"Common Man Interested In Solutions Not Meetings": Supreme Courts Raps Punjab, Haryana Govts Over Failure To Prevent Flooding In Ghaggar River

A Bench of Justices MR Shah and MM Sundresh noted that both the Punjab and Haryana state governments took no concrete steps on the recommendations made by the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune. The Bench further reminded that every government's first priority should be public interest.

"No further concrete steps are taken either by the State of Punjab or by the State of Haryana on the recommendations made by CWPRS, Pune. Though status reports are filed on behalf of the concerned states, it appears that no further concrete steps are taken except holding the meetings. Common man is not interested in meetings but is interested in finding solution. Every state government should consider public interest first above politics."

The Bench further noted that though a major portion of the affected area is in Punjab, it has not taken the matter very seriously.

The Bench then asked the Chief secretaries of the respective states, who were physically present today, to take up the issue very seriously and sincerely so that the people of the 25 villages who are affected due to floods every year, don't have to suffer any further.

The senior advocates appearing for both the States prayed for four weeks-time to prepare and submit project reports on the implementation of the CWPRS, Pune recommendations and court's earlier orders.

"The project reports shall be absolutely in tune with the recommendations and no steps shall deviate from the same", the court's order specifically directed.

The States were also directed to prepare and submit the proposed project reports to implement the recommendations within 4 weeks. Before submitting the proposed project reports before the court, it should be shared with the Central Water Commission, Pune, who should apprise the court whether the reports are in consonance with the recommendations or not.

The Bench also clarified that the States are at liberty to fix the time limit for implementation of the project reports keeping in mind the number of people who are severely affected because of the flood.

During the hearing today, the Bench orally observed that while the state governments continued to conduct meetings, people of at least 25 villages remained in danger of flood every year.

"You continue with meetings only. What is this? We can't wait till the next flood!"

The Bench also harshly reacted when it noted certain deviations from the CWRPS recommendations on the part of the state governments.

"Tell your government that this is not politics. Public interest is of paramount importance. You cannot say that you won't follow the recommendations or our orders!"

"We have not said that", the senior counsel said.

"When where's the action?", the Bench further queried.

Before posting the next hearing to January 3, the Bench dispensed with the presence of the chief secretaries on that day.

Case Title: Nagar Panchayat Moonak And Ors. Versus The State Of Punjab And Ors. And Ors | Slp(C) No. 39422/2013 Iv-B