High Court Seeks Delhi Govt’s Status Report In PIL Seeking Immediate Relief Measures At Yamuna Flood Relief Camps

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi Government to file a detailed status report in a public interest litigation seeking immediate measures like free ration, medical assistance, sanitary provisions and other essentials for people at the Yamuna flood relief camps in the national capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Saurabh Banerjee sought the Delhi Government’s response in the plea moved Akash Bhattacharya, a former Assistant Professor of Azim Premji University.

Bhattacharya has contended that the flood that occurred in the Yamuna floodplain is the most devastating calamity occurred in Delhi since the year 1978. The plea has been filed through Advocate KR Shiyas.

At the outset, Delhi Government’s Standing Counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi objected to the PIL and said that the plea was circulated in the media even before a hearing in the case. “Without approaching the authorities, without visiting the flood area, the petition is filed,” Tripathi said.

He added that the Government has already taken a decision to provide financial assistance to those affected by floods and that every flood relief camp has basic amenities.

Calling it a “genuine cause”, the court listed the matter for hearing on September 13 and asked the Delhi Government to file a detailed response indicating the measures taken and basic amenities provided to the affected.

The PIL also seeks direction on the Delhi Government to notify the flood as a natural disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and also to provide immediate cash assistance of Rs. 50,000 for those who lost their belongings and shelter.

“That the lackadaisical response from authorities cost the livelihood of hundreds of poor and destroyed their sole shelter which contained household items to important documents which proves the existence of the concerned,” the plea reads.

It adds that the Delhi Government has a constitutional as well as statutory obligation to provide immediate assistance to the victims of natural calamity under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and that the flood will constitute a disaster under the section 2(d) of the enactment.

Title: Dr Akash Bhattacharya v. Delhi Disaster Management Authority through Chairperson Lt. Governor & Anr