Srinagar, Sep 24: After much delay, the Jammu and Kashmir government has finally woken up to frame law for laying of gas pipeline to the State. In this connection the State Revenue Department has sought clearance of draft bill prepared for the purpose from the Law Department.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that after giving final touches to the draft bill aimed at facilitating the laying of the gas pipeline by Gujarat State Petronet Corporation (GSPC), the Revenue Department has forwarded it to the Law Department for its clearance.
  “We are awaiting their (Law Department) concurrence to the draft bill. Once it is done, the bill will be passed as per the procedure provided under the constitution,” an official of Revenue Department told this newspaper.
 He said there was tremendous pressure from the executing agency to clear the legal hurdles in the way of pipeline.
 According to the sources, “the draft which has been prepared with due regard to the special position J&K enjoys under Article 370 of the Constitution, is primarily modeled on Gujarat Water and Gas Pipeline Act, 2000.”
 Confirming the development, Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, B.A. Runiyal said that the draft has been sent to Law Department for clearance.
  “We are trying our best that the bill should be tabled in the upcoming Assembly session so that people of the state are benefited by the proposed pipeline.”
 The move of the State Government comes in the backdrop of persistent demands and reminders from GSPC since May last year.
 Although the project was envisaged to be completed within 36 months, the land acquisition process couldn’t be taken up in absence of the law, as the Central Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines Act, 1962 is not applicable to the State.
 The GSPC has taken up the matter of delay in framing the law with Chief Secretary repeatedly besides dispatching its officials to get legal hassle cleared.
 Last month, Jammu and Kashmir Government also held a meeting to expedite the process for framing the law in view of inordinate delay.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir from Gujarat, Technical Officer of GSPC, Bose Babu said they were actively pursuing the matter with State Government to find out way for laying the pipeline.
 “Once the law comes into effect, we will start work on the project,” he said, adding that they have completed survey of the project.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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