Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 22: The State High Court today expressed its displeasure over non-seriousness of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Chief Engineer I&FC Department over restoration of river Jhelum and sought personal appearance of these officials in case they fail to file reports in accordance with court directions.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice B L Bhat expressed disapproval and displeasure over the compliance reports of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Chief Engineer I&FC Department and all the concerned Deputy Commissioners with regard to original width and restoration of river Jhelum.
Court while passing the direction reiterated its stand that in large public interest, it is pursuing the onerous cause to protect and preserve the water bodies including the river Jhelum.
Court while going through one of the compliance report filed by Deputy Commissioner Kulgam said it is deficient of details. Court also expressed its concern over the non-seriousness of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir after going through his compliance.
“The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Chief Engineer, Kashmir appear to have made a very casual exercise of submitting compliance that is based on a report submitted by the Executive Engineer”, court said and added: “There is nothing on record to suggest that these authorities have actually made any effort towards implementation of court directions”.
Court said that all other Deputy Commissioners, who are yet to provide requisite information to the extent of removing encroachments and original width of River, shall also submit the reports before next date of hearing of the case.
Court warned all the officials to remain present before the court on next date in case the requisite information with regard to river Jhelum is not provided by them.
Earlier, court had issued show cause notice to the erring engineers of I&FC department from the rank of Chief Engineer to Junior Engineer who were entrusted with the duty since 1996 till date where from the Jhelum flows.
These engineers were directed to show cause as to why penalty of Rs 5 crore to 10 lakhs be not imposed on them for dereliction of their duty which caused encroachments on the banks of river Jhelum.
Many of the engineers were present before the court through their respective counsels in response to the show cause notice of the court and explained their position by way of affidavit before the court. However, court said many of the engineers are absent and directed them to remain present before the court along with their stand.
State counsel submitted before the court that he is provided with some more names of engineers who were missing in the earlier list which has been filed before the court in terms of previous direction. “Those also are required to be put on notice”, State counsel said.
Earlier, the Division Bench had directed Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir to ensure removal of all encroachments from the banks of river and directed concerned Superintendent of Police to provide all necessary assistance to the CE I&FC in this regard and had warned that in default in removing the encroachments the Chief Engineer and other authorities would be dealt with by the court which may include proceedings against them for violating the court orders.
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