Srinagar, August 12 (GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed Collector LAWDA to provide details as regards delay in acquisition proceedings as well as cases pending in courts to Principal District Judge Srinagar.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Puneet Gupta passed the direction after perusal of a report filed by the Vice Chairman LAWDA pointed out “an important issue which is causing delay in taking measures for addressing the flow of untreated sewage into the Dal Lake and the issue of severe delay in the rehabilitation process”.
The VC pointed out that the delay due to incompletion of the land acquisition proceedings including litigation which are pending before the District Courts at Srinagar.
He said that the delay in completing the acquisition has also impeded laying of trunk sewer lines and setting up of STPs.
“The Collector, LAWDA, shall prepare complete details regarding delay in acquisition proceedings which have been initiated and are pending at the level of Collector, LAWDA and complete details of land acquisition cases including details of the Courts,” the court said as per GNSs and asked the Collector to furnish the details to Principal District Judge, Srinagar.
“It is directed that cases involving any aspect of acquisition of land which is required for any Dal Lake related matter, including rehabilitation project, shall proceed on a day to day to basis, unless the same has to be adjourned for a longer period for reasons which shall be recorded by the Court concerned,” the division bench said.
The court directed that the Principal District Judge Srinagar, being the Nodal Officer, shall be responsible for ensuring that the order was communicated to all courts and “also monitor the proceedings in this regard.” “The Principal District Judge, Srinagar, shall also take steps for consolidation of all matters relating to Dal Lake in one Court to ensure that there is no conflict of judgement and that the cases are decided expeditiously.” (GNS)
