Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 3: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the Government to provide full particulars of those Chief Engineers and Junior Engineers of Irrigation and Flood Control Department who were posted since 1996 in the areas through which river Jhelum flows.
“The Place of posting with the tenure of posting be also provided and complete address of all these officers be provided to the Registry with four weeks”, the Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed to Commissioner Secretary I&FC Department.
Court also directed Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Pulwama to file fresh status reports indicating therein latest action taken in removing the encroachments on the banks of river Jhelum and its tributaries.
Court in other direction, ordered Inspector General of Police Kashmir range to provide all necessary assistance to all the authorities who are removing the encroachments from River Jhelum, Canals and water bodies.
Court also directed Advocate General Jehangir Ganie to file his suggestion in writing about the preservation of retrieved land “Learned Advocate General to file his suggestions in writing in terms of previous order about the preservation of the land which has been retrieved from the illegal occupation”, court said these suggestions be filed before the next date as he was asked to inform the court on next date as to how and in which manner the water bodies are being protected after removal of encroachments and will be protected in future.
Court deferred the consideration on replies of those 53 engineers of I&FC department to whom show cause notices were issued earlier by the court for absolute dereliction of their duty in protecting the water bodies from the encroachments in the Valley and had sought explanation from them as to why they be not imposed fine of Rs 25 lakhs to each for negligence during their service period.
Court among these 53 engineers exempted two engineers namely Abdul Majid and Manzoor Ahmad from personal appearance before the court till further orders, in view of their age. Court further added that previous directions passed from time to time in the Instant PIL are reiterated.
Court has taken serious view in the instant PIL about shrinking and dying of water bodies because of insatiable human greed and negligence of authorities who are deputed for the said purpose.
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