#state accountability

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that delaying payment of verified public works dues, even after bill finalization, violates the right to life and livelihood under Article 21. This sets a critical precedent for contractors and state agencies alike, affirming that administrative inertia in paying legitimate dues constitutes unconstitutional state arbitrariness.

Jharkhand High Court holds that the Right to Health under Article 21 requires not just infrastructure but trained staff, equipment, and 24/7 care in burn units. The court directed the state to operationalize burn units in all 24 district hospitals within 120 days, emphasizing state accountability for emergency medical care.

The Bombay High Court has mandated that the Collector of Stamps and the Pay & Accounts Department must process and issue court fee refunds within four weeks of receiving a server copy of the order, closing a systemic delay that undermines litigants' access to justice. This binding directive applies to all pending and future refund requests, holding state departments accountable for procedural compliance under judicial oversight.

Rajasthan High Court ruled that oral assurances given by state officials in court are legally binding, and failure to comply amounts to contempt. The judgment underscores judicial authority and mandates accountability for government bodies in honoring court directives.