HC issues notice to punjab local govt department, Khanna MC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices to Punjab's local government department and Khanna municipal council on a writ petition claiming a Rs-10 lakh compensation each for two dengue deaths.
The bench of Justice Rajan Gupta issued notices for December 18, on a civil writ petition jointly filed by Balram Kumar Balli and his sister-in-law, Bharti, the widow of Vishal Balli (both residents of Khanna).
The petitioners have sought a Rs-10 lakh compensation each from the respondents for the death of Balram's son Lalit and Bharti's husband Vishal due to dengue on July 18, 2015 and September 11, 2015 respectively.

The petitioners had contended that the Khanna Municipal Council did not take preventive measures and failed to discharge its statutory obligations under various sections of the Punjab Municipal Council Act, 1911, pertaining to supplying wholesome drinking water to the residents, and failed to disinfect the houses and streets under its jurisdiction.
On a complaint filed by Balram in August 2015, the SMO, Khanna, had formed a team, visited their area and submitted his report, in which he had stated that the outbreak of various diseases might take place due to the prevailing conditions in the area.
The respondents were therefore, liable to compensate the petitioners for the two dengue deaths, they contended.