Date:01/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010115940500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

HC asks heritage panel to look into building conservation

By Our Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 31. The Heritage Conservation Committee of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has been directed to look into the matter regardingconservation of G-Block building in the Secretariat.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devinder Gupta and Justice M. Narayana Reddy of the High Court passed the order to this effect. The bench was disposing off writ petition filed by Mandal representing Forum for Better Hyderabad. The petitioner said the building had historical and cultural value and the Government could not demolish it.

The bench, on an earlier occasion, had directed the Government to look into the representation. The R&B Department had rejected the forum's contentions. When the issue came up for hearing on Friday, the forum pleaded for appraisal of the issue by an expert body. When the attention of the Bench was drawn to the provisions regarding the Heritage Committee, the bench felt that the issue be referred to it. The Bench directed the committee to look into the matter and make appropriate recommendation.