Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 17: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kirpal Chand seeking to know the preparedness of the State to deal with disasters like earthquakes, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sanjeev Kumar today issued certain directions to the Government.
“In compliance to the order dated May 22, 2017, Aamir Ali, Director Disaster Management is present before this court. He has also filed the status report in compliance of the directions contained in the order dated 11.04.2017”, the DB observed.
“From the status report filed on behalf of Director, Disaster Management, it is evident that District Disaster Management Plan is in place in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the counsel for the petitioner submits that Interim Emergency Operation Center has only been established at Srinagar and in none of the places in rest of the State”, the DB observed.
“It has further been submitted that the bye-laws in respect of hilly areas in Jammu division have not been amended so as to bring them in consonance with the requirement contained in National Building Code”, the DB said.
Accordingly, DB granted time to the Director Disaster Management to indicate the time-frame within which the requirements shall be complied with. “In the meanwhile, it will be open to ASGI to comply with the directions contained in earlier order”, the Db said while exempting Director Disaster Management from personal appearance.
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