Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Nadeem Rafiq Hussain Khan, a practicing advocate, seeking direction to State to implement National Land Records Modernization Programme formulated by Union Ministry of Rural Development, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today issued notices to Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, J&K, Financial Commissioner Revenue J&K and Settlement Commissioner returnable within three weeks.
During the course of hearing, Advocate Munish Sharma appearing for the PIL submitted, “it is very unfortunate that when the whole world is entering into an era of modern technology, the Revenue Department of J&K is still living in medieval period”, adding “the petitioner has also made representations to the respondents but no active step has been taken to ameliorate the grievances of the public”.
Referring to news-item carried by EXCELSIOR in its edition dated December 17, 2014, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that State Government has surrendered Rs 988.56 lakh as it failed to utilize this amount received from the Government of India.
“EXCELSIOR has also highlighted the non seriousness of State Government in implementing this important programme by pointing out that 200 officials engaged for settlement operation have been shifted to run the newly created administrative units”, he further said, adding “this newspaper also published another new-item on March 23, 2016 highlighting that maximum posts of Regional Directors – a Nodal Functionary in the implementation of this programme, are lying vacant”.
After hearing Advocate Munish Sharma appearing for the PIL, DB issued notices to Secretary Ministry of Rural Development of Govt of India, Commissioner/ Secretary, Revenue Department J&K, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) J&K and Settlement Commissioner J&K returnable within three weeks. They have been directed to file response to the petition.
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