Supreme Court directs State to provide provisional accommodation for Khori Gaon dwellers

The Supreme Court on Tuesday frowned upon the timelines provided in the housing policy proposed by the Faridabad Municipal Corporation for rehabilitation of persons affected by the demolition of Khori Gaon jhuggis in Faridabad, Haryana.

. As per the policy, the Jhuggi dwellers will be shifted to the housing facility by April 2022 but the Bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari was not impressed by the same stating that rehabilitation cannot take so long.

The Court ordered that the corporation has to give provisional accommodation to the dwellers in State flats after provisional scrutiny which will be subject to the final adjudication and final draw of lots.

The Court further stated that if at a later stage, an allottee is found to be not genuine, then such person be evicted even with police force if needed.

. The housing and rehabilitation policy titled, " Housing Plan for rehabilitation of Khori (Lakkarpur revenue estate) Jhuggi Dwellers sitting on land owned by Municipal Corporation, Faridabad " was submitted before the Court by the corporation pursuant to the orders of the Court.

As per the same, the last day of application for allotment is October 15 with November 15 being the date of handing over final allotment letters and a transfer to the new accommodation would happen by April 30, 2022.

. However, the Supreme Court noted that this was not in tune with what was suggested by the top court during the earlier hearing.

It, therefore, ordered provisional allotment which was accepted by the corporation.

" The corporation is in principle agreed to roll out a scheme for allotment of premises/houses in view of rehabilitation of eligible applicants. Corporation upon receiving the applications along with documents establishing eligibility of accommodation, provisional allotment letter to be issued after due scrutiny. Such provisional letter to state such allotment is temporary and subject to final adjudication and final draw of lots and scrutiny of all participants, " the order noted.

. The Court further clarified that the applicant concerned and his family members have to give undertaking to corporation that as and when called upon to vacate in the event of failing to establish eligibility criteria or remedy of appeal, they shall vacate in 2 weeks.

If successful, they will be handed over the final allotment letter.

. The municipal corporation assured the Court that after provisional allotment, if any repair and maintenance to make it habitable is required, the corporation would attend to it.

The top court directed that the same shall be carried on by the corporation preferably within 10 days of the intimation given by the applicant to the concerned official of the corporation

[Read Order]

. [Read account from court]

Supreme Court directs State to provide provisional accommodation for Khori Gaon dwellers

Debayan Roy

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