Once the summer capital of Madhya Pradesh, this hilly town lying within the Pachmarhi Tiger Reserve, is now in the eye of a storm over the illegal constructions that have taken place over the past decade. And while the onus lies on the administration, the government has adopted an interesting strategy to deflect criticism.
The state government has chosen to act against only four violators, of the over 100 properties listed by the Forest Department as illegal, after a writ was filed in this connection at Jabalpur High Court in October 2002. The four properties belong to well-known people such as filmmaker Pradip Krishan, writer Arundhati Roy�s husband, IFS officer Nishikant Jadhav and Aradhana Seth, sister of author Vikram Seth. As action against them is being touted as the government�s strong resolve, what is being ignored is the violations that the administration has failed to take note of.
Hartosh Singh Bal Indian Express August 20, 2003
