| HC expresses displeasure over non-filing of status reports by secys of revenue, finance, housing deptts | | PIL on delay in finalisation of 147 departmental inquiries | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 24: In a PIL highlighting delay in finalisation of 147 departmental inquiries pending against officers occupying responsible positions in the state administration, a high court division bench of Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat expressed displeasure over non-filing of the status reports in this regard by the secretaries of finance, revenue and housing & urban development departments.
The bench noted with concern that the secretaries did not file status reports despite the categoric directions issued by it on February 10, 2016 when a detailed order was passed impleading 13 administrative secretaries as respondents in the publicized PIL. The bench had directed the advocate general to get details from the 13 administrative secretarieswithin two weeks and in case the latter don't furnish him the details, the bench had directed the personal appearance of the concerned secretary.
Today, when the PIL was taken up for hearing, the petitioners' counsels told the court that out of the 13 newly impleaded administrative secretaries, 10, including the secretaries of Industries and Commerce, Agriculture Production, Social Welfare, School Education Department, Technical Education/Youth Services and Sports, Higher Education Department, PWD, CAPD, PHE and Planning and Development Department had filed status reports indicating the latest position of pending departmental inquiries. However, the secretaries of Finance, Revenue and Housing and Urban Development Department had not filed their status reports nor were they present in person before the court.
One of the counsels submitted that status reports had also not been filed by secretaries of Home, Health and Medical Education, Special Tribunal, Cooperative Department, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Rural Development Department, Forest Department and Tourism Department.
He said as per the status report filed on April 21, 2014 by GAD, nine departmental inquiries were pending in Health and Medical Education Department, six in Cooperative Department, 12 in Housing and Urban Development Department, 1 in Special Tribunal, 2 in Home Department, 17 in Rural Development Department and 12 in Forest Department.
After hearing the senior AAG appearing for the state, the bench allowed allowed time till February 29, 2016 to file the status reports on behalf of the secretaries of Finance, Revenue and Housing and Urban Development Department.
The petitioner's counsel requested the bench that secretaries of left over departments be also impleaded as respondents in the PIL and directions be given to them to submit the status of the pending inquiries. He said the secretaries of Home, Health and Medical Education, Special Tribunal, Cooperative Department, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Rural Development Department, Forest Department and Tourism Department be arrayed as respondents.
The bench allowed him to make a proper application for impleading the left over departments before the next date of hearing. —JNF |
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