The Hindu 28.07.2010
Slum eviction case adjourned
Correspondent
The government was asked to inform the court whether any scheme was available to rehabilitate slum-dwellers
CUTTACK: The Cuttack district administration which has burnt its hands in the sensitive slum eviction drive would continue to provide free food and shelter to all evictees of Maa Mangala slum till Thursday next as Orissa High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the case to that day.
Allowing time petitions filed by both State and Central government counsel, the bench of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice Indrajit Mohanty also summoned the State Urban Development Secretary and an official from the Union Poverty Alleviation Department to remain personally present on Thursday to assist the court.
Unable to file affidavits on the day as asked, the respondents sought at least seven more days to reply to the court's notice. But observing that the matter was very important and needed to be urgently addressed, the bench allowed only two days to both State and Union governments.
The government was asked to apprise the court whether any scheme was available to rehabilitate the slum dwellers who would be evicted from their unauthorised inhabitations on government lands.
The HC had earlier directed the district administration to evict the slums in the city. Upon this direction, more than 300 families in the slum located near SCB medical college and hospital were forcibly evacuated earlier this month.
But treating a letter petition from evicts as PIL, the HC had asked the district administration to provide free food and make temporary arrangements for their settlements.
