- (1.) Having read the daily Newspaper "the Pioneer" (English Edition), Ranchi Wednesday, May 7, 2014, it transpires that a major portion of Jubilee Lake, which is sprawling in approximately 20 acres, has dense growth of aquatic plants algae causing imminent threat to human life and life of fishes. Hundreds of fishes have died in the lake because of decreasing dissolved oxygen level. The hazardous effect of obnoxious growth of the weeds and increase in toxic pollutants in the lake are also the reasons for the death of fishes. It is due to failure of Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company Limited (in short JUSCO) which is a subsidiary of Tata Steel Company Limited and is looking after integrated town management with civic bodies. A photograph in the news item clearly shows the death of large number of fishes. The District Fishery Officer also appears to have shown his anxiety that dense growth of weeds and water plants in the lake is a threat to aquatic life. The officials of JUSCO have also admitted that toxic and polluted water is the cause behind the death of the fishes.
(2.) The news item published in the daily newspaper reflects an issue of public importance with a far reaching consequences. Since this Court is Under Constitutional obligation to express on the impact of health of people residing in adjoining area and environment, we have taken suo motu cognizance of the report published in the above newspaper and accordingly it is directed to institute this matter as Public Interest Litigation, impleading inter alia the Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, Chairman as well as Managing Director of Jamshedpur Utilities, Services Company Ltd. and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, Ranchi as respondents.
(3.) On behalf of the State of Jharkhand and the Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, Mr. Ajit Kumar, learned Additional Advocate General takes notice.;