The Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the civic agencies for its failure to lift garbage from city's roads and warned of issuing contempt of court notice for failing to comply with its directions on prevention of vector-borne diseases.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar took suo moto cognizance of a TV news channel report over non-removal of garbage in different areas of east Delhi.
"You (government and civic bodies) have mentioned in your affidavit that you have cleaned all the areas in Delhi, however, the media reports show that the garbage is not collected even in four days," the court said.
"It's a very serious matter. It speaks volumes of what you (East Delhi Municipal Corporation) are doing. Your status report (in dengue and chikungunya matter) is completely contradictory. It amounts to contempt of court. You can't file a false report in court. Citizens can't suffer because you pass the buck," said the bench.
The news channel report highlights several contradictions in the manner in which EDMC is undertaking task of garbage cleaning under areas in its jurisdiction.
The programme, which was played in the courtroom, also highlighted other issues faced by EDMC workers like non-payment of salaries and lack of proper shoes, clothing and other equipment to clean drains and garbage.
"Without constant monitoring these authorities don't move a step ahead," noted the bench, asking the Union and Delhi Urban Development Secretaries and Commissioners of civic bodies to watch the video of the programme.
It also asked news channel's team to conduct random inspection on garbage removal and disposal in Delhi and submit a report before June 2, the next date of hearing.
The court has also been hearing PILs claiming the government and civic agencies have not taken preventive steps against vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue. The government and civic bodies had told the court that they have taken all the steps to prevent these diseases.
--IANS
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