KL Report
SRINAGAR
“The government of J&K has failed to discharge its constitutional duty to constitute State Disaster Management Authority for handling the situation created by devastating floods and rains in J&K, twice, within seven months. Supreme Court of India in response to JKNPP writ petition had directed the State Govt. to constitute State Disaster Management Committee as early as 24th September, 2014 when the Supreme Court constituted five-member committee representing both High Court Bar Associations in Srinagar and Jammu to monitor the relief and rehabilitation work,” Prof Bhim Singh said in a statement.
He said in this report the representatives of Govt. of India (one), Govt. of J&K (one), Senior Registrar of High Court (Convenor) and two High Court Bar Association Presidents from Srinagar and Jammu Wings of the High Court remained kept ideal for nearly seven months and not a single meeting was held because the State leaders had no time to do so.
“The money rushed from New Delhi in the name of Chief Minister’s Fund has not been transferred to State Disaster Management Authority and the Authority did not find its existence anywhere,” he alleged.
Singh accused the State Govt. for its utter failure as the two party coalition government has been busy in “distributing portfolios and sharing loot and jobs in the Govt. Departments”.
“The government in seven months could not careless for the warning issued by Meteorological Department on its weather forecast. Kashmir is likely to face the situation it experienced in September 2014 floods and Jammu is under threat of floods and rains and the entire state is facing threat to the existence of its entire population,” he further said.
He pointed out that water outlets in the Valley were closed by illegal and undue construction by private and public sectors on the state land which was distributed/leased out/sold to the vested interest by the state at throw away prices.
“The illegal construction resulted in closing the water outlets which was proved during the devastating floods in September last year. The hills of Jammu region are under threat because of the deforestation of its jungles by the politicians/contractors and their agents aided and abetted by the ruling parties in the state.”
“JKNPP shall file additional petition seeking a strong authority under Governor’s authority so that State Disaster Management Authority turns meaningful and affective. So that strong measures could be adopted to save the people of J&K from death and destruction caused by floods and rains,” he added.
