Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 9

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed a writ petition filed by many dairy owners to nullify the Municipal Corporation orders of shifting dairy farms from the city to new project at Ablowal village.

In their petition dairy farmers contended that the location of dairy project at Ablowal village was not appropriate as all dairies could not be allowed at one place. They said the allotment was to be made on collector rate whereas the corporation has demanded Rs3,500 per square yard. They also stated that there were high-tension wires in the area. Therefore, the land was not suitable for dairy farms, they added.

The court observed that a total of 21.25 acres was being used for the dairy project, including 6.25 acre land of the Forest Department. The project was initiated after the Punjab State Human Rights Commission directed the Municipal Corporation (MC) to take steps to shift dairies way back in 2003.

The court observed that development work had already been carried out for the project. Streets were paved with tiles and electricity lines were laid. The court stated that 18 years had lapsed since the initiation of the process. As such, it would not be appropriate for the court to interfere on the ground that all dairies were concentrated at a particular place in the absence of material to show that the land earmarked was not suitable for the project, the court added

“The petitioners have been asked to deposit five per cent of the total amount by the corporation. The petitioners have not placed on record sufficient material to prove that the price demanded for the plot is exorbitant. In these circumstances, this Bench finds that the petitioners have not placed sufficient material to enable the court to examine this aspect,” the court observed.

“Dairies situated along the Jacob drain of the inner city have been allotted plots. The price of plots has been determined by the Corporation’s general body,” the court added.

“Keeping in view the aforesaid facts, this Bench does not find it appropriate to issue the writ as prayed for. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of,” the court observed.