DB directs transport commissioner, Div com, other to file status report within 5 day Jammu, Dec 9 (JNF) : In a public importance order regarding regulation of traffic/ transport in Jammu region, the Division Bench of J&K High Court Wing comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan and Justice JP Singh today directed Transport Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, IGP Jammu, and others to file their status reports within five days.
This order was passed in a writ petition filed by J&K All India Taxi Sumo and Others.
The Division Bench while taking took serious note for non compliance of the directions passed by the Court on December 5, 2005 in which the it was directed to file status reports in respect of directions passed by the Court for better transport and traffic regulation in Jammu region.
"No such status report supported by affidavits have been filed which tantamount to disobedience of the orders of the Court and for which suo-moto contempt action would have been initiated against all those concerned authorities." At this stage Additional Advocate General BS Salathia while praying for more time.
He submitted that these authorities had very little time to file the status reports and sought.
Some more time to submit reports.
Upon this, the DB granted five days time for filling status report as per the directions passed by Court.
Senior Advocate DC Raina who is assisting Court in this matter submitted that Govt was watching as amute spectator when petrol/ Oil Tankers had gone on strike to build pressure tactics upon the orders passed by the Court.
Counsel further submitted that if no immediate action was taken by the government, by taking steps to make alternative arrangements, Jammu city would be badly affected for want of petrol and diesel.
The Division Bench directed state Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to deal with this situation and to save the Public from inconveniences being caused as result of the strike.
The Division Bench at the same time observed that the State level Coordinator on behalf of oil companies supplying petrol/ diesel to Jammu city/ State is directed to furnish particulars of Managing Directors of these companies, require them to make alternate arrangements to ensure un-interrupted supply of petrol and diesel to the city of Jammu.
Regarding the Strike of tankers, the DB further took serious note and observed that it will consider later whether any such strike was directed against the Court order in which case necessary orders would have to be passed to declare the strike illegal.
The Division Bench observed that at this stage it is submitted by Senior Counsel Advocate DC Raina that whatever reports being submitted, as per experience, these reports existed on papers only and were aimed at buying time.
In this regard he referred to pressure and double tone horns being used.
The DB while taking serious note of this observed that this should have again invited a contempt action against SSP Traffic Jammu and also an explanation from Traffic Magistrates, but granted them time to explain their position in this regard.
