Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: The High Court today directed the Government to file latest status report regarding rehabilitation of those stone quarry holders whose quarries have been closed down by the authorities.
Division Bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation titled Sofi Arif Maqbool versus State seeking direction upon the State for stopping of quarrying which is being carried within demarcated forest area.
Court has been apprised by petitioner counsel Ghulam Murtaza that by virtue of direction passed on August 23 authorities were required to file the fresh status report indicating as to what steps have been taken for rehabilitation of those whose stone quarry units were closed and no report so far has been filed.
Division Bench of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed in case the report is not filed by next date of hearing then all the concerned shall appear in person before the court.
“In case report is not filed then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commissioner Secretary Forest, Deputy Commissioners of all concerned districts, Financial Commissioner Industries and Commerce Department, Commissioner Secretary Revenue and others have to remain present before the court on December 26,” the Division Bench said.
In compliance of earlier direction of the Court, affidavit filed by the State revealed that a meeting of the committee constituted was held on April this year for rehabilitation of the affected persons and Court has been also apprised about the next meeting held in the same month just after 10 days of first meeting.
Till date no fresh status report has been filed as to what steps have been taken and what decision has been taken by the authorities for rehabilitation of those whose stone quarry units were closed.
Earlier Court had expressed its dissatisfaction on various reports of various Deputy Commissioners of the State regarding illegal stone quarrying in demarcated forest and had directed for filing of better status report by next date.
However, no progress with regard to decisions has been provided to court till date in the form of status report and the then Advocate General of the state was asked for filing of a comprehensive status report in this regard.
It may be mentioned that a committee of the officers headed by Financial Commissioner (I&C) and comprising Commissioner Secretary Revenue and Secretary Forest Department as members was constituted to study the issue regarding the rehabilitation of the affected persons, if any, on the basis of inputs to be furnished by Geology and Mining Department.
With regard to the progress vis-a-vis decisions taken by the Committee headed by Chief Secretary, no further inputs have been provided to the Court till date.
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