SC refuses to pass direction on Bihar flood

The Supreme Court today said that the Centre and Bihar Government were carrying out their part of work in the flood-hit districts of the state and refused to pass any directions to them relating to the incident which has been declared as "national calamity".     

"What is for this court to give direction," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said when a petition was mentioned seeking slew of directions for the Centre and state government for the flood-hit areas.     

The Bench said the petition has been filed for publicity at a time when both the Centre and state government were doing their part of work.     

"They are doing their part of work. By giving orders can a court stop flood," the Bench, also comprising Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal, observed.     

"You all want publicity," the Bench said refusing to give urgent hearing to the petition filed by NGO, Yuva Shakti.      The Bench said the petition filed by the NGO will be heard on September 15, as fixed by the Registry.     

The NGO had sought appointment of an independent committee headed by a retired apex court or High Court judge to assess the nature of casualty. It suggested the inquiry could even be handed over to the National Human Rights Commission.    

 It alleged that the negligence of the Centre and the state government had led to the breaking of bund of the Kosi on Nepal border affecting 200 million people in six districts of Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria, Purnea and Katihar.      The NGO sought an independent probe to fix responsibility on guilty persons for the negligence.