Telangana HC questions allocation of prime land at Raidurg for setting up IAMC office
Hyderabad: The state government on Monday defended its decision before the Telangana High Court on allocation of 3.7 acres of land at Raidurg (beside IKEA) to the International Arbitration and Mediation Center (IAMC) trust.
Advocate general A. Sudharshan Reddy conveyed the stand of the government on the allocation and also about extending financial assistance to run the centre. He argued that IAMC was an institution that was required in Hyderabad to promote business and institutional arbitration. The objects of the amended Arbitration Act also call for establishment of arbitral institutions.
The division bench, headed by Justice K. Lakshman, asked the advocate general about allocation of valuable land, which is approximately valued at Rs 300 crore. The judge wanted to know if there were no vacant buildings in Hyderabad to set up the IAMC office, instead of allocation of prime land and releasing funds for its construction.
He pointed out that the office of the additional solicitor general of India was located in a 50 feet space in the Telangana High Court, while several government offices are functioning from leased or private lands.
The bench was dealing with two PILs challenging the allocation of land and funds to IAMC. The court adjourned the hearing to January 28.
