JAMMU: Amit Sharma, Special Secretary to Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment took a detailed review meeting of the legal cases and pending litigations against the Department in Civil Secretariat Jammu yesterday. All the Law Officers of various wings of the Department such as Offices of PCCF, CCF Jammu, CCF Kashmir, Wildlife Department, Environment and Remote Sensing, Pollution Control Board, Forest Protection Force, Forest Research Institute were present alongwith Deputy Secretary, Law Department and Deputy Secretary Legal of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department. Special Secretary Forest Amit Sharma was very particular regarding disposing off directions of Hon’ble Courts in a time-bound manner and he clearly mentioned that any laxity in this behalf shall be viewed very seriously by the authorities in future. He further mentioned that all Contempt related Cases have to be given top priority and all Head of Departments alongwith Law Officers of different wings of the department should maintain strict vigil and regular watch on same so that it doesn’t result into any embarrassment by the Administrative Department. During the meeting, Deputy Secretary Legal Mohd Kabir shared the status with chair Amit Sharma regarding updated of records on Legal Management System (NIC) portal by different wings with the chair Amit Sharma but clear-cut directions were issued by him to keep it fully updated and submission of Certificate to this effect by all within a fortnight. Amit also directed that NGT Cases and PILs should be dealt with total professionalism by the Legal Section and there should be total attempt by all to file replies in same before stipulated deadlines. He said that latest media such as prompt WhatsApp group messaging, emails should be used as a norm in times to come. Amit emphatically told that directions of Law Department being given from time to time with respect to filing of replies should be adhered to and competent staff should be deputed to Hon’ble Courts for daily updation of progress in different ongoing cases and at the same time, they should also maintain close Liasion with AAGs of the Forest Department. He also directed for conducting a thorough review of all the pending cases with all HODs and submission of Action Taken Report in this behalf within a month to the Administrative Department. Before conclusion, Special Secretary Forest Amit Sharma also took note of the challenges being faced by Law Officers before conclusion of the introductory meeting including their long pending request for regularising their services, apart for request for provisioning of Laptops, Network facilities and manpower for handing critical legal cases of the department towards which he assured for earliest possible solutions and redressal in the near future.
