Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 13: High Court today directed the Government to submit an action plan with regard to public toilets and latrines in the State before it by next date.
Hearing the PIL after multi-crore embezzlement of public exchequer was unearthed in PHE Department of Handwara Division way back in the year 2014 and extending its scope to supply of pure water and other basic amenities to the general public, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar directed the PHE authorities to place before the Court on next date the action plan indicating there-in the location of public toilets so far built for the general public in the State.
The direction followed after the PHE counsel submitted that as directed by the court all the toilets and latrines situated on river banks have been demolished and alternate facilities have been constructed for the general public on feasible locations.
Court has observed that it is imperative for the authorities to make availability of public toilets for the convenience of public. Court had warned for initiation of contempt proceedings against all the concerned officials with the observation as it is a matter of serious concern as the water bodies are main source of drinking water for consumption of the inhabitants of the State.
The drinking water scheme in Handwara division was carried under National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP) but the amount which was to be incurred on the said scheme has been embezzled by the officials of PHE Department due to which the project has not been completed and today extending the scope of the PIL Court directed for appraisal of other water schemes in the valley from the CE.
It may be mentioned here that approximately Rs 45 crores of money has been swindled and the money was meant for the scheme launched under NRDWP to provide the drinking water to the people of district Handwara and its adjoining hilly areas.
The Anti Corruption Bureau which is the investigating agency in the matter has in its latest report has revealed that four Executive Engineers namely Mohammad Afzal Rather, Iftikhar Ahmad Wani, Zaffar Ahmad Fakhtoo and Siraj-ud-din Shah have been identified so far who were posted in PHE division Handwara from 2012 to 2017 have accorded approval/extention in violation of codal formalities. ACB submitted that status of further investigation into the scam be submitted before the court.
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