The Deccan Chronicle 25.11.2010
Top officials face rap over sewage deathsNov. 24: The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the secretary to government, municipal administration and water supply department and the managing director of Chennai Metro Water to appear before the court on December 6 in connection with a contempt of court case relating to manual scavenging.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam posted further hearing of the contempt application filed by journalist A. Narayanan to December 6.
“We have perused the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner who is appearing before us in person and also the newspaper cuttings produced by him, which prima facie show that the authorities are bent upon violating and disobeying directions issued by this court,” the bench said, noting that at least two people died while cleaning underground sewage lines after the court last adjourned the case.
The government pleader was directed to file reply to the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner and also state the government’s response to the death of two workers as has been reported in the newspapers.
“Since a prima facie case has been made, we direct the secretary to government, municipal administration and water supply department as well as the chairman/managing director of Chennai Metro Water to appear in person before the court on December 6 in order to justify their inaction,” the bench added.
Originally, on a PIL from Mr Narayanan, the high court had on November 20, 2008, banned the entry of human beings in manholes and septic tanks in the state. When the order was not implemented, he filed a contempt application and the court passed five specific orders including formation of a committee to make recommendations on how to improve the drainage system.
