ENDANGERING HUMAN LIFE

In 1990, the Indian Council for Environ-Legal Action filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, alleging that on account of continuous discharge of industrial effluents in Nakkavagu canal the lives of the people living in the 15 adjoining villages were endangered as the ground water had become contaminated there. That there was no potable water and the crops were also damaged. The petitioners accordingly prayed inter alia, that the Court should direct Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 to provide clean drinking water to the people living in the said 15 villages, that the hazardous industries be closed down and that the victims of pollution be paid adequate compensation.

Pursuant to the orders of the Court, passed from time to time in the matter, the State has been able to provide drinking water to these affected villages. Further, under orders of the court, the District Judge, Medak assessed the extent of damage and quantified compensation that is to be paid to the affected farmers. Till date, the total compensation assessed is Rs. 1,39,09,737, out of which, Rs. 1,22,12,526 has been disbursed to the affected farmers for the years 1984-96.

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