Gujarat High Court Orders Establishment Of Statewide Grievance Redressal Mechanism For Addressing Civic Issues
Bhavya Singh
2 Sep 2024 12:02 PM GMT
The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday expressed its concern over State's continued inefficiency in addressing the civic issues raised in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition concerning the conditions of Ahmedabad's roads, parking, traffic, and the stray cattle menace across cities and towns in the state.
The court was hearing a contempt plea related to non-compliance with its earlier orders on these matters. It criticized the state authorities for their failure to comply with citizen-centric directives, particularly in the wake of recent rains that exacerbated civic failures, leading to significant difficulties for citizens. It observed that had the directions been followed diligently, much of this trouble could have been avoided.
The division bench comprising Justice AY Kogje and Justice Samir Dave also emphasized the need for a statewide grievance redressal mechanism to address these issues effectively. It observed,
“One of the directions in the PIL was with regard to the setting up a Grievance Redressal Cell so as to draw attention of the authorities to the problem at the earliest and for the authorities to attend within stipulated time. It is reported that pursuant to such directions, the Grievance Redressal Cell is made operational. However, the same is restricted only to the limits of City of Ahmedabad. The Court may draw attention of the State for creating a common Grievance Redressal Cell for the State of Gujarat which will deal with all the suggestions in connection with which the directions have been issued in the R/Writ Petition (PIL) No. 170 of 2017.”
“So as to enable learned Advocate General to give reaction of the State as also to formulate the modalities and functionalities of such Grievance Redressal Cell and periodic reporting to this Court, with the assurance given by the attending officers, Stand over to 12.09.2024,” the Court added.
The court ordered that all responsible officers, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, the Principal Secretary of Urban Development and Urban Housing, all Police Commissioners, Municipal Commissioners, District Superintendents of Police, and Collectors of Gujarat, ensure the implementation and compliance with its directions.
During the hearing, Advocate General Kamal Trivedi, representing the state, assured the Court that the attending officers were committed to complying with the directives and acknowledged the necessity of continuous and rigorous follow-up. He highlighted that the implementation of such directives is a continuous process requiring daily oversight and indicated the State's willingness to consider suggestions from all quarters to ensure the effective execution of the Court's orders.
Petitioner's counsel proposed formation of a Task Force dedicated to oversee the implementation of these directives. However, the bench determined that the current government machinery and hierarchy were sufficiently equipped to handle this responsibility at this stage and deferred the formation of a Task Force for future consideration.
Senior Advocate Shri Bhaskar P. Tanna and Advocate Harshesh Kakkad have been appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court. The matter is now listed on September 12.
Case Title: Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri Versus Jagadip Narayan Singh, IAS
