Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 21: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Viklang Chattra Trust seeking better care of old age home, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Hasnain Massodi and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal today directed the State to file status reports.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi appearing for the PIL, DB observed, “fresh status report filed by Senior AAG Seema Shekhar would reveal that previously two plots of land measuring 16 kanals each at Bhalwal, Seri Khrud and Panjgrain were identified for construction of Composite Home for elderly and handicapped people as also Home for Beggars”.
“The site at Bhalwal has found approval of Social Welfare Department and necessary communication addressed to the revenue authorities and machinery set into motion to take over the land. However, as regards land at Seri Khrud and Panjgrain, a proposal is made by Social Welfare Department to use the land for construction of Beggar Home. Similarly, a plot of land stands identified at Patalbagh, Pampore for construction of Composite Home. However, report does not indicate whether any land has been identified at Srinagar for Beggars’ Home”, the DB said.
Division Bench directed that respondents shall without any further delay take over land at Bhalwal and start construction of the Composite Home. In the meantime, land at village Seri Khrud and Panjgrain shall not be put to any use or allowed to be encroached upon till a decision is taken regarding proposal initiated by Social Welfare Department for earmarking the land for Beggars’ Home. “Such decision shall be taken within four weeks”, the DB said, adding “fresh status report indicating the steps taken and stage of construction of Composite Home and Beggars’ Home at Jammu and Srinagar shall also be filed”.
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