SC to states: Make plans for urban homeless by October 31

NEW DELHI: All states and Union Territories have been asked to prepare action plans for the urban homeless by October 31. While setting the deadline, the Supreme Court has made it clear to states that non-compliance with orders for ensuring shelter for the homeless may invite heavy penalties.
In its order on September 7, SC imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on 10 states that failed to notify civil society members to the state level committees for monitoring construction of shelters.
The court has directed the plan of action be submitted by the states to the ministry of housing and urban affairs by first week of November should include the methodology for identification of homeless persons, nature of shelters and identification of land.
The division bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said the submissions reflect “a sorry state of affairs”. “It has been pointed out in 11 states/UTs, the civil society members suggested by the petitioners have not yet been notified even though the order was passed by us on March 22.”