Mangaluru (TNN): Dakshina Kannada Permanent Lok Adalat has served summons to Puttur town municipality, in connection with a petition filed by a villager, who demands the right to drinking water.
S M Mohammed Rafeeq, a resident of 34-Nekkiladi gram panchayat in Puttur taluk, had questioned Puttur town municipality about the negligence on their part to provide drinking water to villagers, while implementing a drinking water project.
In 2005, Nekkiladi gram panchayat and Karnataka Urban Water Supply & Drainage Board (KUWSDB) started constructing a large barrage across the Kumaradhara river with ADB funding at Nekkilady, about 11 km from Puttur town. The water from the barrage was lifte d and supplied only to Puttur town. However, the authorities allegedly ignored over 1,000 villagers residing on both sides of the river. Rafeeq, in his petition filed in April, had pointed out that the right to get water for drinking purpose is not only legal but also constitutional and fundamental right as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution.
He pointed out that ignoring villagers of 34-Nekkiladi is a violation of rights.
He made deputy commissioner, zilla panchayat CEO, 34-Nekkiladi gram panchayat, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board and The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation as respondents in the petition filed before the adalat.
The court has directed Puttur town municipality authorities to be present for hearing before the court on July 21.
A decision to summon Puttur town municipality authorities was taken during the first hearing held on May 26. Advocates M N Vinaya Kumar and Vivek and Paniyala are arguing for Rafeeeq.
The petitioner has also pleaded with the court to direct each of the respondents to pay him a compensation of Rs 25,000 for causing mental agony, hardship, inconvenience and irreparable injury.
