Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: In a PIL filed by Mohd Anwar Choudhary, member of State Advisory Board for the Development of Gujjar and Bakerwal against alleged fake ST category certificates, Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Yaqoob Mir directed Commissioner Secretaries of General Administration and Social Welfare Departments to appear in person on next date of hearing.
It has been alleged in the petition that unscrupulous elements particularly in Kashmir valley have obtained fake Schedule Tribe certificates in connivance with Revenue authorities. Though the issue of fake ST certificates was brought to the notice of State authorities yet no action was taken by them.
The petitioner also submitted copy of a judgment of the Supreme Court in a case titled Madhuri Patil Vs Additional Commissioner Tribal Development in which the Apex Court has directed all the States to frame scrutiny committee to streamline the procedure for issuance of ST certificates so that ineligible elements do not get the benefits reserved for schedule tribes.
It was further submitted that almost all the States have constituted scrutiny committees but in Jammu and Kashmir the Apex Court directions have not been complied to.
After hearing Advocate S M Choudhary for the PIL and AAG Gagan Basotra for the State, the DB observed, “despite availing several opportunities, status report as well as reply has not been filed on behalf of State”, adding “keeping this in view, the Commissioner Secretaries of GAD and Social Welfare Department should remain present on next date of hearing”.
“In case the status report as well as reply is filed on or before the next date, the respondents need not to appear in the court”, the DB said.
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