Expressing deep concern for people living in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central and state governments to ensure that food, drinking water and medicines reach even the last person.
"I saw visuals on television that a large number of people are staying on roofs for survival and it is a challenge. Relief must reach them," said Chief Justice of India Justice RM Lodha, according to an NDTV news report. The court gave the directions on a bunch of petitions seeking relief and rehabilitation of people in the flood-ravaged state. The court also asked the government to consider paying immediate ex-gratia to victims because they do not have money to buy even essential commodities.
The Supreme Court bench also accepted some of the submissions by the petitioners who include Bhim Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party and advocate Colin Gonsalves and asked the Centre to consider forming a unified agency for carrying out relief, rescue and rehabilitation work, said a PTI report.
The apex court also directed that efforts to be made to make the state high court and administration offices functional from some available accommodation.
The court has sought a status report from the Centre on the relief and rescue work carried out so far. The case would be heard next Thursday.