HC directs concerned to file response within two weeks
“Construction of stadium on the banks of river Lidder”
Srinagar: J&K High Court has directed the authorities to file response within two weeks in a petition seeking direction to stop construction of a stadium on the banks of river Lidder in Pahalgam tourist resort.
Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by Pahalgam Peoples Welfare Organization, a non profit organization, Justice Sanjay Dhar directed the additional advocate general (AAG) M A Chashoo to file his report within two weeks if any stadium is being constructed within the prohibited area of the river.
The direction was issued in an application by Bhat Fayaz Ahmad counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners praying that the construction of a stadium on the banks of Lidder Nallah be directed to be stopped immediately.
The lawyer said that the construction is in contravention of the order of J&K High Court which puts a blanket ban on construction within a radius of 200 meters of River Lidder on either side.
During the hearing of the case the court was informed that with regard to the quashing of the Master Plan 2005-2025 for Pahalgam a new and revised Master Plan 2015-2032 has been enforced.
On the issue of cancellation of the fake and fraudulent gift deeds allegedly manipulated by the officers involved with the earlier Master Plan, the court was informed by the AAG “appropriate action in accordance with law has been taken for the cancellation of the effect of the said gift deeds and that the mutation entries in that regard has been reversed”.
He assured the court that relevant orders passed by the concerned authorities for changing the revenue entries will be brought on record within two weeks.
It is mentionable that the government in November 2020 had constituted a 12-member committee headed by Principal Secretary Revenue to examine loss caused to the public exchequer by the continuous occupation of the government land by the erstwhile leases and licensees.
Consequent upon OWP (PIL) No 484/2020 titled Pahalgam Peoples Welfare Organisation versus State of J&K and others, the General Administration Department (GAD) had constituted the committee for the implementation of the order of the J&K High Court.
Rashid Paul is Associate Editor at Kashmir Images.
He can be reached at [email protected]
