HC gives Centre 2 more weeks to clear stand : Relief Package
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today granted the Central Government two more weeks to file its status report on the Rs 40,000-crore relief package sought by the state government for the rehabilitation of September 2014 flood victims. The directive was passed by a Division Bench headed by Justice Muhammad Yaqoob Mir.
The High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the floods of 2014, had earlier directed the Centre to disclose its stand on the relief package.
The ruling PDP-BJP government has come under criticism for failing to provide relief to the flood victims. However, there are high expectations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may announce a special package of assistance, including for flood-hit, during his visit to J-K on November 7. Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Srinagar.
As the matter came up before the Bench today, the counsel representing the Union Government sought more time to file its response. He also sought exemption of the Union Finance Secretary from personal appearance before the court, which was granted.
During the hearing on October 28, the High Court had directed the Union Government to file the status report on the relief package within a week or else the Union Finance Secretary would have to be present in person on November 3 hearing.
In its directions today, the court also granted the state government two more weeks to file its status report, which had earlier been asked by the court to explain as to how and where the interim relief money sanctioned by the Union government for flood-hit has been spent.
In the backdrop of floods in September 2014, the state government had sought a special financial package of Rs 44,000 crore.
