The Sikkim High Court has disposed a Public Interest Litigation filed aggrieved by the proposal of the State Government to construct a 300 bedded District Hospital at Namchi, South Sikkim, on a play ground popularly known as “Veterinary Ground”.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai held on February 17 that the issue was whether the local residents of Namchi are being deprived of use of a playground in view of construction of a 300 bedded district hospital in an area which was being used as temporary playground.
The PIL was filed by Ramesh Rai and Others
The answer to this issue was in the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the State respondents.
According to the affidavit :-
“14. It is further submitted that Government has already taken care of sports, therefore, Bhaichung Stadium has constructed and completed, which is of international standard and same can be utilized by the people for the purpose of health activities, besides football tournament, there is no bar. In addition to that, the state government has allotted 3.822 acres of land at Boomtar Namchi for utilisation of public purpose of sports etc.
26. That the contents of paragraph- 50 of the writ Petition are matters of record and it is submitted that the Bhaichung Bhutia Stadium which is meant for sports activities, its construction has been completed and the said stadium is also being used by the public of Namchi Bazaar and as well as by the public of in and around vicinity of Namchi, South Sikkim.”
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Since the High Court noted from a plain reading of the two paragraphs that the Bhaichung Stadium can be used by the general public for the purpose of health activities besides football tournaments and in addition to that the State Government has allotted 3.822 acres of land in Boomtar, Namchi, for utilisation of public purpose of sports.
Therefore, the High Court does not find any cogent and/or justifiable reason to keep the instant Public Interest Litigation, pending, which stands disposed of accordingly.