HC to state: Provide alternate shelter to people staying on government land prior to 1991

The Gujarat High Court observed that people,who have been staying in houses on government land prior to 1991,should be given alternate accommodation in case the settlement has to be evicted for any public purpose.

The Gujarat High Court observed that people,who have been staying in houses on government land prior to 1991,should be given alternate accommodation in case the settlement has to be evicted for any public purpose.

A Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice made oral observations to this effect on Wednesday,while acting on a petition filed by 266 families of Khodiyar Nagar in Ghatlodia area.

The families have challenged the government move to demolish their homes without providing them alternate accommodation.

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They had earlier filed a petition before a single judge bench,seeking directions for the authorities to stop the eviction till the time alternate accommodation is provided. The petitioners had made the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation,the District Collector and the state government as respondents in the petition. The bench had rejected the plea.

Subsequently,the petitioners had filed an appeal against the order before the Division Bench. On Wednesday,opposing the petition,the government counsel said that some residents f Khodiyar Nagar have illegally constructed more than one room in the locality and are collecting rent.

To this,Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhyaya observed that families living in the rented rooms should also be considered for alternate accommodation,if they are living there prior to 1991.

Counsel of the petitioners,Sudhir Nanavati,said the court has stayed eviction of all families staying in Khodiyar Nagar since 1991.

The next hearing has been fixed for May 11.

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