DB’s directives in PIL regarding construction of International Cricket Stadium
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a PIL seeking direction to JKCA for immediately starting construction work of International Stadium at Bajalta, Jammu soon after the release of already sanctioned amount of Rs 100 crore, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi observed that a lawyer of Court in public interest invoked writ petition for a direction for construction of International Cricket Stadium at Jammu and for a direction to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release sanctioned amount of Rs 100 Crore for its construction.
DB further observed that record of the writ petition revealed that the Government is ready to provide sufficient land for the construction of Cricket Stadium in Jammu and for that purpose, land has also been earmarked.
Advocate General was allowed time to get aforesaid land at Bajalta surveyed by Irrigation and Flood Control Department, as if it is suitable for construction of the Cricket Stadium from point of floods. In line with it, Advocate General placed on record a copy of the order dated December 21, 2017 issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu constituting a committee of officers to survey land comprising Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Jammu; Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu and Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic, Jammu. Since Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu and Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic, Jammu were one and the same person, Additional District Development Commissioner, Jammu and Executive Engineer, Flood Control Division, Jammu were added in committee.
Subsequently, land comprised in Khasra Nos. 541 min and 546 min measuring 60 Kanals in village Bain Baja Tehsil and District Jammu was proposed as a site for Cricket Stadium, probably for the reason that the land at Bajalta was found to be prone to flood, the BCCI was supposed to get this land inspected by the expert to decide about its suitability and to submit a report.
DB observed that it appeared that despite above exercise, the matter regarding construction of a Cricket Stadium at Jammu is hanging since 2005 even when Government on principle had agreed to lease 500 to 600 Kanals of land and BCCI to release Rs 100 crore for the purpose. DB observed that keeping the matter pending and simply asking the Authorities to submit status reports and compliance reports would not serve any fruitful purpose. Undoubtedly, Cricket is a popular game in Jammu and as the things unfold, an exclusive Stadium for it is necessary to promote the game of cricket for organizing National and International matches. DB directed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi to nominate a representative not below rank of Deputy Secretary and President of the Board of Cricket Control in India to send one of its members. The General Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association shall be present along with above referred representatives before the court personally on next date of listing. DB further expected that on next date, with assistance of officers/their representatives, the Court will be in a position to take decision on all aspects.
