The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the dire situation faced by numerous villages in the Bijapur region, which have been severely affected by flooding. The court has sought an immediate response from the District Collector regarding the measures being taken to address the crisis.
Background and Issue
The court's intervention was prompted by a news article on 'Bansal News,' highlighting how heavy rains turned 30 villages into islands, with residents facing extreme hardship. The absence of a bridge on the Chintavagu River in the Bhopalpattanam block has exacerbated the situation, cutting off several villages from the rest of Bijapur.
Details of the Flood Crisis
According to the news report, villagers have been risking their lives to obtain basic necessities, walking long distances for free ration amidst the flood. The article emphasized that this is not a new problem; the region has faced similar challenges for the past 77 years. Residents' requests for a local Public Distribution System (PDS) shop have been ignored, and despite the long-standing demand for a bridge, there has been no progress.
Court's Response
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal has officially registered a suo moto case based on the office reference to the news item. The court has directed the Bijapur District Collector to provide a personal affidavit detailing the current situation and the steps taken to alleviate the villagers' plight by August 14, 2024.
State's Submission
Advocate General Prafull N. Bharath, representing the state, argued that the news report exaggerated the situation. He acknowledged that certain parts of Bastar, including Bijapur, face severe flooding during the rainy season. The government usually supplies four months' worth of ration to prevent such crises. However, he justified the lack of local PDS shops by citing the state policy of not opening shops in areas with fewer than 500 beneficiaries.
Observations and Directions
Despite the state's submissions, the court highlighted the urgent need to address the immediate and long-term challenges faced by the flood-affected villagers. The court emphasized that providing a temporary solution, such as a motorboat, could help residents access essential supplies until permanent infrastructure improvements, like the construction of the bridge, are made.
Conclusion
The Chhattisgarh High Court's proactive stance on this issue underscores the judiciary's role in addressing public interest concerns, especially in regions where governmental action has been insufficient. By taking suo moto cognizance and demanding accountability from the district administration, the court aims to ensure that the affected villagers receive the necessary aid and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the floods. This case serves as a reminder of the persistent infrastructural deficiencies in rural India and the urgent need for comprehensive planning and execution to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
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