HC restrains Local Bodies on engaging workers to clean drainages

Chennai, Oct 13 (UNI) Madras High Court today restrained the Local Bodies in Tamil Nadu from engaging workers for cleaning drainages.

Admitting a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the First Bench comprising Chief Justice A K Ganguly and Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla ordered notice to the state represented by Secretary, Municipal Administration, returnable within two days and posted the matter to October 15.

In his petition, social activist Narayanan submitted that the entire state, including Chennai City Municipal Corporation, were engaging workers to clean drainages deep inside.

Sometimes, many people lost their lives while cleaning the drainages, the petitioner added.

Even though there was a ban on cleaning human waste by human beings, the local body authorities were still utilising the services of a particular community for getting the work done, the petitioner contended.

The petitioner also sought the court to restrain the government and local bodies from engaging workers for cleaning the drainage and direct the government to appoint a Committee to look into the matter.

UNI XR KVV GL NS1607