DC asked to consider NGO’s representation for land
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 27: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising First Puisne Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sindhu Sharma has directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation as well as Srinagar Municipal Corporation to construct three slaughter houses (2 in Jammu and 1 in Srinagar) on priority in view of the availability of sufficient funds as disclosed in the affidavit filed by Dheeraj Gupta (, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department.
The direction was passed in the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO ‘SAVE’ (Save Animal Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kaur Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan seeking closure of un-regulated and un-registered/un-licensed slaughter houses/meat shops in the State.
When the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan, Intakhab Ahmed Qazi, Mohd Zulkarnain Chowdhary and Himani Jamwal appearing for the petitioner drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the affidavit filed in the open court by Senior AAG S S Nanda on behalf of Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department.
“In the affidavit it is clearly stated that subsequent to the constitution of the elected Jammu Municipal Corporation, the 14th Finance Commission grants have been made available to it. The JMC will receive Rs 218.65 crore as FFC grants out of which Rs 27.19 crores were released in February-March, 2019 and the balance is to be released during the current financial year”, he further said, adding “these funds are available with the JMC for undertaking any project(s) including execution of abattoirs, over and above the separate grant-in-aid provided to the Corporation, by the Government of J&K every year”.
It was further stated that as the design issues of the project have been resolved, public resentment subsided, and also that sufficient funds have been made available, JMC has been asked to execute the project of two modern slaughter houses in a time bound manner.
With regard to establishment of modern abattoir at Alloochi Bagh Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the affidavit further said that the same was approved by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries for an amount of Rs 24.52 crore.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S S Ahmed appearing for the petitioner whereas Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for H&UDD, Government Advocate Ayjaz Lone for State Pollution Control Board and Advocate Sachin Gupta for JMC, Division Bench directed both JMC as well as SMC to execute the project of 3 modern slaughter houses (2 in Jammu and 1 in Srinagar City) on priority particularly in view of the availability of funds. The DB further directed both JMC as well as SMC to come up with the latest status of the projects on the next date of hearing.
Meanwhile, Justice Sanjay Kumar Gupta has issued directions to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu to consider the representation dated August, 20, 2018 followed by reminder dated January, 28, 2019 made by the petitioner an NGO SAVE (Save Animals Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kaur Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan working for the welfare of animals seeking allotment of 25 Kanals of State land for the establishment of shelter for handicapped/injured animals within Jammu City.
The Court further directed the State Government to file its response within four weeks.
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