Cuttack: The Orissa Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has issued notices to collectors of 17 districts and commissioners of four municipal corporations while taking up a petition alleging failure of the state government in constructing night shelters in cities.
Acting on a petition filed by advocate Nishikant Mishra in 2013, the rights body had earlier expressed concern over the issue that cities including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack do not have adequate night shelters, forcing the homeless people to spend nights on the footpath.
Subsequently, the commission had directed the state government to construct night shelters. Although three years have already passed since the order was passed, the state government has failed to construct and make functional night shelters in various cities.
Mishra, in his petition, had stated that various cities including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack did not have night shelters. Consequently, the homeless and destitute people are facing various problems. Admitting the petition, the commission had directed the housing and urban development secretary to respond.
Mishra further stated that night shelters were functioning in Malisahi and Bhimpur in Bhubaneswar while the proposed night shelter at Ganganagar has not become functional. Similarly, the night shelter at Satichoura is under construction while the one at Jobra is facing land hurdle.
The construction of a shelter at Kathagolasahi was completed, but it has not become functional. Besides, the night shelter at Sarvodayanagar in Puri is under construction.
Moreover, the construction of night shelters in Balasore, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Sambalpur and Angul has not begun. The construction of shelters which began in the first phase in Bargarh, Boudh, Berhampur, Malkangir, Nabarangpur and Rayagada is not completed.
The rights body has sought replies from the collectors of Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, Malkangiri, Nayagarh, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Angul, Phulbani and Balasore districts and commissioners of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur and Berhampur municipal corporations. The commission has asked the parties to submit a detailed report within three days stating when the construction of the night shelters would be completed.
Post News Network
