Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 13: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bar Association Jammu seeking various development activities around court complex, Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Tashi Rabstan today issued various directions to the State including release of Rs one crore in the favour of Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation for construction of lawyers’ chamber.
“As far as construction of lawyers’ chambers is concerned, out of approved project cost of Rs 10.17 crore, an amount of Rs 8 crore has been released in the favour of JKPCC, the executing agency, up to September 5, 2013 and that the balance amount of Rs.2.17 crore has been projected in the Annual Plan for 2014-15”, said the compliance report filed by the State, adding “since the State Plan has not been approved by the Planning Commission of India funds have not been released by the Union Finance Ministry for the year 2014-15 as such the State is not in a position to release the funds for completion of the project”.
Senior Advocate D C Raina, appearing for the JKPCC, said, in the updated status report, that because of non release of funds to JKPCC, it would be difficult for the executing agency to achieve the target date—December, 2014 to complete the project in all respect.
Senior Advocate MK Bhardwaj appearing for Bar Association stated that virtually the construction of chambers at Jammu Wing has come to halt because of paucity of funds as such some directions were required to be passed.
Senior Additional Advocate General Gagan Basotra appearing for the State sought some time to have the latest instructions with regard to the revised project cost submitted by the executing agency to the State to know as to whether the revised project cost was approved by the State or not.
On this, Division Bench directed the State to release Rs 1 crore forthwith to JKPCC, as release of this amount falls within the pre-revised project cost of Rs.10.17 crore. “Any delay in releasing the amount to JKPCC by the State will be taken very seriously”, the DB said, adding “compliance report in this regard shall be submitted by Secretary Law & Justice within two weeks before Registrar Judicial”.
Senior Advocate MK Bhardwaj also pointed out that a direction was also issued to Municipal Commissioner JMC to ensure regular supply of drinking water within the court premises. “No doubt the regular supply of drinking water has been ensured but the water is contaminated and if consumed can cause many problems to the lawyers and litigants”, he said.
He stated that he has requested the Municipal Corporation to install Aqua Guard at five places where water coolers have already been installed so that public at large would get pure drinking water.
Upon this, Division Bench expected that JMC would respond to the request of Bar Association in a positive manner that too without any delay.
Advocate S S Nanda appearing for the JMC assured Division Bench that he would take up this issue with JMC for a positive response.
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