Overview
- A bench led by Justice Devashis Baruah directed Assam authorities to immediately ensure potable water, temporary sanitation, primary health centre access, and National Food Security Act rations for families displaced in Goalpara.
- The order assigns joint responsibilities to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the Goalpara deputy commissioner, the Balijana circle officer, the Public Health Engineering division, Health Services, and Food and Civil Supplies.
- Officials must establish a temporary sanitation mechanism on the compact plot of patta land where many evictees are sheltering and ensure fair price shops stock and dispense food grains upon production of valid ration cards.
- The court anchored its directions in the constitutional right to live with dignity and noted petitioners’ claims of ration shortfalls alongside the state’s assertion of no supply dearth.
- Respondents must file affidavits by March 9 detailing compliance, with the next hearing on March 11, after which the court will weigh further relief including a sought judicial inquiry.