Punjab floods: P&H High Court declines immediate intervention; says officers busy in relief work

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday declined to intervene at this stage in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition concerning the devastating floods in Punjab.

A Division Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry observed that any court order at this stage would divert the manpower of the government which is currently needed to deal with the flood situation.

"The officers are right now dealing with the ground situation. They will have to sit down and file affidavit for this. We don't want to do that," the Court remarked.

"They will be extricated from that flood relief and they will be sitting on a table, preparing an affidavit for your petition, which we don't want to do," it added.

The petitioner earlier argued that the flood has been caused by the mismanagement of the government and other authorities. The relief work being done by the government is bare minimum, it was submitted.

However, the Court was unconvinced and said it will hear the matter next week with similar petitions related to Punjab floods.

"We will take it up on Monday," Chief Justice Nagu said.

Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain submitted that the authorities are doing their best.

"Government of India, State of Punjab ... we are doing our best. Yesterday, the Agriculture Minister was there. This is not the time to raise this issue," Jain said.

The counsel representing Punjab government submitted that the Supreme Court has taken note of the floods in a case heard on Thursday.

On September 2, the High Court had declined to pass any order on a similar PIL seeking court-monitored relief and rehabilitation measures in the State.