Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 6: In order to extend the benefit of the directions on LPG crisis issued in a suo-moto matter to people of Jammu division, Special Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice J P Singh today directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to file detailed report.
The Special DB was constituted to hear the similar matter, which was earlier heard at Srinagar Wing of High Court regarding the distribution of subsidized LPG cylinders. At Srinagar Wing, suo-moto cognizance was taken by the High Court and certain directions were issued on October 31, 2012 and November 2, 2012.
As those directions were confined to areas falling in Kashmir division whereas decision of Central Government about fixing the cap for distribution of subsidized LPG cylinders equally affected to the people residing in Jammu division, Special Division Bench was constituted today to apply the same directions for the consumers of Jammu division.
The Division Bench in the open court directed that directions issued on October 31, 2012 and November 2, 2012 would be applicable to Jammu division and Divisional Commissioner Jammu shall provide complete data in accordance with the directions issued by Division Bench at Srinagar and ensure that all the steps taken are effectively implemented in Jammu division also.
AAG Seema Shekhar informed the Court that in terms of directions issued by the Division Bench at Srinagar, the Divisional Commissioner Srinagar had meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division and other officers on November 5, 2012 for supply and distribution of LPG.
At this stage, Division Bench asked AAG to submit all these details under the affidavit of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir within one week. With regard to Jammu division, the Division Bench directed that similar steps be taken and the Divisional Commissioner Jammu shall file report within one week.
“The oil companies, which have been issued notices shall also file their affidavits in respect of Jammu division”, the DB said.
Looking into the importance of the issue, Division Bench asked K K Pangotra, Assistant Solicitor General of India and Senior Advocate D C Raina to assist the Bench in the matter. Division Bench further directed that this Public Interest Litigation be listed for further orders on November 12, 2012.
According to minutes of the meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a copy of which was produced today before the Division Bench, all the Deputy Commissioners shall constitute teams for the purpose. In addition to the task force teams, complaint redressal committees at the district as well as tehsil and police station level shall also be constituted. In addition to this, consumers can lodge their complaints with the committees as well as on Telephone No 100 (Police Control Room), which will be monitored by SSP PCR Kashmir.
OMCs have been directed to depute their representative to PCR Kashmir for the redressal of the complaints of the LPG consumers and SSP PCR shall furnish details on daily basis to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. Similarly, all PCRs of respective districts of Kashmir divisions shall also receive complaints and pass on the same to District Task Force for redressal.
It was also resolved in the meeting that subject to the issuance of temporary explosive storage permission by the concerned District Magistrates, the OMCs were directed to provide non-subsidized exempted category of LPG cylinders costing Rs 1290 (in Kashmir Division) per cylinder to the consumers at CAPD outlets as well as petrol pumps against production of valid ration tickets.
It was further stated in the meeting that State Level Coordinator has been asked to seek extension of time limit for completion of formalities for up-dation of documents. In the meantime, the OMCs have been directed to provide non-subsidized exempted category of LPG cylinders at CAPD sale outlet as well as petrol pumps against the production of valid ration tickets to those consumers who do not have any valid documents.
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