Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 31: The High Court today directed the authorities to file latest status report on stone quarrying taking place in forest demarcated area of State.
Two weeks time has been granted after the State counsel made request for further time before the division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice B S Walia.
Earlier Court had expressed dissatisfaction on various reports of Deputy Commissioners of the State regarding illegal stone quarrying in demarcated forest and had directed for filing of better status report by next date.
Court while granting further time to the DCs had said “better report is required to be filed by him” and indicating in it as to how many stone quarries are operating within demarcated forest land and Kahcharie 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.
Revenue authorities were directed to consolidate all the status reports and file a comprehensive report so that an effective order be passed in this regard.
Government was also directed to prepare a policy for rehabilitation of those stone quarry holders whose quarries have been closed but till date court has not been informed whether any policy has been formulated or not.
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 taken.
However, no progress with regard to decisions has been provided to court till date in the form of status report and the then Advocate General of the State was asked for filing of a comprehensive status report in this regard.
It may be mentioned that a committee of the officers headed by Financial Commissioner (I&C) and comprising Commissioner/ Secretary Revenue and Secretary Forest Department as members was constituted to study the issue regarding the rehabilitation of the affected persons, if any, on the basis of inputs to be furnished by Geology and Mining Department.
With regard to the progress vis-a-vis decisions taken by the Committee headed by Chief Secretary, no further inputs have been provided to the Court till date.
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