The Rajasthan High Court Today (May 30th) directed the state government to provide compensation to the dependents of people who died due to heatwaves, and said there was a need to declare heatwaves and cold waves “national calamities”.
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JAIPUR: The Rajasthan High Court today, issued a directive to the state government to compensate the dependents of those who died due to the recent heatwave. Emphasizing the need to declare heatwaves and cold waves as “national calamities”. The court urged for swift action and better implementation of environmental protection measures.
Taking suo motu cognizance on the issues of environment protection and climate change, the High Court instructed the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to form committees from various departments. These committees are to ensure the effective implementation of the ‘Heat Action Plan’ under the Rajasthan Climate Change Project.
The court emphasized that the Heat Action Plan, developed with the Disaster Management and Relief Department and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, must be executed in “letter and spirit.”
The court directed the state government to provide suitable compensation to the families of those who succumbed to heatstroke. The single-judge bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand ordered state authorities to take immediate actions, including sprinkling water on roads with heavy public movement, providing cooling spaces, and setting up shades at traffic signals.
Health centers must be equipped to treat heatwave patients, and advisories should be issued for outdoor workers, allowing rest between 12 noon and 3 pm during extreme heat conditions.
Justice Dhand highlighted the increasing number of deaths due to extreme weather, stressing the necessity for legislative action. The court noted,
“Due to extreme weather conditions in the form of heatwave, hundreds of people have lost their lives this month,”
and pointed out that each year, extreme weather conditions result in numerous fatalities. The court also mentioned that heatwave death tolls are challenging to estimate since excess heat is often not listed as the primary cause in cases involving pre-existing conditions.
The court asserted,
“Looking at the large number of deaths due to extreme heat and cold waves across the country, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) started working on it. There is a need to declare heatwave and coldwave as National Calamity.”
The court’s order, titled ‘Save The Planet Earth And The Future Generation Of This Universe,’ underscored the importance of environmental protection. It called for collective efforts from the government and individuals to safeguard the planet. Additionally, the court raised concerns about pollution and food adulteration, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to address these issues.
In summary, the Rajasthan High Court’s proactive steps aim to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions and ensure the well-being of the public, urging for national recognition of heatwaves and cold waves as calamities.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on National Calamities
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