HC to govt: Compensate heatwave deaths

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday directed the state govt to provide compensation to dependents of people who died due to heatwave, and said there was a need to declare heatwaves and cold waves “national calamities”.

Taking suo motu cognisance regarding environment protection & climate change, the HC directed the Rajasthan CS to constitute committees of various departments to take immediate and appropriate steps for effective implementation of ‘Heat Action Plan’ prepared under Rajasthan Climate Change Project. The single-judge bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand also directed the state authorities to sprinkle water on the roads with huge public movement, to provide cooling spaces, shades at the traffic signals where required, all possible facilities at the health centres for treatment of heatwave patients and issue advisory for all workers.