No effort made to identify needy persons in containment zones: Karnataka HC fumes over BBMP non-compliance in providing food kits

The Karnataka High Court today fumed over the lethargic attitude of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in providing food kits and rations to the poor in the city's COVID-19 containment zones.The Court pulled up the municipal authority, observing that "no effort" was made to identify needy persons in containment zones..The Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar made the observations while dealing with a batch of pleas pertaining to various issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Karnataka..It was observed that the absolute neglect and failure on the part of BBMP was a violation of the Court's previous order in the matter..[COVID-19] Continue providing food and ration benefits to persons with no ration cards: Karnataka HC to state government ."Even as of now, not even an effort has been made by BBMP to identify needy persons in the containment zones which are more than 3,000 in the city of Bangalore."Karnataka High Court.On the point of dealing with "special health needs" of persons in containment zones, that there was complete lack of understanding about the concept on the part of the BBMP Commissioner, the Court noted..It was further stated that BBMP was supposed to deal with the needs of pregnant women/lactating mothers, and the needs of persons suffering from cardiac ailments/other ailments. This responsibility was on the municipal body, as it would be difficult for such persons to go to hospitals for medicines and other facilities, the Court pointed out. .The Court had earlier directed the state government to step into the place of the BBMP in this regard. However, today, it noted that the state government had not complied with the said directions. .Therefore, in order to ensure compliance of the Court order and the state government issued Standard Operating procedure (SOP) dated April 17, the Court had directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and and Municipal Commissioner to be present for the next hearing via video conference.."In normal course, the writ court should be very slow in summoning senior government officials before the Court. In this case, there is defiance on the part of BBMP with respect to government SO...We expected that the State will step in, however the State has not done that. The only way to ensure enforcement of SOP dated 17th April, 2020 is now to procure the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and Muncipal Commissioner through video conferencing."Karnataka High Court.During the hearing, BBMP counsel had informed the Court that ration and food kits had been provided to 900 families in containment zones. .To this, the Bench responded,."There are 3,000 containment zones and you have given food only for 900 families?...People will die of starvation.".Adding on, the Bench said, ."State should completely take over. BBMP should not be in the picture at all. Such insensitivity cannot continue.".Disappointed with BBMP's lack of compliance, the Court opined."No amount of orders is going to improve their (BBMP's) functioning. We are only creating pieces of paper as orders. As far as compliance is concerned, it is zero.".After this, the issue of transportation of migrants to their home states was also taken up for hearing. The Court directed to state to take a call on this issue, especially in light of the lockdown that has been announced for the city of Bangalore from July 15. .Migrants have contributed to development of the city: Karnataka HC urges state to reconsider decision to stop requisition of Shramik trains.The matter has been next posted for hearing tomorrow.