The Kerala High Court on Monday, May 31, 2021, said that it is up to the Central Government to decide whether to accept the objections to the draft Lakshadweep town and country planning regulation.
The regulation is among the contentious policy changes initiated by administrator Praful Patel and islanders are fearing that it would take away the land rights of the tribal community.
Disposing of a PIL filed by Mohammed Sadique of Kavaratti, a division bench of the High Court, comprising Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Dr Kauser Edappagath, said it is for the Centre to consider the suggestions, comments, objections etc. raised against the draft regulations.
The bench directed that if the petitioner Mohammed Sadique forwards his suggestions or comments to the Administrator within two weeks from May 31, the same shall be forwarded to the Central Government.
The Lakshadweep administration informed that till date it has received 593 comments, suggestions, objections, etc., which have been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The bench in its order said, "it is for the Ministry to consider the suggestions, comments, objections etc as raised against the draft Regulations. Nothing would prevent the Ministry from entertaining any of the suggestions if it is worth consideration. It may not be proper for this Court to direct Central Government or the Administrator to accept any suggestion or comments. However, in any system of governance, the Government would be eager to consider any such suggestion which may ultimately enable the Government to formulate their own decisions while granting approval of draft Regulations."
"Therefore, it is for the Central Government to consider whether any suggestions, comments or objections to be made by the petitioner or any person have to be accepted or not after the expiry of the time in the notification," it added.
