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| Amarnath petition now listed on Sept 17 | | No road construction, Govt to focus on facilities: CS | | early times report
Srinagar, Sept 9 (KNS): Amid accusations and clarifications on Amarnath road construction controversy, the Supreme Court of India will now hear the case on September 17 instead of the September 10, on account of non-availability of the bench which had heard the case earlier. Meanwhile, the State Government has made clear that it had no intention of constructing a permanent road along the cave route.
"The matter has been mentioned by Vernika, Tomar, learned counsel on behalf of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and it is pointed out that the matter is listed on September 10, 2012 before this Bench. As the matter has been heard substantially by a different combination (Dr. Justice B.S. Chauhan and Justice Swatanter Kumar), it is desirable that the matter may be listed on September 17, 2012 at 2.00 p.m before the same Bench", reads an order passed by the Supreme Court on September 7 with regard to Suo moto writ Petition 284 of 2012.
"In the meantime, parties are at liberty to file additional document / affidavit / report for compliance", the order adds.
Meanwhile, the State Government has reiterated that it has no intentions or plans of constructing a permanent road along the cave route. "The rumours of the Government preparing to construct a permanent road in the cave area are baseless, and do not carry any weight", Chief Secretary Madhav Lal told a local news agency today.
The top bureaucrat said that the case was coming up for hearing in Supreme Court and the State Government would keenly observe the outcome out of the hearing. "The Supreme Court had directed to constitute a Special High Power Committee (SHPC) for devising the plans for Yatra, and the State Government acted accordingly", said Lal.
He, however, was quick to add that there was scope for improvement in the arrangements and healthcare facilities for the Yatris which is being looked into. "We have been improving the facilities provided to Yatris every year and this will continue in future also", the Chief Secretary added.
On July 13th, while taking note of these deaths the Supreme Court had issued notice to the State and the Central governments apart from the Amarnath shrine board, seeking details of medical and other arrangements made available to the yatris.
In its order, the court had raised seven queries for the respondents to answer.
The seven questions pertained issues regarding the yatra like medical facilities, essential amenities, waste disposal, critical healthcare, high casualty rate and allowing excessive number of yatris to visit the cave shrine at one time.
Subsequently, on July 20, the Supreme Court constituted a Special High Power Committee (SHPC) asking it 'to visit the site, examine various facets and submit its suggestions in the form of a report', in order to enable the court to pass appropriate directions. Without limiting the scope of suggestions by the SHPC, the Supreme Court had said, "The inspection by the SHPC and its suggestions should be aimed at protecting the interest of the yatris, ensuring proper management, due regard to environmental protection and ensure health care."
The State Chief Secretary had been appointed by the SC as the nodal officer of the SHPC with the responsibility to presenting the report prepared by it before the Supreme Court. Subsequently, the SHPC comprising top officials of State and Central governments apart from the security agencies visited the yatra route and the holy cave on July 28, to take first hand stock of situation, in accordance with court orders which had asked the committee to specifically take up the visit while the yatra was still going on.
Official sources said the SHPC has submitted its interim report to the Supreme Court of India and the final report is being prepared. The report should be ready for submission in time before the next date of hearing, they added.
Pertinently the hearing in the apex court comes up at a time when various Separatist parties and Civil Society have accused the Government of concealing the plans of constructing a permanent road leading to the hilly cave shrine.
However, the Government had come up with a clarification, saying that no directions of constructing a road in the cave area had come from any quarter.
"We haven't received any such proposal or direction from any quarter." State Forest and Environment Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad said early this week.
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