Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation highlighting delay in finalization of 147 departmental enquiries, Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed General Administration Department to file updated status report within two weeks reflecting the steps taken by the various departments pursuant to the instructions and decisions taken by the GAD.
When the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the petitioner drew the attention of the Division Bench towards the last status report filed by the GAD wherein it was submitted that so far only 5 departments responded with the fresh status report and the response from rest of the 16 departments was still awaited.
“Five departments have reiterated status reports filed earlier, indicating therein that no development has taken place since the filing of the earlier status reports”, he said, adding “directions are warranted to the GAD for filing a comprehensive status report indicating department wise progress achieved during the departmental enquiries”.
He further submitted that even the deadline fixed by the GAD towards the finalization of the departmental enquiries has already expired and the various administrative departments are not even adhering to the schedule fixed by GAD on the basis of the directions passed by the Division Bench. He sought time bound directions to the GAD to ensure the finalization of the pending departmental enquiries.
On the other hand, Advocate Ahtsham Bhat appearing for GAD sought further time to come up with a updated status report indicating the progress of all the departmental enquiries. He further submitted that GAD is constantly monitoring the progress of the departmental enquiries and communications are being flashed to various administrative departments after regular intervals for speeding up the outcome of the enquiries so that directions of the Division Bench are implemented in its letter and spirit.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S S Ahmed and Advocate Ahtsham Bhat, the Division Bench directed General Administration Department to file updated status report within two weeks reflecting the steps taken by the various departments pursuant to the instructions and decisions taken by the GAD with regard to the finalization of 147 departmental enquiries.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel