Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 20: High Court today came to the rescue of a visually impaired lawyer Suraj Singh and directed the Director Estates to appear in person to explain the reasons behind non-compliance to the directions.
The High Court had on November 27, 2012 passed directions to the Government to accord consideration for allotment of residential accommodation having regard to the mandate of J&K Estates Department (Allotment of Government Accommodation) Regulations 2004 and Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1998.
“The Estates Department has miserably failed to implement these directions despite the fact that only two weeks had been allowed to comply with the directions dated November 27, 2012”, Advocate Suraj Singh said while appearing in person.
He also drew the attention of the court towards Regulation No.4(e) of J&K Estates Department (Allotment of Government Accommodation) Regulations, 2004 which provides 5% discretionary quota placed at the disposal of the Minister for Estates for persons other than Government employees which will include freedom fighters, ex-legislators and media persons also.
He further submitted that he is the only visually impaired lawyer in the Jammu Province, who is practising in the State High Court and he had approached the then Chief Minister by way of representation dated September 1, 2012 for allotment of suitable accommodation looking into his peculiar facts and circumstances i.e. 100% visual disability. He said that till date no consideration has been accorded to his case for allotment and he is in dire need of accommodation.
After considering the submissions of Advocate Suraj Singh, Justice B S Walia expressed his displeasure over the delay in the implementation of the directions passed on November 27, 2012 and directed Director Estates to remain personally present on the next date of hearing to explain the reasons for not complying the directions of the court.
Looking into the seriousness of the issue, Justice Walia directed the Registry to list this petition in the week commencing May 30.
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