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Gujarat High Court initiates inquiry into windmill installation on Government land

The Gujarat High Court's recent issuance of notices regarding the placement of windmills on government land has stirred a legal process. In response to a petition brought forth by Valibhai Vajibhai, a resident of Valasan Village, the court directed the Morbi collector, the revenue secretary, and Bhuj Wind Energy Pvt Ltd to submit affidavits before the upcoming hearing post the Diwali Vacation. The petition raises concerns about the establishment of windmills by Rajkot-based Bhuj Wind Energy Pvt Ltd on government land in Morbi district, rented annually for Rs 50,000. Allegedly, the company failed to comply with conditions necessitating permission from Mitana Village Panchayat before executing concrete construction work at the site. During the hearing attended by the petitioner's advocate, Nimish Kapadia, the court issued notices to all involved parties to furnish their responses. The crux of the petition revolves around the company's non-adherence to local revenue laws and guidelines set forth by the Central Government and Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) for windmill installations. The petitioner has voiced concerns about approximately 10 meters of the blade encroaching upon their farm, fostering fears of potential blade collapse, posing a threat to the petitioner and their family's safety. Moreover, the vibrational noise emanating from the windmills has triggered environmental disturbances, resulting in the departure of birds and an upsurge in insect infestation. This environmental shift has significantly impacted farmers, causing damage to their standing crops and inducing distress among the agricultural community. In light of these grievances, the petitioner has petitioned the court to instruct the state government and the Morbi district collector to revoke the land lease and license granted to the windmill company. Additionally, the petitioner seeks a compensation of Rs 5 lakh from the company. The intricate legal battle encapsulates multiple dimensions, highlighting not only the alleged negligence on the part of the windmill company but also the broader ramifications on the environment and the agricultural sector. The court's intervention becomes crucial in determining whether due process was overlooked by the company in setting up the windmills and whether the adverse impacts claimed by the petitioner indeed stem from the installation.

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