MUMBAI: The state can’t provide everything to the homeless, Bombay high court observed on Saturday while hearing a PIL to continue reliefs for them as given during the last lockdown.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and justice Girish Kulkarni heard a PIL by Brijesh Arya, a member of Homeless Collective that BMC must continue relief of food, potable water and free access to public toilets. At a previous hearing, BMC was directed to say in what manner shelters would be made available, as directed in another PIL.
The state’s advocate said Arya is a member of the monitoring committee, and has access to information on shelters. The judges asked if the home shelter scheme provides that “they [homeless] should also work for the country.” “It cannot be that after getting shelter they will loiter about... Everything cannot be provided by the government,” said Justice Kulkarni. Arya’s advocate Kranti L C said once the homeless are in shelters, it would facilitate employment schemes for them. “Only then will they work? You are encouraging the population of these persons,” Justice Kulkarni said.
