Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 4: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today observed that investigations should be conducted to find out why large quantity of polythene is being allowed to enter the State through Lakhanpur check post.
The Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court comprising Chief Justice, MM Kumar and Justice Mansoor Ahmad passed the order during the proceedings of the Dal lake case titled, Syed Tahir Iqbal Geelani versus State and others.
As during the proceedings the court was informed by the Advocate General of State, Mohammad Ishaq Qadri that 12,750 kilogrammes of the polythene was seized by various agencies from the entire State, the Chief Justice took serious note of the conduct of the employees of the Lakhanpur toll post.
Chief Justice observed: “It must be looked into as why they are sleeping or either made to sleep. It is time to wake them up.”
The court observed that despite the directions and statutory ban on import and use of polythene, large quantity of polythene has been seized from around the Dal lake area and Srinagar.
While taking strong note of polythene menace, Court directed Advocate General to ascertain as to where from polythene comes into the State. Court observed that recently a truck load of polythene was seized from Lower Munda even as under court directions no polythene is allowed into the State.
Earlier, the AG apprised the court about the steps taken by the Government regarding the alternate carry bags. He said that three types of carry bags are being proposed and one among them is made of resin and starch. However, court was not convinced and favoured cloth and jute bags instead of polythene bags.
The AG inquired from the court, whether polythene bags or all products like packing material for food, milk are banned as well, the court said that such position shall be clarified.
The amacus curie Advocate Zaffar Shah told the court that ban will not have any beneficial impact if polythene is to be used in one form or the other.
The court was informed that Pollution Control Board (PCB) is using different methods to destroy the seized polythene.
The AG told the Court that Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) installed at Dal lake have shown 65-74 per cent efficiency and on June 23 Nishat STP has shown 90 percent efficiency.
The court has also directed the Government to file fresh status report about the rehabilitation and re-location of Dal dwellers.
The court was informed that more land is needed for the re-location and rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers. “So far 1994 structures were dismantled in Dal lake and the families have been rehabilitated. For acquiring a structure or its dismantling the Government provides a plot of land to the family”, court was informed.
The AG told the court that Houseboat Owners Association is deferring the relocation of the houseboats on one pretext or the other.
The court has directed that no car washing should be allowed around any water body of the State. Court has directed the Government to file report about the long term and short term measures to be taken for stopping such practice. It has directed that car washing around water bodies be monitored and stopped.
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