Justice Devan Ramchandran
Kerala High Court (HC) lashed at the Chief Secretary and other top officials of Kerala Road Transport Corporation over their lacklustre attitude and non-appearance in the case related to pensioners’ petition with regard to non-payment of their pensions. Ambalamugal natives filed their petition, complaining of the hardships they faced due to the factory pollution.
The Chief Secretary’s excuse that he was the general convener of the ‘Keraleeyam 23’, the state government-sponsored mega extravaganza, invited the wrath of the HC. Reports suggest that the Government spent approximately Rs 27 crore for the event, which was organised in connection with the state’s foundation day (November 1).
Justice Devan Ramachandran wondered why the Chief Secretary failed to spare five or ten minutes for an online appearance like this. Court opined that no attempt has been made to find out the status of the issue pointed out in the petition in connection with the pollution. Court ordered that Chief Secretary should appear online, at any cost, when the Court takes up the matter on November 8.
Court suo motu impleaded the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in connection with the petition filed by the Ambalamugal natives. It was in light of the petition of contempt of court filed by the natives living in the middle of BPCL, KRL and Hindustan Organic Chemicals in Ambalamugal, near Kochi, that the Court asked the Chief Secretary to appear online. Earlier Court had asked the Chief Secretary to hear the petitioners before taking a decision. But it did not happen, hence the contempt of court petition.
Another petition filed before the High Court was by the retired employees of KSRTC. In this respect, Court had asked the Chief Secretary and the Transport Secretary to appear before it. But both officials had informed us of their inability to appear online, thanks to their other engagements. Now, the Court has asked both to personally appear before it on November 8.
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