While taking serious concern over the contaminated water supply in the Shimla Town, The High Court of Himachal Pradesh today issued a notice to the State Government. The Court further directed the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Irrigation & Public Health), Principal Secretary (Health) of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Engineer–In–Chief, Department of I&PH & Commissioner, Municipal Shimla to be present before the Court on Jan 05th 2016.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo motu by the Court as Public Interest litigation on the news published in various newspapers on Jan 03rd 2016 regarding contaminated water supply in the Shimla city.
It was reported in various newspapers that Ashwani Khud water, which caters to the need of drinking water of 1/3rd of Shimla town, is highly contaminated. The newspaper reports even suggested that the sewage mixed water was being supplied to the residents, which has created an epidemic like situation in the Town. It was also reported in the news that jaundice and various other water born diseases are engulfing the people of the town and the number is on the increase day by day.
During the hearing of this matter, it was observed by the court that drinking water is one of the basic necessities for human existence on the Earth. Because of the apathy on the part of the Authorities concerned, the people of Shimla town, do not have access to clean drinking water and are falling prey to various water born diseases.