Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 5: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today issued notice to Government over providing safe drinking water to the people in Kashmir valley.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N P Vasanthakumar and Justice B S Walia in the suo moto Cognizance over drinking water facility to the general public issued notice to the State Government. The notice has been accepted on behalf of the Government in the court and they have sought time to file response.
It has come to the notice of the High Court that the residents of Kashmir division at large are badly suffering for want of smooth and safe drinking water facilities. The public has been taking to the streets for agitating their genuine demand for safe hygienic and smooth water supply.
Court sought response from the State functionaries who are duty bound to provide safe and clean drinking water to the general public by June 10 through Advocate General of the State.
Chief Justice while taking a serious notice of the sensitive matter touching the public health and tantamount to infringement of the basic fundamental rights has directed the registry for preparation of the suo moto PIL.
It is a Constitutional obligation of the State and the concerned authorities to ensure safe, hygienic and smooth water supply to the citizens. “The water supply is a basic necessity of citizens and no laxity is tolerable concerning the issue which directly affects the health and hygiene of the people”, reads the suo moto PIL.
It has been further stated that due to the last years devastating and unprecedented floods in the State people are suffering from many water born diseases. The general public is suffering on this account and the failure on part of the Government to provide the uninterrupted water supply to the general masses added the miseries of the people in general and in particular the residents of Aloochi Bagh Srinagar and its adjoining areas.
The PIL seeks directions upon the Government functionaries including Commissioner Secretary PHE, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and Chief Engineer PHE for ensuring the smooth water supply to the people of Valley living in rural as well as in urban areas.
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