Yanni concert funds to be used for Agra

NEW DELHI, Jan 20: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government to show cause why it should not be directed to hand ...

NEW DELHI, Jan 20: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government to show cause why it should not be directed to hand over part of the money collected during the Yanni concert held last year to the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC), to enable the corporation to undertake activities for preserving the city.

A division bench comprising justice Saghir Ahmed and justice G B Patnaik passed the direction in the Taj pollution case after the AMC counsel told the court that it was unable to comply with an apex court order of 1996 to deposit Rs 38 lakhs with the Indian Railways for the construction of a level crossing to transport equipment, needed for setting up a new slaughter house away from the Taj Mahal.

The court directed the UP Government to file an affidavit within two weeks, indicating the money collected by it from the Yanni show. While refusing to accept AMC’s plea that it did not have adequate funds to deposit with the Railways, the court directed the corporation to pay the amount of Rs 38 lakhs within a month. The judges also directed the AMC to seek clearance within two weeks from all concerned authorities for the establishment of the slaughter house.

Earlier, environmentalist lawyer M C Mehta told the court that as per his information, the cash collections from the Yanni show had crossed Rs 10 crore. “It is unfortunate that in the name of the Taj Mahal, UP is earning hundreds of crores of rupees but is unable to part with the money for preserving the monument,” Mehta said.