Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: State Government has accorded sanction for construction of multi-storey car parking in the premises of High Court Complex under Public Private Partnership and Chief Engineer (R&B) has been authorized to execute the project.
This was informed to the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi during the hearing of a petition filed by the Bar Association Jammu.
In the status report filed in pursuance of order of the DB dated November 11, 2012, it has been mentioned that the Government considered the proposal in the light of the fact that it is a revenue generating activity.
However, Vice President of the Bar, M U Salaria requested for some time to react in this regard. While granting two weeks time, the DB said, “it shall not be taken to mean that expressions of interest are not to be floated by the State Government. They shall proceed further by taking all steps envisaged in the sanction order dated December 13, 2012”.
With regard to issues concerning chambers, it has been pointed out in the status report that 61 chambers are ready on the ground floor, which can be handed over to the Bar. However, the intimation has to be sent by the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation Limited to the Law Department which will be done within a period of two days after obtaining instructions from Ali Hussain Haqula, Deputy General Manager.
After hearing Vice President of BAJ Advocate MU Salaria for the PIL, whereas AG MI Qadiri with Sr AAG Gagan Basotra for the State, Senior Advocate DC Raina with Advocate Anil Verma for the JKPCC and ASGI KK Pangotra for the Union of India, the DB observed, “the other issue which has been pending before this court is to connect High Court Road with Jammu Nagrota Highway. In pursuance of the direction issued on 17.11.2012 minutes of the meeting has been placed on record which in categorically terms states that the Army officers have stated that there is no feasibility for allowing passage through the ridge area of Army due to sensitive nature of installations and other factors related to security”.
KK Pangotra, ASGI stated that the Army officers have expressed that they were not competent to take a decision in that regard. “If that was so the officers were expected to make that statement rather than putting forward the case that there was possibility of passage connecting Jammu-Nagrota road to High Court. In any case, one week’s time is granted to Mr Pangotra to have instructions because according to Mr Salaria there is every possibility of allowing the use of small portion of 100/150 meters connecting Jammu-Nagrota road with the High Court”. DB said.
The DB, however, reserved further comments till December 24, 2012, leaving KK Pangotra to discuss the matter with the authority.
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