Published 15:09 IST, October 18th 2019
Citizens equally responsible for waterlogging: Bihar govt to Patna HC
The Patna High Court while hearing five different PILs reprimanded Bihar state for the waterlogging in Patna. But the state placed the blame on the people.
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The Patna High Court while hearing five different PILs, reprimanded the Bihar government for the recent waterlogging in Patna. But the state government placed the blamed on civic bodies and the people of the state for the situation. The court directed the urban department and Patna municipal corporation to ensure cleanliness in the city and has directed the government to come with an action taken the report on 25th October, pertaining to the cleanliness drive keeping in mind the festival of Diwali and Chhath in Bihar. There were some dramatic moments that took place in court involving a well-known politician.
Court comes down hard on Bihar government
S N Pathak, an advocate, on behalf of a group of 40 lawyers who have also filed PIL said that " ...The court has directed that whosoever is answerable for the flood in Patna will not be spared. The court has directed the Advocate General to file a proper reply of all the PILs pertaining to floods, within three weeks. Let the court know the name and address of the answerable person on the next hearing date to be held on 25th October. Advocate General has to file a short affidavit with the action taken report flood, cleanliness and efforts to curb dengue. The court has also asked the name of the earlier Municipal Commissioner and Urban Secretary and the work done by them.
Bihar govt holds citizens equally responsible for waterlogging
Advocate General of Bihar government Lalit Kishore told the court that "We have formed a high-level committee which will submit its report within a month citing reasons and lapses on part of the officials for the waterlogging in Patna. I have also told the court that apart from officials even the citizen are equally responsible for waterlogging as they throw garbage and plastics in drainage. The government has taken it seriously and we will also examine how commercial activities are running in residential areas. Court has also asked us to inform on 25th October regarding the cleanliness drive for Diwali and Chhath festival ".
Bihar government has formed a four-member committee of senior IAS officers to investigate the reasons for waterlogging and the people responsible for it. But the question is how can the Advocate General blame the citizen for the waterlogging. If at all commercial activities were taking place in residential colonies, why didn't the government take necessary action to stop those activities?
Court asks Pappu Yadav to leave courtroom
During the course of the proceedings, there were dramatic scenes when the Honourable judge asked politician from Jan Adhikar Party Pappu Yadav to leave the courtroom on the intervention of Advocate general Lalit Kishore. When the PIL was being heard, Pappu Yadav started speaking in the courtroom. Advocate General raised objections to Pappu's presence in the court. The Hon'ble judge asked Pappu Yadav, that, "have u filed a PIL". Pappu Yadav replied, "No, Sir".Then the court asked him not to make the courtroom a political battleground and leave the premises immediately. Pappu Yadav said that "...the court is serious about the waterlogging and rise in dengue cases in the city and has directed the government to come with a detailed report on next date ".
14:34 IST, October 18th 2019