| DB directs Law, Forest secretaries to appear in person on June 2 | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 31: A Division Bench of the state high court today directed Secretaries of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Forest Department to show cause as to why they should not be punished for court contempt for non-compliance of its directions last year regarding regularization of a law officer in the forest department.
Division Bench of the court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey also directed the two officers to appear before it in person on June 2 at 2 p.m.
The direction came in after Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department filed an application, seeking extension in time for the implementation of the division bench's judgment on 19 May 2015.
However, the GAD secretary stated in the application that law department returned petitioner-Rabia Shah's file, advising it to place the matter before an empowered committee by downgrading the post held by her to the pay scale of Rs 6500-10500 in consultation with Finance Department.
"The stand taken by the Law, Justice and Parliamentary department, is directly in conflict with the directions of the court. Thus Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, is also impleaded respondent. In such circumstances, the Secretary, Law Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, as well as the Secretary, Forest Department, are directed to appear in person before this court on 02 June 2016 at 2 p.m. and show cause as to why they should not be punished for committing contempt of the court," the Division Bench said.
Last year, the court had directed government through chief secretary to issue order of regularization in favour of petitioner within four weeks and that she was to be given all consequential benefits which she is entitled to.
According to the petitioner, the post was substantively vacant and available and she continues to hold the post. As her services were not been regularized, she had a petition in 1991 and prayed for regularization of her services. At that time, the petitioner said, concerned authorities promised to considered her grievance and she withdrew the petition in 1999. later, the Principal Secretary Forest Department, passed an order, according sanction to the petitioner's placement in the pay scale of Rs. 6500-10500 for a period of six months or till the post was filled up by the competent authority under rules. |
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