Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has given the state government time until Friday to send its reply on the measures it has taken for drought relief. However, while giving this extension of time, the court asked the government, “How much more time you need for drought relief?”
The court asked the state government to spell out all the drought relief measures it has put in place till now. The drought situation is grim at the moment and despite giving directions to the state government, no response is forthcoming, said the court, expressing its annoyance at the state in this regard.
On its part, the state has claimed, the delay is because the special public prosecutor appointed for the purpose, Anil Sakhre, was not available. According to petitioners, despite the HC giving directions to the state to immediately implement relief measures in drought-stricken areas, the government has failed to act.
Petitioners have also said, the disaster management authority must put in place a mechanism which will regularly supervise the measures taken. A division bench of Justices Sandeep Shinde and Sarang Kotwal was hearing a bunch of petitions. The matter will come up for hearing next Monday.
