Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 2: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sat Pal Rathore, a social activist and secretary Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha against the arbitrary enhancement of drinking water charges for domestic purposes, High Court today issued notice to State and others.
In the petition, it has been submitted that right to life has been recognized as a fundamental right of every citizen. “The water is a necessity of life and it is the duty of the Government to ensure that no body dies in thirst”, the petitioner said, adding “respondents should provide water to the people free of cost because there are no wells in the State and almost all the natural resources have been exhausted or destroyed by one way or the other”.
“The State, which is under an obligation to supply water to the people free of cost, has increased the water usage charges in arbitrary manner”, the petitioner submitted, adding “such a hefty hike in water usage charges cannot be justified under any provision of law”.
After listening senior Advocate S S Lehar with Advocate Deepak Kumar Atri, the High Court issued notice to State through Commissioner Secretary, PHE Department for responding to the petition within four weeks.
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