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Shimla, May 5
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Gram Panchayat Kolar in Sirmaur district has brought alleged violations of environmental and revenue laws under judicial scrutiny, with the Himachal Pradesh High Court seeking responses from both the Union and State governments.
The PIL, titled Gram Panchayat Kolar vs Union of India and others, challenges the allotment of five bighas of land to a private individual under the Himachal Pradesh Nautaur Rules, 1968, meant for landless persons.
The matter came up recently before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C Negi, which issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies.
According to the petitioner, the land allotted falls under the category of “gair mumkin naddi” (non-cultivable riverbed land), as reflected in the revenue records, raising serious questions about the legality of the allotment.
The petition alleges that no proper ground survey was conducted before granting the land, thereby violating established procedures.
The Gram Panchayat has further contended that such land—classified as riverbed or grazing terrain—cannot legally undergo change in land use, making the allotment prima facie irregular.
The disputed land lies in the Jalmusa Khad area, which has been described as environmentally sensitive and prone to flooding, especially during the monsoon season.
Resolutions passed by the Panchayat in July 2024 and January 2026 had already opposed the allotment and flagged the potential risks, but no action was taken by the authorities concerned.
Taking note of these submissions, the High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on June 17, 2026.
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