Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 5: High Court today directed the Government to ensure strict implementation of its orders on the operation of stone quarries on forest, Kacharia and Shamilat land in the State.
A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, issued the orders after counsel for petitioners, Ghulam Murtaza, argued before the court that orders are being “violated with impunity.”
“We hope that M I Qadri, Advocate General, shall ensure strict implementation of the court directions through all concerned authorities, which may include both Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir,” the bench said.
The court further directed the compliance report about implementation be filed by next date.
The court, in its previous hearing, had directed all the Deputy Commissioners to submit status report on the operation of stone quarrying on forest land. However, the court observed no such reports have been filed till date. The court granted four weeks to the Government to file the report about framing of rules under Section 5 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act) -1957.
The petitioner thorough his other counsel, Advocate Zaffar Shah, raised the issue of rehabilitation of owners affected by stopping stone quarrying.
Advocate General argued apart form the interest of those (affected) persons, Government also requires utilization of natural resources, therefore, he (AG) wants to file pleadings about the stand of Government in this regard.
The Bench said M I Qadri shall be at liberty to file requisite response and suggestions within four weeks.
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