Madras HC grants three more months to PWD for building toilets in courts
Chennai: The Madras high court has granted three months to public works department (PWD) to show substantial progress in the matter relating to providing adequate and proper toilet facilities in all the courts in the state.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R.Mahadevan disposed of a PIL from advocate Veangai I.Prakash Raj, which sought a direction to authorities to take necessary steps to keep the toilets in the courts through out TN open and in proper condition, with cleaning staff and to maintain them in an hygienic condition.
The bench said a comprehensive report has been filed by the member-secretary, Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority in pursuance to its earlier order setting out the adequacies and inadequacies in respect of various districts.
Affidavit filed by the PWD stated that necessary inspections have been carried out under the supervision of the principal district judges by the PWD, in pursuance there to the district-wise consolidated report has been submitted regarding the requirement of toilets.
“We find that there is considerable progress to be made on account of the own report of PWD. Not only that, it is not merely a question of construction of toilets, but their continued maintenance. A comprehensive report submitted by the TNSLA should form basis for completing all activities.
“We grant three months time to PWD to show substantial progress. The PWD shall submit its report to the member-secretary, TNSLA as to what progress has been made and in how much time the balance work would be completed. So that schedules are adhered to.
“The matter would be monitored by the TNSLA and a report be submitted to this court on the next date of hearing as to what extent, compliance has been taken place and when the complete implementation would be over. We are of the view no further directions are required in the petition except to monitor the progress as according to PWD in total about six months time required to complete the task.
We do believe that such an endeavour would in furtherance of “Swatch Bharat” for providing toilet facilities”, the bench added and posted to November 18 for reporting compliance.
In its affidavit, the PWD has submitted that there was requirement of 320 new toilets in 31 districts in TN except in Chennai district. Housekeeping will be carried out under the purview of concerned court authorities.
