NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court directed Uttarakhand authorities on Tuesday to assist over 27,000 residents near Haldwani Railway Station in applying for housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY).
The residents are reportedly occupying railway land, and eviction procedures are in progress.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to halt the eviction, noting the potential displacement of numerous families. The Court instructed the State to verify their PMAY eligibility and submit a comprehensive report before the next hearing.
The Bench clarified, “We are referring to them as ‘occupants’, not ‘encroachers’. During their rehabilitation process, they should not be labeled as such.” The Court emphasized the importance of verifying eligibility under PMAY to alleviate displacement effects.
The apex court ordered the Collector and revenue officials of Nainital and Haldwani districts to provide PMAY application forms to the affected families, facilitating their enrollment in the scheme. Additionally, the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) was instructed to set up rehabilitation camps starting March 18. The SLSA Member Secretary is required to remain present at these camps.
The Bench encouraged the district administration to fully support the Legal Services Authority to ensure effective implementation of the scheme. The Court expressed optimism that the enrollment could be completed by March 31 and mentioned the possibility of conducting multiple camps if needed. The SLSA was permitted to involve counselors and social activists and to run door-to-door campaigns for maximum public awareness and participation.
The designated authority must assess family-specific eligibility and report back to the Court detailing how many families qualify for the housing benefits. The Court plans to explore alternative options for those deemed ineligible during the next hearing based on the submitted report.
“The SLSA may also utilize counselors, social activists, and conduct outreach campaigns to ensure maximum awareness. The designated authority will determine the eligibility of the families and present a status report to the Court,” the order stated.
