Ensure Uninterrupted Ration Supply To Tribal People, Explore Possibility Of Making Road Up To Tribal Colonies: Kerala High Court Directs Govt.

The Bench of Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chali further directed the State government to explore the possibility of making a road up to the tribal colonies, for facilitating easy and convenient supply of ration articles and other things necessary for the basic beneficial enjoyment of the tribals and ensuring their medical requirements.

The matter before the Court

These directives were passed in a suo motu case initiated on the basis of a letter by former High Court Judge, Justice B. Kamal Pasha.

The letter was written in the year 2016 based on a representation made by the office bearers of an organization allegedly registered with the Government of NCT New Delhi.

According to the representation so made, during the monsoon season, the colonies of Edamalakudy in Idukki would remain isolated and starvation death often take place during these times and it was also submitted that no Governmental agencies would visit the said colonies.

Further, the Idukki District Legal Services Authority was asked to inquire into the allegations made by the NGO.

The DLSA had found various irregularities in the supply of ration articles and in its report, it had pointed out the difficulties faced by the authorities to transport the ration articles to the tribal colonies due to the difficult and tough terrains in the hilly area of Idukki District.

Satisfying itself that necessary steps have been taken by the State Government and the Departments, in order to ensure that the tribals are supplied with sufficient ration articles, the Court did note that there are difficulties in transporting the articles.

The Court noted,

"Even though steps were taken to make roads by the Government and the officials, the road so made could not be completed up to the tribal colonies, which according to the learned Senior Government Pleader, is due to the fact that making a road through such a difficult and tough terrain is practically impossible, but every endeavor shall be made to explore the possibility of making a small road, in order to transport the ration articles and other things to the tribals."

Lastly, the writ petition was disposed of by directing the State Government and the official respondents to ensure uninterrupted supply of ration articles and any other benefits available under law to the members of the above specified tribal colonies as and when they are due.

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