Jaipur: A single judge bench of the Rajasthan High Court Thursday initiated suo motu proceedings on heatwave conditions in the state.
The court directed the chief secretary to develop an action plan and set up a coordination committee to oversee the implementation of previous court orders designed to minimise heatwave-related public health impacts.
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand directed Rajasthan chief secretary to formulate an action plan to protect citizens from severe heatwave conditions. Additionally, district collectors were asked to provide reports on their compliance with previous directives, including the establishment of cooling centres, traffic signal shades, and medical facilities for heat-related ailments.
“Last year as well, suo motu cognisance was taken (of this matter) … and this was registered as a civil petition in which the high court issued various directions. More than 10 months have passed since then, and no action plan has been prepared by the state to address the escalating situation of heatwave,” Justice Dhand said. The court advised the state govt to establish guidelines preventing at-risk workers, including labourers, cart pullers, porters, and rickshaw pullers, from working between 12 pm to 3 pm during heatwave conditions. The next hearing is scheduled for April 24.
