BABLOO KUMAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) SO far as making certain improvements undertaken by the State at Jonha Falls (Ranchi), Hundru Falls (Ranchi), Dasham Falls(Ranchi), Sita Falls(Ranchi), Panchghagh Falls (Khunti) and Hirni Falls (Chaibasa) vis   -vis toilets for ladies and gents; drinking water stands, supply of Mineral Water at MRP and construction of small Children Parks, as indicated in our order dated 2nd December, 2013, Mr. Ajit Kumar, learned Additional Advocate General, has drawn our attention to paragraph 14 of the counter -affidavit filed on behalf of respondent No. 9 (Deputy Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Jharkhand), wherein it is stated that except at Jonha Falls where the work is complete upto 90%, at all other sites, Tourism Department has completed its job in terms of the direction of this Court contained in the order dated 2nd December, 2013. Learned State Counsel states that even at Jonha Falls the construction work will be completed by 31st March, 2015. In response to our order dated 13th October, 2014, wherein a direction was given to the State to point out whether the State has any tourism policy or not; how much budget is allocated for the tourism purpose in the State; how much amount the State is going to get from the Central Government for the development of tourism; and what is the planning of the State of Jharkhand for the development of tourism in phase one, Deputy Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi in his counter -affidavit has stated that till date there is no Tourism Policy in place as such, but in this regard a draft plan has been prepared which has been circulated to various departments of the State for suggestion/consent. In this regard public opinion is also sought, so that the Government formulates the policy at the earliest.

(2.) WITH regard to the budget for the year I 2014 -15, a complete detail has been given in paragraph 5 of the said counter. It is however made clear in the affidavit that the State Government has not received any amount from the Central Government in this regard, right from the year 2012. It is also stated that the amount which the State of Jharkhand plans to spend on tourism in phase one for the year 2014 -15 is Rs. 24.90 crores. However, the exact amount spent till date on development of tourism in the State out of the aforesaid amount, is not indicated in the counter -affidavit, filed by the Deputy Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi. The Deputy Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi is, therefore, directed to place on record a supplementary affidavit in this regard within a week's time and we will thereafter consider the other aspects of the instant petition on the next date of hearing.