Supreme Court: Considering the massive floods in Kashmir Valley which have created horror by affecting more than 400 villages with five lakh people still stranded, the petition was filed seeking immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected persons. Colin Gonsalves placed a note before the 3-judge bench of R.M. Lodha, CJ and Kurian Joseph and R.F. Nariman, JJ stating that there is immediate requirement of large number of helicopters, doctors, medicines, food including pediatric food, baby articles, blankets, life jackets, drinking water, sanitary pads, tents, warm clothes and footwear, fuel and other essential supplies and that the Union of India should declare the situation in Kashmir valley a natural calamity and a national disaster, thereby, asking all the States and Union Territories to join hands in providing the aforementioned requirements. The petitioner, however, acknowledged the commendable work being done by the Armed Forces in rescue operations.
The Court, taking into account the submission by the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the Union Government was already overseeing and coordinating the rescue and relief operations, asked the Union Government to consider the suggestions made by the petitioner apart from considering to form a Unified Agency for proper co-ordination of rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations. Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi v. Union of India, Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 826/2014, decided on 12.09.2014
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