The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave its nod for the “Make in India week” programme organised by the Maharashtra government at Girgaum Chowpatty beach in Mumbai which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A bench of Justices M.Y. Eqbal and Arun Mihsra, after hearing attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi for the state, stayed a Bombay high court order rejecting permission for the event starting on February 13. It will be held on six days. The high court had said that permitting such a function was not in accordance with the recommendations of a committee formed to outline guidelines on what activities and functions could be permitted at the Chowpatty beach.
Assailing the order, the A-G submitted that the proposed function is “India’s pride” and the administration does not propose to raise any permanent structure at the beach site. He told the court that functions would showcase India and its culture. He said that function was a matter of the country’s pride as it would be attended by delegates from 56 countries. He said if stopping the holding of the function at Chowpatty beach by the high court was correct, then the Republic Day parade should not be held at Delhi’s India Gate.
He also opposed the apprehension that the holding of such an event will obstruct traffic flow in South Mumbai saying, “I am the state. Do you think that the state will obstruct the smooth flow of traffic ” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delegates from 56 countries and several other dignitaries are scheduled to take part in this programme, he said.
Accepting the submissions, the bench said, “We issue notice. In the meantime, interim relief in terms of prayer ‘a’ (seeking permission to hold the function) is being granted.”
The state had said in its plea that the idea behind holding such an event, to be held between February 13 and 18, is to attract investment in Maharashtra and certain events have been allowed to be held at Girgaum beach in the past also.
The HC-appointed committee had in 2005 submitted the guidelines on what activities and functions can be permitted to be held at the beach.
