DB expresses displeasure on JMC’s response; directs Action Plan by Nov 8

Jammu, Nov 2: In a significant order a Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Tashi Rabastan today in the open court expressed its dissatisfaction over the response filed by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a NGO SAVE (Save Animal Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kaur Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan seeking closure of 59 un-registered dairies running within the limits of JMC. The Division Bench headed by Justice Alok Ardahe directed Advocate Sachin Gupta appearing for JMC to take appropriate instructions from JMC before the next date of hearing over the issues highlighted in the PIL and also directed him to come out with an Action Plan for addressing the concern expressed in the PIL.

After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina and Supriya Chouhan appearing for the PIL whereas Advocate Sachin Gupta appearing for JMC and Advocate Amita Khajuria appearing for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Justice Alok Aradhe for the Division Bench in the open court observed that reply filed by the JMC is totally silent over the issues raised in the PIL. The court further observed that there is no indication in the reply about the milk dairies which have not come forward for registration as per the norms of the JMC and further the reply is conspicuous about the action taken against the dairies which are un-registered. The Division Bench further expressed displeasure over the non-adherence to the provisions of Section 44 (n) of the Jammu Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 wherein the JMC is under a statutory obligation to regulate the functioning of the milk dairies.

After considering the submissions of Advocate S.S. Ahmed, the Division Bench headed by Justice Alok Aradhe directed Advocate Sachin Gupta appearing for JMC to obtain instructions in the matter and also file an Action Plan before the next date with regard to the issues highlighted in the PIL. The Division Bench also directed Advocate Amita Khajuria appearing for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to file response to the PIL before the next date of hearing.