 10,522 acres of land are a fire that would finish the farms and the farmers, the gardens and the greenery. It should be put down before it damages and destroys the residences and the residents of 29 villages.

(2.) In a nutshell, the petitioners allege that the provisions of law including the "Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995" have not been observed. The mandate of law controlling the periphery of Chandigarh has not been followed. The advice of the Central Government in the ministry of Urban Development to refer the matter to a committee of experts has not been heeded. The protest of the ministry of Defence on account of the strategic deployment of missiles etc. has been ignored. The present site has been chosen only because the influential politicians and senior bureaucrats have either purchased or already own land in the area. On these premises, the petitioners pray that the Court should intervene so that the homes and hopes of people who make a living out of the land under acquisition are preserved and protected.

(3.) Notwithstanding the loud protests, the State of Punjab has made platitudinous claims. The city shall give absolute 'Ananda'. It shall be a 'futuristic city'. With every modern facility. The Chief Minister having made the announcement on an auspicious day in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, the new city shall be the God's garden. A lamp of life for the citizen. And a source of money for the State. The non-resident Indians shall buy the plots and the state shall build this heaven on earth. The State promises that the residents shall be rehabilitated. All the civic amenities shall be provided to them.