Delhi govt tells HC about steps taken to provide relief to flood victims

The Delhi government told the high court on Monday that it has taken steps to provide relief to those affected by the flooding of the Yamuna river this month.
The counsel for the government submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, which was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter seeking free rations, medical assistance, etc. at the relief camps here, that a cabinet decision has been taken to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each to the affected families, and shelter has also been given to them.
The bench, also comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee, asked the government to file a status report on the issue and listed the matter for further hearing on September 13.
Standing counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi, who appeared in court on behalf of the Delhi government, also raised “serious objections” against the petition, saying it was filed without any due diligence or approaching the authorities first and “reflects as if nothing has been done”.
Advocate Arun Panwar also appeared for the government.
Heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna, including in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, led to the river swelling to record levels this month.
Petitioner Akash Bhattacharya, a former assistant professor at Azim Premji University, said in his plea that around 25,000 people were affected by the flood, and their livestock are living in extreme conditions at the relief camps, without proper sanitation facilities and food.