Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 30: As the High Court today reserved its orders on PIL regarding conservation and protection of famous Dal lake, the amicus curie submitted before the Court that the Government has desperately failed on all fronts to restore the glory of the lake despite voluminous orders passed by the court.
Amicus Curie and Senior Counsel Z A Shah suggested the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M K Hanjura that all the Commissioner Secretaries including Chief Secretary be summoned before the Court and full Court be constituted for restoration of Dal lake as for last 16 years despite hundreds of orders nothing has changed on the ground.
Amicus Shah expressed his deep concern over the non compliance of Court orders with regard to safeguarding and restoration of the lake to its original position. He informed the bench that since 2002, hundreds of brilliant orders were passed by the Court which culminated into 7 volumes and despite that nothing much has been achieved so far.
He submitted that all the committees which have been constituted by the Government or directed to be constituted by the court have become useless and defunct as only paper work is being done and nothing on ground level.
He informed the Court that there is lack of commitment, sincerity and will in the Government. With regard to formation of legislation for protection of water bodies, Amicus Shah informed the Court that one year has lapsed when Government undertook to pass legislation in this regard and “I personally requested the concerned higher ups to give their suggestions so that the legislation could be formed but nothing is in black and white till date.”
With regard to Monitoring Committee which was constituted by the orders of the Court to remove the bottlenecks, Advocate Shah submitted that committee has till date not given any results.
It is on the recommendations of Scientific Advisory Committee, Advocate Shah said that the Government was to procure machinery by March this year for de-weeding but the same is still a dream.
Referring the Vigilance Commissioners report who have visited the lake and while making inspection to various areas of the lake found violation of law as also to court directions.
Advocate General to some extent admitted that the Court directions are not fully complied with but said, the Government is exploring possibilities to save the lake. He added that Cabinet would take a call for procuring machinery for de-weeding. Court observed to him: “We want change on ground. Meetings will not suffice. 16 years have passed there is no change except holding of meetings”.
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