Notification Challenged, Court Orders Government Affidavit
Jharkhand High Court scrutinizes state’s decision to designate Jamshedpur as an industrial town, raising concerns about constitutional violations and local governance.
JAMSHEDPUR – The Jharkhand High Court has expressed strong disapproval of the state government’s decision to classify Jamshedpur as an industrial town.
The court is reviewing a controversial notification dated December 23, 2023.
This decision amalgamated the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee with several Tata Group facilities.
The move has been challenged through Public Interest Litigation PIL 2636/2024.
Over 50 residents, led by Saurabh Vishnu, filed the PIL against this notification.
Advocate Akhilesh Srivastava argued that the decision violates India’s constitutional structure of self-governance.
He asserted that abolishing the local body infringes on constitutional and human rights.
Furthermore, Srivastava pointed out that the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, prohibits including industrial areas in municipal corporations.
The court agreed that the notification appears to contravene constitutional norms.
It criticized the government’s action as potentially undermining local governance.
The judges called the notification a possible "constitutional fraud."
Consequently, the court ordered the state government to file an affidavit within a week.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 13.
Meanwhile, critics argue that this decision upholds Tata Group’s century-old dominance over local governance.
They allege that Tata has collected substantial land revenue, bypassing municipal authority.
The petitioners claim that a 2005 lease agreement is fraudulent.
They argue that Jamshedpur should have a Municipal Corporation as mandated by the Supreme Court.
This case also involves the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which addresses urban local governance.
The court’s decision could have significant implications for Jamshedpur’s administrative structure.
