Can Rama Sethu be declared national monument: SC asks Centre

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today asked the government to make its stand clear on whether the ancient Rama Sethu could be declared as a national monument.

A bench headed by Justice H L Dattu granted a day's time to Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Haren Raval to take instructions from the relevant government departments on the issue and posted the matter for further hearing on Thursday, March 29.

"If you say you don't want to file counter affidavit, we can go ahead with the argument in the case," the bench said.

It also directed the government to place the report of the Prime Minister-appointed panel, headed by environmentalist R K Pachauri, on the feasibility of executing the controversial Sethusamudram project through Dhanuskodi instead of routing it through the Rama Sethu.

Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy who is also a petitioner on the controversial issue said there has been delay on the part of the government in placing the report and it should be directed to immediately place the report before the court.

The apex court, however, granted six weeks to the government for the purpose, saying "making them hurry will not be good for anybody".