The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Chief Secretary to take appropriate steps to improve the water quality of rivers in the State.
Earlier, civil society organisation Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain in a petition before NHRC alleged that people in the villages, towns and cities in the State are affected by the poisonous waters of 16 rivers including Mahanadi, Bramhani, Baitarani, Kharasrota, Gongua, Daya, Kuakhai and suffering from various types of diseases as revealed from the report of the Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
Swain alleged that this is violation of human rights due to inaction by the concerned authorities.
She prayed the commission to take criminal action against the responsible public authorities for the effects of water pollution, take necessary action to reduce the rate of pollution in water resources for healthy and better lives of people and compensate Rs.20 lakh to kin of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the affected victims for water pollution with free medical treatment by Government.
Earlier, the State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary submitted a report which stated that due to various industries located on the banks of the aforesaid rivers discharge their waste materials into the river for which waterborne diseases occurred.