The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has observed that since the shifting of government office from one place to another is the discretion of the government which has to see the feasibility and other factors and is a policy decision to which this court cannot direct the respondents to shift its office to any particular place.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice (Acting) Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) prayed for the following relief:
“Mandamus;(1) so as to command and direct the respondents to forthwith shift various Government Officers sanctioned for Sub-Division Marwah to Sub-Division Headquarter at Marwah which are functioning at present from District Headquarter Kishtwar which is 120 kilometer away from Marwah, so as to mitigate the suffering of 50,000 people of three Tehsils of SubDivision Marwah so as to ensure Administration at the door step.
(ii) So as to command and direct the respondents to make all offices functional at Sub Divisional Marwah which has been sanctioned for the said Sub Division.”
The PIL has been filed by one Ghulam Rasool Magrey.
Objections have been filed by the respondents.
However, the High Court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the respondents for redressal of his grievances. In case the petitioner approaches the respondents by way of representation, the respondents shall consider and decide the same in accordance with rules, the Court directed.