PIL seeking rehabilitation of Saddal village inhabitants
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the displaced inhabitants of village Saddal in tehsil Mongri of Udhampur district, which was devastated due to landslide in the year 2014, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal today took serious note of non completion of project and directed AAG Aseem Sawhney to bring on record a complete status report as on 31.12.2021 by or before next date clearly indicating as to the benefits which have been extended to the inhabitants for the purposes of rehabilitation and if all those benefits agreed upon by the Government have been provided to them or not.
The DB further directed that in case the project work is not completed by 31.12.2021 as directed, Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department shall remain present in person before the court on the next date of hearing.
After hearing Advocate Deepika Mahajan for the PIL whereas AAG Aseem Sawhney appearing for the UT, the DB observed, “the present writ petition has been filed in public interest for the rehabilitation of displaced inhabitants of village Saddal. The petitioner has prayed that in order to rehabilitate the villagers, 10 marlas land to each of the displaced family be allotted; a sum of Rs 2 lakh per family be given for settlement; power may be supplied to their homes; as also the facilities of Anganwari education to children with drinking water, food facilities and health centres with proper sanitary conditions”.
“The rehabilitation is sought on the land measuring 113 kanals and 10 marlas situated in village Debreh Niabat-Malli Tehsil which stood identified for the purpose”, the DB said, adding “it appears from the various reports on record that the Government had agreed for providing 05 marlas of land to each of the family with all ancillary facilities such as power supply, drinking water, sanitary conditions. One of the reports reveal that for the purpose of leveling of ground for the residential colony, construction of approach road, drains, water supply and electrical works, DPRs have been prepared and accepted”.
Even sufficient amount of fund has been released in respect of each of these heads and that all the works would be completed within eight months from the date of availability of the funds”, the DB further observed, adding “the report is highly vague as it is dependent upon the availability of the funds, despite the fact that huge amount of funds have already been made available”.
AAG Aseem Sawhney appearing for the respondents submitted that the completion of the work is dependent upon various authorities and the release of funds by the Finance Department otherwise, the respondents are not leaving any stone unturned for completing the project for rehabilitation at the earliest. He further submitted that in any case, leveling work and electrical works would be completed by 31.12.2021.
“We are not satisfied by the submission for the respondents as sufficient time has already passed by but project is yet to be completed”, the DB said, adding “the coordination of the various departments of the Government is an internal matter so is the matter regarding the release of the necessary funds”.
The DB directed the Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department and Principal Secretary to Government, Disaster Management to call for a meeting of all the departments connected with the project so as to coordinate and complete the project by 31.12.2021 positively and the release of funds should not be any excuse for non completion of the same.
The DB also directed AAG to bring on record a complete status report as on 31.12.2021 by or before next date clearly indicating as to the benefits which have been extended to the inhabitants of village. “In case, the project work is not completed by 31.12.2021, Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department shall remain present in person before the Court on the next date of hearing”, the DB added.
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