PIL filed in SC for ban on 'Ganesh Utsav' due to swine flu

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) A Public Interest Litigation
(PIL) was on Wednesday filed in the Supreme Court seeking a
ban on celebrating 'Ganesh Utsav' and 'Dahi Handi' festivals
in west Indian state of Maharashtra in view of swine flu.

However, the apex court refused to grant early hearing
to the petition.

The petition filed by advocate Dilip Anna Saheb Taur
accused the government of not taking effective measures for
protection against the deadly virus.

The PIL, mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice
K G Balakrishnan, also sought a direction for the centre to
allow private hospitals to admit swine flu cases and allow
treating patients as per the guidelines of Health Ministry.

Apart from seeking a ban on public festivals such as
'Dahi Handi' to be celebrated on August 14, and 'Ganesh Utsav'
which is to start on August 23, the PIL sought a direction for
setting up thermometer machine, provision of adequate staff
and separate clinical rooms at every international and
domestic airports for the purpose of establishing necessary
infrastructure.

The petition also sought a direction for the centre to
prepare a necessary action plan and direct all states to shut
down schools, if necessary, for a particular period.

Further, the PIL said, the centre should make N-95 masks
available to people free of cost. PTI RKS