National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman H.L. Dattu on Friday said the commission may take suo motu cognisance on releasing of untreated water through Koramangala–Challaghatta Valley (KC Valley) to waterbodies in the drought-prone Chickballapur and Kolar districts.
Mr. Dattu, who chaired a two-day open house and camp in the city, told reporters that releasing of untreated water to Kolar amounts to human rights violation and the NHRC would take up the case based on media reports and complaints if anybody comes forward to file. It was the responsibility of the government to ensure potable water for residents of the State.
The KC Valley project is to supply secondary treated sewage to tanks in Kolar and Chickballapur districts. The Kolar district administration pulled up officials of the Minor Irrigation Department, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, and the contractor soon after polluted water was released into tanks in the district.
Total cases
According to a press release from the commission, 185 cases, including matters pending with the commission, were considered by the three Benches on the first day. As many as, 106 of them were closed as the commission was satisfied by the action taken by the State government.
“The commission recommended compensation of ₹5 lakh in one case and issued a show-cause notice to the State government in seven matters for providing monetary relief for prima facie violation of human rights,” the release stated.
On the second day, 11 cases were listed with the full commission. Considering the action taken reports submitted in connection with these cases, the full commission closed four cases and sought further reports in the remaining cases.