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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Erect waiting shed at Fort Kochi Ro-Ro jetty within a week, Kerala HC directs Kochi corporation
Kochi: High court has directed the Kochi corporation secretary to erect a temporary waiting shed at the Fort Kochi Ro-Ro Jetty, capable of accommodating at least 50 commuters at a time, at the corporation's expense, within a week. Additionally, the bench of Justice C S Dias instructed Kochi Water Metro Ltd to explore the possibility of providing temporary shelters at both the Fort Kochi and Vypin Water Metro jetties, especially to offer protection to commuters during the monsoon season. The court was hearing a petition concerning the Fort Kochi-Vypin Ro-Ro ferry service. The petition was filed by Nancy Xavier, who sought interim relief directing the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation and Kochi corporation to construct a waiting room at the Fort Kochi Ro-Ro Jetty. She submitted that hundreds of passengers rely on the Ro-Ro ferry service daily, and despite five years having passed since the commencement of services and multiple undertakings by the corporation, no waiting facility had been provided. In response, Kochi corporation informed HC that an estimate of Rs 6.70 lakh had been prepared for constructing a waiting shed, which was awaiting administrative approval. They added that even a temporary shed requires permission from the statutory authority under the Art & Heritage Regulations, framed under the CRZ norms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¡Trading con IA en Chile ayuda a usuarios a obtener ganancias potenciales! Mainhubfb Más información Undo The corporation's counsel also pointed out that the Kochi Water Metro has constructed a ticket counter with seating, located adjacent to the Ro-Ro Jetty, which passengers may use. However, HC observed that Kochi corporation cannot shirk its statutory obligations or shift responsibility to the Water Metro authorities, especially since there is no privity of contract between Water Metro and Ro-Ro passengers. The bench also criticised the corporation for failing to provide shelter for commuters who are exposed to the vagaries of nature. The court further directed the petitioner to implead the Coastal Regulation Zone Authority as a party in the proceedings and adjourned the matter to June 10.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Despite surge in dog bite cases, Kerala govt yet to revive Justice Siri Jagan Committee set up to process compensation claims
Kochi: Despite Kerala reporting a steep rise in dog bite cases, the state govt is yet to take a decision on the resumption of the Justice S Siri Jagan Committee constituted to process compensation claims from victims. The committee, appointed by the Supreme Court in 2016, had ceased functioning following a 2024 directive from the apex court which clarified that such matters fall under the purview of the high courts. In a petition filed by the Cultural Academy for Peace in Dec 2024, seeking the continuation of the committee's operations, the Kerala high court had repeatedly directed the state to take an immediate decision. However, each time, the govt responded that the matter was under the state cabinet's consideration. In the latest hearing before the bench of Justice C S Dias on April 11, the govt pleader submitted that the cabinet's final decision would be placed before the bench after the high court's summer vacation. The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 23. Siri Jagan committee The three-member committee, chaired by Justice S Siri Jagan, was constituted by the Supreme Court in 2016 to address the growing number of stray dog attacks in Kerala and to determine compensation for victims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ótimas notícias para os cidadãos brasileiros! Leia mais Undo In 2023, following the Centre's notification of the new Animal Birth Control Rules, the Supreme Court disposed of the matter. However, the apex court did not clarify the future functioning of the committee, leading to a halt in its operations. As of now, 7,932 petitions are pending before the committee. Since its inception in 2016, the committee has sanctioned compensation claims totalling Rs 8.70 crore. "As the apex court has disposed of the matter, the committee cannot continue as such without a directive from the state govt," Justice Siri Jagan told TOI. He further added that even now, the committee receives two to three fresh petitions daily from stray dog attack victims. Current scenario The state has reported 13 rabies deaths so far this year, compared to 22 in the whole of 2024. In three of the four recent rabies deaths, the victims had received the rabies vaccine after being bitten by dogs. In 2024, 3.16 lakh dog bite cases were reported in the state, a notable rise from the 1.35 lakh in 2017. Among the districts, Thiruvananthapuram (50,870 cases) recorded the highest dog bite cases last year, followed by Kollam (37,618) and Ernakulam (32,086).
