"Set Up Relief Camps In Flood Affected Districts; Ensure Ration To Poor, Pregnant & Lactating Women, Infants": Patna HC Directs Authority To Dispose Of Plea Expeditiously

The Patna High Court has directed the authority concerned to dispose of expeditiously a plea seeking setting up of relief camps in flood affected districts in the State and adequate ration and food Facilities to the poor and needy including lactating & pregnant women and infants.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered thus:

"The authority concerned shall consider and dispose it of expeditiously and preferably within a period of three months from the date of its filing along with a copy of this order."

Furthermore it said:

"We are hopeful that as and when petitioner takes recourse to such remedies, as are otherwise available in law, before the appropriate forum, the same shall be dealt with, in accordance with law and with reasonable dispatch."

The development came after the Court was dealing with a petition seeking directions on the State of Bihar, Through its Chief Secretary; Principal Secretary, Disaster Management and DMs of various flood affected districts to set up adequate numbers of relief camps in proportion to the affected population across as per the protocols setup under Section 19 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Additionally, the plea also sought directions on the respondent authorities to provide toilets and proper sanitation who are forced to take refuge on Highways and highlands.

Other prayers set out in the plea are as follows:

- To ensure that Integrated Child Development Scheme) ICDS and Anganwadi Services including Antenatal Checkup, Pre Natal Checkup, Immunisation and visitation of ASHA workers to pregnant women,lactating mothers and infant is extended without any hindrance through door step delivery in flood affected areas.

- To present the status report containing the details of the steps taken by the District Magistrates as per the directives of State Disaster Management Authority.

- To deploy adequate State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force teams.

- To ensure effective sanitation and hygiene drive in order to mitigate water borne diseases.

- To provide adequate compensation for relief and rehabilitation to all the flood affected families across the State especially to those who became homeless due floods.

- To ensure institutional delivery and other health care services through proper arrangement of their transportation to the nearest health facility.

During the course of hearing, it was submitted on behalf of the petitioner that a directions may be given by the Court to the authority concerned to consider and decide the representation within a period of four weeks for redressal of the grievance.

Issuing the aforesaid direction to the concerned authority, the Court ordered thus:

"Needless to add, while considering such representation, principles of natural justice shall be followed and due opportunity of hearing afforded to the parties. Liberty reserved to the petitioner to approach the Court, if the need so rises subsequently on the same and subsequent cause of action."

Title: Satyam Jha v. State of Bihar & Ors.

Click Here To Read Order