The Pioneer 16.09.2010
Give homes to slum-dwellers, HC to GovtPNS | CUTTACK
In a significant order, the Odisha High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to draw up a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate slum-dwellers and evictees by providing them residential apartments.
Deciding to monitor the slum dwellers' rehabilitation periodically, the High Court also directed the Central Government to reallocate funds under different schemes to rehabilitate the slum-dwellers of the State.
The bench of Chief Justice V Gopalgowda and Justice Indrajit Mahanty gave the order while disposing off the petition filed by some slum dwellers of Jai Maa Mangala slum of the city who were evicted from their hearths in July this year and another petition filed by the Odisha Basti Unayan Mahasangha through its lawyer Khirod Chandra Rout.
"The State Government and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the entire State should draw up a comprehensive development plan identifying appropriate land, if necessary to acquire them for the purpose of construction of residential apartments to rehabilitate slum dwellers and evictees of entire State," the bench said in its order.
The State Government was also directed to earmark budget allocation to discharge its statutory obligations and see that things were implemented effectively. The HC also directed the State Government to send utilisation report and progress report in order to avail the benefits of budgetary allocations already made and yet to be made by the Central Government for the financial year 2011-12.
Asking the Government to submit periodical status report to this court (HC) to avail the benefits of different schemes in place for the slum dwellers, the bench also threatened to take action against the erring officials if the progress made in this direction was found unsatisfactory.
The State Urban Development Secretary was directed to submit the status report and progress report to the court by every 12th week so that the latter can review the progress made for the benefit of all the slum dwellers in the State.
After the slum dwellers were evicted in the city without making any alternative rehabilitation arrangement, the High Court had to intervene in the matter asking the local administration to rehabilitate them suitably at a nearby open land. The slum dwellers were also provided with free food for several days after they were evicted by the local administration.
