The Karnataka High Court is likely to issue specific directions to the government for implementation of the Operational Guidelines for the Scheme of Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM).
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Oka and comprising Justice Vishwajith Shetty commented orally that at the next hearing date they will pass order in terms of directive for the implementation of the guidelines, create additional centres and night shelters as directed by the Supreme Court.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka, which seeks implementation of the state government’s order dated May 29, 2014 with respect to Urban Homeless Shelters. The counsel for the petitioner, Mohammed Afeef submitted that there are around 40 functional community centres in Karnataka with the capacity of 50-60 persons each. The operational guidelines issued by the central government state that the centres should accommodate at least 100 persons. “While for the entire state there are 67 centres and many of them are non-functional. Even if you take 50 persons as capacity of each centre, still it is not sufficient, it completely defeats the mission of the Central government,” LiveLaw quoted the bench as saying.
The petitioner also submitted that there are no special centres dedicated for children, the disabled or transgenders, as mandated under the scheme. The plea also challenges Rules 37, 38, 46, 47 and 48 under Rules for prohibition of Beggary, which criminalise begging and states that the same is violative of Articles 14,19,21 and 20(2) of the Constitution. The petitioner seeks directions for converting Receiving Centers and Certified Institutions into voluntary and people friendly relief and rehabilitation centers for destitute persons particularly the vulnerable such as the young, the aged, the sick and the infirm. It also seeks pensions, open shelters, community kitchens, health services and livelihood support to the destitute.
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