Slap criminal cases against those illegally extracting water: Madras HC

Chennai: Observing that there was no life without water and that equal distribution of water was paramount importance and a Constitutional mandate, the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to slap criminal cases against those extracting water illegally and formulate a policy to regulate distribution of water for irrigation and other purposes.

In his observations on a writ petition filed against illegal extraction of river water for irrigation in Erode district, Mr Justice SM Subramaniam directed the state government to formulate a new policy if no such policy was already in place to regulate distribution of water for irrigation and other purposes in a judicious manner.

While ordered slapping of criminal cases against those who indulge in illegal extraction of water, the judge directed the state government to conduct periodic inspections, by the officials concerned, to identify those who indulge in illegal extraction of water.

"There is no life without water...every wrongdoer must be prosecuted as per law as equal distribution of water is of paramount importance and a constitutional mandate.

The benefit cannot be restricted to a few individuals alone,” the Judge noted.

While observing that it was the duty of the government to ensure equal distribution of water to all citizens without any discrimination and more importantly, by keeping public interest in mind, Mr Justice Subramaniam said people must also be sensitised towards the need for optimum utilisation of water. (UNI)