TILOK DASGUPTA Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Although in terms of our earlier order dtd. 16/2/2021, we had directed the respondent No. 1, being the State of Meghalaya, represented by the Chief Secretary, to furnish a detailed report in the form of an affidavit on or before the next date stating therein specifically the exact number and names of those villages in the State of Meghalaya who, till date, do not have any access to potable and arsenic free drinking water, the Chief Secretary has filed an additional affidavit, which states the following in paragraphs 3 and 4:-

(2.) All that we had asked for was a detailed report from the State of Meghalaya, providing the exact number and names of those villages who, till date, do not have any access to potable and arsenic free drinking water. Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the additional affidavit affirmed by the Chief Secretary as reproduced hereinabove, however, do not reveal any policy of the State Government other than referring to Jal Jeevan Mission programme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is basically a programme of the Government of India. It is quite evident that the State of Meghalaya does not have any scheme/policy of its own in order to ensure that every village in the State of Meghalaya is provided with easy access to potable and arsenic free drinking water.

(3.) The State of Meghalaya shall, therefore, formulate a policy which should lay down a roadmap for those people residing in this State, who, till date, do not have any easy access to potable and arsenic free drinking water. The policy of the State shall be placed before this Court on behalf of the State on or before the next date.