Temporary shelter for those affected by demolitions

Based on directions from the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to provide temporary shelter to those who lost their dwellings in the ongoing demolition drive.

In this regard, BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad held a meeting on Friday where he directed officials to abide by KSHRC guidelines. After the meeting, the commissioner called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy and Congress leader in the BBMP Council R S Sathyanarayana, where he furnished details about the ongoing demolition drive.

The chief minister directed the commissioner to intensify the drive in areas which were severely affected by rain.

“The chief minister has directed us to ensure that engineers alone are not punished but revenue officers and registrars should also be penalised,” said Prasad.

The civic body is all geared up to start the demolition drive afresh from Tuesday besides initi-ating action against erring officials, said the commissioner.

Commissioner's directions

Based on KSHRC's guidelines, the BBMP is making arrangements for shelter, food, water and toilets at relief camps. Notices will be served to all those whose houses are located on the stormwater drains.

The KSHRC's guidelines were based on a petition filed by social activist T Narasimha Murthy in the wake of displacement of many families. In his petition, Murthy said that these families had obtained all necessary khathas, registration documents and were paying property taxes promptly.

“Houses on which lifetime savings were invested and bank loans were taken have been flattened. These property owners are now on the streets and are facing a hand-to-mouth existence due to lack of shelter, food, water and toilets.

“This crisis has a negative impact on the children as their studies will be badly affected. The state government is primarily responsible for this situation,” said Murthy in his petition to the human rights commission.

Halt to operations till Tuesday

The BBMP has decided to put its demolition drive on hold till Tuesday in the wake of a series of holidays starting from Varamahalakshmi on Friday. The drive will resume  on Tuesday.