Better water management required: Justice Balakrishnan

Indore, Apr 21 (UNI) Supreme Court Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan today described water disputes between states as a challenge before the federal structure of the country.

Justice Balakrishnan, while addressing the two-day conference of former justices that got underway here today, said most disputes between states related to water sharing and stressed on the need for better water management to resolve them.

He said former justices could play a role in resolving such matters. Pointing out that former justices were rendering their services in social issues, he said the spectrum could be expanded.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice A K Patnaik and former Chief Justice of India (CJI) R C Lahoti were also present.

The two-day meeting would discuss issues related to environment, water management, media and justice.

Justice Balakrishnan raised the matter of children leaving their studies in-between to become labourers and difficulties in implementation of compulsory education for children.

He said former justices were working in this area by providing legal assistance.

Expecting media to be more responsible, the CJI said media must understand its responsibility in view of social and economic impact of its news.

He said a judge, with relatively less experience, could be influenced by the news in media.

He also discussed the impact of judicial decisions being presented in wrong manner.

Former CJI R C Lahoti, Justice Patnaik and Mr Chouhan also expressed their views.

UNI