[Order of the Court was made by A.SELVAM, J.] This writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to direct the second respondent to send Circular or Government Order to all District Collectors, Corporation Commissioners, Municipalities, Panchayat Boards, PWD officials to take immediate steps in a war footing basis to provide drinking water in a regular manner to the general public, by way of issuing a writ of mandamus.
2.Mr.R.Murugappan, learned Senior Panel Counsel for Central Government, has taken notice for the first respondent and Mr.M.Govindan, learned Special Government Pleader, has taken notice for the respondents 2 to 4, 6 and 7. Considering the nature of the relief sought in the writ petition, notice need not be sent to the fifth respondent.
3.The petitioner is present and contended to the effect that all over Tamil Nadu scarcity of drinking water is rampant and under the said circumstances a representation has been given, but the authorities have not considered the same and therefore the present writ petition has been filed for getting the relief sought therein.
4.The main relief sought in the writ petition is to direct the second respondent to give necessary Circular or Government Order to all districts for providing drinking water to the general public regularly..
5.Considering the nature of the relief sought in the writ petition, this Court is of the view to pass the following order.
6.In fine, this writ petition is allowed without costs and the respondents 2 and 3 are strictly directed to take immediate steps by way of issuing Circular or Government Orders to all districts for providing drinking water regularly to the general public within a period of fifteen days.
To
1.The Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, No.412, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi ? 110 001.
2.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai ? 600 009.
3.The Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department,Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai ? 600 009, Chairman, TWAD Board.
4.The Secretary, Public Works Department and Water Resources Organization, Government of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai ? 600 009.
5.The Engineer ? in ? Chief, Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai ? 5 (W.E.).
6.The Chief Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai ? 5 (W.E.)..