HC 'not happy' with AAP govt efforts on shelter for homeless

The AAP government was today reprimanded by Delhi High Court which said it was "not happy" with its efforts to provide shelter to the homeless in the city while noting its failure to invite NGOs to contribute on the issue.

"We are not happy with this. There is no proper way of holding the meetings. Can't you organise a proper meeting and discuss the issue," a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said.

He gave the government four weeks' time to apprise it about renewed efforts towards securing shelters for the homeless.

The bench's reaction followed a report to it from representatives of a few NGOs that they were not invited to the January 15 meeting called by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the issue.

The bench also directed the government to invite two NGOs -- Shahari Adhikar Manch: Begharo ke Sath and Mahilayen Pragati Ki Aur -- for meetings on the issues of shelter for the homeless, police brutality against them and their deaths.

"There is nothing wrong in taking opinions. Why don't you invite those who are regularly attending the hearing. Involve these two NGOs and conduct a proper meeting and then come here. We are not happy with this," it said.

The court passed the order during a hearing on the matter of providing shelter to homeless in the national capital. The matter was taken up by the court of its own in 2010.

Advocate Reena George also told the court that the government has denied any complaints about police brutality against homeless people even when they themselves have filed such complaints.

The bench had on January 9 asked the government to apprise it about its policy for the homeless while seeking data on the number of deaths caused due to the cold wave.

Delhi government had at the time informed the court that it had acquired seven unused buses for use as temporary night shelters and was planning to procure 20 more.