IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HUMAN RIGHT TO ACCESS CLEAN & SAFE DRINKING WATER IN INDIA

Water is the most essential element for survival of living beings on planet earth. To live a healthy life, everyone needs clean and safe water to drink and it is the responsibility of every government to assure the affordability of the same. On July 28, 2010, right to clean drinking water, has been declared as an essential to the realization of all human rights, passed through UN General Assembly Resolution No. 64/292. Mainly, It calls upon developing countries to provide for safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all. 2020-21 has been a testing time for the world where an infectious disease named covid-19 has brought all the nations economy at halt and has been declared as an ‘epidemic’. In general, the present paper discusses the impact of this disease on human rights to access to clean water during lockdown situation. Specifically, It investigates the facts related to water scarcity in water stressed states in India and tries to find out how the people are managing the domestic and agricultural use of water in these tough times. Further, it highlights the legal issues have been brought before the court in relation to violation of human and fundamental right to life and health with special reference to accessibility of clean drinking water. All the views expressed in the paper are based on recent reported incidents and cases pending and decided by the court. Water is the most essential element for survival of living beings on planet earth. To live a healthy life, everyone needs clean and safe water to drink and it is the responsibility of every government to assure the affordability of the same. On July 28, 2010, right to clean drinking water, has been declared as an essential to the realization of all human rights, passed through UN General Assembly Resolution No. 64/292. Mainly, It calls upon developing countries to provide for safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all. 2020-21 has been a testing time for the world where an infectious disease named covid-19 has brought all the nations economy at halt and has been declared as an ‘epidemic’. In general, the present paper discusses the impact of this disease on human rights to access to clean water during lockdown situation. Specifically, It investigates the facts related to water scarcity in water stressed states in India and tries to find out how the people are managing the domestic and agricultural use of water in these tough times. Further, it highlights the legal issues have been brought before the court in relation to violation of human and fundamental right to life and health with special reference to accessibility of clean drinking water. All the views expressed in the paper are based on recent reported incidents and cases pending and decided by the court