Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 20: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today granted four months time to the State Government for payment of relief arrears to the migrants of Jammu province. However, keeping in view the delaying tactics adopted by the Government, the High Court directed payment of 9% interest per annum since 2009.
When the contempt petition titled Jagdev Singh Versus Union Home Secretary and Others came up for hearing, Advocate General, D C Raina moved an application on behalf of Chief Secretary B R Sharma seeking exemption from personal appearance.
The DB had on April 18 directed the Chief Secretary to appear in person to explain the reasons behind the contemptuous attitude towards the directives of Supreme Court as well as High Court of J&K vis-à-vis clearing the arrears of relief to the tune of Rs 9.05 crore.
When specifically asked by the DB about the time-frame for release of arrears of relief, Advocate General prayed for grant of more time to implement the directions of the High Court dated November 11, 2009.
After hearing Advocate General and Advocate H C Jalmeria for the petitioners, the Division Bench granted four weeks time to the State for payment of relief arrears to the Jammu province migrants. “We would have not taken any harsh step but the dilly-dallying approach has compelled us to do so”, the DB observed in the open court and directed the Government to pay 9% interest per annum on Rs 9.05 crore arrears since 2009.
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