SC Stays Allahabad HC Order Directing Govt. To Remove Water Purifiers From Govt. Offices For Installing In Girls’ Institutions [Read Order]

The Supreme Court has ‘stayed’ a direction in the Allahabad High Court order that had ordered removal of RO systems (water purifier) from the residence or office of government officers.

While hearing a public interest litigation, the Allahabad High Court had cautioned the government that if necessary water purifiers are not installed in girls’ institution as per its directives, all water purifiers installed at the residence and the office of the District Magistrate shall be transhipped and installed in the girls’ institution.

The high court bench, while observing that the state government cannot be permitted to play with the health of the students admitted in its institution, had remarked: “If the District Magistrate requires water purifier, having regard to the quality of water supplied by the local body/authority, then there can be no justification for such water purifier facility being provided to the girls of Government Girls Inter Colleges also. They are no less human being in this independent country. If Article 21 of the Constitution of India is to be given its true meaning, then provision for safe and pure drinking water is one of the essential requirements specifically in schools run by the Government itself.”

This observation was made by the high court observing that ‘the future generation of the state can be saved from health hazards.’

The court had also observed: “It shall be ensured that the quality of water, which is made available to the District Magistrate for drinking water at his residence as well as at his office will be similarly maintained for the girls who are admitted to the Government Girls Inter College.”

The state of Uttar Pradesh had approached the apex court, assailing the part of order cautioning it about consequences of non-compliance of the high court order to install water purifiers in the girls’ institution.

Disposing of the SLP filed by the state, the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra observed: “The High Court may proceed with further hearing so that real benefit is extended to the women colleges. In the course of hearing, the High Court shall take stock of things whether the institutions have been provided with purified drinking water or not. A finding in that regard has to be recorded.”