Srinagar May 31: Considering the amount of filth and profuse growth of weeds in Dal Lake the High Court today observed that there is lack of will power on part of the government to take effective measures to clean the water body.
The Court reminded of the protraction of the petition seeking prevention of the lake from extinction and said, “this writ petition is pending before this Court since 2002 and 16 years have passed. However, the progress made for de-weeding of the lake as well as removal of encroachment and to prevent pollution has been far from satisfactory”.
It observed that despite constitution of the State level Monitoring Committee (of which Amicus Curiae is also a member) which was supposed to submit recommendations on a monthly basis, “unfortunately, no progress has been made on this front as well”.
“This shows lack of will power on the part of the executive to take effective measures to clean the Dal Lake”, it observed.
The court regretted that although the equipments for cleaning the Lake were to be procured by the month of March this year, yet till day, nothing in the matter has been done.
It reminded of the last month order that had directed the state cabinet to take a decision in the light of the recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Committee as well as the State Level Monitoring Committee and expressed its unhappiness that no action has been initiated so far.
The court directed execution of all its directions and orders passed on the petition and compliance report within four weeks.
“This direction is being issued to fix the responsibility of the concerned individuals and authorities so as to ensure this Court to pass effective orders in the matter so that a change at the ground is witnessed instead of holding the meetings inside the offices”, it ordered.
