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Judgment
R.S., CJ
[1] Heard Mr. Tungrei Ngakang, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. N.Kumarjit, learned Advocate General, Manipur for the State respondents.
[2] Ukhrul district in Manipur is one of the environmentally beautiful districts and it is known for its natural scenic beauty. However, it appears that Ukhrul is facing severe water crisis on account of indiscriminate deforestation and the people of Ukhrul town and nearby villages are suffering without drinking water. The petitioner relies upon a report of the Assistant Engineeer, Ukhrul PHE Division and a report of the
Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ukhrul dated 7th April, 2018 addressed to the Hon'ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Manipur at Annexure-C/6 which is extracted as under.
"Annexure-C/6
GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES,
UKHRUL, MANIPUR
NO.SDLSA/UKL/18165 Ukhrul, the 7th April 2018
To
The Hon'ble Minister
Health & Family Welfare, Manipur
Subject: Request for immediate intervention for supply of running water at District Hospital, Ukhrul
Hon'ble Sir,
I bring to your kind notice that I have received a report from the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) attached with the Legal Aid Clinic, situated inside the District Hospital, Ukhrul, stating that the District Hospital has no running water facility because of which the doctors, staffs and hospital patients are facing lots of difficulties and inconveniences The PLVs, in their report, have further stated that they have observed that the Hospital in-patients are buying mineral water for their lavatory requirements and needs. For maintenance of the hospital in a clean and hygienic condition, availability of water is sine-qua non. Perhaps, due to the non-availability of the said necessity like water the hospital staffs and doctors may be discouraged from residing in the residential quarters of the hospital To alleviate the plights of the staffs, doctors and especially the poor patients, some stop gap arrangement may be made by requesting from your department to the
(i) The Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul
(ii) The Superintendent of Police, Ukhrul District
(ii) The Commanding Officer, 6h MR, Ukhrul
(iv) The Commanding Officer, 27th Assam Rifles, Somsai, Ukhrul
(v) The Executive Engineer, PHED, Ukhrul Division and
(vi) The Commanding Officer, BRTF, Ukhrul for rendering water tanker services on rotation basis till permanent arrangement is made.
I am sure your prompt intervention for arrangement of water availability will soothe the already suffering patients to a great extent.
Thanking you.
Enclosed: A Copy of letter from the PLVs
Yours faithfully
(Alek Muivah)
Secretary DLSA, Ukhrul
NO.SDLSA/UKL/18/167 Ukhrul, the 7 April 2018"
[3] The people of Ukhrul have also applied for drinking water facilities to the Chief Engineer, PHED, Govt. of Manipur.
[4] Considering all these factors, the PIL is admitted and to focus on the following issues not only for the district of Ukhrul but also of other districts as well.
[i] The Executive Engineer, PHED Department is directed to assess the drinking water facility of Ukhrul district and other districts of Manipur so that a master plan can be prepared for providing clean and potable drinking water to the people.
[ii] Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Manipur will cause an inspection of the District Hospital, Ukhrul and ensure that running water facility is provided to the hospital besides hospital condition of the hospital should be addressed to provide a clean and hygienic environment in the hospital premises.
[iii] Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, Govt. of Manipur will provide a data to this Court as to the area of forest covered at present available in Manipur State.
[iv] Steps taken by the Forest department, Govt. of Manipur to embark on afforestation method to improve the forest cover in Manipur Hill areas so that the impact of climate change is addressed in a larger perspective.
[5] In so far as Ukhrul town is concerned, the Chief Engineer, PHED, Govt. of Manipur is directed to take a real time assessment and also provide proper assistance for drinking water facilities on the basis of the report dated 4th April, 2019.
[6] Learned Advocate General, Manipur takes notice.
[7] List the matter on 16.7.2019.