The Supreme Court of India on Monday came down heavily on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi Government for not resolving the water crisis by talking to the Haryana Government and instead approaching the court on an issue that is purely the brief of the government. Justice TS Thakur even went as far as pointing out that the AAP minster in charge of water resources should have been talking to his counterpart in Haryana instead of being present in the apex court. The water crisis arose on account of the Jat protest for reservation which prevented the pumping of water from the Munak canal situated in Haryana, to the residents of Delhi. In recent times matters related to day to day administration are increasingly being decided by the courts of law. It would appear that the executive is failing in the discharge of it basic responsibilities. That citizens approach the courts for various grievances including for environment related issues would imply that they have tried various means and have approached the courts as a last resort.
In Meghalaya a certain student who was prevented from appearing for his final CBSE examination on some untenable grounds has approached the High Court for justice. Several other individuals are left with no option but to knock the doors of the court with public interest litigations. Lately different departments of the state government have had to appear before the High Court and to file their affidavits relating to various acts of omission or commission. This does not bide well for governance. The executive has certain functions that it needs to discharge. So too the legislature. In fact, it is the legislature that should be keeping a watch on the functions of the executive but since this is not happening the court seems to be the last resort of the aggrieved citizens. It is time for the Government to pull up its socks and deliver due governance and for other institutions to ensure that they discharge their duties without waiting for judicial push and shove.