Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 2: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bar Association Jammu and Sumit Nayyar seeking various development activities around court complex, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan has directed Planning Department for clarification on release of funds.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Ankesh Chandel appearing for the PIL whereas Senior AAG Gagan Basotra for the State and Senior Advocate DC Raina for JKPCC, DB observed, “in response to order dated 24.11.2014 a status report on behalf of Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has been filed in which it has been given out that the Planning and Development Department vide letter dated 19.11.2014 has intimated that balance funds were to be released only after the same is cleared by the Planning Commission of India/Union Finance Ministry”.
“In this regard a communication has been addressed by the Planning and Development Department to the Secretary to Government, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Department”, the DB observed, adding “it is undisputed that budgetary allocation for the construction of court complexes and chambers for lawyers have already been made”.
“However, we fail to understand why the funds were to be released only after clearance from the Planning Commission of India or the Union Finance Ministry”, the DB said. In order to seek clarification, the DB directed the Director (Coordination), Planning and Development Department to remain present in person to explain as to how the Planning Commission or Union Finance Ministry has come in picture for release of funds for construction of lawyers chambers.
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