Srinagar: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has appointed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, as ‘nodal officer’ in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the upgradation of basic structures of ambulance as per the European standards for ensuring their hassle-free passage in Kashmir.
As the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate General D C Raina suggested that in view of involvement of various departments, it would be appropriate that a Nodal Officer be appointed, who would give a consistent view on behalf of the various agencies before the court.
In response to the suggestion, Division Bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Wasim Sadiq Nargal said: “Under the circumstances, we appoint Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to be the Nodal Officer, who should file the comprehensive affidavit on behalf of the respondents, based on the inputs received from the various departments, so that there is unanimity and consistency in the stand taken by the respondents.”
Accordingly, the bench directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to file an affidavit taking into consideration various averments, assurances and undertakings made by the various departments in the PIL.
The court listed the case for consideration on June 7.
The PIL filed by White Globe NGO in 2018 through senior Advocate Syed Faisal Qadri is seeking directions for upgradation of basic structures of ambulances as per the European standards and importantly enduring coordination between different government departments, particularly the Traffic Department and the Health Department for hassle-free movement and passage of ambulances and saving precious lives.
