(Per : HONOURABLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MR.BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA) Pursuant to our earlier order dated June 29, 2012, Union of India has affirmed an affidavit disclosing that the Forest Advisory Committee [FAC] in its meeting held on January 11, 2012 has approved the proposal for diversion of 52.267 hectares of reserve forest land for construction of underground pipeline of Ukai-Godhra right bank link canal in favour of Executive Engineer, Ver-II Project Division, Vyara, Dist. Surat of Gujarat. The Committee took into account the necessity of construction of canal which will benefit people in 59 villages by providing drinking water and irrigation facility and proposed to recommend the diversion of 52.267 hectares of reserve forest land for construction of underground pipeline subject to standard conditions of CA. NPV and other conditions applicable to irrigation projects.
Mr.
P.S. Champaneri, learned Assistant Solicitor General of India submits that the decision of the Forest Advisory Committee has already been placed before the competent authority of the Ministry but no final decision has been taken.
After taking into consideration the fact that the Committee took decision on January 11, 2012, we direct the competent authority to consider the recommendation of the Forest Advisory Committee and to take final decision positively within three weeks from today and to communicate the decision to the State Government within a week thereafter.
Let the matter appear on August 17, 2012 for further order. The scanned copy of the affidavit filed today be kept with the record. Mr. Champaneri undertakes to file the original affidavit which is in transit.
[BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA, ACTING CJ.] [J.B.PARDIWALA, J.] pirzada/-
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