The high court on Thursday observed that the increasing pollution of groundwater is a matter of serious concern and the level of pollution is such that the Vrishabhavathi river has become ‘Vishabhavathi’ (poisonous).
The court took suo motu cognizance of a letter by the Judicial Registrar, who wrote to the Chief Justice about the increasing pollution levels, following a media report.
A division Bench of Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna observed, “This is a serious issue. We should ensure that the groundwater level improves through effective recharging. Therefore, Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) should be made mandatory. Now that there are no lakes and ponds, what is happening to the rain water? The government should ensure that rain water is stored to effectively recharge groundwater levels”.
Plea admitted
The high court on Thursday admitted a writ petition by Lokesh D Nayak and Indiramma requesting the court to direct the state government to reserve either the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor’s post in the forthcoming mayoral elections for a Scheduled Tribe candidate.
The court directed the government and the Election Commission not to announce the calendar of events for the mayoral elections and adjourned the case to June 17.
Directive to government
The high court on Thursday directed the state government to place on record its plans on improving infrastructure at anganwadi schools, by June 20. The court had initiated suo motu proceedings after it came to know about the lack of basic infrastructure in anganwadis across the state.
Order reserved
The high court on Thursday reserved its orders on the writ petition challenging the government’s guidelines to allow only the firms in which at least 50 per cent of the equities are owned by Indians to participate in the tenders to supply high security registration plates.
M S Tonnjes Eastern and another company had filed a writ petition requesting the court to direct the government to allow foreign companies to participate in the tendering process.
BIEC case
The high court on Thursday reserved its order on a writ petition challenging the acquisition of 18.1 acres of land for Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) near Tumkur Road.
Additional government advocate Nagashree submitted that there is no government land in the vicinity and the government has to acquire private lands to set up the exhibition centre.
The court had earlier directed the government to specify if it had explored the opportunities of utilising government land in the vicinity to establish the exhibition centre.
Hearing put off
The high court on Thursday adjourned further hearing on the petition filed by former D K Shivakumar seeking to quash the case filed against him for allegedly getting the land owned by him at Benniganahalli illegally denotified through former CM B S Yeddyurappa, after the Lokyukta sought more time to file its objections.