Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Sept 21: Deputy Commissioner, Reasi Dr Shahid Iqbal today ordered registration of FIR against Chief Engineer, Border Roads Organisation U C Mehta if the agency fails to start work on Reasi-Mahore stretch by September 26, 2013 and submit a final report on Katra-Reasi stretch. Chief Engineer has also been directed for depositing Rs 45 crore due as compensation for the land acquired for construction of road or to show cause as to why the same shall not be recovered under criminal proceedings. The action was necessitated as BRO failed to initiate construction of road even after shifting of utilities well in time by the PHE and Power Departments and in view of protests lodged by residents of Reasi and Katra recently. Criminal proceedings against Officer Commanding 114 BRO Sector Incharge of Reasi-Mahore were already underway in the court of Additional District Magistrate Tilak Raj Shastri. OC has submitted compliance reports as per the directions issued by ADM on various dates of hearings but submitted that blacktopping and construction was held up at the level of Chief Engineer. The DC in a communiqué to Chief Engineer has given four days time for initiating work on road failing which criminal proceedings and FIR will be registered against him. Mr Mehta while responding to the communiqué informed the DC that a meeting has been convened for resolving the matter. Citing judgement of Apex Court in Municipal Committee Ratlam Case, the Deputy Commissioner informed the Chief Engineer that Court has held that if Magistrate directs removal of public nuisance by way of construction or any action on part of executing agency which involves financial implications, funds shall be no constraint to comply the orders of Magistrate and the agency is duty bound to arrange the funds and implement the executive order of the Magistrate”. Even today some youth of Sula held protest against the BRO.
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