Shimla: Taking a serious view of the dilly-dallying attitude of the state government, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed officials to make the new building of a degree college in Hamirpur district operational by Aug 15.

The division bench of Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Sanjay Karol Monday directed the government to complete the building's construction by Aug 15 and hold the Independence Day celebrations in the new premises.

The court issued the directions after treating a letter of students of Government Degree College at Badsar as a public interest litigation.

The letter said no effective steps were taken by the government to complete the construction of the college building for more than two years even as their classes were being held in a nearby school.

The government said that the construction work has been completed and the building was ready for occupation.

The court asked the director of higher education department to take possession of the building and organise Independence Day celebrations in the new college premises. IANS