Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 18: The State High Court today directed the Court Vigilance Commissioners to visit the Dal lake and verify whether the land mass recovered from encroachers has been added to water body or not and report the court about the encroachments in and around the Lake.
The Division Bench of Justice Hasnain Masoodi and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the Court Vigilance Commissioners to visit the lake and report about the position of acquired structures.
“The Court Vigilance Commissioners shall visit the lake to find out whether land mass that has become available after removal of acquired structures has been added to the water body and to report the encroachments, if any, made thereof”, the DB said.
The Court Commissioners appointed comprising a retired district judge and retired police officer were entrusted with the work of having vigil in and around the lake about any kind of illegal structure, transportation of building material and verifying whether court directions passed from time to time are carried with or not.
The High Court was mulling to proceed against the authorities who have failed to file status report for one reason or the other about the steps taken towards implementing previous court directions regarding Dal lake but the Advocate General gave assurance to the court that the directions would be complied with in letter and spirit and comprehensive report in this behalf from all concerned will be filed well before next date of hearing.
Court also sought report from the LAWDA indicating therein difficulties and impediments faced and met by them while speeding up the acquisition of structures within the lake area.
Vice Chairman LAWDA, Sarmand Hafeez, informed the court that he requested to all concerned departments to order repatriation of deputationists who are working in LAWDA for more than 3 years and have completed their deputation so that directions of court are carried out.
Court in this regard directed the Commissioner Secretaries R&B (PWD), I&FC and PHE to immediately act upon the request made by the VC LAWDA for repatriation of deputationists in LAWDA which have already completed their 3 years on deputation in the department.
Court earlier had directed LAWDA officials to send back those officers who have been posted in LAWDA on deputation or otherwise for the purpose of vigil on illegal activities for more than three years to their respective departments immediately as these officers make relations and acquaintance with the violators and come under their influence as such replace them by those officers who are honest and have not served the LAWDA till date.
Court gave liberty to VC LAWDA to inform it about continuation of a few deputationists that according to him (VC) are to be retained beyond their deputation period in LAWDA. “This information should be duly supported by reason”, court said.
Court is dealing with a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Law student about the protection and conservation of world famous tourist destination Dal Lake.
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