Court on its Own Motion vs State of Jharkhand and others

Virender Singh, C.J.—When the instant petition was taken up in the first half of the day, Mr. Indrajit Sinha (Amicus Curiae) had brought to the notice of the Court that there is an acute shortage of water in almost each of the wards of Ranchi Municipal Corporation and in some of the wards, the pipe-lines for supplying the water have gone totally dried. Not only that, even the hand-pumps installed by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation has also become non-functional because the water-table has gone down very low. We thus, felt the necessity of getting complete information from the Municipal Commissioner, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi. Mr. R.R. Mishra, G.P. II was directed to ensure the presence of the Municipal Commissioner.

Mr. Prashant Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi has come present. He has placed on record certain documents, indicating as to how Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi has taken various steps for supplying water in different wards of the Ranchi town. Mr. Prashant Kumar makes a statement at Bar that out of 55 wards of Ranchi Municipal Corporation, in 40 wards there is absolutely no scarcity of water and for supplying water to other wards also, all effective steps have been taken. He further states that very recently 24 tankers have been purchased by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation to cater the need of the people in different wards and on regular basis water is being supplied.

What appears to the Court is that a broad picture has been depicted through the documents furnished to the Court whereas, in the present set of circumstances when there is an acute scarcity of water in the Ranchi town, we require a detailed report from the Municipal Commissioner, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi in respect of each ward, as to what steps have been taken by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation for meeting the requirement of drinking water and water for other purposes as well. Mr. Prashant Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi states that he may be given just three days'' time to have first hand information in this regard.

Granted.

Let a detailed affidavit be filed by Mr. Prashant Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Ranchi in this regard on or before the next date of hearing with a copy in advance be provided to Mr. Indrajit Sinha (Amicus Curiae).

List again on 12.04.2016 at 3.30 P.M. along with W.P.(PIL) No. 1496 of 2015.