SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the present times of acute crisis because of which the entire country is facing a lock-down of 21 days beginning from 25th March 2020, it is the time for the people of India, self help groups, non-governmental organisations and social activists to do hand-holding with the government, and not to come up before the Court by filing multiple public interest litigations raising similar claims for which both the Central Government and the State Governments are already conscious and are taking appropriate decisions to meet with the crisis starting from the industrialists, banking sector, insurance, the upper class, the middle class, the lower class and the under-privileged, including daily wage labourers working in the government and private sectors as also the migratory labourers. However, as these matters are being taken up through video conferencing, we are not dealing with them on merits individually, but collectively without commenting on each of the petitions.

(2.) In our perception the Central Government and the State Governments including State of Gujarat, in furtherance of their commitment to attend to the welfare of the people of India to provide sustenance to one and all are taking extra-ordinary measures, both in terms of policy decisions needed at this critical time as also spending huge amounts from the public exchequer. Dozens of restrictions and relaxations have been announced to accommodate one and all whose survival may be at stake.

(3.) It is also worth mentioning that in a state of lock-down and social distancing, the Government employees of various departments falling under essential services like police, medical and health, food and civil supplies, labour and employment, finance, etc., are working day and night to deal with crisis risking their life, any public interest litigation which is found to be motivated or sponsored or for personal gains for popularity or any vested interest, or frivolous would be dealt with at the appropriate stage firmly. With this in the background we have proceeded to hear the matters accordingly.