India, Sept. 8 -- The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the state to file an affidavit on relief and rehabilitation measures for flood victims, but only after six weeks, when the ongoing flood crisis is expected to subside.

The decision came while hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking minimum standards of aid under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, including food, potable water, sanitation, shelter, lighting, and medical care.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry said that immediate disaster management efforts should not be obstructed by legal proceedings.

"The court made an earnest request to the petitioners to hold their hands till the crisis is over, but the petitioners in...