Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 12: High Court today after perusal of various reports from various Deputy Commissioners of the State regarding illegal stone quarrying in demarcated forest areas expressed dissatisfaction over the status report filed by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and directed him to file better status report by next date.
“Status report filed by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama in our view reveals less and conceals more,” said the Division Bench comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Hasnain Masoodi.
The bench after granting further time to concerned DC said “better report is required to be filed by him” and indicating in his better report as to how may stone quarries are operating within demarcated forest land and Kacharie land.
The bench was hearing a public interest titled Sofi Arif Maqbool versus State seeking direction upon respondent state for stopping of quarrying which is being carried within demarcated forest area.
The court directed revenue counsel Shuja-ul-Haq to consolidate all the status reports filed by revenue authorities of each district and file a comprehensive report so that an effective order be passed in this regard.
Senior advocate Z A Shah drew attention of the court to its earlier order where in Government was directed to prepare a policy for rehabilitation of those stone quarry holders whose quarries have been closed.
In this regard compliance report by Financial Commissioner Industries and Commerce Department had stated that the finalization of Rules was at final stage and the matter was before Chief Minister and also certain decisions under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary were also taken.
However no progress with regard to decisions has been provided to court till date in the form of status report.
“It appears to us that the matter is being delayed without any reasonable cause and requires attention of the State at the earliest,” the court observed and directed Advocate General of the state M I Qadri to file a comprehensive status report in this regard before the next date of hearing.
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