HC appoints two commissioners to check illegal construction around Dal

Srinagar, September 5

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has appointed two vigilance commissioners report encroachments around Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake to the court after Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) failed to check incursions in the area surrounding the water body.

"We are of the view that prevention of construction activity in Dal Lake and within 200 meters from the edge of Foreshore Road and other adjoining prohibited areas cannot be left exclusively to officers and the officials of LAWDA," a Division Bench of the High Court said in an order on Friday.

"We are of the view that two independent and impartial court Vigilance Commissioners, preferably having some experience with administration of justice and law enforcement, have to be appointed to regularly report any illegal constructions around the lake to the Court so that action is taken without any delay."

The Bench appointed former Srinagar Principal District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Shafi Khan and former Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Hamid Bhat Vigilance Commissioners and directed to conduct checks in the area regularly — every day, if possible — and submit weekly reports to the Judicial Registrar.

They have also been directed to report any violation of rules in transporting of building material, earth filling, and releasing of untreated effluents into the lake.

Commissioners will be allotted offices in the LAWDA Complex and provided a steno typist as well as transport facilities such as motorboats for their work. They will be paid Rs 30,000 per month as honorarium by LAWDA.

The direction comes amid growing worries about the shrinking size of the lake, which the court attributes to the increasing encroachments in the area. — PTI