LAISHRAM NABA SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The prayer in the PIL is as follows:-

(2.) The petitioner, who is a social worker, based on newspaper publication, pleaded that less than minimum rainfall is witnessed in the State of Manipur and there is an impending drought. This will seriously affect the farmers in the various districts and as a result, there will be a great distress in the farming community which will have a rippling effect on the other strata of the society. Besides, the drought condition will create scarcity of water which is needed essentially for all other daily human activity and consumption including dairy, poultry, horticulture and floriculture, etc. in the State of Manipur. Besides, the drought condition will have a chain reaction thereby the economic condition will run down. Since the trade and commerce is not the mainstay of the State of Manipur and the livelihood of the people is on agricultural, horticulture poultry, etc., shortage of rainfall will cause a serious dent in the economy and day to day lives of the people. Rice cultivation is a seasonal and it is the staple diet of the people of Manipur. This should not be affected. Therefore, there is a urgent need to declare the State as drought prone area and appropriate remedial action should be taken. The Central Government and the State Government should provide funds for the drought relief.

(3.) Right to life under the Constitution is being affected by the natural calamity. In para No.13 of the petition, the petitioner highlights the condition of the water flowing rivers in the Manipur as under:-