There is complete inaction and total lethargy on part of the state government.: Bombay HC | File photo of Bombay High Court

The division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice MS Sonak said, "The state government quite reluctantly constituted the State Disaster Management Authority [SDMA] and the District Disaster Management Authorities [DDMA] for Mumbai city and suburban Mumbai. Even after it was constituted, these authorities are not functional or are not functioning with the seriousness they are expected to function."

Talking about the meetings held between various authorities for discussing issues related to Disaster Management for Mumbai and Mumbai suburban, Justice Oka said, "These meetings are nothing but farce."

The bench noted that the last meeting of the state authority was held on May 29 this year and thereafter, no meetings were held. "This is quite distressing. There are serious issues like flooding of urban areas and drought in rural areas that the state is facing," the court said in its order.

"The Disaster Management Act was enacted to provide requisite institutional mechanism for setting up of a disaster management plan and undertaking a holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation," the court said in its order adding "There is complete inaction and total lethargy on part of the state government."

The court noted that the government has not even made budgetary allocation for funds towards disaster management plans.

The division bench had passed its judgement in petitions filed by activist Sanjay Lakhe Patil, who sought directions to the government to implement the provisions of the Act.

The Bombay High Court in the judgement has directed the state chief secretary to ensure compliance of all its directions and to file an affidavit on February 1, 2019 about it.