DB directs Senior AAG to file ATR in PIL on deaf, dumb population

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 23: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding difficulties of deaf and dumb population of Paralkote village in Poonch, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksh Khajuria Kazmi has directed Senior AAG SS Nanda to file ATR.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, DB observed, “the issue involved in this matter is very important in nature. Though, certain status reports have been filed, however, we deem it appropriate to appoint Advocate Rozina Afzal as Amicus Curiae to properly assist the court in this PIL”.
“In the status report dated 09.12.2021 filed by Under Secretary, Social Welfare Department, it is averred that in view of the observations of this court dated 12.10.2021 the Director Social Welfare, Jammu submitted a proposal dated 18.03.2021 to the Administrative Department for setting up vocational skill courses like cutting and tailoring/carpentry/ mushroom cultivation/ candle making, poultry farm/ sheep and animal husbandry schemes etc. with an estimated cost of Rs 3, 25, 000. It is further averred that when the proposal was under consideration of the authorities, a revised proposal dated 16.07.2021 with financial implications to the tune of Rs 19,50,000 was submitted, which has been considered and forwarded to the Finance Department for re-appropriation of funds”, the DB observed.
The DB directed Senior AAG SS Nanda to file the action taken report with regard to the stand taken in the status report dated 09.12.2021, by or before the next date of hearing. He has further been directed to file action taken report in terms of direction passed by this court on 15.02.2021, indicating the measures the Government proposes to take to cure the occurrence of this impairment in the village which is said to be of hereditary genetic nature as well as action taken report with regard to study of the matter by the Institute of Human Genomics, University of Jammu.
He shall also file report of the University of Jammu bringing on record the suggestions or the proposals of the Government which are intended to be taken so as to get rid of the impairment from the village by or before the next date of hearing.