HC pulls up officials for skipping rain readiness meet

The first bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan, said, “Let all the three officers file affidavits explaining their absence in the meeting and as to why the meetings are being conducted in breach of the order for which purpose, even the Chairman and Managing Director, Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board who is the Chairman of the Committee will file an affidavit.” 

The matter relates to a Public Interest Litigation moved by Change India, director, A Narayanan seeking a direction to the authorities to de-silt the storm water drains, waterways, and water-bodies to prevent any such situation faced by Chennai during monsoon rains last year. When the case came up for hearing on Friday, the petitioner contended that the very purpose of the court forming a committee with all the officials in it had failed to serve any purpose as the department heads failed to be present resulting in such meetings being held for namesake. He further submitted that unless there is co-ordination no progress can be made. 

It may be noted that the Madras High Court in its earlier order had observed that “the seriousness to tackle the problem of storm water drains, keeping in mind the problem faced by the City in 2015, must be reflected at the ground level, which we find absent.” It had also held that the “Court themselves cannot desilt the drains and the endeavour can only be to ensure that the elected government of the day truly reflects the will of the people by carrying out various administrative functions.”