Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today disposed of a Public Interest Litigation seeking strict implementation of the provisions of the Essential Services (Maintenance) Ordinance, 2001 to ensure clean and healthy environment to the public at large in Jammu city.
After hearing Advocate Meenakshi Salathia appearing for the PIL, the DB observed, “pursuant to earlier direction status report has been filed by the respondents”, adding “it is evident that the Jammu Municipal Corporation has levied user charges in 71 wards whereby the residents/business establishments are paying the sanitation charges for the municipal service”.
During the current financial year 2014-15, these efforts have been further supplemented to ensure improvement in the municipal service. The Corporation has introduced 14 tricycle Rickshaws in certain localities of the city for easy collection of garbage. Further 57 garbage bins, in addition to the existing stocks, and 20 twin bins have been installed during the last three months for effective collection and disposal of garbage.
“In the light of the steps taken by the Corporation, this court is satisfied with the stand taken by Jammu Municipal Corporation in the status report. The Corporation must introduce twin bins in the remaining wards also for collection and disposal of the garbage within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order”, the DB said.
It was, however, made clear that, if there is any laxity on the part of the Corporation, it will be open for the petitioners to bring it to the notice of this court. With these observations, Division Bench disposed of the PIL.