Srinagar, Nov 11: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday gave “last opportunity” to government to file compliance report, disclosing the policy regarding retention or otherwise of the ministerial bungalows and other accommodation of the estates department by the former ministers, ex- MLAs, retired IAS Officers, MLCs and political persons in J&K.
As soon as the case came up for hearing, Senior Additional Advocate General B. A. Dar sought some more time to update the compliance report regarding eviction of the former ministers, ex-MLAs, retired IAS Officers, MLCs and political persons who are still unauthorizedly residing in ministerial bungalows as well as A, B and C-type accommodation of the Estates Department, both at Jammu as well as Srinagar and recovery of outstanding amount from the authorized and unauthorized occupants.
On being asked as to why time was sought again and again for updating the compliance despite there being repeated directions from the Court, B A Dar submitted that he was making such request only on the instructions of the authorities in the Estates Department.
In view of the approach adopted by the authorities, the court felt need to apprise the Advocate General of the issue involved and requested him to render the assistance in the matter so as to facilitate an early and speedy decision in the case.
Accordingly, the Advocate General appeared before the Court through Virtual Mode and ensures that an updated Compliance Report, in tune with the directions passed by the Court from time to time, will be filed by the next date of hearing.
“Given the submission made by the Advocate General, two months last opportunity is granted to the respondents (authorities) to submit the updated Compliance Report, thereby disclosing the policy of the Government qua retention or otherwise of the Ministerial Bungalows as well as A, B and C-type accommodation of the Estates Department by the Former Ministers/ Former MLAs/Retired IAS Officers/ MLCs/Political Persons, both at Jammu as well as in Srinagar,” the court said and posted the matter on February 3.
