HC raps Maha govt for not implementing beach safety resolution

Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) The Bombay High Court today rappedthe Maharashtra government for dragging its feet inimplementing a resolution issued by it in 2006 regarding stepsto be taken towards securing the beaches in the state. A division bench of Justices A S Oka and A A Sayed washearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manchon the issue of beach safety. In 2006, the high court had passed certain directionsfollowing which on September 8, 2006, the government issued aresolution listing several steps and measures that will beundertaken to ensure beaches in the state are secured. Some ofthe measures included beach patrolling, lifeguards and theirequipments, signboards warning people of high tide and lowtide and others. "From 2006 to 2016, you (government) have not doneanything towards implementation of the resolution. Thegovernment has only been asking for extension of time toimplement the resolution," the court said. The government today sought three months time to implementthe resolution. The court said it would grant the extension only if thegovernment would give an undertaking assuring the court thatit would implement all the steps laid down in the resolutionwithin the next three months. The court said if there is an undertaking and if afterthree months nothing is done, then it could initiate contemptproceedings against the government. The court posted the petition for further hearing nextweek. PTI SP GKKUNSDM