Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: High Court today directed Jammu Development Authority to provide water, electricity and roads to Bantalab Housing Colony, Phase-I.
The direction was passed in a petition filed by Raj Kumari, a resident of the Housing Colony.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi for the petitioner whereas Advocate Adarsh Sharma appearing for the JDA, Justice Tashi Rabstan directed VC JDA to provide all basic infrastructural facilities like water, electricity, roads etc. to the petitioner and other inhabitants of Bantalab Housing Colony, Phase-1 positively within a period of two months and file the compliance report supported by necessary documents and photographs before the Registrar Judicial.
“It is very strange and shocking that the JDA developed the colony, then put the land to auction on lease basis and put the money of the land in its own pocket but when it comes to providing infrastructural facilities like water, electricity, roads etc. within the colony, the JDA backtracked the same with the plea that it is the job of PHE, PDD, PWD and other departments thus leaving the inhabitants of the colony in air without these basic necessities of life”, the High Court observed.
“When the JDA did not provide funds to these departments for providing basic infrastructural facilities in the Housing Colony belonging to it, how could these departments provide the basic amenities to the inhabitants of the colony in absence of funds”, High Court asked, adding “it seems the Chairman and other higher authorities of the JDA have adopted a total negligent and lackluster approach in providing basic infrastructural facilities to the inhabitants of the colony and leaving them to lead a miserable life”.
Justice Rabstan further observed, “since the petitioner has been forced to lead a miserable life for so many years without providing basic infrastructural facilities by the JDA right from 1999 till today despite taking full bid money from her, the JDA is burdened with costs of Rs 50000 to be deposited by it in the Registry of this court within a period of two months from today”, adding “further, as per the stand of Power Development Department, in absence of providing funds by the JDA, the petitioner had to pay from her own pocket for laying of LT extension for supply of power at her residence, which was worked out as Rs 4,653”.
Accordingly, High Court directed JDA to pay this amount to the petitioner along with 6% interest with effect from 28.02.2000 till the date of its final realization. “On deposit of Rs 50,000 along with Rs 4,653 with interest, the same shall be released in favour of petitioner after proper verification and identification”, the court further directed.
“In case respondents fail to deposit the amount or do not file the compliance report within a period of two months from today, Registrar (Judicial) is directed to frame a separate robkar against them and list the same before the court for appropriate orders”, Justice Rabstan said.
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