It is well-settled, since the MC Mehta case, that people have a fundamental right to clean water under Article 21 and governments have a duty to provide this finite resource. The Bombay High Court, in the context of a landmark case relating to the health of tribals in Melghat, reiterated this and pulled up governments for failing to supply water to all citizens even 75 years after Independence. A Division Bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata deplored the indefensible contention of the Maharashtra government that water was supplied wherever there was an indication. The state was compelled to tell the court what plans it had to supply water not just to Melghat but also to all residents across Maharashtra. Governments hold water, a........

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