JAMMU: Justice B.S. Walia of Jammu Kashmir High Court (Jammu Wing) came to the rescue of a visually impaired lawyer Suraj Singh who had sought government accommodation.
High Court on November 27, 2012 had passed the direction to Estate Department to accord consideration for allotment of residential accommodation having regard to the mandate of J&K Estates Department (Allotment of Government Accommodation) Regulations 2004 and Jammu and Kashmir Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1998.
The Estates Department has miserably failed to implement the directions and now High Court has given two weeks time comply the directions of the State High Court dated November, 27, 2012.
Advocate Suraj Singh, visually impaired lawyer in the Jammu Province who is practising in the State High Court and had approached the then Chief Minister by way of representation dated September, 1st, 2012 for allotment of suitable accommodation looking into his peculiar facts and circumstances i.e. 100% visual disability.
While appearing in person he drew the attention of the Court towards Regulation No.4 (e) of J&K Estates Department (Allotment of Government Accommodation) Regulations, 2004 which provides 5% discretionary quota placed at the discretion of the Minister for Estates for persons other than Government Employees which will include Freedom fighters, ex-legislators and media persons also.
Advocate Suraj Singh further submitted that on September, 24, 2012, he filed a writ petition before the State High Court and on November, 27, 2012 Justice Hasnain Masoodi (since retired) after hearing Senior Advocate B.S. Salathia with Advocate S.S. Ahmed and Senior AAG Seema Khajooria Shekher had disposed of the petition with a direction to the Estates Department to accord consideration to allotment of accommodation to the petitioner.
Advocate Suraj Singh further submitted that till date no consideration has been accorded to his case for allotment and he is in dire need of accommodation and after considering the submissions of Advocate Suraj Singh Justice B.S. Walia expressed his displeasure over the delay in the implementation of the directions passed on November, 27, 2012 and directed Director Estates, J&K Government to remain personally present on the next date of hearing to explain the reasons for not complying the directions of the Court.