thPANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has directed that a fresh water connection be given to Sukhada Painginkar and her family from Navelim, stating that denial of water violates the right to basic living conditions.
Painginkar had approached the GHRC on August 21, alleging that her family’s water supply was cut off because the connection was in another person’s name.
The Commission noted that although supply was restored after the complaint, the family remained at risk as the connection was still in someone else’s name.
In its report, the Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed that the connection stood in the name of Deepa Naik. Its officials had found the service line closed during inspection but reconnected the pipeline immediately.
“Presently, there is no water supply issue and supply is regular,” Assistant Engineer Pradeep Dessai stated.
However, the GHRC pointed out that if Naik again asked for disconnection, Painginkar’s family could lose water. To prevent this, it recommended a separate connection in Painginkar’s name without delay.
The inquiry report by Acting Chairperson Desmond D’Costa and Member Pramod Kamat stated: “Though the water supply has been restored, the family’s rights remain at risk as the connection is not in their name. Since they have lived in the premises for over 20 years, the water connection should be shifted to the complainant.”
The GHRC report referred to the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Health Act, 1985, and a government notification of December 2023, stressing that access to water is a matter of public health and a basic human right.
