Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 21: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the State Government to take steps for protecting the flood hit homeless people from the harsh winters.
The Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar today said: “It was noticed that most of the flood-hit families are residing in tented accommodation. It shall not be feasible in view of the severe cold during the nights which is to get intensified day by day.”
The Bench, hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), directed the State Government to rehabilitate the homeless flood victims “in a manner so as to protect them against the vagaries of weather and the hardships of coming winter season”.
The court directed the Government to file the response by next date of hearing on November 3 after Advocate General, Mohammad Ishaq Qadri, sought time for filing the response by the State Government.
According to official figures, the floods destroyed 1. 04 lakh houses across the State while over 1.5 lakh houses suffered partial damage due to the natural calamity.
The officials said that the number of people living in tents is around one lakh. However, the number of homeless in Kashmir is believed to be over six lakh as most of them are putting up with relatives, friends or in rented accommodation.
The court was apprised by the Department of Food Control Organisation of Kashmir that its supervisory enforcement staff has carried out extensive inspections in the Valley after devastative floods and operation of 21 drug sale establishments have been suspended for the time being depending upon severity of contravention of provision of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
Deputy Drug Controller in his compliance report said that operation of these shops and establishments shall be allowed only after verification of satisfactory compliance of their sanitary conditions.
The report further stated that medicines worth Rs. 50,000 approximately which were mostly contaminated and touched by the flood water were confiscated on spot and food items mainly perishable items were destroyed by the food safety officers.
The Food Control Organisation in its status report further stated that reaching to the interiors and adjoining districts of flood hit areas is still in process and in this regard help has been sought from district administration to ensure that the general public is provided with safe and wholesome drugs and food articles for consumption.
Expressing its dis-satisfaction over the report filed by Director Consumer Affairs court said: “It is stated that various steps have been taken but nothing has been said about the follow up and the change in ground realities”.
The court directed the Director Consumer Affairs for filing of fresh affidavit indicating clearly therein as to what has been the impact of the directions issued by the Department on the ground level.
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