Order 1. Saranda forest is a dense forest in the hilly region of West Singhbhum district in the Indian State of Jharkhand. The forest covers an area of 820 square km (16431 htm). Saranda literally means seven hundred hills. Thalkobad is a scenic village at a height of 550m (1,800 ft) in the heart of the forest. Thalkobad is about 46 km (29 mi) from Manoharpur, and about 160 km (99 mi) from Jamshedpur. Ho people inhabit the area, which is dotted with iron ore. There are 42 revenue villages and 10 forest villages that are located in the Saranda forest area. The villages most dependent on the forests for their livelihood earning through collection of NTFP’s and few are employed in forestry operations. The agriculture is mostly rain fed as there are no major irrigation facilities available to the villagers. 2. In order to bring about growth in the area, Union of India launched a series of developmental projects – Saranda Action Plan/Saranda Development Plan. It is reported in the Hindustan Times dated May, 14, 2014 that though the plan opened up opportunities for development, many of the programmes envisaged and launched around three years ago have not translated into reality. It is reported that the biggest setback has been the poor follow-up action by the district administration and the State Government. It is further reported that despite a slew of development schemes, villagers have to trek miles to get access to water in Saranda. It is also reported that nothing has been done on the water front and that elderly people, women and minors are often seen carrying pots on their heads and traveling miles to fetch water. In summer, people have to trek miles to have potable water. 3. Water is the elixir of life. Without potable water, life becomes difficult for human life and also for other living beings. Providing basic amenities such as drinking water, roads, irrigation facilities and various other social security schemes to the Tribals and other people living in the forest is the constitutional mandate of the Welfare State. Therefore, the aforesaid news item dated 14th May, 2014 published in “Hindustan Times” is taken up as suo motu Public Interest Litigation against the following respondents:- (1) The Union of India represented by Rural Development Department, New Delhi. Therefore, the aforesaid news item dated 14th May, 2014 published in “Hindustan Times” is taken up as suo motu Public Interest Litigation against the following respondents:- (1) The Union of India represented by Rural Development Department, New Delhi. (2) The State of Jharkhand represented by the Chief Secretary, Ranchi (3) The Secretary, Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi (4) The Principal Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi (5) The Director General of Police, State of Jharkhand, Ranchi. (6)The Deputy Commissioner, West Singhbhum. 4. The respondents are directed to take immediate steps for providing drinking water to the villagers in the Saranda Forests and inform this Court about the steps taken in providing drinking water to the people living in Saranda Forests and also the status of series of development projects of Saranda Development Plan/Saranda Action Plan and the amount allocated and steps taken under Saranda Development Plan/Saranda Action Plan. The Director 4.General of Police, State of Jharkhand, Ranchi is directed to afford sufficient protection/security in ensuring drinking water supply to the required villages. 5. On behalf of the Union of India, learned Assistant Solicitor General- Mr. M. Khan takes notice and on behalf of respondent no.2 to 6, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Learned Government Pleader No.V takes notice and request time for getting instruction and filing the status report. 6. The Registry is directed to register it as Public Interest Litigation. 7. Post this matter on 26th June, 2014. 8. Issue a copy of the newspaper clipping and also the order of this Court to the learned Assistant Solicitor General of India- Mr. M. Khan and Mr. Rajesh Kumar, learned G.P.V.