CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has expressed surprise over alleged intervention of the office of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister in eviction of illegal prawn gheris in Chilika when the matter is sub judice.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice BR Sarangi took note of a news report published in The New Indian Express on June 23 and expressed shock. The HC has directed Additional Government Advocate to seek instructions on the issue and submit a reply by July 2.
On Wednesday, the case relating to protection of Chilika and Bhitarkanika wetlands was taken up and as per direction, advocate Mohit Agarwal, amicus curiae in the case, filed a report detailing steps to be taken for demolition of illegal prawn gheris and embankments. In his report, Agarwal highlighted the The Express report wherein it was brought to notice that district administration of Ganjam had stopped eviction drive near Palur canal.
It was also submitted that office of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister had issued a letter to Collectors of Ganjam and Puri for a meeting basing on representations filed by prawn gheri owners. The amicus curiae mentioned in his report about immense political intervention and pressure on district administrations not to demolish illegal gheris and politicians successfully stalling demolition drives in complete disregard to orders passed by the HC.
Considering political interference, Agarwal has sought directions to be issued to Chief Secretary to ensure that orders of the High Court are carried out in letter and spirit.Agarwal’s report suggested that Collectors of Puri, Ganjam, Khurda and Kendrapara filed affidavits on June 19 indicating illegal prawn gheris and embankments demolished by them but on perusal, it was found out that substantial work is still to be done.
None of the Collectors was found to have initiated steps for filing of criminal prosecution against illegal gheri and embankment owners. Puri Collector indicated that rest of eviction could not take place due to lack of machinery and low level of water in Chilika lake while Ganjam Collector cited rain and heavy water logging as reasons.
The amicus curiae said the reasons cited by Collectors are contradictory to each other while there is no question of heavy water logging and rain during April and May as stated by the Collector of Ganjam.