Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 7: The state high court has directed personal appearance of deputy commissioner, Gandebral, on June 28 next for not filing compliance report regarding felling down of Russain poplar trees.
Hearing a writ petition, a single bench of the court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir also sought fresh compliance report from all the deputy commissioners by next date of hearing.
Except DC Ganderbal, all others DCs filed compliance report. After perusal of the compliance report by DC, Baramulla, the court said that was somewhat satisfactory and asked the DC to provide tehsil-wise progress about cutting down of the poplar trees by next date of hearing.
In his compliance report, Anantnag DC provided tehsil-wise position in axing the trees and the court found that in some tehsils progress had been slow while in Bijbehara, Dooru, Mattan, Shahabad Bala and Larnoo, the position was "very disturbing".
"Figures of these tehsils given in the report suggest that tehsildars of the tehsils have not been careful enough to ensure compliance," the court said and directed the DC to impress upon all tehsildars to show substantial progress and to file latest status by next date of hearing.
With regard to district Bandipora, the court said that compliance report was casual and not in tune with its directions.
"The DC shall remain personally present on the next date to explain about the measures taken for ensuring complete compliance of the orders of this ourt," the court said.
Regarding Budgam, the court said that drive for ensuring complete compliance of court's directions was wanting.
"On the next date, if performance will be the same, personal appearance of DC shall be indispensable," the court said.
In its compliance report, the deputy commissioner Pulwama said that several Committees have been constituted to meet the 'fixed target' for cutting down 4,03,200 Russian poplars.
"The Deputy Commissioner shall file latest status, by or before July 4 so as to show whether the target has been achieved or not," the court said.
DC, Kulgam, said that that by May 13, 2016, 1,88,027 Russian poplars had been felled in the district. He said that convergence meeting would be held to formulate a strategic plan for the removal of nurseries with Russian poplars which were in abundance in Qaimoh Tehsil. "On the next date of hearing, DC shall file latest status report, indicating steps and measures taken for removal of nuisance in the form of nurseries with Russian Poplars," the court said.
In his compliance report, DC Srinagar has revealed that various measures have been taken but the court said follow up was lacking.
"Detailed report shall be filed by the DC on or before next date of hearing wherein it shall be clearly indicated as to what has been the follow up on the basis of instructions and directions which he had issued to various subordinate authorities as well as to various Heads of Departments," the court said, adding that in case of any default, he shall have to remain personally present before the court.
DC, Shopain, submitted that tehsil level committees had been constituted to ensure strict compliance of the court directions. "One month's time is granted for filing latest status about the removal of nuisance," the court said.
It also directed DC, Kupwara, to file latest status report, indicating as to what has been the follow up and the progress on axing the trees. |
