Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: In a petition filed by Bar Association Jammu regarding construction of lawyers’ chambers and parking place in court complex Janipur, Division Bench of State High Court Comprising Chief Justice N Paul and Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today directed Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) to remain present before the court on April 20 for reporting commencement of the work.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, President of the Bar Association made suggestions for expediting the finishing works of the Lawyers’ Chambers at Jammu and regulating the traffic by providing more parking area to the Advocates. He also submitted that parking area has already been identified and if black-topping is made the area can be utilized for parking.
On the other hand, Senior Advocate DC Raina appearing for the JKPCC, submitted that an amount of Rs 9.08 crore was sanctioned and paid for construction of lawyers’ chambers as against the value of the work performed to the tune of Rs.11.16 crore as on March 31, 2015. “The Corporation requires eight months (till November 2015) for completion of the project, if full account of revised cost is made available and the amounts are received in the month of April”, he added.
Senior AAG Gagan Basotra appearing for the State submitted that an amount of Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned and adjusted towards payment to J&K Project Construction Corporation Limited. He sought some time to get further instructions.
About black-topping the road leading to the new parking area, Mr Basotra produced the order dated 25.3.2015 sanctioning a sum of Rs 50 lakh for the year 2014-2015 and submitted that the work will commence within two weeks through the Public Works Department pending sanction of further amounts.
After gone through the submissions of rival counsel, Division Bench directed Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) to remain present before the court on April 20 for reporting commencement of the work. In the meanwhile, DB directed Bar Association Jammu to make some interim arrangements to regulate the traffic congestion.
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