PIL regarding widening of Amphalla-Janipur road
*Imposes Rs 20,000 cost on officer
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 18: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Citizens Forum seeking widening of Amphalla-Janipur and Janipur-High Court roads, Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice (A) Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sanjay Dhar has expressed displeasure over non-serious approach of the concerned authorities.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “this court vide order dated 19th March 2019 had directed that a status report shall be filed within two weeks failing which cost of Rs 20,000 would be imposed”, adding “time to file status report was sought on 16th July, 20th August, 20th September, 16th October, 29th November 2019 and 21st August 2020”.
“Neither the status report nor the plan in question has been filed till date. In view thereof, cost of Rs 20,000 is imposed which will be recovered from the officer who is responsible for all these delays”, the DB said, adding “the cost shall be deposited to the Advocate’s Welfare Fund within two weeks from today”.
“The status report shall accompany proof of deposit of costs. It is made clear that the costs imposed will not be waived under any circumstances”, the DB said, adding “this writ petition is pending since the year 2013 and pertains to construction of a flyover for a critical area”.
The DB further observed, “though the status report filed by the respondents is on record, however, there is nothing to suggest that the costs have been deposited and the case was taken up twice. However, no one has appeared for the respondents. This is the conduct of the respondents despite strong observations made by this court on 04.06.2019 and 12.10.2020 in the present petition and also in OWP titled as National India Construction Company Versus State of J&K and others decided on December 09, 2020”.
“This only shows the sad state of affairs possibly for the reason that no one is held responsible for sleeping over the matters and not even assisting the court in important matters. As a result of which, the processes are delayed. All accuse the courts only for delaying the process of justice. No one knows that many times delays are caused on account of lack of assistance by the Government or delay in filing the pleadings”, the DB observed, adding “there is nothing on record to suggest as to whether costs imposed by this court have been recovered from the officer”.
Accordingly, DB directed that a copy of this order be sent to the Chief Secretary for taking appropriate action in the matter against the guilty officers so that there is some change in mindset and they start justifying the fat salaries being received by them from the exchequer which is funded by taxpayers’ money.
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