Supreme Court Blocks Jharkhand HC's Order on Festival Power Outages, Advocates Safety Protocols
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court has halted the Jharkhand High Court's ban on power cuts during festivals like Ram Navami, emphasizing safety measures while addressing the concerns of local businesses affected by outages.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court stayed the Jharkhand High Court's order regarding festival power cuts.
- The Jharkhand government justified power cuts for safety during processions.
- Power outages can significantly affect local businesses.
- The next hearing is scheduled for April 8.
- Essential services must remain uninterrupted during power cuts.
New Delhi/Ranchi, April 4 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has placed a hold on the Jharkhand High Court directive that prohibited power outages during Ram Navami and other festivities, following a challenge from the state government to this decision in the apex court.
The government of Jharkhand contended that temporary power interruptions are essential for safety, as the flags carried in processions present a risk of electric shocks. The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has consistently suspended power supply for several hours on festival days to mitigate accidents.
This issue came to the fore after a significant power outage lasting five to ten hours in Ranchi during the Sarhul festival on April 1.
A bench of the Jharkhand High Court, headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan, took suo motu notice of the situation on April 3, halting the government's practice and questioning the absence of alternative safety measures as well as the difficulties faced by residents.
Concerns were raised regarding the impact of these outages on local businesses, which experienced forced closures and subsequent revenue losses. The High Court highlighted that such interruptions not only inconvenience residents but also create safety hazards. Consequently, the court had directed the JBVNL to avoid prolonged power cuts unless absolutely essential.
On Friday, a Supreme Court bench, including Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, reviewed the state government’s appeal.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Jharkhand government, argued that prior incidents of electrocution during Ram Navami and other religious processions warranted these precautionary power cuts.
After considering the arguments presented, the Supreme Court determined that power cuts should be limited to procession routes and minimized in duration during festivals.
The apex court emphasized that essential services, such as hospitals, must remain unaffected by these power outages.
The Managing Director of the JBVNL is required to submit a commitment to ensure adherence to these directives, as stated by the Supreme Court.
The next hearing in this matter has been scheduled for April 8.
