HC seeks details of disaster management from TN govt

Taking suo motu cognisance of the mining of 'Savudu' earth taking place at Nemam lake in Chembarambakkam, the Madras High Court today directed the state government to file its response on action taken by authorities to prevent natural disaster at the lake.
Dismissing a PIL seeking a direction for appointing a commission of inquiry to look into the unauthorised mining of Savudu earth in Nemam lake, which caused the recent floods in Chemberambakkam, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh, took suo motu cognisance of the issue and directed the registry to post similar petitions that were filed in this regard.

The bench said, "On perusal of material on record and the affidavit, we are not satisfiedwith the bonafide of the petitioner."
"The petitioner by profession is a transporter who has no prior experience with regard to PIL nor has he done any social work or has any special knowledge of the subject matter in question, which is the flooding that took place in the area in question."
"We thus reject the petition made on behalf of the petitioner and close the same," it said.
However, the court said it would like to look into the issue raised as there were certain other petitions pending before it regarding the necessaryaction taken by the disaster managementauthority.

"We thus convert the petition into suo motu proceedings and direct issuance of notice to authorities," the court said.
While directing the Tamil Nadu government and its authorities to file counter affidavits within four weeks, the bench posted the matter for further hearing to April 13.