New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh government today told the Supreme Court that its order to stop the work for construction of statues and memorials for Dalit leaders, including those of Mayawati and her political mentor Kanshi Ram at a park in Noida near here, was causing a loss of Rs three lakh everyday.
"All work has been held up. We are losing Rs three lakh everyday," senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for Uttar Pradesh government, told a Special Forest Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan.
The Bench, also comprising Justices S H Kapadia and Aftab Alam, had on October 9 directed Uttar Pradesh government to stop the work at the site and allowed NOIDA authorities only to continue with other work like planting of trees.
However, later the Centre in its affidavit had said there was no need for environmental clearance for the controversial project.
The Centre's view was in response to the apex court notice asking it to respond to the Central Empowered Committee report stating that the state government should seek environmental clearance for the Rs 650-crore project in the 33.43 hectare.
The Centre had earlier opposed the project on environmental grounds.
When the matter came up for hearing, Venugopal said the Centre's affidavit was in favour of Uttar Pradesh government and it should be given permission at the earliest to go ahead with the construction work.
The Bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 5 as the state government itself has sought adjournment.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 15, 2010, 21:48