( 1 ) THIS is a public interest litigation filed by one Hamid Khan, who is a practising Advocate of Mandla for the apathy of the State Government, or rather a gross negligence on the part of the State Government in not taking proper measures before supplying drinking water from handpumps, which has resulted in colossal damage to the population of Mandla District.

( 2 ) THE hand-pumps which have been sunk by the State Government for supply of drinking water had excessive fluoride contents and on account of that, thousand of persons who consumed water have suffered major set-back in their life either in terms of deformity of various nature, like skeletal fluorosis or dental fluorosis. Therefore, this cause has been brought by a public spirited Advocate before this Court and notices were issued to the respondents.

( 3 ) IN their return, the respondents have pointed out that the matter came to their light that water of certain tube-wells had excessive flouride which has caused great damage to the population by way of deformities in hands, legs and dental problem and immediate measures were taken for sealing of these tubewells and certain medical facilities were prov