IN A first-of-its kind order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought assistance of an international organisation in a court matter. In an ongoing case on the dilapidated condition of government houses in the city, the single bench of Justice Rajiv Narain Raina has requested the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to help it understand the architectural work of Le Corbusier in the city and whether it includes any other parts of city than those falling in Sector-1 Capitol Complex.

Justice Raina has issued a “request notice” to the UNESCO through its Delhi-based director for its insights into the heritage status of the city. This happened during hearing in a case on the condition of government houses in the city and following an observation from the bench that the administration should discard its “archaic” heritage obsession when it comes to the government buildings in Sector 22.

“UNESCO is also made a party respondent with a request to offer its valuable assistance to this court to understand – what part of the architectural work of Le Corbusier is recognised in India as a World Heritage Site to mark ‘an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement’ and whether it includes other parts of city other than falling in Sector – 1 Capitol Project…” Justice Raina said in the order passed on Monday.

The order mentions the photocopies of all the interim orders passed by the court in the case should be sent to UNESCO for their easy and ready access and “to acquaint them with the subject matter so that the organisation is not startled with the summons from court”.

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The single bench has also directed the Chandigarh Administration to immediately start renovation of 471 vacant houses, including 218 houses, which are not fit for allotment as per the administration’s own submission. The administration has been asked to submit a status report on the work done, steps taken for renovation and the expected time for completion on the work on the next date of hearing.

Apart from these directions, the bench has also asked UT senior standing counsel Suvir Sehgal to explain how the House Allotment Committee can be “dismantled” and replace it with a web portal to be “maintained by NIC and controlled by few responsible and professional officers/officials of different departments”, so that all stakeholders can have access to the information regarding each house.

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