ALMITRA H PATEL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Learned counsel on behalf on the State of Tamil Nadu states that additional response is to be filed. Needful be done within two weeks. Other States/Union Territories who have not yet filed responses should also do the needful within the same time. It is represented on behalf of the petitioner that copies of all the responses have not been served on the petitioner. Copies of all the responses should be served within two weeks.

(2.) In the meantime, we propose to take up the question of cleaning of four metropolitan cities -mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and Delhi as also the city of Bangalore. The learned counsel for the petitioner will prepare a chart indicating briefly, the recommendations of the Committee, the responses in respect of these four metropolitan cities and the city of Bangalore and also of the Union of India, the provisions of the local municipal laws in respect of cleaning of the cities and the officers or authorities responsible for complying with the provisions of the law. The central government should indicate as to whether it is possible to privatise some or all of the municipal service and if the privatisation takes place, what safeguards can be ensured so that ultimately there is no undue financial impact on the local authorities by way if they being obliged to take over the services of unwanted employees.

(3.) We observe this because Mr. Dave has brought to our notice that in Mumbai this problem has arisen and privatisation may become, in that sense, counter productive. Keeping in view the fact that the finances are very limited, Mr Dave submits that there is no other option but to privatise some of the municipal activities, without in any way increasing the financial burden on the authorities of the State.