Jharkhand High Court: While hearing a PIL seeking cleaning of water bodies and reservoirs to deal with the water crisis across the State, the Court has directed the State Government to equip all Government buildings with rainwater harvesting structures immediately and file a status report in this regard on or before June 22.
A Division Bench comprising Virendra Singh C.J. and S Chandrasekhar J. issued the order in a suo motu and said, “Water harvesting projects must be started in all Government buildings, residences, public sector establishments as well as apartments having a surface area of more than 3,000 square feet immediately so that conservation of water could be done through it during this rainy season,” Further “Private buildings must also be given a deadline of June 15 to complete water harvesting projects,” Let a report be filed in this regard by Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department of the State on or before the next date of hearing.”
The Court also said that rain water harvesting regulation should be prepared by all the Urban/Local Bodies throughout the State to achieve the goal. Municipal Corporations and Municipalities of the remaining districts were also directed to ensure supply of wholesome water to the residents of their areas. The Court also directed the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department of the State to file a detailed report after getting complete information from all the Deputy Commissioners of the State so that the Court is satisfied that all the Hand Pumps, if were earlier non-functional, have now been made operational. [Court on its own Motion v. State of Jharkhand, 2016 SCC OnLine Jhar 1294, Decided on 18.05.2016]
