STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A letter written by J&K Peoples Forum stating that due to imposition of restrictions under Section 144 Cr.P.C in the Valley, the people are put to hardships due to non-supply of essential commodities, like shortage of vegetables, baby food, shortage of medicines and life saving drugs in the hospitals, treated as Public Interest Litigation.
A Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar after hearing J&K Peoples Forum through its General Secretary M. M. Shuja in person whereas Advocate General Jehangir Iqbal Ganai with Additional Advocate Generals MI Dar and BA Khan for the state observed that as could be seen that restrictions are in place for past over five days, not only the people residing in the Valley but also the visitors/tourists are put to serious predicament. It is the responsibility of the State, while maintaining law and order, to see that the people in the Valley are not put to sufferings due to want to essential commodities, baby food, medicines etc. It is also a fact that several injured persons are admitted in different hospitals for getting treatment. Hence we direct the State to ensure supply of essential commodities, including ration items, baby food, life saving drugs and other medicines including surgical material and to give adequate treatment to the injured persons who are getting treatment in various hospitals.
DB also directed that the Director of Health and Family Welfare Kashmir and Director CA&PD Department, Kashmir, shall remain personally present along with a status report on 15.07.2016 at 10.30 A.M.
During the course of arguments petitioner submitted that even the government officers, particularly those dealing with the supply of essential commodities i.e. Health and Family Welfare and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department are not functioning and there is nobody to take care of the supply of above referred items and, therefore, this Court may issue directions to the State Government to ensure the supply of above referred items to the people residing in the Valley.
Advocate General, who is present in the Court, was directed to take notice on behalf of the State as well as on behalf of Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education Department, the Secretary to Government, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, the Director of Health and Family Welfare Kashmir and Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department Kashmir. Division Bench view importance of the matter directed Registry to list this case on Friday at 10: 30 AM.
