2 min readMumbaiOct 15, 2015 01:21 AM IST
First published on: Oct 15, 2015 at 01:21 AM IST
The Bombay High Court Wednesday directed the chief secretary to inquire into the issue of release of water for the shahi snan (holy dip) during the Kumbh Mela in Nashik and examine the legality of the government officials’ decision which was contrary to the state’s own policy of giving priority to drinking water.
“Looking at the seriousness of the issue, we direct the chief secretary to inquire into the issue of release of water for facilitating the shahi snan. He shall examine the legality of the decision taken by the district collector and other officers, after considering all records,” said the Bench.
The chief secretary has been asked to record his finding and submit a report on or before December 21.
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The matter has been listed for hearing on December 22.
A division bench of Justices A S Oka and V L Achliya was hearing a petition filed by HM Desarda, a professor from Pune, seeking the quashing of the state government’s decision to release one TMC water for every ‘shahi snan’.
The state has been reeling under a drought-like situation.
The court had earlier observed that releasing large quantity of water from the Gangapur dam for the shahi snan was contrary to government policy, in particular, the government resolution of September 7, 2015.
The court has now asked the government to file an affidavit in this matter by October 28.
mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
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