Deluge: No reason to send notice to Ministers, says court

Kochi: No notice will be issued to the Ministers by the High Court on a petition filed in the High Court, demanding a judicial inquiry related to the recent flood in the state.

A division bench headed by the Chief Justice was hearing a petition filed by M P Joseph, former additional chief secretary and former representative of the United Nations Council, hailing from Thrippunithara, demanding different actions in the backdrop of the catastrophe.

The court which rejected the plea to seek an explanation from Minister for Electricity M M Mani, and Minister for Water Resources Mathew T Thomas, made it clear that there was no sufficient reasons to send them notice.

The court also observed that the approach of the people of Kerala in handling the flood is an example to the world.

The petitioner alleged that there is a need of judicial inquiry to know the reason behind the devastating flood and it was the state government's flaw in implementing the CAG's recommendations that caused the mishap.

An emergency action plan regarding the dam and the reservoir and the operation manual was not prepared. This is a violation of the people's right to life.

Although the Central Water Commission prepared a guideline in 2016 to chalk out an emergency action plan, the petition says, the state government failed to take any action.

The court which heard the petition, sought an explanation from central and state governments, Dam Safety Authority, national and state level Disaster Management Authorities, KSEB, Union Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the District Collectors of Idukki, Wayanad, Pathanampthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur.

The petition will be heard on September 12 along with other similar petitions.