Decide plaint on green gyms in 200 villages in 4 months: HC

Nagpur: Disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging approval of Rs13 crore from the Mineral Area Welfare Fund for the establishment of green gyms in 200 villages across Nagpur district, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Wednesday ordered divisional commissioner to take a decision in four months on a complaint in this regard.The HC bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode was hearing the PIL filed by Vaibhav Jagtap claiming that under Prime Minister's Mineral Area Welfare Scheme, approval has been granted for setting up green gyms in 200 villages across Ramtek, Umred, Kuhi, Bhivapur, Kamptee, Mouda, Nagpur Rural, Parshivni, Saoner, Narkhed, and Kalmeshwar talukas, intended to promote skill development.The Mineral Area Welfare Fund is primarily meant for improving healthcare facilities and overall welfare in mining-affected areas, including initiatives like water supply, environment protection, pollution control, education, women and child welfare, senior citizen programmes, skill development, and sanitation. The petition argued that allocating Rs13 crore solely for green gyms is inappropriate and requested the HC that the decision be annulled.The HC, however, clarified that the petitioner may approach the court again if dissatisfied with the divisional commissioner's decision. Additionally, the court ordered refund of the amount deposited by the petitioner. Advocate Shashibhushan Wahane represented the petitioner in the case.