A.P. Suryaprakasam vs Government of Tamil Nadu

In this writ petition filed by way of Public Interest Litigation, certain important issues have been raised with regard to risks to the health and well being of residents in the city of Chennai and its outskirts.

The writ petition may not be very happily drafted. However, in a public interest litigation, the court is not necessarily constricted to the pleadings.

The arguments advanced by the petitioner Mr.A.P.Suryaprakasam, basically evince concerns over the following issues: (a)Inadequate steps to remove mosquito menace in the city of Chennai and its suburbs.

(b)inaction in keeping waterways, such as the Buckingham canal, the Adyar river and the other water bodies, clean and taking necessary measures to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes; (c)lack of treatment facilities and in particular facilities of hospitalization for persons afflicted with life threatening diseases caused by mosquitoes, such as, Dengue.

It is the case of the petitioner that Government hospitals are too crowded and are unable to admit patients. It is argued that patients who cannot be treated in government hospitals should be treated in private hospitals at Government cost.

Learned Additional Government Pleader Ms.Vasudha Thiagarajan submits that there are some linked private hospitals which treat patients at the cost of the Government. There are also insurance schemes.

Mr.Suryaprakasam submits that the insurance schemes introduced by the Government exclude Dengue and other diseases caused by mosquito bites. Ms.Vasudha Thiagarajan is requested to obtain necessary instruction as to the correctness of the submission.

On behalf of the second respondent, Greater Chennai Corporation, a status report has been filed, which pertains to the steps taken to deal with floods in December 2015.

The Greater Chennai Corporation is directed to file a detailed status report with regard to the steps presently being taken for eradication of mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases and the steps being taken to cleanse / dredge the water bodies such as Buckingham canal, Adyar river, Cooum river, etc., and also the treatment facilities which are made available by Greater Chennai Corporation to persons suffering from mosquito borne diseases and other steps, if any taken by the Greater Chennai Corporation to eradicate, prevent and / or control mosquito borne diseases.

Such detailed status report be filed within Thursday next.

Adjourned till Friday next (13.10.2017).