Morung Express News
Kohima | July 5
The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on July 5, has directed the State respondents to make its “stand clear” over the issue of compensation for damage of properties due to the widening of the Chakhabama to Zunheboto road.
“The State respondents are directed to make their stand clear by way of filing an affidavit within a period of two weeks from today,” stated the order issued by the single-bench judge comprising of Justice LS Jamir on Tuesday.
In the event the State respondents fail to file the affidavit, the Chief Secretary, Nagaland shall be present in Court on the next returnable date, it said, further listing the matter for hearing on July 25.
The Bench was hearing a batch of Writ Petitions praying for compensation for damage of properties due to the widening of 2-lane road from Chakhabama to Zunheboto under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE) Phase-A.
The petitioners claimed that that they have not been paid their compensation till date
In its order, the Bench observed that Writ Petitions were filed as early as 2021; however, no affidavit has been filed either by the State respondents or by the Union of India till date, while the latter was not represented on the July 5 hearing.
Accordingly, the Union of India is also directed to file their counter-affidavit within a period of two weeks.
Appropriate order shall be passed after considering the affidavits filed by the State respondents as well as the Union of India, it added.
The State respondents are Government of Nagaland represented by Chief Secretary; Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Works and Housing; Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto; and Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (NH).
The Union of India is represented by Secretary, Ministry Of Road Transport And Highways Executive Director, NHIDCL Kohima and Managing Director Gayatri Projects Ltd are other respondents of the case.
