What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the Kamla Nehru Memorial Trust's land allotment in Uttar Pradesh?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Cancelled the land allotment due to lack of public benefit assessment.

Explanation:

• The Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of the 125-acre land allotted to the Kamla Nehru Memorial Trust (KNMT) by UPSIDC.

• The Court found that the Trust was a chronic defaulter that failed to make payments and did not execute the lease deed despite repeated notices.

• It noted that the 2003 allotment was made without competitive bidding and lacked assessment of public benefit.

• The Court held that the allotment violated the Public Trust Doctrine, which mandates fair and transparent allocation of public resources.

• The Court ordered that future land allotments must ensure transparency, revenue maximization, and promotion of public interest.

Information Booster:

• The Public Trust Doctrine ensures that the State acts as a trustee of natural and public resources.

• The doctrine restricts arbitrary allotment of land, ensuring fairness and accountability.

Additional Knowledge:

Directed the state to provide alternative land (Option b)

• The Court did not order any alternative land to be given to the Trust.

• Instead, it reaffirmed the cancellation.

Ordered compensation to the Trust (Option c)

• No compensation was ordered as the Trust had defaulted on payment obligations.

Upheld the land allotment due to considerable public benefit (Option d)

• The Court ruled the opposite, citing lack of public benefit assessment.

• It also annulled any subsequent allotment made to M/s Jagdishpur Paper Mills Ltd.