Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: In a contempt petition, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed the Commissioner/ Secretary PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department to appear in person tomorrow to explain the reasons behind delay in framing of Water Policy.
When the contempt petition came up for hearing, Advocate Aseem Sawhney appearing for the petitioner submitted that in compliance to the directions passed in a PIL seeking implementation of the J&K Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act 2010, the draft Water Policy was formulated by the Department of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control and the same was put on website. “Thereafter, nothing has been done by the department”, he added.
He further submitted that court had directed the respondents to frame policy/ scheme for wetlands, khads etc within 2 months from February 12, 2016 and till then the status quo was directed to be maintained. “Due to this order the petitioner and other people who have lands recorded as “Gair Mumkin Khad” were deprived of either selling these properties, constructing anything or even mortgaging these properties”, he added.
He again submitted that respondents have neither bothered to implement the judgment of the High Court nor passed any directives or orders which would permit issuance of Fards and thus permit the petitioner or people aggrieved who are hundreds in number to either sell, buy, transfer or construct over such lands.
After hearing Advocate Sawhney for the petitioner and Deputy AG Ranjeet Singh Jamwal appearing for the State, DB directed Secretary PHE to appear in person tomorrow.
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