Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 19: In the PIL filed by Inderjeet Khajuria, President All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association regarding inordinate delay in artificial lake and gondola projects, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal today directed Divisional Commissioner to file status report before next date of hearing or appear in person to explain delay and disobedience.
After hearing Senior Advocate BS Salathia assisted by Advocate Meenakshi Salathia appearing for the PIL whereas Senior AAG SS Nanda appearing for the State, DB observed, “petition on hand is primarily concerned about non execution of two mega projects despite preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and availability of funds”.
“On 21.04.2015, it was stated by counsel for the respondents that a meeting was scheduled to be held on 29.04.2015 to review execution of mega projects in Jammu city including two projects in question and accordingly directions were passed for placing on record minutes of the meeting and action taken to implement such decisions on ground within four weeks”, the DB said.
“The status report for one reason or the other has not been filed till date”, the DB observed and directed that status report be filed well before the next date of hearing and in default, Divisional Commissioner Jammu to appear in person and explain delay and disobedience.
“The counsel for the petitioner has rightly stated that till significant steps are taken towards execution of the projects in question, the respondents are duty bound to ensure that no encroachment is allowed on Tawi River bank and encroachment already made is removed”, the DB said and directed Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation to file a comprehensive statement by or before next date of hearing detailing therein the extent of encroachment, identifying the encroachers and steps taken to remove the encroachers as also to prevent encroachment as also municipal waste dumping on the river banks.
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