Govt errs on asking DCs to fulfil HC directions

Srinagar: At a time when Jammu and Kashmir High Court has taken exception to slackness in compliance of its directions, the government has erred in its order to Deputy Commissioners by referring to polythene directions in PIL which is actually aimed to prevent conversion of agriculture land in the state.
“It has been reported by the Advocate General that the Deputy Commissioners and other functionaries of the government are filing compliance reports in various Public Interest Litigation matters on the date of hearing which has been taken exception to by the High Court at Srinagar in the PIL titled Human Watch (Regd.) International Versus State and Others (OWP PIL No. 0512012) regarding eradication of use of polythene,” reads a GAD order 18-GAD of 2014, dated March 20.
“The High Court has been pleased to observe: ‘Having regard to track record of all the Deputy Commissioners in delaying compliance, we would be constrained to direct their personal appearance, in the event compliance report is not filed within the given timeframe’,” the order adds.
Even as there have been strict orders regarding complete ban on polythene, the PIL referred in GAD order is regarding the conversion of agriculture land into commercial or residence purposes.
The direction referred in the order is also regarding the land conversion and the a division bench of the court had asked all the Deputy Commissioners as also Srinagar Municipal Corporation to submit fresh status report by or before next date of hearing in PIL, indicating the action taken against the unauthorized conversion of the agriculture land and action taken against the violators.
The main grievance projected in the PIL is that the agricultural land transferred to and vested in tillers under the provisions of the Agrarian Reforms Act is being converted into residential housing colonies.
Meanwhile, the government has impressed upon all the concerned to ensure that the compliance reports are filed before the High Court at least one week before the date of hearing.

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