IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.K.MOHANAN TUESDAY, THE 8TH APRIL, 2008 / 19TH CHAITHRA, 1930 DBA.No. 32 of 2008 (In the matter of Travancore Devaswom Board – General Administration construction of accommodation block for officers of various Departments at Nilackal Base Camp – Block No.II) PETITIONER: ---------------- TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON SMT.P.VIJAYAMMA RESPONDENTS: ------------------- 1. THE STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FOREST & WILD LIFE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DEPUTY EXAMINER FOR LOCAL FUND ACCOUNTS, TRANVACORE DEVASWOM BOARD THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.R.LAKSHMINARAYANAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 08/04/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMAN & V.K.MOHANAN, JJ. --------------------------------------------- D.B.A.No. 32 of 2008 (In the matter of Travancore Devaswom Board – General Administration construction of accommodation block for officers of various Departments at Nilackal Base Camp – Block No.II) --------------------------------------------- Dated this the 8th day of April, 2008 O R D E R Raman,J: It is stated that the Government of Kerala diverted the required land at Nilackal to implement the developmental works. The work is already approved by the Master Plan. The necessary infrastructure provided in the Nilackal such as toilet blocks, drinking water facility, parking lots etc. are some of those works. For providing such facilities, considering the increase in the number of pilgrims, it is stated that the number of officials deployed on special duty are to be increased and necessary accommodation has to be provided for such officers. Therefore, in the presence of the Ombudsman, a meeting was held on 29.1.2008 wherein it has been decided to construct the accommodation blocks. An estimate is prepared for Rs.59,10,000/- based on 2007 schedules. DBA NO.32 OF 2008 :-2-: Administrative sanction has been accorded by the Board. So long as this is based on the approved Master Plan and since the estimate is already approved by the Board, the approval sought for is granted. However, objection has been raised by the Forest Department stating that the land where the construction is proposed is not identified and located. Hence we direct that in order to ensure that construction is undertaken in a place already allocated in accordance with the Master Plan, the location of site has to be identified in consultation with the Forest Department. This may be done before finalisation. This is also a work which involves huge amount and hence, we direct the Ombudsman appointed by this Court to oversee the work and to make recommendations. As soon as the plot is identified, a further meeting with the Ombudsman may be held before actual work is started. DBA NO.32 OF 2008 :-3-: The matter is closed. P.R.RAMAN, Judge V.K.MOHANAN, Judge MBS/ DBA NO.32 OF 2008 :-4-: P.R.RAMAN & V.K.MOHANAN, JJ. -------------------------------------------- O.P.NO. OF 2001 ------------------------------------ J U D G M E N T DBA NO.32 OF 2008 :-5-: DATED: -2007