‘Not providing safe water a violation of human rights’

Explore the possibility of alternatives for Cauvery water, says High Court It is the primary duty of the State to provide safe drinking water. Otherwise it amounts to violation of human rights, observed the Karnataka High Court on Monday.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice B.V. Nagarathna made the oral observation during the hearing of a public interest litigation petition initiated suo motu by the court based on a newspaper report about contaminated drinking water in many parts of the city.

If the water supply is bad in the capital city itself, how can the State provide safe water in rural areas, the Bench asked, while pointing out that providing roads and other infrastructure is also necessary, but not at the cost of safe drinking water.

“Anticipating future water crisis, groundwater authority should explore the possibilities of alternative for Cauvery water,” the Bench observed orally. The Bench said that the government spent more money on health issues than on supply of safe drinking water. The Bench ordered notice on the groundwater authority and asked it come out with a plan for rejuvenation of tanks and ground water table.

(2013-08-13/thehindu)