The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : High Court disposes of G.K. Mani’s petition on Hogenakkal project

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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

High Court disposes of G.K. Mani’s petition on Hogenakkal project

Special Correspondent

Compensation sought for families whose members died after drinking adulterated water

CHENNAI: With the TWAD Board submitting before the Madras High Court a position note on Hogenakkal Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project, the court has disposed of a writ petition, filed five years ago, seeking a direction to the official authorities to implement the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project.

The petition, also sought a direction to the authorities to conduct an enquiry and determine adequate compensation to the families whose members died after consuming adulterated water supplied in Dharmapuri district.

In his petition, filed by counsel, K. Balu, M.R. Jothimanian and S. Sasikumar, petitioner G.K. Mani, president, PMK and MLA, said there was no perennial river in Dharmapuri district other than Cauvery. Even in the Cauvery, water was scarce. Because of this, the only source of water was groundwater.

The Tamil Nadu government had not introduced any water scheme in Dharmapuri district for agricultural, domestic and drinking purposes. Since groundwater was being extracted continuously, its level had fallen drastically and it contained traces of fluoride, nitrates, hardness and salinity.

It was reported in 2000 that the drinking water in Dharmapuri district contained high levels of fluoride. A survey and analysis of water samples revealed that fluoride content in water was above the tolerance level. In June 2003, more than 12 persons died, particularly due to consumption of contaminated groundwater supplied to them. More than 60 villages were affected.

In its order, a Division Bench comprising Justices S.J. Mukhopadhaya and A.C. Arumugaperumal Adityan, said in view of the fact that the authorities had taken steps for implementing the HIDWP/Hogenakkal Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project, that the foundation stone for the project was laid by the Chief Minister on February 26 this year, that a fact finding mission visited the project area of phase II (Hosur), that an agreement had already been signed by the Centre and JBIC for Phase I and a time schedule had been shown to implement the project by December 2012, no further orders were required to be passed with regard to finalisation/implementation and conclusion of the project.

No specific finding

As regards the compensation to the families whose members died due to consuming adulterated water, in the absence of detailed facts relating to such deaths, no specific finding could be given by the court, the Bench said.

If the petitioner had details relating to the deaths, he may bring the same to the notice of the Health Secretary. In such a case, the Secretary may enquire into the matter and act in accordance with the guidelines and the policy decision in this regard.

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