The Delhi High Court in the case Dr Akash Bhattacharya v. Delhi Disaster Management Authority through Chairperson Lt. Governor & Anr observed wherein the public interest litigation is moved seeking immediate measures like free ration, medical assistance, sanitary provisions and other essentials for people at the Yamuna flood relief camps in the national capital.
The Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula was hearing the present matter.
The Public Interest Litigation filed Advocate KR Shiyas seeks direction on the Delhi Government in order to notify the flood as a natural disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and also to provide immediate cash assistance for an amount of Rs. 50,000 for those who lost their belongings and shelter.
The present plea is moved by Akash Bhattacharya, who being the Assistant Professor of Azim Premji University, who has contended before the court that the flood that happened in the Yamuna floodplain is the most devastating calamity occurred in Delhi since the year 1978.
The petitioner in the plea stated that the lackadaisical response from authorities cost the livelihood of hundreds of poor and destroyed their sole shelter which contained household items to the document which are important which proves the existence of the concerned.
Adding to it, it has been stated that the Delhi Government has a constitutional as well as statutory obligation to provide immediate assistance to the victims of natural calamity under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and that the flood will constitute a disaster as stated under the section 2(d) of the enactment.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on Monday.
