Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena underscored the urgent need for legal and administrative reforms to streamline court case management within the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD). Speaking at a day-long workshop held at the department’s headquarters, he emphasized that officers must take personal accountability for cases until their full resolution.
He stated that while a Cabinet Sub-Committee has already been formed to look into this issue, the role of proactive departmental engagement remains critical. He urged officials to stay alert, particularly to cases receiving media attention, and to ensure timely follow-ups.
The Chief Secretary advised exploring legal solutions and legislative mechanisms to resolve long-pending cases. “With increasing public awareness of constitutional rights, litigation has grown significantly. This calls for greater preparedness and systemic reforms,” he noted.
Saxena also encouraged knowledge exchange with other states, focusing on practical outcomes, procedural simplification, and timely resolution. He stressed that arbitration should not be the only route, and every case must be pursued with seriousness and diligence.
₹1,000 Crore Financial Liability in Land Acquisition Cases
PWD Secretary Dr. Abhishek Jain informed that financial liabilities from resolved and pending land acquisition cases may reach up to ₹1,000 crore. He called for reducing duplications, improving documentation, and minimizing financial and administrative burdens on the department.
Legal Insights and Recommendations
Principal Secretary (Law) Sharad Kumar Lagwal highlighted that the protection of individual land rights is a constitutional duty. Land acquisitions must follow lawful procedures and be free from encumbrances.
Special Secretary Harbans Singh Brascon presented current data, revealing over 1,600 court cases pending across the state—many related to roads built on private land and irregularities in revenue records.
Panel Discussions and Expert Suggestions
The post-lunch session included panel discussions led by legal experts. Advocate General Anup Rattan stressed the importance of centralized drafting of legal replies to ensure consistency and defend departmental decisions effectively. He urged engineers to be familiar with the Arbitration Act, especially in compensation-related matters.
Retired legal officials and district attorneys also shared insights on challenges and compliance.
Certificates of participation were distributed at the end, and Engineer-in-Chief (Projects), Surinder Pal Jagota, delivered the vote of thanks.
