Environment Protection Act in Relation to Health Law

Table of Contents

1. 2. 3. '. +. 6. &. *.

Introduction to Health Law…….......................................... Law……................................................................. ......................................01 ...............01 Introductio Introduction n to Environmen Environmentt Protection Protection Act Act in relation relation to Health Laws……… Laws……………06 ……06 Contet Contet o! "udicial "udicial Interventio Intervention n and Evolvin# Evolvin# $nderstan $nderstandin# din# o! %i#ht %i#ht to Health….0 Health….0& & (aha)an Committee Committee %ecommen %ecommendation dationss on Environm Environment……… ent…………………… …………………..0 ……..0* * %i#ht %i#ht to Health Health is a ,undam ,undamental ental %i#ht… %i#ht……………… …………………………… ……………………………. ……………..0.0Peole Peole are entitled entitled to ade/uate ade/uate health care……………………… care……………………………………… …………………..0…..0Conclu Conclusio sion…… n…………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ………20 20 ilio#rah ilio#rah……………… ……………………………… ……………………………… …………………………… …………………………. …………….21 21

Introduction to Wild life protection act with relation to Health Law

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Law has had imortant contriutions to several ulic health achievements ut desite this the conce concetua tuall !ramewo !ramewor4 r4 !or its e!!ecti e!!ective ve alica alicatio tion n has not een een !ull !ull elica elicated ted..1 (edicin (edicinee has moved moved eond eond treatin treatin# # disease disease to romot romotin# in# health health which which entail entailss olic olic interv intervent ention ionss and re#ulat re#ulation ionss at di!!er di!!erent ent levels levels to rin# rin# aout aout ehavi ehaviora orall chan#e chan#ess in indivi individua duals. ls. 5his 5his was identi identi!ied !ied  the ninetee nineteenth nth centur centur erman erman hsici hsician an Rudolph Virchow  who said7 8 Medicine is a social science and politics nothing but medicine on a

 grand scale.9 scale. 9 In the resent:da chan#in# scenario hsicians need to understand the social imlications and the over:archin# role o! law. ;e hi#hli#ht how a !ramewor4 o! law can e develoed !or romotin# ulic health #oals. Health and health care need to e distin#uished !rom each other !or no etter reason than that the !ormer is o!ten incorrectl incorrectl seen as a direct !unction o! the latter. latter. Heath is clearl not the mere asence o! disease. ood Health con!ers on a erson or #rou9s !reedom !rom illness : and and the the ail ailit it to reali< realior  can it e limited to care rendered  or !inanced out o! ulic eenditure within the #overnment sector alone ut must include incentives and disincentives !or sel!:care and care  aid !or  rivate citior can it e estalished on considerations o! utilit maimi
1 Mensah GA, Goodman RA, Zaza S, Moulton AD, Kocher PL, Dietz WH, et al La! as a tool "or #re$enting chronic chronic diseases% &'#anding the s#ectrum o" e(ecti$e #u)lic health strategies Pre$ *hronic Dis +-. 1% A11 A$aila)le at htt#%//!!!cdcgo$/#cd/issues/+-/0an/2htm 3accessed on 1 4ul5 +67 1 | Page

;hat ma4es !or a )ust health care sstem even as an ideal? ,our criteria could e su##ested: ,irst universal access and access to an ade/uate level and access without ecessive urden. @econd @econd !air distri distriuti ution on o! !inanc !inancial ial costs costs !or access access and !air distri distriut ution ion o! urden urden in rationin# care and caacit and a constant search !or imrovement to a more )ust sstem. 5hird trainin# roviders !or cometence emath and accountailit ursuit o! /ualit care add cost e!!ective use o! the results o! relevant relevant research. Last secial secial attention to vulnerale #rous such as children women disaled and the a#ed. Health Law rovides a !oundation !or le#al ractice in the !ields o! Individual Health Care Law and Pulic Pulic Health Law in the India. In so doin# it elores elores the relationshi relationshi etween law and olic and eamines the le#al issues that o!ten arise in the #overnment=s attemt to re#ulate ersonal ehavior and the rovision o! medical care. It eamines the central tension etween the state=s re#ulator owers and individual ri#hts in the contet o! rotectin# the ulic=s health. It covers such su)ect areas as7 !ederal state and local ulic health owers the circumstances under which the state can limit the !reedoms o!  individuals in order to rotect citi
health and healthcare.

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5he @ureme Court o! India has articulated in several landmar4 )ud#ments li4e in case o!  Consumer Education and Resource Centre  v. Union of India 2  State of Punjab and Others

v. Mohinder Singh3 that the ri#ht to health is inte#ral to the ri#ht to li!e under %rticle & of  the Constitution of India . ;hile on the one hand the ri#ht to health is #uaranteed as a

!undamental ri#ht the Constitution also imoses a ositive dut on the @tate under Article '& to raise the level o! nutrition and the standard o! livin# and to imrove ulic health to ensure the ri#ht ri#ht to healthcare healthcare.. 5hus 5hus as endors endorsed ed in the Declaration of %lma %ta in !'#  the attainment o! the hi#hest ossile level o! health ecomes the 4e worldwide social #oal. 5he Constitution o! @outh A!rica too in its ill o! %i#hts eressl declared access to healthcare !ood water and social securit esides emer#enc medical treatment as the !undamental ri#hts o! individuals BArticle BArticl e 2& o! the Constitution o! @outh A!rica. Pulic health law could e de!ined as the stud o! the le#al owers and duties o! the @tate to ensure conditions !or eole to e health with collaoration !rom multile sta4eholders Be.#. healthcare ro!essionals usiness communit media media and academe '. $nli4e at the turn o! the centur toda the !ield o! ulic health has eanded !rom areas o! communicale diseases and enviro environme nmental ntal sanita sanitatio tion n to address address enlar# enlar#ed ed health health concern concerns s !or instan instance ce chroni chronicc diseases and mental health as well as rovide services to create a health environment +. (minent scholar )ran* +rad   oserved that ulic health law does not come in a neat

le#islative ac4a#e ut consists o! man tes o! le#islations which have little in common ecet !or the eni#n urose o! advancin# ulic health. 6 5he reservation o! ulic health

+ A8R 199: S* ;;  A8R 199< S* 1++: - Gostin L= Legal "oundations o" #u)lic health la! and its role in meeting "uture challenges 4 Ro5 8ns Pu) Health +;.Su##l 1%6>1: : Grad ?P @he constitutional and legal sources o" #u)lic health #o!ers and the #lace o" #u)lic health in Go$ernment @he Pu)lic Health Manual rd edn Washington, D*% American Pu)lic Health Association. +-%1 ; Grad ?P Pu)lic health la!% 8ts "orm, "unction, "uture, and ethical #arameters 8nt Dig Health Legis 1996.-9%19>9 3 | Page

is amon# the most imortant #oals o! #overnments and law can serve as an e!!ective tool not onl at the individual level ut also at a lar#er communit level. & ;ithin the !ramewor4 o! the Constitution o! India ulic health is a su)ect !or the states to le#islate. However ver !ew states in India have cra!ted ulic health le#islations. At the national level the archaic 112:ear:old Eidemic Diseases Act 1*-& is an eamle o! the nature nature o! laws laws dealin dealin# # with with ulic ulic health health emer#e emer#enci ncies. es. 5here 5here are also some some 8olici 8olicin#9 n#9  rovisions in le#islations such as the Indian Penal Code that date ac4 to 1*60 which see4 to  rotect the ulic9s health in the !ace o! an eidemic. 5he ost:Indeendence laws were more  ro#ressive and addressed various issues concernin# ulic health aleit in a iecemeal manner !or which the Constitution laid a stron# !oundation under Part III BArticles 1' 1+ 1& 21 23 2' which are mandator and Part I BArticles 3* 3- '1 '2 '& '*A +1Bc +1A which are directives. However the need !or a comrehensive ulic health law has alwas een !elt. 5he (inistr o! Health and ,amil ;el!are overnment o! India has  roosed dra!tin# this much needed law B5he >ational Health ill 200- !or consideration   Parliament. Preservation o! ulic health throu#h en!orcement and enactment o! aroriate laws is one o! the most imortant imortant #oals o! #overnments. #overnments. 5he ulic health health law aroach osits that the #overnment has oth the ower and the dut to re#ulate rivate ehaviour in order to romote  ulic health.* Law Law there there!o !ore re emer emer#e #ess as a tool tool in ul ulic ic healt health h to e used used wher wheree aroriate and a!ter due rocess in romotin# and rotectin# ulic health #oals. However achievin# a )ust alance etween the owers and duties o! the @tate to de!end and advance the  ulic9s health while ensurin# rotection o! the constitutional ri#hts o! individuals oses an inevitale challen#e !or ulic health law. 5he asic issue in delineation and reali
< Gostin L= 3ed7 Pu)lic health la! and ethics% A reader *ali"ornia%ni$ersit5 o" *ali"ornia Press. ++ A$aila)le at htt#%//!!!#u)lichealthla!net/reader/ 3accessed on + Ma5 +67 6 Gostin L= Pu)lic health la!% Po!er, dut5, restraint BerCele5% ni$ersit5 o" *ali"ornia Press. + 4 | Page

oli#atin# the @tate with a ositive dut to eliminate an adverse conditions in the en)oment o! a di#ni!ied li!e and ensurin# comlete rotection o! the laws. However the most common challen#e to health ri#hts ride on the claims o! !undamental !reedoms #ranted to ever citi
G !ealth is a state of complete physical" mental and social ell#being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. $he en%oyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being ithout distinction of race" religion" and   political belief" economic or social s ocial condition. $he health of all peoples is fundamental to the attai attainm nmen entt of peac peacee and and secur security ity and and is depe depend nden entt upon upon the the fulle fullest st co#o co#ope pera rati tion on of  individuals and States. $he achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of  health is of value to all. &nequal development in different countries in the promotion of  health health and contro controll of disease disease"" especia especially lly commun communica icable ble diseas disease" e" is a common common danger danger..  !ealthy development of the child is of basic importance' the ability to live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such development. $he etension to all peoples of  the benefit benefitss of medica medical" l" psycho psycholog logica icall and relat related ed noled noledge ge is essent essential ial to the fullest  fullest  attainment of health. *nformed opinion and active co#operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people. +overnments have a responsib responsibility ility for the health of their peoples" hich can be fulfilled fulfilled only by the provision provision of  adequate health and social measures. measures.  , WH- Constitution

G !uman health and quality of life are at the centre of the effort to develop sustainable human  settlements. ,e ... commit ourselves to ... the goals of universal and equal access to ... the highest attainable standard of physical" mental and environmental health" and the equal  access of all to primary health care" maing particular efforts to rectify inequalities relating  to social and economic conditions ..." ithout distinction as to race" national origin" gender" age" or disability.

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+ood health throughout throughout the life span of every man and oman" good health for every child ... are fundamental to ensuring that people of all ages are able to ... participate fully in the  social" economic and political processes of human settlements.... Sustainable human  settlements depend on ... policies ... to provide access to food and nutrition" safe drining  ater" sanitation" and universal access to the idest range of primary health#care services...' to eradicate ma%or diseases that tae a heavy toll of human lives" particularly childhood  diseases' to create safe places to or and live' and to protect the environment.... Measures to prevent ill health and disease are as important as the availability of appropriate medical  treatment and care.  *t is therefore essential to tae a holistic approach approach to health" hereby both prevention and  care are placed ithin the contet of environmental policy....policy...., Habitat %genda. paras/ 01 and &#

G !ealth and development are intimately interconnected. oth insufficient development  leading to poverty and inappropriate development ... can result in severe environmental  health problems.... $he primary health needs of the orld/s population ... are integral to the achievement of the goals of sustainable development and primary environmental care....  Ma%or goals ... y the year 0111 ... eliminate guinea orm disease...' eradicate polio... y 2334 ... reduce measles deaths by 34 per cent...' ensure universal access to safe drining  ater and... Sanitary measures of ecreta disposal...' y the year 0111 5reduce6 the number  of deaths from childhood diarrhoea ... by 41 to 71 per cent..., %genda &.Chapter 1. paras/  and &

Introduction to (nvironment $rotection %ct in relation to Health Laws Poll Pollut utio ion n re!er re!erss to an an unde undesir sira ale le chan chan#e #e in the the hs hsica ical l chem chemica icall or iol iolo# o#ica icall characteristics o! our environment i.e. air water and soil that ma or will adversel a!!ect humans or other secies and li!e suort sstems o! our ioshere directl or indirectl. $sua $suall ll we tr to !or# !or#et et the the soci social al and and sch schol olo# o#ica icall envi enviro ronm nment ent when when we tal4 tal4 o!  environmental ollution. Diet alcohol use ris4 ehavior crime and man other similar  !actors could e considered considered as environmen environmental. tal. ,or the asic understandi understandin# n# the ma)or causes

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o! ollution as ,ossil ,uel consumtion (otor transort (odern a#riculture and Industries. Protection o! environment is directl rotectin# eole9s health. 5he #overnment has enacted numer o! le#islations in this direction !rom time to time such as the Destructive Insect  Pest Act 1-1' ;ild Li!e BProtection Act 1-'2 5he Atomic Ener# Act 1-62 5he ;ater  BPreve BPreventi ntion on and Control Control o! Pollut Pollution ion Act Act 1-&' 1-&' 5he 5he Air Air BPreven BPreventio tion n and Contro Controll o!  Pollution Act 1-*1 5he Environment BProtection Act 1-*6 5he (otor ehicles Act 1-**. 5he ri#ht to health clean and ollution:!ree environment has its ori#in in the human ri#ht to Health ecause in order to have a health od one needs clean environment. 5here are o!  cour course se a num numer er o! addit additio iona nall reaso reasons ns wh wh we need need o! a #ood #ood envi enviro ronm nmen ent t name namel l conservation o! natural resources maintainin# io diversit and rotectin# wild li!e. I would li4e to address the !ollowin#7 • •

Has the ri#ht to health environment vis a vis health een reco#ni
Accordin# to the Constitution o! India it is the dut o! the state to Grotect and imrove the environment and to sa!e#uard the !orests and wildli!e o! the countr. It imoses a dut on ever citiine >ine Envi Enviro ronm nmen entt and and Heal Health th %dvocate Vi2a3 Hiremath have come into eistence as the rolems e#an risin# !or eamle the Handlin#

and (ana#ement o! Ha
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mainl to those )udicial decisions that touch uon ri#ht to health care and not merel ri#ht to health. Lo#icall the the elicit reco#nition r eco#nition o! the !undamental ri#ht to health should have receded the !undamental !undamental ri#ht to #ood environment. environment. However However the develoment develoment o! )urisruden )urisrudence ce in this  ranch has een the reverse. 5he ri#ht to unolluted environment was reco#ni
5o understand the a!!irmation o! ri#ht to health and health care as a !undamental ri#ht. It will #ive us the #rowin# understandin# o! di!!erent asects o! ri#ht to health. It rovides tools !or those who want to use them in similar situations.

;hile dealin# with the issue o! !undamental ri#ht to health and health care the courts have also dealt with seci!ic cate#ories such as under trials convicts and mentall ill ersons. 5he courts have reco#ni
9 Petition 3o <:;7 in Bom)a5 High *ourt in 1966 8 | Page

'. +. 6. &. *.

meth method od o! o! trea treatm tmen ent t cond condit itio ions ns at at the the hos hosita itall inte intern rnal al cont contro rol l orie orient ntat atio ion n and and Arran# Arran#emen ementt !or secial secialised ised treatme treatment. nt.

4aha2an Committee Recommendations on (nvironment 5

Immediate stes to e ta4en to imrove the environment conditions  creatin# a more humane and leasin# environment wherein the atients can live with human di#nit. 5he dilaidated uildin#s to e reaired or reconstructed. Alon# with additional dormitories or  wards. 5he essential amenities such as drin4in# water and toilet !acilities to e rovided inside the wards.

Right to Health is a )undamental Right6

In 1--1 in  CESC "td.  vs. Subash Chandra Chandra #ose 11 the @ureme Court relied on international instruments and concluded that ri#ht to health is a !undamental ri#ht. It went !urther and oserved that health is not merel asence o! sic4ness7 G$he term health implies more than an absence of sicness. Medical care and health facilities not only protect against sicness but also ensure stable manpoer for economic development.  Facilities of health and medical care generate devotion and dedication to give the orers/  best" physically as ell as mentally" in productivity. *t enables the orer to en%oy the fruit of  his labour" to eep him physically fit and mentally alert for leading a successful economic"  social and cultural life. $he medical facilities are" therefore" part of social security and lie li e  gilt edged security" it ould yield immediate return in the increased production production or at any rate reduce reduce absenteeism absenteeism on grounds grounds of sicness" sicness" etc. !ealth is thus a state of complete physical" physical" mental and social ell#being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. *n the light  of 8rticles 00 to 04 of the &niversal &niversal Declaration Declaration of !uman Rights" *nternational *nternational 9ovenant  9ovenant  on :conomic" Social and 9ultural Rights and in the light of socio#economic %ustice assured  in our our 9ons 9onsti titut tutio ion" n" right right to heal health th is a fund fundam amen enta tall huma human n righ rightt to orm ormen en.. $he $he

1 Maha0an committee re#ort a$aila)le at htt#%//!!!camhindiaorg 3accessed on A#ril 1th +<7 11 3A8R 199+ S* :<,:6:7 9 | Page

maintenance of health is a most imperative constitutional goal hose realisation requires interaction by many social and economic factors.$eople are entitled to ade7uate health care6

In case case o!  Mahendra Prata$ Singh   vs. vs. Orissa State 12  5he etitioner an e:saranch o!  Pach Pachhi hi4o 4ote te ram ram Panc Pancha haa att ar aroa oach ched ed the the cour courtt !or !or issu issuan ance ce o! ar aro oria riate te writ writ commandin# the oosite arties to ta4e e!!ective measures to run Primar Health Centre at Pachhi Pachhi4ot 4otee within within orei loc4 loc4 in the distri district ct o! "aiur "aiur  rovid rovidin# in# all amenit amenities ies and !acilities !or roer runnin# o! the said health centre. 5he overnment o! Mrissa decided to oen certain rimar health centres in di!!erent areas in 1--1:-2 su)ect to !ul!ilment o!  certain conditions on asis o! demands o! the local eole and ulic at lar#e. 5he conditions !ul!illed were as !ollows7 1. 5he local local eole should should rovide rovide minimum minimum one one acre o! land dul dul led#ed led#ed in !avour !avour o!  the Panchaat @amiti !or the (edical Institution within a eriod o! one month !rom the date o! issue o! this order. 2. 5he local local eole eole should should rovide rovide ermanen ermanentt uildi uildin#s n#s !or the medical medical instituti institution onss as well as !or the sta!! within si months !rom the date o! issue o! this order. 5he court noted7 reat achievements and accomlishments in li!e are ossile i! one is ermitted to lead an accetal health li!e. Health is li!e9s #race and e!!orts are to e made to sustain the same. In a Countr li4e ours it ma not e ossile. 5o have sohisticated hositals ut de!initel villa#ers o! this Countr within their limitations can asire to have a Primar Health Centre. 5he overnment is re/uired to assist eole and its endeavour should e to see that the  eole #et treatment and lead a health li!e. Health societ is a collective #ain and no overnment should ma4e an e!!ort to smother it. Primar concern should e the PHC and technical !etters cannot e introduced as suter!u#es to cause hindrances in the estalishment o! health centre. 5he )ud#ment stated that the #ram anchaat was a#reeale to o!!er o! the #ram anchaat  uildin# !or runnin# o! the health centre. I! the uildin# was still availale the same could e utilised !or the urose o! runnin# o! the PHC till the new uildin# was comleted. 5he

1+ A8R 199< =ri < 10 | P a g e

overnment either diverts the sta!! !rom orei or ma4es suitale arran#ement !or runnin# o!  the PHC in the uildin# o! Pachhi4ote ram Panchaat.  >ecessar arran#ement would e made within a eriod o! three months !rom that da. da . 5his is  erhas the onl )ud#ement commendin# commendin# the ri#ht to health !or a #eneral oulation. In CERC vs. Union of India 13 the @ureme Court was dealin# with the ri#hts o! wor4ers in asestos manu!acturin# and health ha
1 3199:7  S** -+ 11 | P a g e

deendents should not eat the cost o! the health. and vi#our o! the wor4man. ,acilities and oortunities as en)oined in Article 3* should e rovided to rotect the health o! the wor4man. Provision !or medical test and treatment invi#orates the health o! the wor4er !or  hi#her hi#her roduc roductio tion n or e!!icie e!!icient nt service. service. Contin Continued ued treatme treatment nt while while in service service or a!ter  a!ter  retirement is a moral le#al and constitutional concomitant dut o! the emloer and the @tate. 5here!ore it must e held that the ri#ht to health and medical care is a !undamental ri#ht under Article 21 read with Articles 3-Bc '1 and '3 o! the Constitution and ma4e the li!e o!  the wor4ma wor4man n meanin meanin#!u #!ull and uros urose!u e!ull with with di#nit di#nit o! erson erson.. %i#ht %i#ht to li!e includ includes es  rotection o! the health and stren#th o! the wor4er is a minimum re/uirement to enale a  erson to live with human di#nit. 5he 5he @tate e it $nion or @tate overnment or an industr  ulic or rivate is en)oined to ta4e all such action act ion which will romote health stren#th and vi#our o! the wor4man durin# the eriod o! emloment and leisure and health even a!ter  retirement as asic essentials to live the li!e with health and hainess.. 5here!ore we hold that ri#ht to health medical aid to rotect the health and vi#our o! a wor4er while in service or ost retirement is a !undamental ri#ht under Article 21 read with Articles 3-Be '1 '3 '*A and all related to Articles and !undamental human ri#hts to ma4e the li!e o! the wor4man meanin#!ul and urose!ul with di#nit o! erson. 5he Court also held that the ri#ht is availale not )ust a#ainst the @tate ut also a#ainst rivate emloers. 5he Court oserved7 It would thus e clear that in an aroriate case the Court would #ive aroriate directions to the emloer e it the @tate or its underta4in# or rivate emloer to ma4e the ri#ht to li!e meanin#!ul to revent ollution o! wor4 lace rotection o! the the envi enviro ronm nment ent rot rotect ectio ion n o! the the heal health th o! the the wor4 wor4ma man n or to rese reserv rvee !ree !ree and and unolluted water !or the sa!et and health o! theeole. 5he authorities or even rivate  ersons or industries are ound  the directions issued  this Court under Article 32 and Article 1'2 o! the Constitution. In Case o! Munici$a% Counci% Rat%am vs. &ardichand and Ors 1' is a crucial case ecause !or  the !irst time the @ureme Court rescried that in matters concernin# ulic health !inancial inailit was no #round !or @tate authorities not to carr out their  duties. 5he Ae Court held that

1- A8R 196 S* 1;++ 12 | P a g e

>8 responsible Municipal 9ouncil constituted for the precise purpose of preserving   public health and providing better finances cannot run aay from its principal duty by pleading financial inability. Decency and dignity are non#negotiable facets of  human human rights rights and are a first first charg chargee on local local self#go self#govern verning ing bodies. bodies. Simila Similarly rly""  providing drainage system ? not pompous and attractive" but in oring condition and sufficient to meet the needs of the people ? cannot be evaded if the municipality is to %ustify its eistence>. %atlam is a town in (adha Pradesh. 5he town had the %atlam (unicial Council as its local sel!:#overnin# od. @anitation in %atlam was athetic as the drains over!lowed. 5he municialit was olivious to its oli#ation towards human wellein# and was directl #uilt o! reach o! dut and o! ulic nuisance and active ne#lect. 5he su:Divisional (a#istrate %atlam was moved to ta4e action under @ection 133 CrPC to aate the nuisance  orderin# the municialit to construct drains to wash the !ilth and sto the stench. 5he ma#istrate made the direction sou#ht and scared  the rosect o! rosecution under @ection 1** IPC !or violation o! the order under @ection 133 CrPC the municialit rushed !rom court to court till it reached the Ae Court as the last re!u#e o! lost causes. 5he @essions Court held the order as un)usti!ied ut the Hi#h Court o! (adha Pradesh uheld the order o! the Divisional (a#istrate %atlam. 5he (unicial Council %atlam ar#ued that that thou#h thou#h it was their their statuto statutor r oli#a oli#atio tion n to uild uild roer roer drains drains there was !inanci !inancial al inail inailit it.. 5he 5he Court Court held held the lea lea o! the munici municial alit it that that notwit notwithst hstand andin# in# the ulic ulic nuisance !inancial inailit validl eonerates it !rom statutor liailit had no )uridical asis. 5he criminal rocedure code oerates a#ainst statutor odies and others re#ardless o! the cash in their co!!ers even as human ri#hts under Part III o! the Constitution have to e resected  the @tate re#ardless o! ud#etar rovision. Li4ewise @ection 123 o! the Act has no savin# clause when the municial council is enniless. Mtherwise a ro!li#ate statutor  od or achdermic #overnmental a#enc ma ma  le#all le#all  de! duties under the law  ur#in# in sel!:de!ence a sel!created an4rutc or erverted eenditure ud#et. 5hat cannot e. 5he @ureme Court also held that it was not )ust a matter o! the health o! a rivate individual ut the health sa!et and convenience o! the ulic at lar#e was at sta4e. 5he @ureme Court while assin# the )ud#ment in this matter artiall modi!ied the order o!  the ma#istrate and also as4ed the (unicial Council %atlam to carr out the !ollowin# orders

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1. ;e direct direct the %atlam %atlam (unici (unicial al Council Council B%1 to ta4e immediate immediate action action within within its statutor owers to sto the e!!luents !rom the Alcohol Plant !lowin# into the street. 5he @tate overnment also shall ta4e action to sto the ollution. 5he su:Divisional (a#istrate (a#istrate will also use his ower under @ection 133 CrPC to aate the nuisance nuisance so caused. Industries cannot ma4e ro!it at the eense o! ulic health. ;h has the ma#istrate not ursued this asect? 2. 5he (unici (unicial al Council Council shall shall within within si months months !rom toda toda construc constructt a su!!ic su!!icien ientt numer o! ulic latrines !or use  men and women searatel rovide water sul and scaven#in# service mornin# and evenin# so as to ensure sanitation. 5he Health M!!icer o! the (unicialit will !urnish a reort at the end o! the si:monthl term that the wor4 has een comleted. ;e need hardl sa that the local eole will e trained in usin# and 4eein# these toilets in clean condition. Conscious cooeration o!  the consumers is too imortant to e ne#lected  reresentative odies. 3. 5he @tate @tate overnment overnment will will #ive secial secial instructio instructions ns to the (alaria (alaria Eradication Eradication ;in# ;in# to sto mos/uito reedin# in ;ard 12. 5he su:Divisional (a#istrate will issue directions to the o!!icer concerned to !ile a reort e!ore him to the e!!ect that the wor4 has een done in reasonale time. '. 5he munici municialit alit  will not merel merel construc constructt the drains drains ut also !ill u cessool cessoolss and other its o! !ilth and use its sanitar sta!! to 4ee the lace !ree !rom accumulation accumulationss o! !ilth. A!ter all what it las out on rohlactic sanitation is a #ain on its hosital  ud#et. +. ;e have no hesitati hesitation on in holdin# holdin# that i! these directio directions ns are not comlied comlied with the su:Divisio su:Divisional nal (a#istrate (a#istrate will rosecute the o!!icers o!!icers resonsile. resonsile. Indeed this Court will also consider unishin# !or contemt in case o! reort  the su:Divisional (a#istrate o! will!ul reach  an o!!icer. 5he Court also held that the @tate should e #uided  the aramount rincile o! Art. '& o!  the Constitution o! India which states that imrovement o! ulic health should e one o! the  rimar duties o! the state. Court in Citi*ens +ction +ction Committee, -ag$ur  -ag$ur  vs. In the case o! #omba( )igh Court  vs. Cii% Surgeon,  Ma(o /enera%0 )os$ita%, -ag$ur and Ors 1 ut ut in detai detaill the the res reson onsi siil iliti ities es o! the the

(unicial Cororation in marinatin# the civic hosital and the other asic amenities in the cit. 5he hi#h court in its order stated that we cannot ut emhasi
1: A8R 196; Bom 1; 14 | P a g e

the needs o! an an  #rowin# cit. Hardl an otion can e seed out or a n ecuse ermissile so as to a!!ord an alii when the matters concern the authorities would estow ur#ent attention on ever !acet o! the rolem o! ulic health and e!!ectivel…. 5he Citia#ur ench o! the oma Hi#h Court as4in# the court to intervene as the overall condition o! the civic amenities such as roads sanitation and ulic health was deterioratin# deteriorat in# consideral. 5he court issued notice to all the concerned authorities and as4ed them to !ile their sa. 5wo !act !indin# reorts o! the citi
citi
1; A8R 199< MP 191 15 | P a g e

imrovement o! ulic health. It is incument on @tate to imrove the health o! ulic  rovidin# unolluted drin4in# water. @tate in resent case has !ailed to dischar#e its rimar resonsiilit. It is also covered  Article 21 o! the Constitution o! India and it is the ri#ht o!  the citi
aud audito itorium riums s hos hosit ital al uil uildin din#s #s heal health th insti institu tutio tions ns educ educat atio iona nall instit institut utio ions ns lirar raries cour courtt ui uild ldin in#s #s uli ulicc o!! o!!ic ice e Pulic Pulic conve convea ances nces includi includin# n# the the railwas railwas..

In 8. Rama9rishna Rao  vs.  )(derabad 6ee%o$ment +uthorit( 1- the Andhra Pradesh Hi#h Court oserved7 Protection o! the environment is not onl the dut o! the citi
1< MA/P/<6:/+ 16 A8R ++ S* -, MA/S*/</+1 19 Writ Petition ;9+9/1996 @ RamaCrishna Rao $s H5dera)ad r)an De$elo#ment Authorit5 decided on +<+1 16 | P a g e

li!e and its attainment and !ul!ilment #uaranteed  Article 21 o! the Constitution emraces the rotection and reservation o! nature9s #i!t without which li!e cannot e en)oed !ruit!ull. 5he 5he slow oisonin# o! the atmoshere a tmoshere caused  the environmental  ollution and soliation should e re#arded as amountin# to violation o! Article 21 o!  the Constitution o! India. It is there!ore as held  this Court sea4in# throu#h $/%. $/%. Choudar3. Ch oudar3. 8/  in 8. 6amodar Rao and others  vs.  S$ecia% Officer, Munici$a% Cor$oration of )(derabad 2:  the le#itimate dut

o! the Courts as the en!orcin# or#ans o! the constitutional o)ectives to !orid all actions o!  the @tate and the citi
+ A8R 196< AP 1<1 17 | P a g e

5he health o! the wor4er enales him to en)o the !ruit o! his laour 4eein# him hsicall !it and mentall alert !or leadin# a success!ul li!e economicall sociall and culturall. (edical !acilities to rotect health o! the wor4ers are there!ore the !undamental and human ri#hts o! the wor4men. 5he court also held that in an aroriate case the court would #ive directions to the emloer e it the dut o! the @tate or its underta4in# or a rivate emloer to ma4e the t he ri#ht to li!e meanin#!ul to revent ollution o! the wor4 lace rotect the environment rotect the health o! the wor4er or to ensure !ree and unolluted water !or the sa!et and health o! the  eole. 5his was an imortant oservation ecause ordinaril under its Constitutional  )urisdiction the @ureme Court #ives directions onl to @tate authorities and not to rivate individuals or emloers. 5he emloer is vicariousl liale to a dama#es in the case o! occuational diseases here in this case asestosis. 5he Emloees @tate Insurance Act and ;or4men9s Comensation Act rovide !or ament o! mandator comensation !or the in)ur or death caused to the wor4er wor4er while in emloment. emloment. @ince the Act does not rovide rovide !or ament o! comensation comensation a!ter the cessation o! emloment it ecomes necessar to rotect such ersons !rom the resective dates on cessation o! their emloment. 5he Court oserved7 $he :mployees State *nsurance 8ct and ,ormen/s ,ormen/s 9ompensation 8ct provide for payment of  mand mandat ator oryy comp compen ensa sati tion on for for the the in%u in%ury ry or deat death h caus caused ed to the the or orma man n hil hilee in employment. employment. Since the 8ct does not provide provide for payment of compensation compensation after cessation of  employment" it becomes necessary to protect such persons from the respective dates of  cessation of their employment till date. @iquidated damages by ay of compensation are accepted principles of compensation. 5he Court while allowin# the Petition ordered in resect o! Asestos industries7 All the industries are directed 1. to maintain maintain and 4ee 4ee maintainin maintainin# # the health health record record o! ever wor4er wor4er uto a minimum minimum  eriod o! '0 ears !rom the e#innin# o! the emloment or 1+ ears a!ter retirement ret irement or cessation o! the emloment whichever is later

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2. the (emrane (emrane ,ilter ,ilter test to detect asestos asestos !ire !ire should should e adoted adoted  all the !actories !actories or estalishments on a ar with the (etalli!errous (ines %e#ulations 1-61 and ienna ienna Convention and rules issued iss ued there under 3. all all the the wheth hether er cove covere red d  Eml Emlo oee eess @tat @tatee Insu Insura ran nce Act or ;or4m r4men9 en9s Comensation Act or otherwise are directed to comulsoril insure health covera#e to ever wor4er '. the $nion $nion and all all the @tate overnm overnments ents are directed directed to consider consider inclusion inclusion o! o! such o!  those small scale !actor or !actories or industries to rotect health haational Institute o! Mccuational Health to detect whether all or an o! them are su!!erin# !rom asestosis. In case o! ositive !indin# that all or an o! them are su!!erin# !rom occuational health haational Institute o! Mccuational Health.

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Conclusion In the hundreds o! cases dealin# with the environment our Courts have not reall dealt so much with ri#ht to health care as the ri#ht to health and the imact o! environment on health. ;hile dealin# with environmental issues the @ureme Court has develoed a numer o!  innovative doctrines such as 8olluter as9 8ulic trust9 8reversal o! urden o! roo!9 8reventive rincile9 8tran#enerational e/uit9 etc. However none o! them directl deal with health care. (an mi#ht ar#ue that as lon# as the environment is clean and this leads to the etter health o! the eole it does not matter as it is the result that counts. ut the notion o! the 8ri#ht to health9 does not come clearl throu#h these )ud#ements. It is imortant to reco#ni
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9ibliograph3 •

• • • • •

A 5etoo4 M! (edical "urisrudence And 5oicolo# 2'th Edition BEn#lish 2'th Edition ;ater ;a ter (ana#ement In 2020 And eond BEn#lish %econsiderin# Law and Polic Deates7 A Pulic Health Persective BEn#lish htt7OOwww.environmentallawso!india.comOthe:environment:de!initions:and:acts.html htt7OOwww.ea.vic.#ov.auOaout:usOle#islationOacts:administered::ea htt7OOwww.le#islation.act.#ov. htt7OOwww. le#islation.act.#ov.auOaO1--&:-2OcurrentOd!O1--&:-2.d!  auOaO1--&:-2OcurrentOd!O1--&:-2.d! 

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