Why was water supply stopped to select slums? BMC asked

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file an affidavit in reply to a public interest litigation filed challenging civic body's decision to stop drinking water supply in slum areas that have come up post-1995.

The PIL filed by Mumbai-based NGO 'Pani Haq Samiti' has challenged the decision of BMC which was implemented on the basis of a government resolution issued on March 4, 1996.

The corporation has stopped water supply to people residing in slums which have come up post January 1, 1995.

"Right to water is also a part of right to life. No one can deprive us of it," petitioner's advocate Mihir Desai said.

Giving example of Right to Education Act, Desai said that every child in the country has a right to primary education irrespective of his residential status.

"Would a child living in a slum, which has come up post 1995, be denied right to education?" Desai questioned.

A slum-dweller may not be eligible for rehabilitation under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, but that cannot deprive him of right to water. They (BMC) may demolish slums later, but they cannot deny drinking water, argued Desai.