| HC pulls up DC Srinagar, asks him to file better affidavit | | | S Sabaqat
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: A Division Bench of High Court today pulled up Deputy Commissioner Srinagar for not complying with its orders regarding implementation of notices sent by Pollution Control Board to various hotels in Srinagar.
Observing that the Deputy Commissioner has convened meeting of hoteliers who were to suspend their operation instead of implementing the directions by the court, the division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Muzaffar Hussain Attar said, "The Deputy Commissioner is duty bound to implement court orders. He has convened the meeting as if he is a politician."
Following the observation by the court, Senior Additional Advocate General J A Kawoosa, representing the state, prayed the court that the Deputy Commissioner may be allowed to file a better affidavit. The bench allowed the prayer and asked to him to file the better affidavit.
On last date of hearing, Advocate General had informed the court that copies of the notices have been sent to District Magistrate Srinagar. However it was not revealed as to what the District Magistrate has done.
Therefore, the court direct that these notices be implemented without any further loss of time and help may be taken from the DGP.
Earlier, it its compliance report, the PCB had stated that in Srinagar, as per the record of the board, there are over 700 hotels which are functional.
"In category A (having more than 20 rooms) the number of hotels is 242 whereas in category B (having less than 19 but more than 6 rooms) the number of hotels is 492," the court said after the perusal of the compliance report filed by PCB.
In the category-A hotels, PCB said 119 are operating without consent and 108 of them sans Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP).
Accordingly, the hotels operating without STPs were issued notices with the stipulation that their commercial operation is directed to be suspended forthwith.
In another direction, the court granted one more month to Chief Town Planner to complete Gulmarg Master Plan.
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation, seeking directions to protect Gulmarg ski-resort from pollution and illegal constructions. |
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