lsquoGovernment officials reluctant to stop illegal activitiesrsquo

  • | Tuesday | 10th July, 2018

We would not hesitate in expressing our displeasure on this count. No explanation is coming forth,” it added.Court said that if no such action is taken, it would not hesitate in stopping the salary of the concerned secretary and asked to file the affidavit within two weeks.“Noticing absolute apathy on part of the government in taking action against any of its officer, official, we do not hesitate to record that despite prodding, the secretary, town and country planning has not taken any action. SHIMLA: A division bench of acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, on Friday, ordered the director (town and country planning) and commissioner, municipal corporation, Dharamshala, to supply list of all officers of the rank of junior engineers and above, posted within the municipal limits of Dharamshala since 2010, along with their tenure and place of posting.Expressing its displeasure, the court observed that the government officials were reluctant to stop illegal constructions and indiscriminate felling of trees in Dharamshala.“We are of the view that it is only when the Court is passing orders, the officers, officials are taking action, rather reluctantly. In fact, we are of the view that salaries of all the persons who are supposed to monitor the construction activities, should be withheld, for they have failed to discharge their duties,” it added.During the hearing, the amicus curiae had pointed out that there had been a complete failure on all counts and it was only when this court passed an order on November 3, 2015, that the government took decision of posting a tree officer.The division bench said this court had indicated the factum of indiscriminate felling of trees in and around Dharamshala, posing threat to the environment and ecology.“Only thereafter did the state post certain officers in the office of the municipal corporation, Dharamshala to monitor illicit felling of trees and raising unauthorised constructions,” it said.

SHIMLA: A division bench of acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, on Friday, ordered the director (town and country planning) and commissioner, municipal corporation, Dharamshala, to supply list of all officers of the rank of junior engineers and above, posted within the municipal limits of Dharamshala since 2010, along with their tenure and place of posting.Expressing its displeasure, the court observed that the government officials were reluctant to stop illegal constructions and indiscriminate felling of trees in Dharamshala.“We are of the view that it is only when the Court is passing orders, the officers, officials are taking action, rather reluctantly. Why so? No explanation is coming forth,” it added.Court said that if no such action is taken, it would not hesitate in stopping the salary of the concerned secretary and asked to file the affidavit within two weeks.“Noticing absolute apathy on part of the government in taking action against any of its officer, official, we do not hesitate to record that despite prodding, the secretary, town and country planning has not taken any action. We would not hesitate in expressing our displeasure on this count. In fact, we are of the view that salaries of all the persons who are supposed to monitor the construction activities, should be withheld, for they have failed to discharge their duties,” it added.During the hearing, the amicus curiae had pointed out that there had been a complete failure on all counts and it was only when this court passed an order on November 3, 2015, that the government took decision of posting a tree officer.The division bench said this court had indicated the factum of indiscriminate felling of trees in and around Dharamshala, posing threat to the environment and ecology.“Only thereafter did the state post certain officers in the office of the municipal corporation, Dharamshala to monitor illicit felling of trees and raising unauthorised constructions,” it said.

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