Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 2: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ashiq Hussain and others regarding issuance of job cards to Government employees, students and dead persons under NREGA Scheme in connivance with revenue officials, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed the Vigilance Organization to file status report.
In the PIL, it has been stated that as per the NREGA Scheme only adult members are guaranteed 100 days work to check unemployment in rural areas. However, taking undue advantage of their positions, the official respondents have made gross abuse of the process of law by issuing job cards to those who are not eligible under a conspiracy with Sarpanchs and Panchs. In this way, the official respondents have drawn lakhs of rupees.
After hearing Advocate SK Puri for the PIL whereas Deputy AG S Hakim and Advocate MA Bhat for the respondents, DB observed, “the petitioners in their response to affidavit filed by Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj have pointed to irregularities committed by the respondent department while engaging candidates under NREGA scheme”.
“It is stated that a number of dead persons were shown to have engaged and even their attendance been marked. Moreover, a number of school going children are shown to have been beneficiaries of the scheme. The matter appears to have already been referred to Vigilance Organization at the instance of the petitioners”, the DB said.
“Such development is discernable from the stand taken by the respondents by insisting that the matter is being looked into and is also subject matter of preliminary enquiry initiated by the Vigilance Organization”, the DB said, adding “in this background, Commissioner Vigilance Organization and SSP Vigilance Jammu are arrayed as party respondents”.
With these observations, DB issued notice to the newly arrayed respondents with the direction to file status of the case on the next date of hearing.
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