‘Evolve permanent mechanism to conserve dal’

The J&K High Court on Thursday said there has been no progress in the Dal Lake’s preservation despite the state issuing directions for the last 14 years. The court asked the chief secretary to be present in the next hearing of a PIL filed for Dal’s conservation: “We direct the Chief Secretary of the state, Commissioner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Commissioner Secretary to Finance and Planning Department to remain present before the court so as to evolve a permanent mechanism for the preservation of Dal Lake.” The court has also asked joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism, to remain present along with these officers. The HC took strong exception for non-compliance of its directions by many organisations and issued show cause notices asking why their business establishments should not be closed. Representatives of Centaur Lake View Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences have been asked to appear in the next hearing.