SC to hear today plea on Joshimath subsidence

One-liner: The SC is scheduled to hear today a plea seeking the court's intervention to declare the crisis in Uttarakhand's Joshimath a national disaster.

Bench to hear: According to the cause list of Jan 16 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench would hear the petition filed by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.

Facing major challenge: Joshimath, the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib and international skiing destination Auli, is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence.

Huge cracks in houses: Joshimath is sinking gradually with huge cracks developing in houses, on roads and fields. Many houses have tilted and are sinking, locals said.

SC refuses: On Jan 10, the top court refused an urgent hearing of the plea, saying there are democratically elected institutions to deal with the situation and all important matters should not come to it. 

What the CJI said: "Everything important need not come to us. There are democratically elected institutions to look into it. We will list it on Jan 16," the CJI had said, after the counsel appearing for the petitioner had mentioned the plea and sought its urgent listing.

Financial aid sought: The petitioner has contended that the incident occurred due to large-scale industrialisation and sought immediate financial assistance and compensation to the people of Uttarakhand.

Challenging times: The plea has also sought direction to the National Disaster Management Authority to actively support the residents of Joshimath in these challenging times.

Bottom line: "No development is needed at the cost of human life and their ecosystem and if any such thing is to happen, then it is the duty of the State and Union govt to stop the same immediately," the plea said.