PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Friday took suo motu cognisance of reports of a water crisis in Arpora, directing government authorities, including the Chief Secretary, to explain the situation within a week.
Acting on a newspaper report, the Commission comprising Chairperson Justice Bharat Deshpande and Members Desmond D'Costa and Pramod Kamat issued notices to the Chief Secretary, the Chief Engineer of the Department of Drinking Water, the Principal Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and the Secretary of the Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat, calling for detailed reports on the matter.
The authorities have been directed to submit their responses on July 31 at 10.30 am.
The Commission said it had examined the news report, which alleged that residents of Arpora had been without water for over a month while government agencies continued to shift responsibility for the disruption. Taking suo motu cognisance, it registered proceedings and ordered notices to the concerned authorities. The Commission has directed the authorities to appear either in person or through authorised representatives and file their reports on the scheduled date.
