The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notice to the union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation seeking effective implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), 2011.
The PIL, filed by environmentalist and social activist Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, alleges widespread non-compliance with the Act across several government departments.
The petitioner contended that despite repeated government circulars mandating adherence, departments such as Home, Revenue and Transport have failed to maintain records of inspections, awareness programmes, and penalties imposed under the law.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal heard the matter on Monday through virtual mode at Srinagar.
According to the petition, responses obtained through RTI applications revealed that the General Administration Department (GAD) had no records regarding expenditure on mandatory trainings, awareness initiatives, or inspections.
It further alleged that the Public Service Management Cell, established in 2012, has failed to perform its statutory duties under Rule 17 of the PSGA Rules. The petitioner was represented by advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar
Deputy Advocate General Hakim Aman Ali accepted notice on behalf of the UT administration and sought time to obtain instructions and file a response.
The court granted the request and listed the matter for further hearing on March 4. (Agencies)
